November 25, 2011
Filed under: Small Business News — Alan @ 4:52 pm
Leeds office space has seen a fall in demand in the enquiry being reported in the year, this is when an ad with the same period from last year. The leading consultancy and research company is officebroker.com this is the company that has recently released these figures. In 2011 the number of companies that are seeking flexible office space has fallen by around 20%.
Chris Meridith is the head of sales at the company and he has recently commented, “Business are taking less risks and are therefore less keen to test the water. Last year there were a lot of companies on the market looking for deals but now this number has dropped off considerably. There are more businesses who are looking at getting permanent office space in the centre of the city.
According to the City Focus: Leeds Q3 2011, a quarterly publication which tracks changes in the City’s serviced office market, this increase in clients may have also helped to increase the cost of securing such space, with the average price of a single desk rising from £236 per month in 2010 to £266 per month in 2011.
“Price recovery appears to have been taking place since early 2011 and the report shows that this has continued into Q3” continued Mr Meredith.
“This is to be expected as the steady increase in new clients has continued, with competition for the right office in the right location increasing demand and subsequently cost.”
In contrast, elsewhere in Yorkshire, offices to rent in Sheffield have continued to fall in price despite a 189% increase in the number of businesses moving to serviced offices in Sheffield city centre.
Filed under: Business Finance — Alan @ 11:36 am
The current signs seem to indicate that small businesses in the UK are doing as well as could be expected, but that is not to say that they are experiencing a significant upsurge in vitality. A report commissioned by the Business Finance Taskforce for the second quarterly SME Finance Monitor, published 17th November by BDRC Continental concluded that lack of confidence is the biggest impediment.
SME Finance Monitor investigates the amount of financing available to small and medium businesses; it is the most frequent and comprehensive study of its kind in the UK. This report was based on more than 10,000 telephone interviews with owners of UK businesses that had a turnover of no more than £25 million between February and September of 2011.
The report identifies different segments of the SMEs (small and medium enterprises), breaking them down into groups it refers to as “happy non-seekers” and “would-be seekers”. The first group included about 3.37 million or 74% of SMEs that reported they did not feel the need to look for new finance in the past year. In the overall SME market, about a third, or 1.5 million of business owners do not currently use external finance and don’t plan to anytime in the immediate future.
The second group consisted of around 12 percent of the SMEs interviewed, down by only one percent from the previous quarter. Those were the ones who wanted to borrow money but did not apply for it for one reason or another, with the most common reason being the uncertain economy, and the second being an assumption of refusal by lenders.
In other findings, the report identified about one percent of SMEs that had been unsuccessful when applying for a loan, and two percent when applying for an overdraft. Of the ones who did apply for overdraft and were refused, more than half were applying for the first time. In the case of new loans, about 31% of those applying were unsuccessful, and of that group 41% were first-time applicants.
November 24, 2011
Filed under: Small Business News — Alan @ 2:17 pm
The target for the third quarter for lending to small businesses by major banks has been missed. The target was set by Project Merlin, a government initiative, and it has been revealed that the figure is around £200 million short of this quarter’s target. This is according to figures were released last week.
At the start of the year, the largest banking organisations in the United Kingdom, including HSBC, Lloyds, RBS, Barclays and Santander all agreed that they would be setting aside a significant sum for new credit. Nearly £80 billion has been set aside especially for SMEs.
The target for this quarter was nearly £20 billion and figures that have been released by the Bank of England show that this target was missed by £200 million. For the first three quarters of the year the targets have been missed, in total, by around £1 billion. However, for lending to larger businesses the numbers have been exceeded, it is just small companies that are missing out.
An accountant at Barnes Roffe has commented, “Small and medium-sized enterprises are essential in rebuilding the economy and they need to make up for the employment shortfall. The government must take a more active role in encouraging banks to lend to these enterprises and implement a series of penalties for those that fail to do so.”
The founder of MarketInvoice is Anil Stocker who said, “Banks are no longer the best way for small businesses to obtain capital. Project Merlin is meaning that banks are having to extend lines of credit to what they see as risky investments. The Treasury needs to look at alternative methods for bringing financed to small companies.”
