After four years of running his business solo, Phil Gregory faced the daunting task of hiring his first employee. With The People Consultancy's support, he completed the entire hiring process within a week, ensuring full compliance and confidence. "Emily has a gift of making the complicated and scary seem manageable," says Phil, who has since continued with business coaching, leading to improved processes and increased work capacity.

I see you, fellow business owners. I see you because I was you.

Building my consultancy was like riding a roller coaster – exhilarating and terrifying all at once. Growing the team, landing bigger clients, living what seemed like the entrepreneurial dream. But beneath the surface, something was crumbling.

The weight of responsibility became crushing.

Ever notice how employee issues hit different when you're a business owner?

That pit in your stomach when conflict arises isn't just about the immediate problem – it's often tied to deeper emotional threads woven through our entrepreneurial journey.

Are you leaving performance to chance in your business? Are you just hoping to get the results you want without clarity?

I see this all the time - usually resulting in a stressed, frustrated business owner, taking it all on themselves.

There is another way.

You know exactly what I'm talking about - that employee who consistently underperforms, the one you've been meaning to address for weeks, months, maybe even years. Yet, here you are, once again picking up their slack, feeling the weight of unresolved issues on your shoulders.

About Emily … Throughout my career, I've learned that true business transformation comes from addressing both the strategic and human elements of an organisation. That's why I focus on developing comprehensive solutions that align your people strategy with your business objectives, while ensuring you're protected legally and ethically.

One of the things I see all the time that totally hinders performance in recruitment businesses is a lack of clarity around expectations.

This is often coming from a really good place. Business owners not wanting to recreate the restrictive KPI, fear driven cultures of recruitment past. Not wanting to bog down the business in rules, policies and complex contracts. I totally get it.

However, an all or nothing approach is really damaging your business and your culture.

As a performance coach and HR consultant, I've seen countless small business owners really struggle with a common challenge - creating accountability among their employees.

The sleepless nights, stress, frustration and overwhelm that come as a result of this are no joke.

Here's why it happens...

I've seen it countless times. Clients reach out when they're paralysed, unable to move forward. The culprit? A business setback that's shattered their confidence and planted seeds of doubt.

These experiences can be crippling, making you second-guess every decision.

But here's the truth - they don't have to define you.

This client's journey is seriously impressive - organic growth over a decade to a team of 30, fuelled by a fantastic culture.

But like many growing businesses, they've hit a common hurdle. A lack of structure creating bottlenecks for the owners.

Ever had one of those days where you're staring at your computer screen, thinking, "Is this really worth it?"

I recently worked with a recruitment business owner, who was having way too many of those days. She was at her wit's end - stressed, overwhelmed, and seriously contemplating throwing in the towel on her business dreams.

I'm putting together a newsletter specifically for small businesses like yours. It's my way of keeping you in the loop about the big HR changes coming your way — without the legal jargon headache.

Think of it as your HR cheat sheet, your “go to”.

Are you leaving your teams performance to chance? Are you just hoping for results?

This was a conversation I had with a client yesterday.

My client, a successful business owner was becoming increasingly frustrated with his team. From his perspective they were spending too much time on their phones, not enough time speaking to clients and certainly not hitting sales targets.

Remember, accountability isn't about pointing fingers. It's about creating an environment where everyone takes ownership of their work and its outcomes.

As a leader, embracing accountability might feel uncomfortable at first, but it's a game-changer for your business and your team's growth.

The magic happens when these elements align:

• Clarity ensures everyone's moving in the same direction.
• Accountability keeps the momentum going.
• A performance-focused culture makes excellence the norm, not the exception.

Without talented high performing team members, that are happy and healthy your business won't thrive. Don't leave their success – and by extension, your business's success – to chance. Invest in a clear, actionable people strategy. Your future self will thank you.

Supporting clients with performance is something I’ve been doing for a very long time.

In this short video I walk through one thing you can do to support under performers, and also create high performance in your business. It’s simple, but often overlooked.

My expertise spans across performance coaching, strategic business consulting, culture and performance enhancement, HR strategy and compliance, leadership development, and overcoming imposter syndrome.

This comprehensive skill set allows me to offer holistic solutions that address both individual and organisational growth journeys.

In an industry often clouded by empty promises and quick-fix solutions, I've always been hesitant to label myself as a coach. The image of self-proclaimed experts offering instant success through overpriced masterminds or beachside webinars has tarnished the profession's reputation.

But coaching, when done right, is a craft honed through years of experience and continuous learning. With two decades in the people profession and numerous professional qualifications, I've cultivated a coaching approach that prioritises authenticity and tangible results.

Ever feel like you're drowning in the day-to-day of running your business? Trust me, you're not alone.

I want to share a quick story about Sarah, one of my incredible clients. Like many of us, she was struggling with the isolation of being a business owner.

Long hours, endless decisions, and that constant nagging feeling that she might be missing something important.