Go Furness

Making SMEs more Competent

Mike Peet Consultant

Mike has had a very successful career that has taken him in diverse directions. His ability to see clearly what needs to be done and then getting on with it has resulted in promotion in the various companies and sectors that he has worked in. When he worked with VSEL/ GEC (now BAE) he worked in purchasing and commercial management before he ‘commuted’ to India for 3 years, working on highly sensitive projects. At this time, mobile phones were new, email was poorly established and faxes were the international communication of choice. This meant that he was required to make reasonably autonomous and spontaneous decisions and he really began to appreciate that he had an entrepreneurial streak. Up until this point, he had a young family to support and recognised the security of a blue chip company and a good position. In fact he now believes this is a complete fallacy. He loved his job in India and when this came to an end, he knew he was ready to forge his own destiny in a company of his own.

A major step was in software development with the creation of Top Solutions (UK) Ltd (“TSL”), a company designed to create bespoke risk centric software for the UK fire services and latterly SME’s. To help support TSL’s aspirations he went on to create Premier Risk Consultants Ltd (“PRC”) beginning serious operations at the end of 2007. PRC identifies SME’s in need of fire safety assessments, health & safety assessments, policies and procedures together with risk management consultancy and general safety training. At the lower end of the market they then can then provide user-friendly and cost effective software solutions that do everything from training staff on-line to managing identified risks by creating tasks, sending e-mail reminders and creating reports. For the larger companies they can also create fire risk assessments, produce health and safety documentation and carry out workplace audits etc using more traditional hands on services.

During this entrepreneurial period contracts have been won from the fire service, a central government agency in Firebuy and local organisations such as Furness College alongside a number of schools. Commercial organisations servicing the nuclear, defence and leisure industries also list amongst their client base. Where TSL has a diverse national market, PRC presently supports local SME’s helping them understand legislation and meet their health & safety and risk management targets. The on-line training is particularly beneficial in the current climate when financial pressures often result in a reduction in training, just as legislative demands are greater. With PRC’s system the client can achieve a great deal more for a much smaller outlay in time and cost.

PRC’s latest on-line service helps the SME produce a fully compliant ISO 9001 Quality Management System for a fraction of the time and cost a traditional consultancy service could offer. This package provides a virtual consultant, trainer and administrator all in the one system.

Whatever the client needs PRC ensures that the solution is aimed precisely at the client’s current competency level and at a rate they can afford. This means that even the smallest of companies have access to cutting-edge software that they wouldn’t normally have. Furthermore the system in place allows the level of service to grow with the company, seamlessly, leaving no stone unturned. The golden rule is to ensure that all PRC’s products and services are of the highest possible quality.

Ironically, even though Mike and his colleagues have invented such an automated concept, he is a real people person. He says that honesty reliability and excellent communication is the key to the success of good business. He attributes some of his communication skills to his studies at MBA level during his time at VSEL / GEC, claiming this to be a life-changing experience. He greatly appreciates the value of having input from young professionals around him who are innovative, in touch with the changing world of technology and who have new ideas together with boundless energy and enthusiasm. He also knows how important it is to have wise and experienced people who have been around the block a few times!

His secrets?

Hard work, resilience, resilience and more resilience!
Finding ways to communicate effectively with bank managers and helping them to understand how the business operates.
Taking and managing acceptable risks.
Having clarity of thought and making sure that everything is done to the highest possible standard.

His advice to young entrepreneurs?

Think about how tough it might be and then multiply it by a very large number!
Make sure your research is absolutely spot on.
If you choose a partner, make sure it is the right one, this is super critical.

It was brilliant to meet Mike and inspirational to see that after years of being an employee it is possible to become a highly successful entrepreneur. This flexibility is so important in the current climate, I am sure that Mike would make an excellent mentor to others following behind. Well, I know he has big plans so remember, you heard it here first!

Posted by Kay Hebbourn on 25th July.