Alan Manly

Being an entrepreneur is more than just a job; it’s a lifestyle choice that permeates every aspect of your life. Alan Manly explains why

The decision to launch a start-up is often justified by statements such as “it was time to do something on my own”, “now was as good a time as any” or “it’s too good an opportunity to pass up”. These statements, while high on enthusiasm, are low on balanced consideration. While all opportunities carry a risk and […]

You’ve heard the saying: “you don’t know what you don’t know.” Most people are happy to accept that proposition because whilst ignorance isn’t always bliss, people tend to avoid risk and thus the danger won’t be immediate. Launching a start-up means rushing into the high-end of the risk zone where even minor trip-ups can have a significant impact on your potential […]

Entrepreneurs start businesses to solve problems facing customers or to improve the way customer needs are satisfied. In the event that on-hand funding is insufficient to fully realise the potential of their proposed business, an entrepreneur will need to seek assistance from investors.  Finding the right financial partner can be challenging. There are key things you should ask to […]

Launching a start-up is exciting. The long journey from conjuring the initial, embryonic concept to bravely sharing your business idea with someone else is now ‘ancient history’. Things are different now: an early business plan has been refined to give comfort to all stakeholders. Before you actually launch your start-up, it’s wise to review a pre-launch checklist to ensure you’re actually […]

Behind every start up is an aspiration to do something different. The attraction to do something different attracts fellow travellers all keen to be different and break with the boring services, products and maybe procedures of more established companies. This can be a trap for young players. Behind every successful and exciting company is a […]