Blind date: ‘a social engagement with a person one has not previously met, arranged with a view to the development of a romantic relationship’
Well firstly just to reassure you that DSL consulting hasn’t at this point in time branched out into the world of match making. Likewise this post isn’t about my ill fated dating history….

However, I suppose I have been kept busy over the years matching up my clients with local authorities that operate the primary authority scheme…
And this continues to be a particular piece of work that I truly relish as it takes me back to grass roots trading standards work and of times when the scheme just didn’t exist.  From my own experience, the relationships we had with our local businesses could often feel unnecessarily formal with a heavy air of tension in the room where mistrust and suspicion led to unconstructive conversations that were of no help to anyone.  Not so the case these days…
There are still thousands of businesses and associations that could be benefitting from primary authority.  Whether the partnership gives birth to a set of business guidance for perhaps a membership group signed off from the regulator or having an expert on hand to help out of grey aspects of regulation (of which there are many believe me)…

Once a business has been sold the idea of primary authority, what is absolutely key is that the management select exactly the right partner with the best level of expertise and resources to ensure that expectations are clearly established from day 1. This is of extreme importance and can lead to the success or demise of the relationship.
Having a strong network of contacts across the local authority regulatory space, I have a clear understanding of sectorial expertise, resources and coverage across the UK so am able to provide a service whereby I scope out the options, talk to the right people to then cover off the introductions when the time is right.
So with that all said, if you are a business on the lookout for a new PA relationship – I’m your man or Cilla Black…