Filed under: Employees — admin @ 2:07 pm
It is easy to feel as if the ground is about to disappear from underneath your feet if you are facing the unemployment battle that is taking place on the streets of Europe right now because with the shaky banking situation, the credit crunch, the poor housing market, and the poor employment market it can easily look as if there is no answer in sight. This emotion is captured perfectly in a new online advert by the European Social Fund that aims to show the disillusionment that many people are feeling and the fact that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
In the new advert a woman is running through the streets of a deserted town along with dozens of others as buildings break, the foundation of the earth cracks and gray skies follow her path to the sounds of music that could be right out of the movie 2012. Towards the end the earth cracks open and she teeters hopelessly on her heels as the words ‘is this the end’ flutter along the bottom of the screen leaving the viewer feeling as if her ending is already written.
However, once the viewer hits the ‘click here’ the button to see if this really is the end or not they are treated to a little ray of hope as the lady is able to pull herself back up to a better tomorrow, which is what the ESF has helped thousands of people who need aid to do.
Designed with the purpose of helping those who need it get the education or training or they need to get back into the competitive workplace, the ESF has helped thousands of people find hope in a place where previously there was none, making it something to check out in today’s economic climate for those who also feel as if they are on the brink.
Filed under: Business Advice — admin @ 1:59 pm
Socrates once said that ‘an unexamined life is not worth living,’ which is the main point of a new set of adverts from The Telegraph that aims to help people inspire towards a better future. Helping to explain how a better future can be reached in this advert is Pete Cohen who explains that in order to get the better life that you dream of you have to ‘make it happen’ which involves deciding what you want and then reaching out and grabbing it by dedicating your efforts towards the change you want in your life.
According to Cohen it is much easier to just stay in one place because there is security in remaining at the same point that one always has, however, there is not much joy in this type of lifestyle as the human experience is meant to be expanded upon. The brain was created with the capacity to grow and most humans still only use about 10% of its abilities, which means that there is 90% available to really reach out there and accomplish some goals which is what Cohen wants viewers to do after watching his ad spot.
He explains that everyone has problems, which is actually what makes every human similar to the next, but that the way in which people choose to solve their problems is what defines them as people. He advises that viewers share their problems with friends and family as they reach forward and continue to work towards their goals because in the process they will find that their lives will become much more meaningful, and of course the end result of taking the time to ‘make it happen’ is that you will get what you want instead of dreaming about it.
Filed under: General — admin @ 1:51 pm
The human brain is a very interesting thing given the fact that it is able to power the entire body without much thought and is the real mastermind behind the huge technological triumphs that are society has manifested. Yet, despite this fact the focus of society is stuck on technological brains that are able to power smartphones, vehicles, or other fancy devices instead of the actual human ability which is why TEDxAmsterdam has decided to theme their creative seminar ‘human nature’ to help remind people of what is responsible for our growth in the world.
TEDxAmsterdam is scheduled to take place on November 25th this year and will be held at the Stadsschouwburg Theatre. Each of the TEDx Talks that feature top speakers will be broadcast on television so that supports of the organization and the general population can be served a gentle reminder of just what it means to be human.
To help show the creative talent that the human brain is capable of producing the organization has teamed up with WE ARE PI to create a documentary that takes a close look at ‘living brains’ and how they are best used to meet an end goal as a human.
Already available for preview, is a magnificent display of 48 dancers that come together to create an actual ‘living brain’ using just their bodies to do so. The result is stunning and the entire minute clip is something to watch at least a few times and share with friends. For those who enjoy the living brain, the rest of the conference will also be worth viewing as it is scheduled to feature some of the best creative minds in Amsterdam as they prove that there is more to being human than relying on other devices to do our work.
November 22, 2011
Filed under: Business Books,Business Travel — Alan @ 2:12 pm
Richard Branson is an entrepreneur who is arguably the most recognisable businessman in the country, he is also known for his unusual business style and is well known for having always done things differently.
Virgin Unite is his non profit foundation which is working on global leadership issues, and is based around the concept that modern leaders in the business field must put themselves forward as a vehicle for improving the environment and the lives of ordinary people through their regular business activities, and that profit should not be the only aim of a successful business venture.
