Connect with us

Science & Technology

Taking Your Business To The Next Level

Published

on

[ad_1]

Benjamin Dyer, CEO of Powered Now, looks at how to grow your business from a one-man band to having employees. Then to grow on further from a small to a larger company.

There’s a lot to be said for a lifestyle business. You can deal with the same pleasant customers that you have always have. Your overheads and risks are low. You can make time to pick up the kids or grandkids if you want to. But lifestyle businesses aren’t for everyone.

This article is written for people who don’t want to be sole traders or even run small installer businesses all of their lives. Instead they want to grow their companies and see themselves really prosper.

The first thing to ask yourself is whether you will make it if you try to expand. In reality, it’s hard. Certain skills are pre-requisites. One of these is skill at estimating and pricing. A critical capability is to be good a knowing how much effort jobs will take. Another is building rapport with customers. If you’re no good at either of these, it will be very hard to succeed.


Marketing
It’s easy to think that the first priority when it comes to growing your business, assuming that your company does good quality work, is to find new customers. Recommendation is still the prime way that new business is won, at least in the residential market. But 30% of business comes from other routes. It’s exploring these that will really make a difference.

A lot of this 30% now comes from the internet, but it’s complicated. Some will arrive from having your own web site, although most likely not a huge amount. As you probably know, most people report Yellow Pages as a complete dud. Instead, Facebook, Google, Rated People, My Builder, Checkatrade and more are all trying to corner the market for people searching for installers and other trades.

There is no magic wand for marketing and trying out some of these different channels to see what works for you may be your best approach.

Sales
Marketing is hard. However, when selling to the leads that have come your way there are a lot of obvious and easy things to do. These should be a higher priority than marketing as they generally cost little or nothing. So, converting a higher proportion of leads into orders will grow your business at a lower cost and risk.

The first rule is to remember that people buy from people they trust. So, the first time you meet a new prospect, you should do everything possible to build up that trust. Here are some points to consider:

  • Be totally professional – my wife refused to give business to someone who was a bit fresh with her
  • Offer to take off your shoes when you arrive at the house, it shows that you care
  • Have a smart, clean, van and make sure you look smart too
  • Try to reference your experience, qualifications and so on when you are talking to the customer, but without being too pushy
  • Try to establish in the customer’s mind the likely ballpark cost – people tend to react badly if your quote is in a different league to what they were expecting
  • Make sure you produce your quote really quickly – either the same day or the next day. This alone will grow your business
  • Always honour what you promised. Turn up when you said and produce the quote when you said you would

Effort put into creating a good template for quotations will pay off handsomely over time. Once it’s set up, it’s normally easy to use again and again. If people are spending a lot of money, they will feel more comfortable when the quote is more substantial, with pictures of previous work and so on.

Make sure that you don’t under-price the job. Probably the biggest cause of business failure is not charging enough. Remember that doing all of the things to establish trust will help you to win business, even when you are not the cheapest quote.

Moving beyond being a sole trader
Taking on your first employee is both the hardest and the most risky step that you will ever take. Suddenly you have PAYE, Pension auto-enrolment, statutory sick pay, paternity and maternity leave and holidays all to think about. And that’s before you consider that you may need to double the amount of work coming in as you now have two mouths to feed!

This could be one of the reasons why so many installers settle for being sole traders.

There are a number of ways that you can overcome the difficulties of that first hire. The first is to build up your business using subcontractors before you hire anyone permanently. This means you take a lower risk even though you may have to settle for making less profit. The only complication is that you must get to grips with the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS).

Eventually you will need to take on one or more employees. With a good bookkeeper to run the payroll and an HR advisor to avoid the employment tank traps this can all be made much easier and smoother. You may not want to pay out the money for these experts, but it’s much better to focus your time on the key business issues. You are much more likely to be successful that way.

Scaling
Once you have the right formula for growth, there are a whole new set of challenges to do with scaling your business. There are a number of points to think about:

  • When a larger and more established business does their work, people expect and will be prepared to pay a bit more
  • You will need to invest in various areas. Recruiting the right people, spending on training, premises, tools and vans are some of the areas that you will need to address

The balance is not to be too tight with money but not to be too loose either.

