We are pleased to announce the speakers and agenda for the next South East Business Boardroom meeting at the Five Bells in Chelsfield BR6 7RE.
We meet in the bar at 1:30 p.m. for networking. Free sandwiches at 1:45 p.m. and the meeting will start promptly at 2:00 p.m.
There will be a break for coffee and teas at 3:00 p.m.
Agenda
Individual introductions and an informative introduction to the group by the Chairman.
All attendees will have a one minute opportunity to introduce their business.
The main speaker Paul Duckworth will present Creative Heads Ltd. a creative design agency. Based in Canterbury, they help to grow businesses by enhancing their brand image and marketing them effectively across all communications channels.
The second speaker David Gillespie will then present Group Trader, a buying and trading self help group based in Essex but trading throughout the South East.
Business to Business. A time for all attendees to share business opportunities, and to look for advice and guidance with challenging cases or situations.
Discussion on speakers for the next meeting.
Any other business.
Date of next meeting.
Close of meeting 4:30 p.m.
Networking in the bar afterwards.
Places are limited to 20 attendees only. Please RSVP a.s.a.p. to avoid disappointment. Go to:http://www.meetup.com/South-East-Business-Boardroom/events/179196652/
Thursday, 1 May 2014
Monday, 14 April 2014
Latest SME Monitor Results
In the latest SME Monitor produced by Cebr for Aldermore Bank many positive indicators show that the economy is on the mend.
Here are just a few of the indicators that the report highlights:
• The UK economy expanded by 0.7% quarter on Quarter in Q4 2013.
• Recovery is expected to gain further momentum over 2014 as a whole, as GDP is projected to rise by 3.3% year on year
• Growth is coming from all three major industrial sectors, production, manufacturing, and services.
• Annual cost inflation for small and medium-sized manufacturers fell back in Q4 2013 to 0.2% down from 0.7% in the previous two quarters
• Borrowing costs continue to fall back for UK SMEs, with the median interest rate offered to medium-sized enterprises falling to 3.2% in November 2013. Rates have not been lower than this since June 2009.
• The same goes for small enterprises where the median rate offered was 4.4% down from 4.8%
• The confidence level for SMEs climbed to +39.7 this quarter, its highest reading since Q1 2010.
• In Q4 2013 there were 3,800 business failures, down from 4,200 the previous quarter
All in all the future is definitely looking brighter for SMEs.
Here are just a few of the indicators that the report highlights:
• The UK economy expanded by 0.7% quarter on Quarter in Q4 2013.
• Recovery is expected to gain further momentum over 2014 as a whole, as GDP is projected to rise by 3.3% year on year
• Growth is coming from all three major industrial sectors, production, manufacturing, and services.
• Annual cost inflation for small and medium-sized manufacturers fell back in Q4 2013 to 0.2% down from 0.7% in the previous two quarters
• Borrowing costs continue to fall back for UK SMEs, with the median interest rate offered to medium-sized enterprises falling to 3.2% in November 2013. Rates have not been lower than this since June 2009.
• The same goes for small enterprises where the median rate offered was 4.4% down from 4.8%
• The confidence level for SMEs climbed to +39.7 this quarter, its highest reading since Q1 2010.
• In Q4 2013 there were 3,800 business failures, down from 4,200 the previous quarter
All in all the future is definitely looking brighter for SMEs.
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Can a recovery in the economy be dangerous for SMEs?
The answer is yes.
Naturally we all welcome the emerging recovery we are experiencing in the UK but SMEs should look very carefully at their finances as they need to be very aware that the pattern established following previous recessions is that more businesses go bust as the economy recovers not less. Typically businesses slowly wind down during a recession until they eventually run out of cash. Economic growth is often the last straw for them. They need to fill new orders and recruit more staff to meet demand but just cannot get any more credit and administration beckons. They may also have been slow in paying VAT and PAYE and built up large arrears which now must be paid as during a recovery the tax man becomes more aggressive.
Pegasus Funding Resources can help SMEs that find themselves in this situation and in need of growth funds to take advantage of the recovery.
