Brian Milnes – Business Builder

Year: 2015

  • de Havilland Support Ltd

    de Havilland Support Ltd

    Brian has been working with director-owners Bill Taylor and Mark Miller for several years now, since they were introduced to him as as a Business Link listed advisor.

    In the first instance, Brian helped de Havilland though a critical transformation following the notification of withdrawal of BAE Systems’ funding from the company. Having financed the establishment and running of de Havilland Support Ltd (DHSL) for 10 years, BAE Systems were no longer prepared to financially support the airworthiness programme for the historic aircraft fleet that included the Tiger Moth and Rapide as well as the Bulldog and Beagle Pup.

    With Bill and Mark, Brian prepared a business plan that outlined a new method of funding based on owner/operator subscriptions, as well as the sales of new and refurbished spares and parts. This not only provided BAE Systems with the confidence to transfer the operation to DHSL, but also enough for them to subsidise the transition to the new modus operandi.

    Brian also introduced local firm RedGraphic to design a new website to coincide with the new business model, while at the same time he set up an e-commerce site using the Magento platform, to enable DHSL to more easily sell their spares and parts.

    He continues to provide Bill and Mark business advice on a variety of planning, finance and wider business growth matters. This “independently minded” sounding board service as well as ad hoc practical assistance with website and business planning continues to help DHSL on an upward trajectory…

    This is what Mark wrote, by way of a testimonial on their behalf:

    “In 2011 we learned that our main funding source of over 10 years would be summarily terminating its contract. Alternative arrangements to finance the company would have to be developed forthwith. Moreover, to qualify for retention of the technical archive which is fundamental to our work, we would have to [submit] a credible business plan to the data’s owners.

    “Through a South Cambridgeshire District Council business development initiative we obtained two recommendations for a suitable business advisor to assist us. During Brian’s very first visit he showed such an immediate grasp of our unique and complex situation that we promptly engaged him to help us through this critical period.

    “Brian continued to rapidly analyse and understand our business, in fact to a level far above that of our own Industry Regulator. He worked to punitive timescales to help us devise a 3 year plan based on a novel business funding model. As well as providing the foundation for the way in which we are now operating, his input was critical in securing an £80,000 transition fee from our previous source – without which we could not easily have survived this period of such radical change.

    “At all times Brian’s commitment to this short-notice task was outstanding. While always pushing to keep our change programme on track, he showed sensitivity and awareness when the Directors had to focus momentarily on other pressing topics.

    “Moreover, having put us in touch with an excellent local website developer, Brian (who also brings IT expertise) was central to setting up our e-commerce platform. Both elements are working well and bring with them obvious commercial and reputational advantages.

    “Brian continues to help us with various business matters, including pointing out matched-funding opportunities that might otherwise be missed. We continue to rely on him to give a candid and helpful perspective on all manner of commercial and operational issues as they arise.

    “We have no hesitation in recommending Brian Milnes as an excellent and value-for-money business adviser.”

    Mark Miller

    Director & Chief Engineer
    de Havilland Support Ltd

  • ASD-STAN (AeroSpace & Defence Standards organization)

    ASD-STAN (AeroSpace & Defence Standards organization)

    The ASD-STANdards organisation, based in Brussels, were running an outdated website which was hosting a document sales system with over 12,000 standards documents, as well as a customised document creation process.

    Brian was commissioned to Project Manage the provision of a new website that could be easily managed by the customer, rather than rely on expensive external management.

    The new web site was built with WordPress with Easy Digital Downloads being the primary plugin. Website design was provided by local firm RedGraphic.

    Elyse Truchon, Sales & Services Manager @ ASD-STAN said,
    “Brian is reliable and resourceful, geared at problem-solving. A very good listener, he also anticipates his clients’ needs”.

  • Ever wanted a Hoverboard, Marty?

    Ever wanted a Hoverboard, Marty?

    The world’s first, real, Hoverboard (runs on a conductive metal surface) is revealed here:
    https://theridechannel.com/features/2014/11/tony-hawk-rides-hoverboard

  • Tips for Training your Brain as you grow older

    Tips for Training your Brain as you grow older

    I recently got forwarded a link to a copy of an interesting document on Brain Training for older people sponsored by Citrix company GoToMeeting from the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at Dallas. As I’m one of its targets, I thought it deserved a wider audience.

    Here’s the direct link to the PDF:
    https://www.gotomeeting.com/online/dam/pdf/en/resources/wp/Chapman-GoToMeeting-Train-Your-Brain-Whitepaper.pdf

  • Why?

    Why?

    So, what do we say when confronted with Radicalism, Extremism and its ilk?

    I’d normally point in the direction of Education, particularly when, for example, religious fundamentalism arises in the developing world.

    I’m not surprised that when the only education available is from, say, an Islamic Madrassar, with their limited curricula and emphasis on doctrinaire content, that the output is ill-educated, indoctrinated pupils. That some/many of these go on to act out extremist acts in the name of their religion can be firmly linked to that limited education, surely?

    But the fact is that western/developed nations are fostering the growth of increasing numbers of “radicalised”, “fundamentalist”, “extremists”. And we cannot blame the lack of a reasonable education on the inculcation of these people.

    So what is it that makes them susceptible to the barmy notions of the crazy clerics? And this isn’t restricted to Islamists. We have the same thing going on with the ultra-Zionist Jews, extremist Buddhist monks, Hindu fundamentalism as well as militant Christian groups like the Maronites in Lebanon and the protestant/catholic civil war in Ireland.

    There is a whole raft of other “minority” religions that have various similar levels of indoctrination. The Branch Davidians, the Jonestown People’s Temple and the Heaven’s Gate group all created their moments in horrible history.

    And although not given to promoting genocide there are plenty of groups who are on edge of acceptability. Scientology has been a contentious body from its outset. It was used to practicing recruitment on the High Streets of many towns, and to its critics “preying on the weak and vulnerable” to become members in times of need and uncertainty. For me, that has echoes in the radicalisation occurring in Islam, albeit on a much wider scale and with far more horrendous outcomes for our society.

    Why is it that certain of us (i.e. Human Beings) are susceptible to this sort of approach? Are we all vulnerable to it given certain emotional conditions? What is it about the human-psyche that abandons rational thought and starts buying this nonsense “hook-line-and-sinker”?

    Because most of the nonsense spouted by these religious and quasi-religious bodies is as plausible as the myth of Santa Claus bringing the presents.

    And tell me different when these groups stop calling for and carrying out murder in their name. Where are we, as a race, when we are able to justify killing others, for not thinking the right thoughts or for holding belief in the wrong schism?