Browne Craine & Co is sponsoring the award for Business Person of the Year at this year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence.

The chartered accountancy practice, based in historic Burleigh Manor on Peel Road, has seen many budding entrepreneurs coming through its doors over the years.

With the help of the professionals at Browne Craine many have developed into business people who would certainly be in the running for this award.

Director Craig Mitchell said: ’If you were to ask me what makes a good business person I’d say it’s someone who knows how to get the best out of the resources available to them in order to maximise their potential in whatever field they happen to operate in.

’They need to be able to recognise their own strengths and those of the people they work with, understand and address any weaknesses, know when to ask for help whilst being willing to accept constructive critique and, most importantly, they need to be someone who can learn from their mistakes.

’Anybody can have a good idea, but unfortunately not everybody has the skill sets to turn an idea into a successful venture, and I don’t just mean technical skills either.

’In my opinion one of the most important aspects of a successful business is having a strong relationship with your workforce.

’A happy workforce is a motivated workforce and that can only help your business reach its true potential.

’ I think it’s rare to find a truly successful business person who can’t communicate and motivate their staff.’

Craig and fellow director, James Sayle, offer a free consultation ’surgery’ every Thursday afternoon to both new and existing businesses.

Craig said: ’We make ourselves available so that people can bounce ideas off us.

’We value all our clients, whether they are sole traders working on their own or large international companies and we are happy to tailor our services to our clients individual needs, but this particular service is aimed at fledgling businesses who are setting out on their own.

’We’ve received quite a bit of positive feedback and helped people realise that things like completing a VAT return don’t need to take over all of their free time.

’If anyone wants to take advantage of the service then please feel free to call into the office on a Thursday afternoon and ask for James or myself.

’Alternatively call the office on 629369 and we will be happy to reserve an appointment at a more convenient time.’

Well-rounded

Craig added that offering such a service is an example of another element required for any business person seeking to win the award for Business Person of the Year.

He said: ’I think it’s important that entrepreneurs should also be a rounded character, not just focussed on work but have an interest and involvement with the local community.

’I hope our surgery is proof that at Browne Craine we are prepared to practice what we preach.’

Craig, who earlier this year walked the Great Wall of China with his friend Tony Dowling to raise money for Rebecca House, said: ’It’s something we do as a company and which we encourage our staff to do: getting out in the community, being more grounded and having a sense of social awareness.’