Over the past year more businesses than ever have needed help navigating through financial difficulties. A client of ATTAIN’s, Lines Henry, specialises in company rescue, recovery and insolvency.
We spoke to Business Development Director Lisa McAllister about her role within the Altrincham-based company. Lisa has been working at the practice since 1995 and says: “I started here as a secretary and worked my way up through the ranks to become a director in 2013.
“I work closely with all of the team, especially with my co-directors – the Licensed Insolvency Practitioners within the practice. Between the three of us, we manage referrals made for assistance required by an individual or business owner who requires insolvency advice.”
Clear, concise advice that puts the client first
Lines Henry prides itself on giving straightforward, non-jargon insolvency advice. Lisa adds: “The pandemic has led to a wide range of financial support being made available to both individuals and businesses. Our message during this pandemic has been to raise awareness of how the government’s coronavirus loans should and shouldn’t be used.
“Most recently we have focused our attention on the ramifications of businesses who have unintentionally (or intentionally) fallen foul of claiming funds via the Furlough Scheme.
“We also highlight the importance of good housekeeping, such as raising invoices when due, debt collection, the importance of preparing cashflows and knowing where a business is up to at any given time.”
Facing financial difficulty head-on
There’s no doubt that a lot of businesses are struggling at the moment. And with government support due to come to an end towards April, a lot of business owners will need to make some tough decisions (if they haven’t already done so).
Lisa adds: “Our objective when meeting any business owner who has found themselves in financial difficulty is to make them feel better. After undertaking an assessment we then provide viable options.
“Our consultations are free and we hope that after having a meeting with ourselves the business owner has a clear and better understanding of the options available to them.
“We also point clients in the direction of trusted contacts who could assist them. For example, if a business has a cashflow issue but we believe that business is viable, then we point them in the direction of our trusted funders.”
Getting the message across
Explaining how Lines Henry can help businesses is a huge part of Lisa’s role. Although the pandemic has kept Lisa desk-based, she has still worked hard to network online and is co-organiser of both the Professionals of Wigan and Professionals of Rochdale & Oldham invite-only networking events.
“As most of my contacts will attest, I do try my best never to ‘make up the numbers’ but lead by example with introductions and referrals to my wide and varied contact base,” Lisa says. “My mantra is, ‘If I can change one person’s mind in any given room of what we do and what we can bring to the party, then my job is complete.’”
Yet when Lisa looked at the firm’s web and social media offering, she found it didn’t fully broadcast Lines Henry’s ethos. That’s when ATTAIN stepped in, says Lisa: “Having got to know Jackie and her team at ATTAIN prior to engaging their services, I knew that Jackie listened well and absolutely understood how to replicate and support me in achieving what we wanted. It was important to send out positive messages about what we do. I didn’t want to post generic content out to potential clients.
“It has been a pleasure to know that the Lines Henry message and all our social media channels are now aligned. With the support of ATTAIN we will reach as many individuals and business owners as we can to help them with whatever financial difficulties they are facing.”
For help with your business’s digital marketing strategy, contact Jackie at ATTAIN on info@attain.uk.com
