Why keeping your accounts up to date could mean all the difference between running a successful business, limping along, or failing. Would you fly a plane while wearing a blindfold? I ask new clients ‘Would you fly a plane while wearing a blindfold?’. They look at me confused, and always reply ‘No, of course not!’. At this point they are probably wondering why they hired me. Stupid question, right? Wrong! Here’s why: A significant proportion of my clients proffer similar responses when I start to investigate their bookkeeping and accounting methodology. They invariably tell me that they hand over receipts to their bookkeeper and once a year the accounts are resolved and sent to HMRC, usually at the last minute. Many then look confused again when I don’t look happy with their response. Why am I not happy? Because their accounts are typically 17 months out of date or worse. They have been led to believe that the accounts are for tax purposes, rather than as a managerial tool. This … [Read more...]
Boost your exports – Tips for SMEs
One of the biggest assets to grow your exports is free - THE U.K. FLAG – are you making the most of it? 500 years ago, if a ship arrived offshore, would you run for the hills or fire up a feast? It's pretty likely you'd make a snap judgement based upon the flag you saw flying - and how fast you could run. A similar scenario still plays out if your product or brand is unknown when it reaches an export market for the first time. A customer will look for your flag. If your brand is relatively unknown and the perception of the U.K. as the 'Country of Origin' is positive in your target market, then leverage it. Not just a 'MADE IN THE U.K....' (or DESIGNED IN THE U.K.) on pack, but print the U.K. flag on packaging, build it into presentations and leverage iconic images from the U.K. on social. Landscapes, buildings, celebrities, you name it. It works. I’ve seen the boost it can make to a company’s sales many times. ‘MADE IN THE U.K.' not only plays an important role in first … [Read more...]
Financial information you need to run your business effectively
In order to manage your business effectively you need to be sure that it has enough cash to keep trading and that it is running profitably. To ensure this happens, I recommend you review your financial status at the start of each and every business week. You will have financial records, probably in one of the most popular accounting software packages such as Sage, QuickBooks or Xero. Either your own staff or your accountants will use these to prepare VAT returns and the other legal requirements such as the annual accounts required by Companies House. These accounting systems can also produce many of the essential figures you need to review on a weekly basis. Additionally, you need to forecast which clients are likely to pay their invoices this week. This is often not the same as those who should pay this week. Accurately forecasting your weekly cashflow is a skill every business needs to master. Not all of the figures in the list below will apply to all businesses. You … [Read more...]
How to continuously sharpen your company’s competitive edge
The use of the word ‘continuously’ is purposefully placed in the title of this blog article. Why? Because I fully believe that if a company does not continuously sharpen its competitive edge, it won’t be long before they do not have one in today’s ever-increasing pace. I’m sure we can all think of examples of companies who have been market leaders and no longer exist or have had to sell assets and/or shrink in size to survive. Eastman Kodak is a prime example. Kodak began to struggle financially in the 1990s when digital camera technology hit the retail market. Only recently they have emerged from bankruptcy, after selling many of its patents to current giants including Google, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft. Woolworths is another case in point. It used to be one of my favourite stores for spending my pocket-money. A few pence went a long way in Woolworths – a child’s paradise. Several months before they closed their retail outlets in the UK, I recall walking in and out of Woolworths, … [Read more...]
Summer Starts Well for the Insolvency Statistics
News Bulletin... The latest Business Insolvency Index from Experian reveals that, overall, the business insolvency rate for the UK maintained its low level of 0.08% for the fourth month running, down from 0.09% in May 2012... read more at http://hcba.co.uk/good-start-to-the-summer-for-insolvency-statistics/ Author: Peter Kelly … [Read more...]
