About Graham
I am an engineering graduate and discovered a passion for business in my early 20s. This led me to a career working within leading international engineering companies where I travelled extensively, visiting more than 60 countries and living in four. Today, I am a strategic level business consultant, using my experience and expertise – garnered over 25 years in executive leadership roles – to assist owner-managed SME businesses in becoming more successful.
We asked Graham to look back and reflect on his younger self
Q&A’s
How would you describe yourself at 18?
I grew up in a conservative Roman Catholic family, attending Roman Catholic schools and church every Sunday. At the age of nine I passed my 11+, and from then on, I was always the youngest and the smallest kid in the class. Being a year ahead like that was not a great experience and I would not recommend it! At 18, upon reflection, I was a bit geeky and naïve, and a little immature. That changed as I went through university.
What inspired you to start your own business?
For many years, I had a desire to use my business expertise to work as a business consultant, and I reached a natural point in my career where it seemed like the right time. I wanted to apply all the expertise that I had gained while leading and contributing to the entrepreneurial businesses that I worked best in.
If you could go back knowing what you know now, what three things would you tell yourself to do when you first became a business owner?
- It takes time – have patience. People are more interested in what you can do for them now, than in what you did in the past. You are more than a job title.
- I learned the importance of understanding my core capabilities, what differentiates me from others, and how I can add value.
- I discovered the business community has not been waiting for me to come along – it was generally doing quite well without me! I have worked hard at building my network and becoming valued in the business community in East Anglia.
What are the biggest lessons you have learned professionally?
I have worked for some large ($1bn plus turnover) and spectacularly successful, founder or family-led businesses. These businesses have high principles, act with integrity, and create an environment of trust. The thing they all have in common is that they work hard to have highly engaged employees that significantly contribute to their success.
How did you deal with a big mistake, and what did you learn from the experience?
Mistakes, I’ve made a few, and my experience says: be honest about it, stand up to it, deal with it, learn from it, and move on.
What are your ambitions for the future?
To build a business consultancy in the East of England that is respected by, and contributes to, the success of the owner-managed SME businesses in the region.
What does the future have in store for you personally?
The opportunity to contribute and continue my lifelong journey of learning.
www.tinderboxbusinessdevelopment.co.uk