Types of funding that are available in this situation include:
• Trade Finance to finance the importation of goods needed to fulfil orders
• Stock Finance to make certain they can meet increased demand
• Invoice discounting & Factoring to finance increasing debtor ledgers, and this also includes single/selective invoice discounting for those that do not want to sign up for more than the occasional invoice
• Turnaround Angel Funding to bring in new capital and ideas
• Sale and leaseback of existing plant and machinery to fund new equipment and add to working capital
• Debt Crowdfunding to fund growth and asset purchase
Thursday, 6 February 2014
Smaller manufacturers planning to Invest
The UK’s smaller manufacturers are planning to boost investment in the coming year, according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends Survey.
The survey of 335 small and medium-sized manufacturers revealed that total orders and the volume of output increased in the three months to January. Domestic orders rose, while export orders fell. However, in the coming quarter domestic and export orders are both expected to grow more strongly and production is set to rise again.
Stephen Gifford, CBI Director of Economics, said:
"As the recovery takes hold, the investment cycle is starting to turn.
It’s encouraging to see smaller manufacturers planning to boost investment, particularly in their plant, machinery and buildings.
Orders and output continued to grow at a healthy pace, although not as fast as predicted. However, firms remain optimistic about prospects, with growth in orders and production expected to accelerate."
Key findings – three months to January
• 37% of firms reported an increase in total new orders and 23% said they decreased, giving a balance of +14%
• 34% of firms reported an increase in domestic orders and 26% said they decreased, giving a balance of +8%, a slower pace of growth than in the previous survey (+20%)
• 23% of firms said export orders increased and 30% said export orders fell, giving a balance of -7%
• 30% of firms said output increased and 24% said output decreased, giving an overall balance of (+6%),
• Optimism continued to rise for the third consecutive quarter: 34% of respondents said they were more optimistic than three months ago and 13% said they were less optimistic giving a balance of +21
• Manufacturers’ investment intentions have improved significantly further on the previous quarter, with plans to spend on buildings (+14%) at their strongest since the data began in October 1988 and plant and machinery investment intentions (+14%) at their strongest since July 1995
• Average unit costs were flat on the quarter (0%), the lowest result since 2000 and are expected to rise modestly in the coming quarter (+8%)
The survey of 335 small and medium-sized manufacturers revealed that total orders and the volume of output increased in the three months to January. Domestic orders rose, while export orders fell. However, in the coming quarter domestic and export orders are both expected to grow more strongly and production is set to rise again.
Stephen Gifford, CBI Director of Economics, said:
"As the recovery takes hold, the investment cycle is starting to turn.
It’s encouraging to see smaller manufacturers planning to boost investment, particularly in their plant, machinery and buildings.
Orders and output continued to grow at a healthy pace, although not as fast as predicted. However, firms remain optimistic about prospects, with growth in orders and production expected to accelerate."
Key findings – three months to January
• 37% of firms reported an increase in total new orders and 23% said they decreased, giving a balance of +14%
• 34% of firms reported an increase in domestic orders and 26% said they decreased, giving a balance of +8%, a slower pace of growth than in the previous survey (+20%)
• 23% of firms said export orders increased and 30% said export orders fell, giving a balance of -7%
• 30% of firms said output increased and 24% said output decreased, giving an overall balance of (+6%),
• Optimism continued to rise for the third consecutive quarter: 34% of respondents said they were more optimistic than three months ago and 13% said they were less optimistic giving a balance of +21
• Manufacturers’ investment intentions have improved significantly further on the previous quarter, with plans to spend on buildings (+14%) at their strongest since the data began in October 1988 and plant and machinery investment intentions (+14%) at their strongest since July 1995
• Average unit costs were flat on the quarter (0%), the lowest result since 2000 and are expected to rise modestly in the coming quarter (+8%)
Thursday, 23 January 2014
New Incubation Service for Media, Technology & Design
Ravensbourne's Incubation service is now open to applications from London-based media, technology and design businesses that show growth potential.
Business Incubation by Ravensbourne offers a platform for small creative digital businesses to develop and grow by providing access for up to 12 months to facilities, business development opportunities and access to our vast knowledge base. This is available for free due to funding from the European Regional Development fund.
Business Incubation by Ravensbourne has already supported more than 100 creative technology companies spanning transmedia, music technology, software development, graphic and web design, UX, architecture, TV and film production, product design and fashion.
The deadline for applications to be received is February 10th.
