Selling to the public sector isn’t just about contracts — it’s about contribution.If you’re an SME wondering whether frameworks like G-Cloud are worth the effort, this guide is for you. I’ve helped businesses navigate the maze, win multi-million pound deals, and deliver real impact. Here’s how to get on, stand out, and stay compliant — without losing your sanity or your margins.

For many tech SMEs, external investment isn’t just about money, it’s about momentum. But knowing when to seek it, and how to prepare, is a strategic inflection point. This blog unpacks the triggers, the options, and the mindset required to move from scrappy survival to scalable success.

Not all impact is loud. In fact, some of the most meaningful shifts in business happen quietly, whether that be through a well-timed question, a reframed assumption, or a moment of strategic silence. Strategic advisors don’t always lead from the front. But they shape the path, steady the pace, and protect the soul of the business as it grows.

As your business grows, so does the complexity of keeping clients close while stepping back from day-to-day delivery. You know you need to create space – for strategy, for scale, for sanity. But the fear is real: will clients feel abandoned? Will quality slip? Will the magic fade? Strategic relief isn’t just about freeing up time. It’s about designing transitions that protect trust, preserve connection, and reinforce the values that got you here in the first place.

You’re juggling delivery, sales, relationships, and growth – and yes, it’s working. But only just!

There was a time when saying ‘yes’ to everything felt like survival - the only option. Scrappy, ambitious, and hungry, we took on work that stretched us, thrilled us.  And sometimes barely paid the bills. But growth changes the game. Does what once felt bold (or necessary) now feel reckless? Do some of your clients still pay the same  day rate they did in 2017, despite you now having a much higher cost base?

In the rush to scale, sell, or simply survive, it’s easy to treat mission, vision, and values as branding wallpaper—nice to have, rarely revisited. But when done right, they’re not just statements. They’re your compass.At learnleadgrow, we’ve seen it time and again: the businesses that thrive are the ones that know what they stand for, where they’re headed, and how they behave when no one’s watching. Simon Sinek called it back in 2009 and it resonates just as much today as it did 16 years ago.So how do you get there? It starts with knowing your own values.

In the fast-paced world of innovation and growth, it's easy to lose track of time. Time flies when you're building something meaningful.

There’s a moment, somewhere between navigating winding Normandy roads and watching the sea tickle the distant shore, when it hits you: this is exactly what your mind needed.

In the age of digital transformation, buyers are savvier than ever. Whether you're selling into manufacturing, utilities, or professional services, the questions customers ask reveal what they truly value — and what they fear. For tech partners, being ready with the right answers isn’t just good salesmanship — it’s survival.

Last Friday (12th July) was National Simplicity Day, a tribute to Henry David Thoreau—philosopher, minimalist, and master of living with intention. While he might not have led a scaling consultancy or wrestled with Power BI dashboards, his mindset still hits home: “Our life is frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify.”

As I write this, I’m in County Donegal, about to celebrate the wedding of one of my wife’s closest friends. We’ve extended the trip a little—and while the backdrop is rugged cliffs and Atlantic breeze, it’s also the perfect place to pause and reflect over a pint (or two) of velvety local stout.