Control and efficiency
Of course, if you grow your business you need to reap the financial rewards. To do this, you must keep control of your business as it grows and manage things efficiently. Some of the pointers to achieve this are:

  • Watch the cash. You need to know how much you have, what’s due to go out e.g. tax, VAT, payroll and when money will be coming in. There is nothing more frustrating than going bust in a growing, profitable business because you run out of cash. It does happen
  • Focus on people management. A happy, hard-working team makes a huge difference
  • Implement the right system. A good system will vastly influence your ability to stay in control and grow efficiently

Changing your role
As a hands-on manager that deals with most quotes and still gets on the tools, you can grow your business quite a bit. However, there comes a time when if you don’t radically change what you do, you become the cork in the bottle that prevents further growth. It’s simple, once there is too much for one person to do in dealing with customers, delegation becomes the critical skill. Among the skills that you need to focus on to move from being successful to being very successful are:

  • Recruitment – avoiding mistakes and getting good people
  • Managing managers – you mustn’t micro-manage or you will discourage anyone who is really capable. This is a different skill than direct management. It’s about setting goals and motivating
  • Delegation – letting go of some control is part of managing managers
  • Envisioning – deciding and then communicating the overall company strategy. This must be about talking about quality as well as outlining what type of jobs you will focus on and which geographies you will and won’t serve

The difficulty with making this transition is that the very skills that helped you to succeed previously can become a hindrance. Sometimes being really good at what you should no longer be doing will actually prevent you from moving to the next stage. It’s why so few companies can manage it.

The bottom line
For competitive people that like to win, running a successful business can be good fun. But you will get a lot of hassle in growing your business so there should be financial rewards as well. I hope that there has been some useful food for thought in this article. Please just make sure that you are profitable enough to make it all worthwhile.

About the author
Benjamin Dyer is CEO and co-founder of Powered Now. Powered Now’s apps specialise in features supporting installers as well as other trades in order to help them manage their teams and businesses.
www.powerednow.com

[ad_2]

Source link

Science & Technology

Momentum Builds to Curb AI Development Amid Safety Concerns

Tech leaders advocate for slowing AI progress to mitigate risks and ensure safety.

Published

on

On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an essay titled “We Must Pace the Frontier”, calling on the AI industry to deliberately slow the development of its most advanced models. He proposed a three-part plan, starting with giving independent third-party evaluators “employee-like access” to developers’ internal work. Within hours, xAI owner Elon Musk posted “Dario is right,” and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he agreed the industry needed to “pace the frontier”, committing OpenAI to welcome independent evaluators. The rare alignment reflects a burgeoning movement within the technology community. The aim is to ensure that AI advancement does not outpace the necessary safety measures that must be in place to protect society. Musk, known for his outspoken concerns regarding AI, has been vocal about the potential existential threats posed by unchecked AI development. His stance is not without precedent. In past years, he has been an advocate for AI regulation, emphasizing the importance of establishing robust safety protocols. Sam Altman shares this concern. As a key figure in AI innovation, Altman’s support for decelerating AI progress highlights the industry’s internal awareness of its own vulnerabilities. Altman has been instrumental in shaping AI discussions, both as a developer and a policymaker. His involvement underscores a critical shift in perspective among those who once championed AI’s limitless potential.

Amodei’s essay warned that AI capabilities had been advancing drastically faster since the summer, and argued that buying even an extra year or two to work on alignment could greatly reduce the risk of something going seriously wrong. As CEO of Anthropic, Amodei’s insights into AI’s capabilities are profound. He has long advocated for responsible AI development, emphasizing research into AI safety and alignment. His company, Anthropic, is at the forefront of AI safety research, making his voice particularly influential. Amodei’s concerns are grounded in the belief that AI systems need to be designed with alignment and transparency as core principles. The consensus among these leaders is clear. The pace of AI development must be moderated to prevent potential societal disruptions. The public discourse around AI safety has evolved significantly over the past few years. Initially, concerns were often dismissed as speculative or alarmist. However, as AI systems become more integrated into daily life, their impact is undeniable. From autonomous vehicles to intelligent personal assistants, AI technologies influence countless aspects of modern existence. The rapid integration has outpaced regulatory frameworks, leaving gaps that could potentially be exploited.