Fall in the Euro after Eurozone Recession Continues
The euro fell across the board last week after the release of economic growth figures showing that the Eurozone economy had remained in recession for a record sixth consecutive quarter. Andy Scott, premier account manager at foreign currency exchange brokers HiFX, said: “As a collective, the economy of the 17 member countries contracted by 0.2% in the first three months of 2013, following a fall of 0.6% at the end of last year. The euro fell to a six-week low against the dollar, below 1.29, and fell by around 0.75% against the pound. “Most of the individual country figures were worse than expected with France, the euro area’s second-largest economy, back in recession for a second time in the past four years. Italy’s recession continued for a seventh consecutive quarter, contracting by a further 0.5%. Germany narrowly escaped recession with growth of just 0.1%, which was less than expected, with the figures for the end of last year also being revised lower to show a contraction of … [Read more...]
Selling Your Business – Seminar 5th June
Whether you plan to sell your business now or in 20 years you will benefit from attending our informative seminar on Exit Planning. You will find out how to assess the value of your business now, and what to do to increase that value. It is an opportunity to learn about the way to prepare your business in order to obtain the maximum value when you wish to sell it. Ideally you should start planning your exit about three years before you wish to complete it. The strategy to increase the appeal to a potential buyer is significantly different from that used for business growth. Everyone present will be able to comment on anything they have heard, and to question the panel and the other delegates. Hear from experts the best ways to maximise the value of your business Make your own contribution to the discussions Hear more about Metro Bank – the first High Street Bank to open in over 100 years Enjoy some light refreshment whilst networking with other like minded local … [Read more...]
Finance for Growth Seminar in Winchester
Are you a business looking for finance to grow but are uncertain of what sources would be right for you? If so, these FREE seminars are for you! Enterprise M3, the Local Enterprise Partnership for the wider M3 corridor, is hosting a seminar aimed at helping businesses both understand and access new and established sources of business finance. During this seminar, you will: Gain a valuable understanding of what you need to do to prepare for investment. Explore what types of finance are right for your business at this particular stage of its life cycle. Find out about the range of new and established sources of finance currently available to the market. Sources of funding covered in the seminar include: crowd funding (debt & equity), invoice financing, equity funding such as venture capital and business angels and export finance. Date: Tuesday, 19 March 2013 Time: 9 am to 12 noon (Registration from 8.45 am) Venue: Winchester City Council, Walton Suite, … [Read more...]
Deficit reduction or growth – which is the chicken and which is the egg
Small business that get into trouble by over-borrowing, end up making no money, or even worse, making a loss because the cost of borrowing gets to be greater than their profit. Where do they go from there? Growth: you need money and resources for that and if there is none, you have to find it. Deficit reduction: cost reduction is an absolute must for businesses in this position to free up some cash. Restructuring: this is the White Knight option - someone, often a predatory acquirer, comes along who will take on the debt at a lower rate of interest - not many of those around today. Default: for some companies going into Administration is the only option, with a pre-pack to take out the best bits and leave most of the debt behind. Shame for the the creditors, especially the tax man and the small shareholder. So what about the National Debt? Default - think of Greece. Restructuring - think of the ECB and the IMF. Deficit reduction - think of the UK and other realistic national … [Read more...]
There is much to celebrate in 2012!
Welcome to 2012!! There is much to celebrate in 2012 not least the demise of 2011. The on again off again recession , the Euro-zone crisis, phone hacking by the scurrilous media (is that all of them?) and some of the investment banks still paying people obscene amounts for gambling with our money! So much for 2011. So what is good about 2012? The Olympics, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the chance to reinvigorate your business after the doom and gloom of 2011. Yes I know the Euro problems have not gone away and that we are in a period of stagnation if not recession. But by thinking differently most companies that are well attuned to their markets and customers can survive and prosper. For instance take a look at your competitors. Most of them are still going too. How much of the market is your share? I’ll bet there is plenty of market share to go for. The beginning of a new year is a great time to review your business, develop plans for the future and undertake a new marketing … [Read more...]
Will Entrepreneurs rescue the world?
There comes a time when Business Leaders need to take control. Many are doing just that, but just as many (if not more) are being highly cautious. Whether it is the leader of the IMF, the Leaders of Governments (Obama, Cameron, Merkel, etc) the messages all spell GLOOM, DOOM and DISASTER. But Business Owners can take matters into their own hands. How many are "waiting to see how matters are developing" before they make a decision? Too many. For the shrewd, now is the time for opportunity. After all, if YOUR competitor is 'procrastinating', then they are at their most vulnerable. Risk...? Every business has an element of risk. But why not take a risk at the expense of your competitors. Bite the bullet - invest in growth whilst our 'so called leaders' talk the World economy down. Reinvent not only your products, but the way you do business. Growth is there for those who are bold! … [Read more...]
New groups launched to help businesses in response to demand for experienced Business Advisors
Increasing demand for experienced business advisors has driven the opening of two new local groups by UK Business Advisors (UKBA). The first is based in East Anglia and is called Eastern Region Business Advisors (ERBA). The second in Yorkshire and Humberside and is called Yorks & Humber Business Advisors (YHBA). Like the existing BA groups, all their advisors are experienced business people who also run their own businesses, and are thus in a prime position to advise other Managing Directors and Owners. This demand has been emphasised in recently with the statement from BIS that they “have been repeatedly told by business owners that the advice they value most comes from other experienced business people.” ** With their formation there are now 11 local UKBA groups round the UK who are focused on helping the SME sector in their particular region. These are supported by 3 other specialist groups addressing the issues of Financial Support, Business Turnaround and Manufacturing … [Read more...]
Why Should We Embrace Sustainability?
Sustainability is one of the latest buzz words in business today. But what is sustainability as applied to businesses and isn’t it an unnecessary additional cost? Sustainability in most people’s eyes is about ‘green’ issues. Phrases such as global warming, carbon footprint, energy reduction all spring to mind but sustainability when applied to a business should be a business philosophy and strategy. One definition of sustainability is that it is the process of protecting your business from the risks of today, and ensuring that your business can respond to the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. This can encompass for instance embracing the challenges of changing technology, reducing waste, streamlining supply chains and many other processes. So what are the benefits of a sustainability strategy? A Carbon Trust report carried out by McKinsey shows that businesses adopting a sustainable strategy can drive business value by up to 80%. Indeed it also shows that failing to … [Read more...]
>Why Should We Embrace Sustainability?
>Sustainability is one of the latest buzz words in business today. But what is sustainability as applied to businesses and isn’t it an unnecessary additional cost? Sustainability in most people’s eyes is about ‘green’ issues. Phrases such as global warming, carbon footprint, energy reduction all spring to mind but sustainability when applied to a business should be a business philosophy and strategy. One definition of sustainability is that it is the process of protecting your business from the risks of today, and ensuring that your business can respond to the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. This can encompass for instance embracing the challenges of changing technology, reducing waste, streamlining supply chains and many other processes. So what are the benefits of a sustainability strategy? A Carbon Trust report carried out by McKinsey shows that businesses adopting a sustainable strategy can drive business value by up to 80%. Indeed it also shows that failing to … [Read more...]
>Why Should We Embrace Sustainability?
>Sustainability is one of the latest buzz words in business today. But what is sustainability as applied to businesses and isn’t it an unnecessary additional cost? Sustainability in most people’s eyes is about ‘green’ issues. Phrases such as global warming, carbon footprint, energy reduction all spring to mind but sustainability when applied to a business should be a business philosophy and strategy. One definition of sustainability is that it is the process of protecting your business from the risks of today, and ensuring that your business can respond to the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. This can encompass for instance embracing the challenges of changing technology, reducing waste, streamlining supply chains and many other processes. So what are the benefits of a sustainability strategy? A Carbon Trust report carried out by McKinsey shows that businesses adopting a sustainable strategy can drive business value by up to 80%. Indeed it also shows that failing to … [Read more...]
>CHRISTMAS greetings
>Christmas time is upon us and as we end 2010 and look forward to 2011 it can be a good time to re-focus on your business and your people. Any organisation is only as good as the people working in it so now is a good time to:Celebrate! It may have been another tough year but celebrate the successes you have had and start 2011 in a positive manner.How are we doing? Ask for staff feedback. What could your business do differently in 2011?Remind yourself and your team - what are the business goals for 2011?Involve your team in how you will reach those goals and they will be more motivated to achieve.Succession planning. In smaller organisations key people leaving can be very difficult to manage. Plan ahead - who can you develop into your key roles?Targets - set targets for all your team members which are linked to your business goals.Measurements - make sure the targets you set have measurements - what gets measured, gets done!Activity - organise some sort of festive activity - great … [Read more...]
>CHRISTMAS greetings
>Christmas time is upon us and as we end 2010 and look forward to 2011 it can be a good time to re-focus on your business and your people. Any organisation is only as good as the people working in it so now is a good time to:Celebrate! It may have been another tough year but celebrate the successes you have had and start 2011 in a positive manner.How are we doing? Ask for staff feedback. What could your business do differently in 2011?Remind yourself and your team - what are the business goals for 2011?Involve your team in how you will reach those goals and they will be more motivated to achieve.Succession planning. In smaller organisations key people leaving can be very difficult to manage. Plan ahead - who can you develop into your key roles?Targets - set targets for all your team members which are linked to your business goals.Measurements - make sure the targets you set have measurements - what gets measured, gets done!Activity - organise some sort of festive activity - great … [Read more...]
>Should I join the FSB?
> Federation of Small Businesses – ‘Free’ Banking and Legal Advice I have been fortunate to help small businesses solve many problems. A common question is what professional organisation should I join? For instance, should I join my local Chamber of Commerce, networking groups and numerous trade associations? They all have their strengths and weaknesses, but like all things in business, the more you put in more you get back. However, I can strongly recommend a SME joining the FSB. Why? I have found the FSB banking offering and legal advice line to be excellent. The FSB have an agreement with the Co-Operative bank, which since it has updated its online banking software, provides an excellent free online banking service. You can nominate a local post office to deposit cheques and cash. The legal advice line, for employment issues, which I have used several times now, has been excellent. You do not get an immediate response, but you are called back typically within an … [Read more...]
>Should I join the FSB?
> Federation of Small Businesses – ‘Free’ Banking and Legal Advice I have been fortunate to help small businesses solve many problems. A common question is what professional organisation should I join? For instance, should I join my local Chamber of Commerce, networking groups and numerous trade associations? They all have their strengths and weaknesses, but like all things in business, the more you put in more you get back. However, I can strongly recommend a SME joining the FSB. Why? I have found the FSB banking offering and legal advice line to be excellent. The FSB have an agreement with the Co-Operative bank, which since it has updated its online banking software, provides an excellent free online banking service. You can nominate a local post office to deposit cheques and cash. The legal advice line, for employment issues, which I have used several times now, has been excellent. You do not get an immediate response, but you are called back typically within an … [Read more...]
>Sustainability and SME's
>Sustainability is an important issue not just in terms of global warming and carbon footprint but in all aspects of humanity's input to the environment. Many companies both large and small together with central and local government are insisting that their trading partners have 'green credentials.' BRE (the Building Research Establishment) has established international standards for environmental assessments. With the acronym BREEAM these standards have been used to rate new buildings for several years, but a revised version 'BREEAM In Use' is now available.The assessment can be carried out on line by company personnel but a licensed BREEAM In Use Auditor will need to be appointed to verify the assessment and issue the certifcate.SGBA has a licensed BREEAM In Use Auditor in their ranks who can advise on the process and the advantages to be gained from participating in the programme. The assesment will lead to improvements in the performance of buildings, their management and the … [Read more...]
