start smart
Fix & Focus
Designed for long-established businesses that feel stuck, overwhelmed, or in need of sharper direction, better processes, or renewed momentum
Cut through the noise, streamline your operations, and get your business running like clockwork. Sometimes the smartest move isn't to grow bigger - it's to get leaner, sharper, and more focused. Fix & Focus helps established businesses eliminate waste, improve margins, and rediscover their competitive edge.
Who This Is For
Fix & Focus is designed for you if:
- You’ve been in business for years but feel stuck or stagnant
- Profits are slipping despite steady sales
- Operations feel chaotic or inefficient
- You’re working harder but not getting ahead
- You need a fresh perspective and practical solutions
What You Get: Six Focus Areas
BUSINESS "HEALTH CHECK"
- Full review of current operations, finances, positioning, and performance
- Identifying what's working, what's not, and what's holding growth back
- Customer and market perception analysis
- Competitive positioning review
- Improvement plan with clear priorities
Outcome: A clear diagnosis of your business's health and a roadmap to fix what matters most.
STREAMLINING OPERATIONS
- Reducing waste and cutting unnecessary costs
- Improving workflow, production flow, and team structure
- Lean process implementation (identifying and eliminating non-value activities)
- Quality improvement and error reduction
- Supplier and procurement optimisation
Outcome: Smoother operations, lower costs, and a team that works more efficiently.
PROFITABILITY & COST CONTROL
- Reviewing cost structures and pricing strategy
- Increasing margins without compromising quality
- Finding quick wins: energy savings, labour efficiency, better purchasing
- Financial controls and reporting improvements
- Cash flow optimisation
Outcome: Improved bottom line with sustainable cost management practices.
STRATEGIC RESET & REPOSITIONING
- Re-evaluating your value proposition and customer base
- Updating brand direction to stay relevant in a changing market
- Identifying new opportunities (products, markets, channels)
- Customer retention and win-back strategies
- Digital transformation and modernisation
Outcome: A refreshed strategy that reignites growth and customer excitement.
TROUBLESHOOTING & PROBLEM-SOLVING
- Addressing declining sales, rising costs, or operational breakdown
- Creating simple systems and routines that keep the business running smoothly
Outcome: Practical solutions to immediate problems and prevention of future issues.
LEO LEAN / GREEN ELIGIBILITY GUIDANCE
- Checking if your business qualifies for LEO Lean or Green support
- Helping with applications and documentation
- Delivering the improvement plan through fully funded or part-funded programmes
- Ensuring you get maximum value from these supports
Outcome: Professional improvement support with minimal financial burden.
Get your business off on the right foot
Starting a business is exciting — but it can also be uncertain. You may have a great idea, a strong product, or a clear passion, yet still feel unsure about where to focus first, how to position yourself in the market, or whether you’re missing something important.
Start Smart is a startup strategy consulting service designed to give new businesses clarity, structure, and confidence from day one. Rather than generic advice, you’ll get practical, one-to-one support tailored to your idea, your market, and your goals.
Who Start Smart Is For
Start Smart is ideal if you are:
Planning to launch a new food product or drink brand
Opening a café, restaurant, or small hospitality business
Starting a tourism, craft, or local service business
Turning a strong idea into a viable business for the first time
In your first year or two of trading and need clearer direction
If you’re looking for help starting a business in Donegal or anywhere in Ireland, Start Smart provides grounded, local insight combined with strategic thinking.
How It Works
Phase 1: Diagnostic Phase
Comprehensive business review – financials, operations, customer feedback, and market position. We identify the core issues and quick wins.
Phase 2: Strategy Phase
Develop targeted improvement plan – Lean initiatives, cost reductions, strategic repositioning, or operational fixes.
Phase 3: Implementation Phase
Hands-on support implementing changes – training, process redesign, supplier negotiations, and system improvements.
Common Questions
“Isn’t it too late for our business?“
It’s never too late to improve. Many businesses hit plateaus – the key is honest assessment and targeted action. I’ve helped decades-old businesses rediscover their spark.
“We can’t afford expensive consultants right now.“
That’s exactly why LEO Lean funding exists – it covers up to 90% of costs. We can also phase work to spread investment and capture quick wins early to fund further improvements.
“Will this disrupt our daily operations?“
Improvement always requires some change, but we work with your team to minimise disruption. Many fixes actually reduce daily chaos and give you more time.
Ready to Fix & Focus?
Let’s get your business running smoothly and profitably again.