We looked at London based companies that have recently successfully raised seed funding! The good news is that there is a constant flow of funding into very young companies - albeit with a technology bias. Companies with innovative ideas, strong management teams and good business plans position themselves for better funding success. We wanted to get a flavour of what's happening in the world of funding for seed level companies that are based in London. We found five recent funding success stories - we have summarised what they got, what they do and how long they have been going. Labrador (internet of things) We’d all like to sure we are getting the cheapest energy bill on the market, but even with the help of price comparison sites it can be a chore working out which supplier to go with and then sorting all the paperwork to change supplier. Labrador aims to solve this problem by paring with your smart meter and analysing your energy consumption … [Read more...]
Brexit – Let’s face it!
With Brexit dominating headlines, the importance of having the best leadership team, who will be able to derive and implement strategy to steer a company or organisation through change and uncertainty is of paramount importance. Deal or no deal will have a significant impact on our entire economy which executives and managers will have to address. No deal will certainly not mean no action required, in fact it most certainly will mean the opposite. The outcome may be viewed as providing significant opportunity and or challenge which will impact on all sectors of the economy and all commercial functionality whether it be sales, marketing, engineering, research. manufacturing, logistics, IT, human resources, finance or legal. Uncertainty must be addressed and not be allowed as an excuse for inaction; contingency planning is necessary. We are fortunate in having a fabulous pool of talent, skills and experience in the UK; a significant proportion of which is currently … [Read more...]
What is a Terms of Service agreement and why could your business need one?
Terms of Service are exactly that – the terms you agree with a 3rd party who is commissioned to carry out certain services for your business. That 3rd party could be a freelancer, a contractor, a company or an off-shore service supplier. It can also serve as the terms you agree with a client who has instructed you to render services. Unless Terms of Service are agreed and the document is signed, you don’t have a legally enforceable document. Both parties need to agree to the terms set out. The terms can be set out by you or the person doing the work, or both. The document becomes legally binding if the agreement has been signed and dated by both parties. Hopefully, without confusing the issue too much, certain terms of service may not require a signature by both parties – a simple ‘yes’ on an email may suffice. You need the advice of a commercial lawyer that will help you decide if the agreement will require signatures. Planning Terms of Service Firstly you need to … [Read more...]
Five crucial ways to improve your business productivity
You will probably be familiar with the adage: Productivity = Potential – Interference. Many of us are battling daily with interference of one sort or another, both external and internal. Potential is not always something that is easy to quantify, or to realise. Growing a business, finding a market, and bringing in orders takes time and effort, and often a bit of luck. It’s also likely to take some time, so those frustrating interferences are the key focus if you want fast results. Wages & Productivity Superficial measures do not always show the bigger picture – if two businesses are paying different wages, you cannot assume that the lower payer makes cheaper goods, without knowing their productivity. Obviously, if the higher-paying business is more productive than the lower payer, their output might still be cheaper. Higher productivity gives you the means to take better control of your prices and … [Read more...]
Better budgeting in 10 steps
Many entrepreneurs and their management teams don't devote enough time or attention to the process of preparing annual budgets, especially when they operate in rapidly growing or uncertain markets. A financial plan in a private company is at risk of becoming gradually ignored over time, devaluing the operational benefits of measuring performance against budget and the process next time round. With a careful and efficient planning process a business will set a much clearer picture of where it is heading, knowing what to do at each stage to hit and exceed targets, but also how to react when these are missed. With the benefit of our collective experience of managing hundreds of budgets and plans, we have put together some top tips on making your budgets more robust, realistic and valuable. Get everyone involved - It is a common place misconception that your finance team puts a budget together. A business plan and its budget should be produced by the collective … [Read more...]
How To Set – and Keep – Your New Year’s Business Resolutions
Make twelve New Year resolutions for business, one for each month! By breaking them down into workable pieces, you’ll actually get them done. Our local Bollywood-style keep-fit class in my local area is led by Nikita, an instructor who has inspired me on more than one occasion. At our recent pre-Christmas dinner celebration, she surprised me with her response when I asked if she had made a New Year Resolution by answering ‘Actually I’ve made twelve!’ It turns out that in 2017, she implemented a different resolution every month. I found myself hanging on to her every word, relishing her answers, and inspired to the core at this extraordinary young woman. As I listened, I got excited thinking about the projects I had let slip and was yearning to get back to. She told me that by having a new resolution each month, it ensured that they actually happened. They didn’t feel onerous. Better yet, she nipped procrastination in the metaphorical bud. She … [Read more...]
GDPR Check List – Your 8 Step Plan For The New Legislation
You need to start your preparations for GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) as the implementation date of 28th May 2018 is fast approaching. For most businesses and IT managers, preparation has not yet started despite the deadline being less than 6 months away. Ignorance of the Legislation will be no excuse and with the severe penalties planned, some businesses could be made bankrupt if they fail to comply. How would you deal with a fine of 4% of turnover? Please use this checklist to start you on the road to compliance. These are the key areas you should address. As you get into the detail of your own GDPR review, you will also uncover data considerations, which are particular to your own industry and business type. 1 Raise Awareness In Your Business GDPR will probably require you to make changes to the way you collect, store, use and process data. In particular data held on individuals. The new regulations extend the provisions in the Data … [Read more...]