This book shares his and others’ exciting vision for a new way of doing business, a vision that turns capitalism on its head, which shifts our values from a solely profit focus to a focus on people, communities and the planet. One that reveals how to Screw Business as Usual.
Featured in this book are the stories of some inspiring people who are changing the way business is done. This book is essential reading for anyone starting a business or involved in business who understands that doing good really can be good for your business.
“Over the last few decades as I’ve started up one exciting business after another, I thought that life and work could not get any better. In writing this book, I’ve realised that we’ve really been on a practice run, getting ready for the greatest challenge and opportunity of our lifetime. We’ve got a shot at really pulling together to turn upside down the way we approach the challenges we are facing in the world and look at them in a brand new entrepreneurial way. Never has there been a more exciting time for all of us to explore this great next frontier where the boundaries between work and purpose are merging into one, where doing good, really is good for business.”
In this thought-provoking book, Branson introduces Capitalism 24902 – his philosophy that every single business person has the responsibility to take care of the people and planet that make up our global village, all 24,902 miles of it. Drawing on case studies from his own business experience as well as from pioneering entrepreneurs and companies across the globe, Screw Business As Usual shows how easy it is to embark on a whole new way of doing things, solving major problems and turning our work into something we both love and are proud of.
“I have written this book for the new wave of emerging entrepreneurs as well as existing business people who are transforming their organisations. For those who, at the same time as wanting to develop a business and make a living, are wanting to do more to help people and the planet. It’s a vibrant and definite sea change from the way business was always done, when financial profit was a driving force. Today, people aren’t afraid to say, Screw Business As Usual – and show they mean it.”
A clarion call to anyone in business, Screw Business As Usual demonstrates how doing good can enable businesses to prosper. With an accompanying “Screw Business As Usual” website encouraging feedback and discussion, this stimulating book is a blueprint to help everyone Screw Business As Usual.
November 18, 2011
Filed under: Marketing — Alan @ 10:55 pm
The recent news that Adobe is ending its support of MobileFlash technology could have a significant impact on the small businesses of the UK. Around one in every four websites for small companies utilises the technology and Adobe’s ending of their support could cost small businesses around half a billion pounds.
The ending of this support is going to have a huge effect on the SME community as many small businesses rely on tablets and mobile phones and a lot of their customers are coming to their website though them.
Chris Winstanley is from BaseKit and he has commented, “Many companies use mobile devices as a way to generate leads. Projections for next year suggest that around 20% of all Internet searches made will be from a mobile device. Basically, this is traffic that small businesses are unable to miss out on.”
Flash is ultimately going to be replaced by the new HTML5 programming language that has many advantages over flash and has none of the drawbacks. Over the next few years Flash will be withdrawn completely from the Internet market and this withdrawal of the mobile support is just the first stage of this process. Companies with a heavy reliance on flash websites are going to face significant costs as they have to phase these out and redesign their website.
Estimates say that around one in every four small business websites in the UK use at least one element of flash. Estimates say that the average cost of upgrading a website to HTML5 will be around £1000. The changeover to HTML5 has long been expected and Apple made the decision to use it back in 2007.
Filed under: Business Advice — Alan @ 1:35 pm
Modern technology is constantly accelerating the response times of email which in turn creates unrealistic expectations that ultimately result in error, stress and email overload,. Dr Monica Seeley, the expert in email management and author of Brilliant Email has pointed out that just a few years ago we expected an email to be responded to within a couple of days, or even a week.
Her new survey however reveals that 25% of us now expect a response to our emails within an hour. While a third of want a response within 2 hours and over 2/3 within 12 hours. Only a quarter of us now feel that waiting a day for a response is acceptable, and a measly 7% of us are happy to wait 2 days. Today’s culture demands that we are always switched on and smartphones, email and social media has meant that we are now always there waiting for instants responses.
We are putting ourselves under the pressure that an email must be answered as soon as it hits our inbox. The problem is that like driving, the faster you respond the more damage we do when we invariably make mistakes. Dr Monica Seeley has said that we are confusing the speed of responding to an email with effectiveness, and we are essentially allowing today’s technology to dictate to us how we work in a potentially damaging way, and we seriously need to reduce the email overload and reduce expectations.
