Going Global: Alison Edgar

What does your company do? What products services does it provide?
Sales Coaching Solutions Ltd is a specialist sales and customer service, training and coaching provider. We work with start-ups, SME’s and small corporates business as well as business owners to increase their profits through sales. We genuinely believe when delivered correctly sales and customer service are one and the same. Lots of companies have fantastic products and services but no knowledge of the sales process, so we work with them to integrate this at the heart of their company. This method we create new habits and therefore change. Currently we work with business across the UK but are looking to GO GLOBAL!!

Where did the idea for your business come from?
I spent a lot of my working career as an international hotel manager in Australia, South Africa and the Chanel Islands and early on developed a love of people and high levels of customer service. On returning to the UK, I worked as an award winning sales person for some of the world’s largest Blue chip companies including BT, Yell and Douwe Egbert’s. Through my experience I’ve been able to develop a formula which provides fantastic results for my clients.

When did you start up, and what support were you given?
I set up my business part time in 2011 after a course from Business Link, which gave me an overview of the things I needed to create and how to develop my business. I believe specialist advice is invaluable and always take as much as I can when it is available.

What has been your biggest achievement so far?
Soooooo many!!! Seeing the results when my clients learn to sell, Winner of Small Biz Saturday, meeting Lord Young as the representative and spokesperson for Growth Vouchers, being in the final list of GB Entrepreneur of the Year and becoming an employer of 2 staff.

What are you looking to achieve from the Go Global mission?
The UK has several US Sales Training franchises which have made their way over to the UK, I am looking for opportunities to export my training and coaching to the US.

Which countries would you most like to export to, do you see any hurdles ahead?
I would like my brand to go Global, the obvious hurdle in some countries is the language barrier.

What advice would you give to businesses looking to go global?
Having worked and lived internationally the world is smaller than you think, BELIEVE you can do it and it’s amazing what you can achieve.