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Making the leap to start your own occupational health business can be exhilarating yet daunting. This guide, by Senior OH Advisor Alison Presswell, explores essential questions such as your motivations, risk tolerance, and financial readiness. Learn about crucial aspects like business planning, market understanding, and establishing a solid client base. With insights on managing expectations, marketing strategies, and maintaining high standards, this resource is designed to equip you with the tools to successfully navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship in occupational health.
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Going it alone...Setting up your own OH business Alison Presswell Senior OH Advisor & Director Carlyon Bay Occupational Health Ltd
Making the decision to work for yourself Questions to ask yourself: What’s my motivation? What’s my attitude to risk? Have I thought about set-up costs? Can I support myself financially in the early days? Where will I work from? How many hours a week am I prepared to work? How is my emotional resilience? Do I have good support (spouse, family, friends)?
Business planning • Business set-up: consider carefully what’s right for you. • Trading name & logo • Investment • SWOT analysis and USP • Know your market • The importance of a 3 year business plan • Think about the day-to-day • Seeking professional support
Establishing & maintaining your business...The early days of CBOH
Establishing & maintaining your business... Be prepared for a steep learning curve!
Establishing & maintaining your business Getting established Maintaining the status quo Keep your clients Strive for excellence in professional standards Great customer service Don’t become complacent Never stop learning Never stop improving • Network with other professionals • Consider agency work • Marketing/website • Take the direct approach • Word of mouth
Managing your clients • Managing expectations • Getting repeat business • Contracts & SLA’s for larger clients • Getting paid (not always as easy as you might think!) • Managing difficult clients • Losing or ‘dropping’ clients
Legislation & clinical standards Legislation/good practice Clinical standards & practice Working with standards & guidelines Analyse every procedure Develop your own protocols Don’t forget the ‘small stuff’: Clinical waste, patient questionnaires, info leaflets, customer feedback documents • Data protection & records storage • H&S legislation • HSE guidance • Consider established ‘best practice’ • Benchmarking • Maintain competencies
Time to grow... • Responding to change • Making the decision • Managing the transition • Employing others • Continued investment
Pro’s & con’s of working for yourself Pro’s Con’s Unpredictable Uncertainty & risk Working hours Can be lonely & isolating The buck stops with you • Being your own boss • Flexibility & variety • Working hours • Freedom from workplace politics & constraints • Rewarding • Sense of pride & achievement