Garth Ralston, Business Intelligence Development Manager for Aimia who manage large customer loyalty schemes like Nectar and Aeroplan agrees. He is introducing an email etiquette scheme across his division giving guidelines on email conduct including expected response times.
“Most of us now have Blackberries or iPhones making it easy to interact 24×7. As a result, even if you don’t reply, the general presumption is that you will have read the message whatever time it was sent. In the office, the speed of expected response is even more acute. I sometimes get a phone call just 20 minutes after someone has sent me an email to see what I think of it. I also receive meeting requests 20-30 minutes before a meeting and the inviter is surprised when I don’t attend. Our email etiquette sets out rules we will aspire to follow i.e. people should not expect a response from an email they send before the following day. Similarly as a receiver if they need more time to respond fully they should send an email to confirm receipt and state when they will reply.”
Monica Seeley explains that much of the pressure for fast replies is in the mind of the recipient saying many senior managers tell her they are surprised by how quickly people respond to their emails. This is borne out by the survey which shows that most respondents (83%) felt that internal senders expect a quicker reply than external senders and (87%) believed senior managers expected a faster response than junior managers. Similarly, over three quarters of respondents strongly believed (76%) that people picking up email on smart phones such as Blackberry or iPphone expect a faster reply than those dealing with email on a conventional PC/laptop.
The survey, among one hundred respondents from a range of leading public and private sector organisations also highlights double standards around email response times. Although, most of us now expect a response within half a day – almost two thirds (60%) of respondents admitted they only sometimes left people sufficient time to respond to their emails and only a third (39%) of survey respondents thought they ‘frequently’ left enough time. Monica says; “This is a worrying trend, as emails often need a substantive response – data needs collecting, case law needs referencing and the faster we respond, the faster the other person will expect a reply.”
The IT Director of a leading retailer of luxury goods agrees adding; “Our customer facing employees and their email response times are driven by the level of service people expect from a premium brand. However, speed of response should not be confused with quality service. We were aware of a lack of consistency in speed and depth of response between internal senders and some unrealistic reply expectations particularly between those juggling customer requirements and the internal people they needed information from. So we are changing our culture and setting realistic expectations to get consistent and appropriate response times externally and internally.”
To help combat unrealistic expectations and unnecessary emails Monica Seeley advises people to improve their email etiquette. For example by including a line in their email signature stating that they check their email at regular intervals but not as each email arrives. Alternatively she advises the use of an auto response with the same message. Similarly she applauds organisations that have a statement on their customer service webpage stating how soon they will reply i.e. within three days. She recommends that businesses start adopting similar frameworks for every day emails, especially internal ones.
“Respond in haste and repent at leisure has been the mantra of many who have found their email used as evidence in a dispute. A wrong or unplanned response can be costly. This survey confirms my view that it’s time for us all to recalibrate our email expectations and reply times.” concludes Monica Seeley.
November 17, 2011
Filed under: Small Business News — Alan @ 10:25 pm
A partnership between UK Trade & Investment and Yell has recently been announced and an agreement has been created to give guidance and support to small and medium-sized enterprises that are looking to expand to other parts of the world.
The name of the partnership is ‘Open to Export’ and it will provide a platform to UK companies to share intelligence and collaborate about international market opportunities. It will involve discussions about how to enter the market is and how to participate once in.
David Cameron has commented about the partnership saying, “This partnership should allow small businesses in the UK to expand internationally with more ease.” The Minister for trade and investment is Lord Green and he has commented, “Small businesses are a foundation of our economy and their success is key to our economic recovery.
Helping them expand internationally will bring gains to our economy. This new partnership provides a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to come together and share advice and also support each other.”
The CEO of the Yell Group is Mike Pocock and he has said, “Yell is determined to become a leading company for connecting small businesses together and this new platform is a great way to assist businesses that want to expand internationally.”
The chairman of the Yell Group is Bob Wigley, who is also a Business Ambassador to the government. He has said about the portal, “My job is to support small and medium-sized enterprises and this portal is part of my commitment to this role.”
Within the forum small companies will be able to ask questions and get support on how to start off in the export world. There will also be several guides written by experts available on the portal and there are several informative blogs and articles.
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