Today Debbie Chinn, a specialist in the hospitality and food and drink sectors, talks about her role in supporting Lancashire businesses.
I am not sure I was motivated to be a business advisor. It came about from being asked to share my knowledge on certain areas of business and seeing that the impact of passing on that knowledge helped others achieve their goals.
It became infectious. I get a thrill from seeing businesses I have worked with grow and gain recognition for what they do.
My inspiration came from working for many years with Max Ward, aviator and founder of Canadian airline Wardair. He grew from starting as a bush pilot to becoming, at one time, the third-largest commercial airline in Canada. Max knew the importance of knowing your customers, the benefits of added value and rising above customers' expectations.
He built a loyal customer base which enabled him to go head-to-head with Canada’s national carrier Air Canada. As former employees of Wardair, Max and I still meet up and talk about our days at the airline, which is a testament to the great employer he was. Many companies today could learn a lot from him.
Lancashire is a great place to start and grow a business because of what we have to offer. It has a rich heritage and beautiful coastlines, with cities that can compete with many others across the country and we have great access routes too. It is a great place to work and live.
Unlike many people who start their day with tea or coffee, I like to jump straight into my day. A typical day is to check my emails, run through my diary and get on the road to meet my first client.
I like to tackle roadworks and regular traffic delays by listening to a podcast or opera and arriving at my destination relaxed or enlightened.
Costs. Everyone is feeling the pinch, business leaders in particular. High energy costs, rising wages, supply chain costs and reduced disposable income all make for difficult times for people running a business.
About the author
Debbie has spent over 20 years assisting hundreds of businesses across all sectors. Her background is in hospitality, travel and tourism as well as in the third sector, which includes charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups.
Debbie ran her own consultancy business and was a director in a food manufacturing company and is our go-to food and drink specialist.
Her experience in running a business means Debbie understands the importance of financial management, results-driven sales, effective marketing, the value of people, customer intelligence and sustainability. Having lived in the Canadian Arctic region for five years, she is also always happy to share her Arctic tales.
If you’re looking to grow, scale or start your business, use Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub. We offer a range of funded business support services. Call our Business Support Helpdesk on 0800 488 0057 to find out more or complete our enquiry form.
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