#AskTheCommitee: David Graham
Our new feature in which members of the Sutton Chamber committee answer your questions about their experiences in business continues this week with David Graham, director of Apprise Legal Services.
What is the one burning question most clients ask you and how do you answer?
How can I protect my assets and reduce tax so they can pass to my family?
We offer a full consultation to offer best advice and options, without the client knowing the options they are unable to make an informed choice.
There are myriad ways, often overlooked, to reduce your tax bill, from using allowances, claiming reliefs and by just doing it by the book.
In the world of tax, it can be said, that if you do not plan ahead to reduce your tax bill, it is certain that you will pay more tax than you should do.
What's the one piece of advice you would give your clients to help them GROW their business?
For most customers, price by itself is not the key factor when a purchase is being considered. This is because most customers compare the entire marketing offering and do not simply make their purchase decision based solely on a product 's price.
Rather, price is one of several variables ' customers evaluate when they mentally assess a product 's overall value.
Price is the amount someone pays, value is the measurement of what they receive, so focus your business on outstanding value not low prices.
At the Chamber's core is Connect, Support and Grow. How have these values helped your business grow in the last 12 months?
Networking and keeping in touch with chamber contacts that have been developed due to being a chamber member for a number of years has been very important.
A solid core values system is especially important in difficult times. It's rather easy to adhere to established desired behaviours when things are going well. When a company hits a bump in the road, however, is when it's most important to stand by what you believe at your core.
Values lose their credibility when leadership talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk and when they lose sight of what the values mean to both the employee and customer experience.
Brexit and Covid has influenced our businesses in many ways. What steps have you taken that have created the most positive impact for your business?
To be flexible and understands concerns clients have with regarding lockdown restrictions. A comforting revelation of these troubled times has appeared in the form of people generally appearing more supportive and helpful than we might expect. From neighbourhoods cheering on doctors and nurses, to people delivering groceries for elderly strangers, there is still a strong sense of community that we rely on.
At the same time, more people seem more aware of how workers are treated during this crisis.
In the post-quarantine world, businesses that treat their employees with respect will likely gain more traction with customers.
Which businessperson most inspires you and why?
Alan Sugar and Robert Herjavec, both started their businesses with nothing but a dream.
Alan Sugar, one of the best-known British businessmen in the world is the founder of the highly successful electronics company Amstrad which he has since sold to broadcaster BSkyB.
It was evident form his childhood that the bright young boy would one day grow up to be a great businessman. He built himself a bicycle from an old frame as his family could not afford to buy him a new one. By the age of 12 he started earning his own money by working part-time for a greengrocer, and by the time he was out of high school his earnings were higher than those of his father!
Robert Herjavec is one of North America 's most recognizable business leaders. He is one of the panel of investors on Shark Tank the US version of Dragon 's Den.
Born in Eastern Europe, he arrived as an immigrant in North America on a boat with his parents after escaping Communism in the former Yugoslavia. From delivering newspapers, and waiting tables, to launching a computer company from his basement, his drive to achieve has led him to the fulfilment of a better life for himself, his family and the many people he employs.
Become more acquainted with our committee here.