This movement to slow AI development is gaining traction within the tech community. It reflects a deeper understanding of the potential risks and ethical considerations that come with advanced AI systems. Industry leaders are increasingly aware of their responsibility to mitigate these risks. There is a growing consensus that more comprehensive safety measures and regulatory oversight are necessary. The call for a slowdown is not a demand to halt innovation. Rather, it is a plea for a more deliberate approach to AI development. The goal is to establish a regulatory framework that prioritizes safety, ethical considerations, and long-term societal impact. This approach seeks to ensure that AI technologies are developed responsibly and with foresight. The motivation behind this push is multifaceted. At its core is the desire to prevent unintended consequences that could arise from unchecked AI advancement. These include potential job displacement, privacy concerns, and the risk of AI systems being used for malicious purposes. The tech industry is increasingly aware that the societal implications of AI are vast and complex. There is a recognition that addressing these challenges requires collaboration across sectors and disciplines.

The momentum to slow AI development also reflects a shift in how technology leaders view their role in society. There is a growing acknowledgment that technological innovation must be balanced with ethical responsibility. This recognition is driving the call for more stringent safety protocols and regulatory oversight. As the debate around AI continues, the voices advocating for caution are becoming more prominent. The movement is gaining momentum, supported by influential figures and organizations committed to ensuring that AI development proceeds safely and responsibly. The challenge now is translating this momentum into actionable policies and frameworks. Governments and regulatory bodies must work closely with industry leaders to develop comprehensive guidelines that address the unique challenges posed by AI. This collaboration is essential to fostering innovation while safeguarding societal interests. The path forward requires a collective effort to balance progress with prudence. As AI continues to evolve, the need for thoughtful and responsible development becomes increasingly critical. The calls to slow down AI development are a testament to the industry’s commitment to navigating this complex terrain with care.

The journey ahead is not without challenges. Implementing effective regulatory measures will require cooperation and consensus among diverse stakeholders. However, the growing momentum to address AI safety concerns offers hope for a future where technological advancement is aligned with societal well-being. As industry leaders and policymakers work together, there is potential to shape a future where AI technologies enhance, rather than disrupt, the fabric of society. The commitment to responsible AI development is key to ensuring that AI technologies are harnessed for the greater good. This forward-thinking approach will be crucial in defining the next chapter of AI innovation. The momentum to slow down AI development is more than a precautionary measure. It is a strategic decision to prioritize safety, ethics, and long-term impact. As the conversation around AI continues to evolve, the focus on responsible development will remain at the forefront. The future of AI depends on the choices made today. By embracing a more measured approach, the tech community can pave the way for a future where AI serves humanity’s best interests.

Continue Reading

Science & Technology

Quantum Computing Breakthroughs: Disrupting Industries with Oxford’s Innovations

A recent breakthrough in quantum computing at the University of Oxford promises to disrupt multiple industries by significantly enhancing computational capabilities. Explore the technological implications and potential disruptions poised to redefine sectors.

Published

on

In May 2026, the University of Oxford announced a significant breakthrough in the field of quantum computing, unveiling an advanced error correction algorithm that has the potential to transform computational capabilities. This development is not just a scientific triumph; it heralds a new era of technological disruption across multiple industries. Quantum computing, long anticipated as the next frontier in technology, promises to solve complex problems beyond the reach of classical computers, and Oxford’s latest advancement brings this closer to reality.

At the core of this breakthrough is the enhancement in quantum error correction, a critical component that addresses the inherent instability of qubits, which are the fundamental units of quantum information. Traditional computers use bits of 0s and 1s, but quantum computers operate on qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This superposition allows quantum computers to process information exponentially faster than classical computers. However, qubits are notoriously prone to errors due to environmental noise and operational inaccuracies. Oxford’s new algorithm significantly improves the error correction process, maintaining qubit stability longer and allowing extended computational tasks to be performed accurately.

