Having the right tools in your business, to help automate your processes, build in efficiencies, and scale your pipeline, is not as easy as it seems. Finding the right FREE tools is even harder! Discover which FREE online tools that you should be using to keep your business on track and stay ahead of the competition. Presented by Bobby Chadha, Chartered Accountant & Small Business Mentor, and Makera Kigaraba, Co-founder & Head of Product at Solna.

2. Bobby Chadha
Chartered Accountant, Small Business Mentor &
Product Innovation in a top 4 firm
Bobby works within two realms; as a
chartered accountant and mentor for
small business start-ups, but also a
product manager. Bobby has built
products such as QuickBooks for Silicon
Valley legend Intuit in both the U.K and
France.
@bobbychadha0
bobbychadha.com

3. Makera Kigaraba
Co-founder & Head of Product at Solna
Working as a product manager for likes
of Betfair, QuickBooks and Thomson
Reuters, Mak noticed the pain that small
businesses go through when chasing
their late-paying customers. Now he
spends his days solving their problems
by leading Solna’s product and
development teams.
@MakeraK
makera@solna.io

4. 4
Solna is a free intuitive invoicing tool for
entrepreneurs. It is the first platform of its
kind to be powered by credit scoring data.
It automates the admin and offers intelligent
insights, helping users stay on top of their cash-
flow, get paid more efficiently, and manage risk.
Founded in 2017, Solna’s mission is to empower
a generation of entrepreneurs to turn their
passions into profit.
What is Solna?

5. 5
• Key milestones in the small business sales lifecycle
• Free apps that can be used at each point
• Tips for each stage; from marketing, to seeking feedback
from clients
• Q&A
Agenda

6. 6
Market to Customers
Win Customers
Plan & Provide Service
Listen to Customers
Invoice Customers
Get Paid
Small Business Journey

7. Marketing
1

8. 8
Build your online presence
Reaching people today is easier but more
complex than ever.
● 97% of consumers use the web to search
for products, services, and local businesses
● Always mention your location on your site.
A common search is ‘…nearby’
● A Google listing is a simple way to attract
customers gybo.com/business
● Test the performance of your website
using free tools - g.co/testmysite

9. 9
Attract customers online
Useful content should be at the core of your
marketing.
● Don’t be afraid to give valuable and relevant
content away for free. It’s good for your
customers as well as your bottom line
● Search for industry related keywords and
keep track of popular topics using Google
Trends https://trends.google.co.uk/trends/
● Distribute via relevant social channels – don’t
try and do them all

10. 10
Don’t forget about word of mouth
62% of customers search online for peer reviews…
● BUT…90% believe recommendations from a
friend
● Listen to your clients, and guide them to publish
reviews on Google, Trustpilot and other
relevant review sites for your business, e.g.
Checkatrade for builders
● Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. “If you’re
happy with the service you’ve experienced, do you
know anyone else who can benefit like you did?”

11. Win Customers
2

12. Use free CRM tools to optimise, and
manage, relationships and
interactions in one place.
● Track leads and potential customers
● Stay connected to customers
● Manage profitability and pipeline
● Tip: Store key insights about the
client such as a key dates and kids
names
12
CRM

13. Plan & Deliver
3

14. There is a difference between
being busy and productive. The
right tools will help you:
● Maximise your time and energy
● Focus on the right things
together as a team
● Increase your (and your team’s)
output and efficiencies
● Tip: Keep it simple with Kanban
14
Productivity

15. Customer Feedback
4

16. Don’t underestimate the power of
customer feedback.
● Not meeting expectations can
make or break your business
● Use surveys to find out what
your customers REALLY want
● Use the same apps to capture
leads at trade shows and events
● Tip: Pen and paper works too
16
Listen to your Customers

17. Get Paid
5

18. Don’t wait to invoice
● 67% of SMEs in the U.K wait over
1.5 weeks post work completion
to invoice customers
● Invoicing within 3 days of
completed work, increases
prompt payment significantly
● Create a professional looking
invoice that reflects the brand of
your start-up
18
Invoice & Payment

19. Summary
● Have a plan around how you want to market to customers
● Always ask clients for their feedback. Be sincere.
● Take invoicing seriously, do not wait to send out the
invoice post work completion.
● Have a growth mindset, every challenge is an opportunity
to learn something new.
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20. 20
Q&A

21. ThanksSign up for free invoicing at
Solna.io