The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 26: Aug/ Sept 2016 | Page 15

PERSONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Nicola McHale is Vistage chair for the South West, a private advisory group for business leaders. As we profile Wiltshire's Top 100 (pages 16-18), Nicola gives her advice on key leadership skills. HOW TO BECOME A WILTSHIRE TOP 100 Why do some businesses make it and some don’t? It’s all about you! In my career I have worked globally with some amazing brands like Diageo, Virgin Atlantic and Jaguar Landover. With this experience I know I have seen what makes their leaders different. I have seen them rise to the top and fall from great heights. So what is it that makes the difference? 1 2 3 4 They have a very clear vision of success and a strategy to get there. They know exactly what success looks like and are relentless in achieving it. They ‘get the right people on the bus.' They develop a high performing team. They are slow to hire and quick to fire. They hire the best based both on ‘skill and will'. They know all their numbers. They know exactly what their costs of delivery are, they know what their profit margins need to be. They have very clear key performance indicators. They aim high. They engage and inspire everyone who is critical to success. They are constantly meeting their people, their customers and their suppliers. They know that without that connection they will fail. They keep in touch and always give something back. 5 They focus their business on delivering supreme customer service. They are always striving to be better than their competitors. 6 They lead and let their people lead themselves and their people. They take personal accountability and empower others to take responsibility and accountability. 7 They build trust throughout their business. They are not afraid of having the difficult but honest conversation. 8 They coach, mentor and develop their people and themselves. They are eager to learn and grow. They are ambitious and are prepared to invest both their time and money to ensure success. 9 They have strong self-belief but not arrogance. They are assertive and collaborative. 10 They know what’s going on globally in business. They connect with their peers. They have a business coach and mentor who has been there and done it because it can be lonely at the top. My Vistage Group is operating now across the South West so if you want to get to the top, get in touch for a free evaluation of your business now. Nicola McHale Vistage Chair and VI International Master Coach [email protected] Mobile - 07887 616606 Uk.linkedin.com/nicolamchale Higher Futures is a higher level skills service offering support to employers in identifying skills gaps and developing tailored training solutions. swindonwiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership Local and flexible - meeting employers’ needs and fitting in with employees’ lives. If you would like to know more about Higher Futures please contact us directly: Higher Futures University level education for people in Swindon and Wiltshire. Email: [email protected] Tel: [phone] @higherfuturesuk www.higherfutureshub.co.uk The Military With the greatest concentration of army resources in the country in Swindon and Wiltshire, Higher Futures also focuses on working with military leavers and veterans. Higher Futures is delivered by Wiltshire Council/Swindon Borough Council on behalf of Swindon and Wiltshire LEP THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2016 15