Businessman Dave Radley has overseen considerable growth within his company, DMR Training & Consultancy, since establishing it to provide construction qualifications in 2013. Appearing on The Leaders Council Podcast, Radley shared his motivations for building a company of his own, and some of the key lessons he had learnt from the experience which can help other entrepreneurs on the road to success.
Sitting down with host, Scott Challinor, Radley told of how he had initially worked as a plasterer and dryliner before moving into the skills industry. The transition began with a 2006 move to Manchester-based Skills Solutions, where he worked initially as an assessor, tutor and training consultant before becoming quality lead in 2010. After one year working in the position and becoming well-versed in construction sector quality assurance and compliance, he spent a further year working with the CITB/CSkills Awards as an external quality advisor, and Radley felt that through his own business he could provide a similar service in a simpler manner.
Radley recalled: “Before I started the business I was in work. The awarding organisation I was involved with covered the Midlands and I was living in the northwest. I had to cover 85 training centres and colleges as a quality advisor in the Midlands examining how qualifications and training were delivered.
“The travelling was getting a little bit too much and in my personal situation I had children to think about. So, I thought that I could essentially do what I was doing myself via my own company and we could offer a good service. I wanted a new, innovative and flexible service and I felt we could deliver these solutions in an easier way and really make a difference if I could get the right people in alongside me.
“Reflecting on it all, I think we have done and are doing really well. We have provided that different type of support and that was the vision I had. We’ve delivered it more efficiently and in more modern ways and the business has just grown from there.”
When quizzed about some of the key steps that he had taken in the early days of the business to help build and make it successful, Radley revealed that being willing to seek out advice and learn from experienced entrepreneurs who had grown successful firms of their own proved to be hugely beneficial.
Emphasising the value of networking and taking knowledge from others, Radley said: “It is important to listen to people, people that have done it. Seek out advice, listen to as many people as you can to get yourself started. So often, too many people don’t do that, and they get stuck in their own mind and end up not making a decision.
“I have thrown myself into any situation where I can get advice. I am going to be attended one of many courses that I have been on in my career this week, for example. I know I don’t and probably never will have all of the answers and so I try to broaden my knowledge base as much as I can. Some of the courses I have gone on have lasted as long as four months, and I have done a lot with local universities in Manchester on their high-growth programmes. I have attended networking events also.
“The key thing as a businessperson just starting out is simply to go for it. Immerse yourself in experienced people and keep your ears and eyes open as to what’s around because you never know what you might learn and go on to do.”
Radley also took the time to discuss the need for entrepreneurs to be self-reflective and willing to embrace setbacks. Rather than shy away from mistakes and adopt a risk-averse approach, he explained how he had strayed into the habit of looking for new challenges for the business to overcome in order to ensure a process of continual improvement.
“I would say without a doubt that the setbacks, challenges and difficult times are what have shaped me and my business. You try to learn from your mistakes and you probably learn more than you do in the good times.
“With every setback, it’s important to self-reflect and pick the situation apart and think about a different course of action. It is that which is the real driver that helps you move forward.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is a great example. I have always been self-reflective but given how we’ve had to adapt during that I am now always looking at ways of how we can improve and what we could do differently. It has made me go searching for answers more, you want more feedback, and you almost go looking for more challenges to see how you can get through them. It is trying at times, but it is refreshing. You have to embrace the work and move forward to develop.”
Listen to the full interview with DMR Training & Consultancy's Dave Radley below.
Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash
