Your business works. Now let's make it grow.
Free, hands-on growth support for established Walsall businesses. A Business MOT, a one-page growth plan built with you (not for you), and monthly masterclasses that help you work on the business, not just in it.
That's not a lack of effort. It's a lack of systems and direction, and both can be fixed.
Five steps from busy to growing
We start with an honest look at where you are, agree where you're heading, then support you to get there, measuring the difference as we go.
Discovery call
We check you're eligible, hear your goals and explain exactly what the programme offers.
Business MOT
Nine areas of your business scored and benchmarked, so you know exactly where the gaps are.
True North Growth Plan
One breakthrough goal, three priorities and a 90-day action plan, built with you and your key people.
Grow
Business Builders masterclasses, a peer group of local owners and, where it fits, 1-2-1 coaching.
Re-MOT
We re-score your business against the baseline, so you can see (and prove) how far you've come.
Masterclasses for owners ready to step up
One face-to-face session a month in Walsall. The first half covers the how: practical Lean tools you can use the next morning. The second half covers the who: the mindset shift from doing everything to leading a business that grows.
Between sessions you'll have a peer group of local owners and online resources, so the momentum doesn't stop when you leave the room.
Neil Betts
"Most good businesses don't stall because the owner isn't working hard enough. They stall because everything runs through the owner."
I started as a craft apprentice at Rugeley Power Station and spent the next 30 years in engineering, executive leadership and business transformation, in the UK and Australia. Along the way I learned that most of a business's growth is hiding in plain sight: in the workarounds, the duplicated effort and the decisions only the owner can make.
That's what Lean and Hoshin planning are for. Lean finds the waste and frees up your time. Hoshin turns "we want to grow" into a focused plan your whole team can act on. I've used both to support 25 small businesses through Regional Development Victoria's transformation programme, to train teams at the Australian Tax Office, and to help manufacturers here in the Midlands cut waste and grow profit.
Today I run Go True North from Hednesford, a short drive from Walsall, mentor start-ups for Staffordshire County Council, and serve as Vice President of Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce. I'll be your coach from your first call to your Re-MOT. No hand-offs, no jargon, just practical help to build a business that grows without burning you out.
What others are saying
Built for established businesses ready for the next step
If you're just starting out, don't worry: we'll point you to Walsall's start-up support instead. If you're already scaling fast, we'll connect you with the regional High Growth Service.
Questions owners ask
Is it really free?
Yes. The programme is fully funded for eligible Walsall businesses through the Local Enterprise Support programme.
How much time will it take?
Around 5 hours to get started (discovery call, Business MOT and planning session), then one masterclass a month. Most of the work happens in your business, on the things that matter most.
Where do the sessions happen?
Your Business MOT happens at your premises wherever possible. Masterclasses run at a central Walsall venue, with online access if you can't make it in person.
What if I'm not eligible?
We'll still have a conversation and point you to the support that fits, whether that's Walsall's start-up programme, the Council's Business Growth Team or regional specialists.
What do I walk away with?
Your Business MOT report, a one-page True North Growth Plan with 90-day actions, a network of local owners, and a Re-MOT that shows how far you've come.