Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in training and development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Phil Sayers, Founder of Proten Sales Development Ltd., located in Farnham, Surrey, UK.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Proten Sales Development provides sales training, sales coaching, and business coaching to SME's. Our clients are B2B businesses, especially Technology Businesses and Accounting Firms who want to improve how they sell, sell more, and sell more often.

Tell us about yourself

I have a 35-year career in sales, starting as a sales rep and working my way up to VP Sales and CEO roles. One of the elements I gained the most satisfaction from when running sales teams was developing my staff to become more successful, and now I use those skills and years of experience to help other business owners and salespeople get better at what they do. There's nothing more satisfying than seeing a client who's struggling to achieve the results they want to gain in confidence and skill and turn their results around.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

There are a few I could mention, not least setting up a business and publishing a book about selling "It's All About The Value," but the highlight is always seeing my clients flourish, develop and achieve the results they want.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Running a business can be a lonely experience; you'll be expected to have all the answers when in fact, you'll be learning every day. You need to be resilient and confident about the value that you're providing.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Build your business around something that you have a passion for. Do this, and it will be more satisfying and easier to motivate yourself.
  2. Don't think you need to have all the answers. Build a network of peers, advisors, and mentors, and give serious consideration to working with an experienced coach who will challenge your thinking and help you develop your own unique strategies and plans.
  3. Take time out at the end of each week to focus on what's gone well, however small. It's far too easier to become obsessed with the problems you'll inevitably face, so reminding yourself of what's gone well will help you head into the weekend in a more positive frame of mind.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://protensd.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/protensalesdevelopment
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProtenL
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sayersphil/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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