Is your business ready for new GDPR legislation on Data Protection?
This article outlines the key themes of the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to help businesses understand their corporate responsibilities and the challenges of this new legal framework. Key facts about GDPR A data protection regulation to protect the data businesses hold on individuals. It is legislation with large fines for non-compliance It makes organisations much more accountable for the data they hold. Applies equally in all EU member states and to those offering goods or services to individuals within the EU Stricter stipulations apply to firms with over 250 employees Also applies to SMEs with under 250 employees when data processing carried out is likely to result in risk to the rights and freedoms of data subjects, the processing is not occasional or the processing includes special categories of data as defined in GPDR Article 9 It will be enforced across Europe from 25th May 2018 Overview of … [Read more...]
Essential ‘Must-Haves’ in a Business Relationship Contract
When embarking on an entrepreneurial venture with anyone, including people you trust (i.e. family and friends), be assured that there are always risks involved. To protect your interests for the future, it’s advisable to make your business relationship official by way of a commercial contract. Commercial contracts provide a practical framework which enables you to focus on your business needs and consider the associated risks. Once in place, they will provide your business with a greater level of protection from future potential issues. You need to be savvy in business and if you’re inexperienced about contracts, it makes good sense to take advice from those with skills and knowledge in this area, particularly in the legal field. Consider this – if you agree to go into business with your father, will you both view it as a continuation of your father/son comfort zone relationship, or will you view it as a new scenario? Many do not separate the friendship or family … [Read more...]
Don’t Wait For Brexit Clarity – Get Exporting
Almost every business will be impacted by Brexit – positively or negatively. We can only make educated assumptions about what Brexit will look like and indeed when any transition arrangements may end. With a potential 2-year transition agreement, Brexit would happen in March 2021. Fortune favours the bold and businesses that can benefit from exporting should review their business strategy to achieve their maximum potential. If you don’t your competitors probably will. The good news is that there is a huge range of support available for businesses who want to start exporting or want to expand their exporting. When helping businesses review their strategy, I often ask if they export. The first answer is often no, followed by a, well we have sold this to here and that to there. They have become accidental exporters. If your business has recognised expertise or a niche specialisation then you will often be found globally via your web site even if … [Read more...]
Book a free online 30 minute Business Advisory Session
Have you got a business opportunity or challenge that you’d like some impartial, expert feedback on? Improving your sales? Looking for investment? Improving your team’s performance? Getting better results from your marketing? Expanding your team? Considering a sale, merger or acquisition? Or do you want to review your business strategy Then why not book a free 30 minute Business Advisory Session with one of our expert business advisors. These informal sessions are designed to help you gain new insights to support your next steps. This month’s sessions will be available from 2pm to 5pm on Friday 23rd June and will be delivered on Skype. The number of available slots are limited so early booking is recommended. Please note, each session is a maximum of 30 minutes. To book your free advisory session on the 23rd June please email susanne.currid@lgba.co.uk with your name, business name and a short introduction to the business … [Read more...]
Power up your business with a Virtual Non-Executive Director
The benefits of Non-Executive Directors are well understood by many successful business owners. They bring an independent view and additional experience that enable better decisions to be made by the management board. Our Home Counties and London Group Business Advisors have developed a Virtual Non-Executive Director (VNED) service that offers Managing Directors and business owners the same independent view and advice without the complexity of shareholdings, appointing legal directors and director’s service agreements. Every company is different and yet there are many similar and transferable aspects from other industries and markets. Our experts are able to utilise their broad business experience and extensive network of contacts to support companies to achieve their strategic objectives. An independent view that challenges existing or new strategies can substantially enhance the robustness of a company’s direction. Sometimes difficult decisions are required to deal with … [Read more...]
How To Turn A Hobby Into A Business Process
Part 1 How do you take a hobby or interest and turn it into a business? In this blog, I’d like to share a simple but effective process I use with my clients to take their hobby or interest and turn it into a viable business plan. This process can be used for any start up business. IDEA We start with the IDEA. Your idea for a business may be totally unique to you or it could be providing a service that others already provide like a McDonald’s restaurant. Once you have decided on what your business is going to be then you need to do your Market Research. Market Research Researching your market is an essential process. The research you do is to ensure that there is a demand for the product or service you are offering. Here are some of the things you should find out during the research phase: Place – where is an appropriate place to sell your product … [Read more...]
What Are The Essential Elements Of A Good Funding Business Plan?
It is generally accepted that a business plan is essential for business owners who are seeking to raise money to help fund their businesses. However, a business plan written by the management team can easily fall into the trap of being inward focussed, i.e. centred around the management benefits of planning. To secure finance, you will need to have a business plan, which is specifically targeted to meet the individual requirements of your finance providers or your investors, and not your management team. How does a Funding Business Plan help? Whether debt or equity, a potential backer wants to see why you need finance, how you plan to use it, and what evidence you can provide to back up any claims. It helps convince lenders and investors, that the business owner has thought the strategy through. It also gives any actual investors a set of financial benchmarks for which the business owner and the management team can be held accountable. What should be … [Read more...]
