The Armstrongs BBC

On tonights episode of The Armstrongs showed the double glazing duo set off to France to generate international sales and they didn't let the language barrier get in their way!

Having consulted with businesses throughout Yorkshire, I can see some of the classic pains of running your own business - and that's why I suggest B&B Owners tune in.

Ann and John Armstrong own and run their own conservatory manufacturing business in Coventry and have opened their doors to a BBC crew.

It's a 'fly-on-the' wall documentary - with some real interesting people and I can tell you, I haven't laughed this much since 'The Office'

To be honest I'm still not sure if it's a spoof or not - the chances of a  'World Champion Othello Player' turning up for a sales job and getting it - seems like a stretch too far!

But as far as I can tell, these are real folks with a real business to run.

So on that front, what are the lessons for B&B Owners ?

• 80 / 20 rule
• Don't let the tail wag the dog !

1. The 80:20 rule (Pareto's Principle)

There is a dis-proportionate effect from cause. This means you get 80% of your results from just 20% of your efforts. And you get just 20% of your results from 80% of your efforts.

So put your energy into the bits that produce results!

• For the Armstrongs - they spend a huge amount of money buying in sales leads - which their internal telesales sales team just waste. They might as well set fire to a pile of tenners.
  
  
• B&B Owners must make sure every lead generated is effectively followed - call, write, email - whatever it takes to get through to them.
  The investment in your advertising can't be squandered at the last hurdle.
  If you can;t trust some-one else to do it properly - then do it yourself. Getting and keeping customers is a vital part of the important 20%

John & Ann Armstrong

2. Don't let the tail wag the dog!

Knowing that little things can have a big impact, is a warning bell to take notice and take prompt action.

• John & Ann have some real slackers in their business, which take a lot of managing. Whenever their backs are turned their employees are taking the p*ss.
  I have seen it time and again - it's a fact. But they only have themselves to blame! They hand picked their staff - every one of them!
  
  
• B&B Owners should have an exact idea of the person they need and the job role they want to fill.
  Clarity in writing the advert, interviewing, describing the role and listening to the interviewees will save a lot of heartache later on. 

Click here for the Armstrong Blog 

Armstrong Blog

Click here for Armstrong BBC Forum

Arrmstrong Forum

There are a lot more issues and observations to be made and you should tune-in to see what you can learn from this series, but I will leave you with this:

It looks to me like the pair are very happy in what they are doing and are determined and confident in their own abilities - such a combination will always win against a 'by the book' owner/manager who is unhappy, not confident and has no enthusiasm!