New seeds of rural enterprise nurtured by experts

Each year, Munro Connections helps around 300 organisations to achieve their potential.

The Harrogate-based company expects to see its turnover increase by 15 per cent this year, to more than 300,000.

The driving force behind Munro Connections is Jane Fowler, a marketing specialist who was once the managing director of Sound Foresight, a company that helped blind people to find their way.

Sound Foresight devised the Ultracane, a cane which uses ultrasonic signals to alert blind and visually impaired people to obstacles.

Ms Fowler is using her wide business experience to provide mentoring and support to rural businesses.

Ms Fowler said that some of her work was "light touch", such as projects involving business "angels" who are looking to make investments.

Munro Connections also carries out strategic reviews for owner-managed businesses to help them use their resources more effectively.

Ms Fowler has also worked with the universities of Leeds and Newcastle to help fledgling entrepreneurs with commercialisation opportunities.

Munro Connections can also run the commercial or operational side of a business through periods of change.

"This could be in engineering, manufacturing or just about any sector that requires a growth strategy defining and implementing,'' Ms Fowler said.

Ms Fowler believes that many rural businesses can grow by diversifying.

Ms Fowler said: "Only three per cent of the rural population is now employed directly in agriculture or support services. People are more likely to be employed in manufacturing, tourism or retailing, with new business formations highest per capita in rural environments.

"With Yorkshire 80 per cent rural, this is a great opportunity, but often services hinder development, such as access to broadband or fibre-optics technology."

Many rural councils argue that the countryside pays higher council taxes for fewer services, Ms Fowler said.

She added: "At least farm diversification projects may have the advantage of increased land prices to secure financial support."

Ms Fowler said 75 per cent of her clients were owner-managed business with ambitions to grow.

The typical business was around three years old, with a turnover of 1m but feeling a bit "stuck".

She said: "The classic example is somebody too busy to step back and focus on the business."

Munro Connections is made up of three consultants, a researcher and a panel of consultants with specialist skills.

Ms Fowler said: "What makes us different is the broad experience we have of making it happen ourselves. We've all successfully grown businesses and, most importantly, felt the pain and frustration that comes with it.

"We're in our fifth year, with year on year revenue growth and an 86 per cent net profit. We're well placed to focus on where we believe we have the most to deliver – as a catalyst for growth.

"A business strategy is essentially a way of channelling resources to achieve a goal. With the use of cash and time under scrutiny more than ever, it makes sense to focus where the maximum return is to be had rather than a fragmented approach.

"The key is to understand your starting point. Pare down to the core of your business offering. Bigger and more is not necessarily better.

"It's interesting to seek answers not just from inside the business, because family and friends may find it hard to be objective. You should include a customer, supplier, accountant, bank manager and perhaps seek input from a complementary business.

"A broader perspective is valuable as it may highlight aspects not realised before, as well as confirming what you do well that should be celebrated and developed."

Munro Connections

Munro Connections is a strategic planning consultancy which aims to support rural and early stage businesses by providing help with strategic projects and providing mentoring.

Client business planning and fundraising has raised

in the region of 10m from the public and private sectors.

The company's name is inspired by the Munro Mountains of Scotland. It was founded by Jane Fowler, a marketing graduate with more than 25 years' experience in strategic business growth.