Acquiring a Business – Issues to consider – Part 4
Before you make the offer to acquire a business – Consider what happens next Post-Acquisition Strategies Prior to making an offer, the acquirer should consider the purpose of the acquisition and re-visit the reasons for making the acquisition and how well the target fits within those reasons. The steps required are: Confirm the acquisition meets the deal objectives Is the business to be run standalone or integrated? Is the culture very different and will this inhibit the deal success? Does the acquisition meet the objectives set out in the overview? Ensure the commercial due diligence checklist is linked to running the business Understand the competitive landscape the acquisition target operates in. Understand the management intentions and how to use the management team being acquired to best advantage. Plan to take advantage of the “halo” effect Identify the areas where the quickest and most profitable extra profit can be obtained and assign people to exploit it Assess the … [Read more...]
Acquiring a Business – Issues to consider – Part 2
WHAT SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES MAKE AN ACQUISITION AN ATTRACTIVE STRATEGY? Acquirers are interested in growing their own businesses and an acquisition is one of the options available to them, and usually provides a faster track to growth than organic growth. In addition, they can be interested in other benefits, for example: geographic expansion customer base customer spread, i.e. for a retail business a large number of customers, for a manufacturer a number of blue-chip customers, such that there is no undue reliance on a small number of customers contract durations repeat business patterns skill-sets technology Intellectual Property Rights depth and quality of management uniqueness and competitiveness of products and services scalability of products and/or services market position and brand systems and processes, particularly relating to winning new business distribution quality of service the “halo” effect, the extra revenues and profits that can be gained from e.g. … [Read more...]
Acquiring a Business – Issues to consider – Part 1
WHAT IS THE MAIN STRATEGIC REASONING FOR ACQUIRERS OF A BUSINESS? Acquirers do not buy the past performance of business. They buy the future performance of the business, but use the past performance as a guide (along with other things) to establish the likelihood of the future profits. Acquirers can have diverse motivations: ego or status a carefully thought out strategy opportunistic reasons, e.g. see a competitor of failing business up for sale and think a good deal may be had by acquiring it a Seller (or the Seller’s Advisor) has managed to paint a vision for the Acquirer of what the end result will look like of the two businesses once they have been merged. The case will appear convincing, such that the Acquirer will believe that, by acquiring, he or she will be able to generate a value significantly greater and faster than the alternative of continuing organic growth. Whatever the starting point, once an Acquirer is “in play” and considering an acquisition, then it is the … [Read more...]
Exit strategy and planning – Getting the most for your company when you decide to sell – Part 3
Part 3: Enabling issues which should be in place before a sale These issues will not necessarily provide a premium valuation, but the absence of them could lead to some discount in the valuation or might hold up a sale. • Shareholders agreement regulating the rights of all shareholders and ensuring that minorities can be included Key staff and directors service contracts ensuring that the management and technical know-how won’t walk out the door as soon as a sale is made Share incentive schemes locking in key personnel Employee contracts, handbook and policies ensuring all employment law and regulatory compliance issues are up to date • Supplier Contracts are in date and valid; beware “change of control clauses” which could very well reduce value or lead to specific warranties • Customer Contracts are in date and valid; beware “change of control clauses” which could very well reduce value or lead to specific warranties IPR, patents, trademarks, copyright, … [Read more...]
Exit strategy and planning – Getting the most for your company when you decide to sell – Part 2
Part 2: Getting to the highest valuation Valuation The valuation of your company is not a science, but is driven by market forces and your ability to present your business as a significant investment opportunity. To some extent this depends upon the buyer, but it also depends upon the wider economic environment, the state of your own market sector, as well as the state of your business. There are a number of principles that can be applied to valuing your business: • Earning Multiples – Normally based on historic and possibly forward projections for earnings, measured before depreciation, interest and tax, but adjusted for “average Directors” drawings. The range for this earning multiple can vary from less than 4 to greater than 10 and is dependent on many factors, some of which are mentioned below. • Net Asset Value – The book value of the company as declared in the balance sheet. In many cases owners may expect to achieve a premium when using this approach to … [Read more...]
Exit strategy and planning – Getting the most for your company when you decide to sell – Part 1
Part 1: Why planning is vital and the route to exit Exit planning is perhaps the most difficult yet most important period in the life cycle of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs). It is an event that probably only happens once, yet has a profound effect upon the future life, particularly in retirement, of the owners. Research clearly shows that many owner managers fail to achieve full or fair value for their business during the exit process. The key reasons for this failure are: Unrealistic value expectations and timescales Poor preparation within the business prior to the sale Unwillingness to use professional advisors Inadequate resources allied to the exit process Planning for your exit strategy Planning a strategy to maximize the value of your business on sale requires careful advance planning. You should start considering the issues several years before you plan to sell. The actual exit process will take 6 to 12 months and may require varying degrees of … [Read more...]
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