Member Article

Business specialist targets Covid-19 fightback with new consultancy launch

One of the UK’s leading specialists in crisis management has launched his own consultancy business to support firms with their Covid-19 recovery.

James Howard, who has over 30 years’ experience working with multi-national and privately-owned organisations, has set-up Red Orchid to deliver straightforward, no-nonsense consulting to SMEs and growing companies trying to negotiate their way through the unexpected impact of the pandemic.

The experienced executive has already signed up two clients to his portfolio, including global motivational speaking specialist Proud2BSafe (P2BS) and a popular family-run bistro in Oxford.

They are tapping into his significant experience to create strategies to help them pivot their business operations as a result of Covid-19, whilst also exploring new routes to market as they look to increase revenue.

“There is an urgent need to help companies recover from the virus and make them more resilient to cope with future shocks. This will be the initial priority for Red Orchid,” explained James.

“Problem-solving and troubleshooting is what I’ve done for the best part of three decades and, in my experience, how a business responds and adapts to rapid change is often more important than how well prepared they were.”

He continued: “In many crisis situations, you’re not always in control of all the decisions that impact your business, so being able to adapt and respond effectively to a rapidly changing business landscape is critical.

“This is true in every sector, whether that is construction, finance, health and social care, hospitality, manufacturing or retail for example.”

“I don’t want Red Orchid to be like other consultants. Our straightforward and practical approach is focused on getting to know our clients, understanding their ‘pain points’ or opportunities and then working together to deliver what we agree were going to do.”

The Staffordshire-based businessman will continue to offer motivational speaking, building on his growing reputation for delivering valuable insight into crisis preparedness and crisis management.

This includes sharing his experience of leading the crisis management response to one of the UK’s most tragic industrial accidents at Didcot Power Station and subsequently turning around the fortunes of the contractor involved in that project.

He is positioning Red Orchid to help SMEs and growth companies plan, pivot, perform and progress with access to crisis preparedness, crisis management and management consultancy services.

This includes supporting businesses with, strategic planning, risk management frameworks, strategic and tactical crisis leadership and operational restructuring oversight.

Assistance can be provided on a specific project or part of a longer-term collaboration that will relieve the ‘pain points’ and maximise growth opportunities.

James concluded: “Put simply, we help clients achieve what they want and protect what they have…it really is no more complicated than that.”

For further information, please visit www.redorchid.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .