The Business Builder Bulletin: What Small Businesses Can Learn from Man United’s Mistakes
Graeme Clarke
April 15, 2025
Hello everyone,
This week, the Business Builder Bulletin is diving into:
- What Manchester United has done wrong
- The five business mistakes hiding in plain sight ⚠️
- What small businesses in Manchester (and beyond) can learn
- Your action step to build a stronger business 🧱
Let’s be honest—when most people hear “Manchester United,” they think: success, trophies, star players, and a global brand.
But look a little closer, and you’ll see the cracks: poor decisions, short-term thinking, and a lack of alignment that’s cost them dearly over the last decade.
What’s that got to do with your business? Actually—a lot.
As a small business owner, you can learn a ton from their missteps. Here’s how…
🚫 1. No Clear Business Leadership or Vision
Since Sir Alex Ferguson left, United has cycled through managers and directors like a game of musical chairs. Different styles, different strategies, and zero consistency.
Small Business Coaching Insight:
Confused leadership leads to confused teams—and confused customers. Your business needs a clear mission and a consistent voice. Whether you’re running a coffee shop or a consulting firm, your team (and your customers) need to know what you stand for.
✅ SEO Tip: “Clear leadership” is a powerful keyword when building visibility for business growth strategies in Manchester.
⏳ 2. Short-Term Wins vs Long-Term Strategy
Manchester United keeps trying to buy their way to glory. Big-name signings, splashy headlines… and then? Disappointment.
Lesson for Small Business:
Quick wins feel good—but sustainable growth takes time. Invest in your systems. Train your team. Focus on what delivers value in the long term.
💡 Real-World Example: Start a loyalty program that brings customers back again and again—instead of relying on constant discounts to stay relevant.
🗣️ 3. Ignoring Your Customers
Remember the European Super League drama? Manchester United forgot who they serve—the fans. The backlash was loud.
Your Takeaway:
Listen to your customers. Engage with your audience. Feedback is free—and it’s gold. Use it.
📣 Quick Action: Set up a 3-question feedback form:
- What do you love?
- What could we improve?
- Would you recommend us?
Even better—ask this weekly.
🎭 4. All Branding, No Backbone
Manchester United’s sponsorship deals are strong—but the actual product (football) hasn’t lived up to the hype. There’s a growing disconnect.
Business Lesson:
Branding can only get you so far. You’ve got to deliver. Spend less on fancy design and more on delivering an unforgettable experience.
🎯 Ask yourself: Would customers refer you just based on their experience—not your logo?
👥 5. Weak Team Culture
Even with world-class talent, United often looks lost on the pitch. Experts blame poor team spirit and unclear leadership.
What That Means for You:
Team culture matters—a lot. Whether you have 2 staff or 20, culture drives performance, loyalty, and customer service.
👥 Quick Win: Schedule monthly one-to-one check-ins with each team member. Talk about goals, values, and how they’re feeling.
Final Thoughts: Use These Lessons to Grow Smarter
Manchester United might be a global giant, but even giants make basic mistakes. The good news? As a small business, you have agility. You can pivot. You can adjust quickly. You can learn faster.
Here’s what to take away:
✅ Be crystal clear on your mission and leadership
✅ Play the long game—build for sustainability
✅ Stay connected with your audience
✅ Focus on substance, not just style
✅ Build a strong, values-driven team culture
🧭 Business Coaching Manchester: Real-World Support for Local Business Owners
If you’re ready to avoid the mistakes of the big players and grow your business the smart way, I can help.
At Business Coaching Manchester, I work with small businesses to:
✔️ Build effective strategies
✔️ Increase customer retention
✔️ Create great team cultures
✔️ Grow profitably (and sustainably)
📍 Based in Manchester | 👥 Local Expertise | 💡 Real-World Results
👉 Sign up for our free newsletter for weekly business-building tips
👉 Book a free discovery call to see how coaching can help your business grow
Here’s to learning, growing, and building something better,
Graeme
Manchester Business Coaching
P.S. Want a smart head start? Subscribe today to get access to a free resource “the Golden 10 minutes” a proven way to build financial success from the ground up.
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