The implications of this are profound. Industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to finance stand on the cusp of disruption as quantum computing offers the ability to model complex molecular structures, optimize large-scale financial portfolios, and even revolutionize artificial intelligence algorithms. In pharmaceuticals, for example, quantum computing can expedite drug discovery by accurately simulating molecular interactions, potentially reducing the time and cost associated with bringing new drugs to market. Similarly, in finance, quantum algorithms can optimize trading strategies and risk management with a precision unattainable by current technologies.

Moreover, the ripple effects of such a leap in computational power extend to data encryption and cybersecurity. Quantum computers possess the potential to decrypt classical encryption methods, prompting a race for quantum-resistant cryptography. This necessitates a paradigm shift in how we secure digital information, affecting every sector that relies on data security.

Despite the tremendous promise, the transition to quantum computing is not without its challenges. The infrastructure required to support quantum technologies is expensive and complex. There is also a significant skills gap; experts in quantum computing are scarce, and training a new generation of scientists and engineers is imperative. Furthermore, ethical considerations regarding the power of quantum computing must be addressed, particularly in terms of privacy and security.

Looking forward, as quantum computing continues to evolve, industries will need to adapt swiftly to harness its capabilities. Early adopters who invest in quantum technologies and develop quantum-ready strategies will likely dominate in the coming decade. As Oxford’s breakthrough demonstrates, the race is on to fully realize the potential of quantum computing and redefine the boundaries of what is technologically possible.

Continue Reading

Science & Technology

Apple’s AI Innovations: Shaping the Competitive Landscape in 2026

Apple’s latest advancements in artificial intelligence are setting the stage for a competitive showdown with other tech giants. This article explores how Apple’s AI strategy is positioning the company in the fast-evolving tech landscape.

Published

on

In the bustling realm of technology, few companies command as much attention as Apple. In 2026, the Silicon Valley titan has once again captured the tech world’s gaze with its latest advances in artificial intelligence. As Apple unveils a suite of AI-driven innovations, the competitive landscape is poised for a seismic shift.

Apple’s strategic focus on AI is not merely about introducing new features but is a calculated move to redefine user experiences while maintaining its staunch advocacy for privacy. At the heart of Apple’s AI initiatives is the promise of personalization—an AI that learns and adapts to the user’s preferences, offering seamless interaction across its range of devices. This focus is especially pertinent in an era where user data is a hot commodity, and privacy concerns are at an all-time high.

What sets Apple apart in the AI race is its dual emphasis on innovation and privacy. While competitors like Google and Amazon have long been heralded for their AI prowess, often prioritizing expansive data collection to fuel their AI engines, Apple has carved out a niche by leveraging on-device processing. This approach not only mitigates privacy risks but also enhances real-time responsiveness, a crucial factor in user satisfaction.

The competitive implications of Apple’s AI advancements are profound. Google’s AI, renowned for its search and recommendation algorithms, faces a formidable challenger in Apple’s ecosystem-centric approach. Meanwhile, Amazon’s Alexa, which dominates the smart assistant market, must contend with Apple’s Siri, now equipped with enhanced contextual understanding and predictive capabilities.

Microsoft, another major player, has been making strides with its integration of AI in cloud services and productivity tools. However, Apple’s holistic approach—integrating AI across hardware, software, and services—presents a cohesive strategy that is difficult to replicate. This integration not only ensures a seamless user experience but also reinforces brand loyalty, a cornerstone of Apple’s business model.

As AI continues to evolve, the stakes in the tech industry are higher than ever. Apple’s innovations are not just about keeping pace but are strategically designed to place the company at the forefront of the AI revolution. In doing so, Apple is not only safeguarding its market position but is also setting new benchmarks in how technology can enhance and secure our digital lives.

The road ahead will undoubtedly see further advancements and competition, but Apple’s current trajectory suggests it is well-positioned to lead in the AI domain. By prioritizing user-centric design and privacy, Apple is not just participating in the AI race; it is setting the pace.

Continue Reading

Trending