Chris Bushell

Chris is a business advisor based at Wickford in Essex. Chris began life working in IT in the motor industry before moving on to an international company as a project manager. His business acumen quickly saw him rising through the organisation to head up the Systems Development and Support group covering all of the companies' interests. Throughout this period Chris faced many challenges from heading up the IT initiatives surrounding the defence against a hostile takeover bid, the acquisition of competing companies, the divestment of assets, and ultimately the creation of a joint venture container leasing company, GE SeaCo. He became much more of a business consultant to the Company's many smaller subsidiaries, and less of an IT specialist.

The knowledge Chris obtained through these experiences was vast as he battled the eternal juggling act of managing the massive drains on his time whilst ensuring the company had an effective team, reduced costs and improved effectiveness. He then joined GE SeaCo, spearheading the implementation of new processes to support the business, setting up the outsourcing of IT to third parties, the creation of the worldwide IT hardware and network as well as the relocation of five major offices worldwide! Chris says 'This period gave me a real insight into the challenges faced by business owners and brought me to the realisation that I now possessed many of the solutions they need to achieve business success, solutions for which they had nowhere else to go'.

The result? After 30 years in business, he decided to bring his experience to bear in helping business owners to improve their lives through personal and financial gain. Outside of his work life Chris is well known in the area for his work supporting his prime sport of Archery, as well as competing. He is a proud grandfather and a member of the Rotary Club and also spends time keeping his rather old sports car running. Other interests include genealogy and sailing.

Stories

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We have found the advice to be extremely helpful in enabling us with the focus and direction that we needed for our company.Simon Chambers - New Leaf Technology Solutions

Very quickly you were able to give us guidance which meant that we have now turned the business around.Jonathon Berg, MD Blossom Florists

What my business needed was to be seen through a fresh pair of eyes, to determine what could be done to improve profitability and to identify how I could reduce the reliance of the business on me, which would have the combined benefit of enabling the business to grow, while giving me some of my life back. You provided that fresh pair of eyes.Dave Clark, MD, Vanitorials Ltd

We find you very useful in our quest for business growth. Its great to have someone independent to help us with new ideas and tactics.Joanna Ray – Manager QS Support

Thank you. An amazing service! Your sessions are giving us direction and confidence with our new businessCaroline Maresca & Ellie Cachia – Owners Renowned Resourcing

For the first time, I feel that I have ‘a partner’ helping me to look at the business with fresh eyes; for many years I was working in it to the point of exhaustion and frustration. I am beginning to get the work-life balance in place.Pauline Wilkinson - Owner Tutoristic

You have been of great assistance to me in the development of Gilmartins from a £6m business when we first met to our current circa £20m turnover.Terry Gilmartin - Managing Director Gilmartin

You have been of support to me particularly through the transition period from an outside service provider to inhouse delivery, giving me the support, knowledge and tools to be able to manage the maintenance of the facilities. I highly recommend your services and support to all.Nicholas Shaw Centre Manager - Three Hills Sports Park

You gave us the tools and confidence to be effective in tendering.Fiona Senior – Managing Director DMS Property Maintenance

Tendering - What was particularly impressive was the way you were able to establish what we do and how we would deliver the project, putting it in a way that was easily readable and included all our key skills and experience.Peter Rowe - Managing Director, Pierce Hill Project Services

Thank you for the time you have spent putting me on the right track with my business.Kirsty Whitworth - KV Hair and Beauty

You have pulled me out of my comfort zone and made me analyse the detail behind operating a company, mand then showed me how to do itJon Britter - Britter Technical Services

Our turnover has doubled, our profitability has increased, our management skills have grown and we employ lots more people.Sarah Redpath - Leisure King

You grasped an in-depth understanding of my business and most importantly what I wanted from the business. With that in mind, you were able to help us build and implement effective robust financial processes that allowed us to plan for a sustainable business expansion.James Tutton - Chelmsford Removals

Both myself and my co-director had a strong sales background however we did struggle with other areas of the business - particularly cash flow. Right from the start you gave practical advice as well as an easy business process that we could follow; the net result was we could sleep at night knowing we had everything in hand.Julie Squires - Cascade Print Systems

The business was in a trough and I needed inspiration with my sales and marketing strategy. I met a business associate who knew Smart Support and recommended having a meeting. It was a real bonus that you didn't know the industry as you were able to ask some searching questions and push my turnover expectations. Dave Fletcher - White October

My business seemed to be in the doldrums and I needed to find some more clients. Smart Support brings to my business experience way beyond what most people new to business possess and gives me a head start over my competitors. T Julian Saunders - Pura Design

We enjoy working with Smart Support. They are extremely helpful and proactive in supplying practical ideas, relevant information and strategies that have helped us develop our business particularly around the areas of sales and marketing Phillip Hindle - Beresfords Accountants

Setting up what was effectively a new photography business and choosing to work with Smart Support was one of the best choices I could have made as a business owner. Having support, advice and knowledge really helped; from having the correct – and oh so important – “processes” in place, to helping get things up and running, all were invaluable insights I needed.Doug Harman - Doug Harman Photography

I have relied upon Smart Support and associates to help me develop and grow my business over the last 7yrs. I have no hesitation in recommending you to my friends and business contacts, you owe it to yourself to listenDavid Harding - Hardings Chartered Building Surveyors

When you started helping with my business we were in trouble and I was seriously exploring administration. 12 months on, we still here and making a small profit. Some of the advice has been difficult to take, but the changes we made have helped and I now believe we will turn the business around, although there is still much to do. Without you I can guarantee we wouldn’t be here now unless we had won the lottery. I think you have been the best thing that ever happened to Art2go and have become a good friend!Ian Biggs - Art2Go(UK) Ltd

You are shrewd, smart and highly experienced in the ways of business. This is combined with a passion for helping your clients develop their businesses integrally. We have worked together in a number of capacities recently and I have found you to be direct yet caring, and an excellent business partner and advisor.Paul Bourdillon - Irun Canterbury

Smart Support has been guiding me and my business to a 100% improvement in sales and profit year on year and I am expecting this to continue in the years ahead. Tim Chappell - WPA

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