Fluent Tutors
Fluent Tutors
Cavin Selukwe, Founder and Director of Fluent Tutors, a tuition provider based in Benfleet, Essex discusses how Peer Network Programme Group2Grow has helped him to highlight areas for improvement within the business and focus his attention on maximising successful channels for obtaining future clients.
Fluent Tutors was founded in 2017 and offers online and face-to-face tutoring for 11+, 13+, KS1, KS2, KS3, GCSE and A Level English, Maths and Science. Sessions are hosted by experienced and qualified teaching staff and a pool of A* Russell Group University Undergraduates who have been fully trained on the business’ methods of delivery and assessment. Fluent Tutors have a strong belief that all students can learn and progress, and that it simply takes the right tools, and an approach that both inspires and motivates the individual.
Highly recommended, and often referred by previous students, sessions are available on a 1:2:1 basis, or in a group setting with pricing depending on the experience of the tutor chosen.
Director and Founder Cavin Selukwe has over 20 years teaching, leading and teacher training experience, with a specialism in Science. His experience comes from both inside and outside the classroom and he is also a qualified examiner.
““Finding the right Tutor for your child can be challenge, but we have built up a fantastic track record of success, underpinned by many years of professional experience. For us it’s a case of placing the right student with the right tutor for their needs””
Always reflecting and challenging their tutoring methods and practices, Cavin recognised that perhaps he also needed to take a look at the business as a whole to see how things could be improved.
“It can be hard to work on developing the business when you are working in the business, and a fresh pair of eyes can help to identify progressive strategies and map out your business unknowns”
To help to give him a new perspective, Cavin signed up for the Group2Grow Peer Network Programme. Group2Grow is a free service provided by Backing Essex Business which brings together cohorts of 8-10 business professionals for 8 x 2hr group sessions led by an experienced business coach, and 3 hrs of 1:2:1 mentoring. The programme, ideally suited to business leaders of businesses with over 5 employees talks through common barriers in business and uses collective knowledge and experiences to work together and find solutions. The service is fully funded by Essex County Council, to support growing businesses in Essex, and the local economy.
““Adapting our offering during the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging. Some parents felt that online tutoring was in some way short-changing them, so we spent a lot of time doing training to improve our service so that it was as interactive as possible. As things started to return to some normality, I joined Group2Grow to help me look at other ways we could stand out from the competition without devaluing our service.””
In each session, the group select a topic to discuss, which can include things like strategy, marketing, recruitment and confidence, with the business coach facilitating some potential discussion points and ensuring all members get the opportunity for input.
“The whole process was great. I liked David’s approach. He wouldn’t take over, but he managed the sessions well using a list of agreed topics to cover. I learned a lot from the other cohort members. It was such a mix of people, and we were able to share our experience with each other. It was all very collaborative, and everyone was very open.”
Cavin highlighted how in particular he found the sessions around marketing very useful, learning about the marketing pipeline and the 7 principles, and also the affect that the 1:2:1 mentoring with his business coach David had on his business.
“Every time I met David he exposed my business, making me really have a 360 degree look at everything, there was nowhere to hide, but I needed that. He has helped so much with my confidence and learning to position myself, it’s made me realise I need to focus my attention on what will really benefit me long term. I can’t thank David enough, he always checked on me and really seem to care how I was getting on.”
As the programme came to an end Cavin was left with plenty to take away and consider for him to move forward.
““I’m good at what I do, but Group2Grow has made me consider future help I might need. I am already looking at making connections with local schools and utilising local Facebook groups to help find new clients. It’s fantastic how the advice provided by the other cohort members and David has already made an impact on my business. A simple wording change to a piece of marketing material has already led to new clients, I would absolutely recommend the programme to others.””
Group2Grow is currently recruiting for more businesses to take part in this years programme. To register your interest visit www.backingessexbuiness.co.uk/peer-groups