Full details are available here: http://dmic.org.uk/incubation/
Business Incubation by Ravensbourne offers a platform for small creative digital businesses to develop and grow by providing access for up to 12 months to facilities, business development opportunities and access to our vast knowledge base. This is available for free due to funding from the European Regional Development fund.
Business Incubation by Ravensbourne has already supported more than 100 creative technology companies spanning transmedia, music technology, software development, graphic and web design, UX, architecture, TV and film production, product design and fashion.
The deadline for applications to be received is February 10th.
Full details are available here: http://dmic.org.uk/incubation/
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Business Experience Exchange
BeXeXTM is a new event format and methodology that enables the peer to peer sharing of valuable information between business leaders to help them solve their challenges.
HCBA are running a series of Business Experience Exchange events in partnership with the Surrey Chambers of Commerce. The first of which is on 29th January 2014 in Redhill.
It is your opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss issues with other managers and owners of local businesses in a unique format.
Hot Topic: Social Media Marketing
The first session will cover the use of social media in a B2B context, lead by a social media marketing expert.
Afterwards we open the floor for an interactive discussion on the issues you face, there is no agenda except the one you help create. There will be other business experts on hand to discuss any business issue you want to raise, however the experts aren’t the only ones who know a thing or two about business. Some of the best ideas come from those that manage their own business, who not only have been there but are there and doing it, business people like you!
If you manage an SME business and would like to exchange your experiences, challenges and opportunities with other similar business people, make sure you are part of the Business Experience Exchange.
Date: Wednesday 29th January 2014 Time: 18.00 – 20.00 hrs
Venue: East Surrey College, Redhill, RH1 2JX
To Attend:
Tel: 01483 735540
Or Visit: www.surrey-chambers.co.uk
HCBA are running a series of Business Experience Exchange events in partnership with the Surrey Chambers of Commerce. The first of which is on 29th January 2014 in Redhill.
It is your opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss issues with other managers and owners of local businesses in a unique format.
Hot Topic: Social Media Marketing
The first session will cover the use of social media in a B2B context, lead by a social media marketing expert.
Afterwards we open the floor for an interactive discussion on the issues you face, there is no agenda except the one you help create. There will be other business experts on hand to discuss any business issue you want to raise, however the experts aren’t the only ones who know a thing or two about business. Some of the best ideas come from those that manage their own business, who not only have been there but are there and doing it, business people like you!
If you manage an SME business and would like to exchange your experiences, challenges and opportunities with other similar business people, make sure you are part of the Business Experience Exchange.
Date: Wednesday 29th January 2014 Time: 18.00 – 20.00 hrs
Venue: East Surrey College, Redhill, RH1 2JX
To Attend:
Tel: 01483 735540
Or Visit: www.surrey-chambers.co.uk
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Bank of Cyprus Owner Managed Business Barometer Shows Business Confidence Improving
The Bank of Cyprus undertakes research 3 times a year to provide an on-going measure of the level of confidence within the Owner managed business sector in the UK. The research is based on a survey of decision makers all of whom are sole or part owners of businesses with 50 or fewer employees. This latest research was carried out in November 2013.
The headlines of this research show that confidence has been growing throughout the year and were at its highest point at the end of the year.
46% of the respondents expect sales and revenue to grow in the next quarter, compared to 32% and 38% in the previous two surveys. Over the longer term the results are even more impressive with 56% expecting sales and revenue to grow in the next 12 months. This is up from 50% and 43% from the previous two surveys.
This optimism is being reinforced by real success with 39% reporting new contracts and 12% entering new markets.
They also believe that the chances of securing finance from the banks is improving. 41% now believe that their banks will support them with new finance, up from 24% in the previous survey.
This is great news for the UK economy and for the survival of small businesses.
The headlines of this research show that confidence has been growing throughout the year and were at its highest point at the end of the year.
46% of the respondents expect sales and revenue to grow in the next quarter, compared to 32% and 38% in the previous two surveys. Over the longer term the results are even more impressive with 56% expecting sales and revenue to grow in the next 12 months. This is up from 50% and 43% from the previous two surveys.
This optimism is being reinforced by real success with 39% reporting new contracts and 12% entering new markets.
They also believe that the chances of securing finance from the banks is improving. 41% now believe that their banks will support them with new finance, up from 24% in the previous survey.
This is great news for the UK economy and for the survival of small businesses.
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