News
Is this the end of the era of inexpensive money?
The global economy is undergoing a significant adjustment in the cost of capital. Interest rates are climbing in Europe, the United Kingdom, and even in the United States. When you factor in the persistent rise in inflation, driven by supply chain disruptions from the pandemic and escalating energy prices due to conflicts in Ukraine and…
Read MoreInvoice past due for payment part 2
Since our previous blog post on this topic, there has been encouraging progress from the Government in tackling the late payment crisis that significantly impacts smaller UK SMEs in particular. The most recent Small Business Strategy survey conducted by the Business and Trade Committee did call on the Government to implement tougher penalties for those…
Read MoreBusiness Confidence, perhaps a Glimmer of Hope
The Office of National Statistics’ report on business confidence for July reveals that while companies are struggling to manage the increasing costs and regulations imposed on them there are some small signs of improving confidence. More businesses than initially projected by the ONS believe their turnover will remain stable in the upcoming months, while fewer…
Read MoreWhy the Economy is stuttering again!
Amidst the flood of news surrounding local elections and their potential impact on central government officials, the business community finds itself holding its breath, hesitant to commit to further spending until the repercussions become clear.
Read MoreWe all deserve some positive news – don’t you think?
Since the onset of recent global events, we’ve observed a growing influx of emails from businesses either promoting low-interest credit or valuing your enterprise. While these might be interpreted as negative signs, they could also indicate that companies still perceive opportunities for profit somewhere. The prevailing sentiment we gather is that, during times that are,…
Read MoreIn times of uncertainty, hold your nerve and keep Doing the Marketing.
Originally written and published in May 2019 but still relevant today! During the current climate of uncertainty about the current and future economy, it is very easy to ‘batten down the hatches’ and hold out for an improvement later. The risk of this strategy is missing out on current opportunities and worse, allowing a competitor…
Read MoreIs a culture of late payments undermining UK SMEs?
The latest Small Business Strategy from the Business and Trade Committee has urged the Government to address the late payment crisis that disproportionately affects smaller UK SMEs. According to this survey, businesses are currently owed an average of £66,770 in unpaid invoices, representing a 10 percent increase from the previous year. While the survey does…
Read MoreAre Small Businesses under attack?…or is that just how it feels?
Recently, a number of changes, such as increases to National Insurance for employees, Identity Verification for Persons of Significant Control and Directors, increases in the numbers of online attacks, scammers and finally, and probably most significantly, the fluctuations in energy prices, fuel costs and vehicle excise duty, have increased the pressure on small business owners.…
Read MoreUncertain Times for Business
From a recent publication from the House of Commons Library entitled – Economic Update: Uncertain Times for Business, we have deduced the following key information. The picture for economic growth for businesses over the coming months of 2025 is one of little or no growth. Put against a background of virtually no increase in the…
Read MoreMy business is slowing down, is it me or the economy?
Most experts agree that a definitive recession is unlikely in 2025 but the economic forecast and data do suggest that growth will be extremely sluggish, potentially even zero. With high interest rates, increasing costs and market uncertainties all conspiring to give your business quiet periods throughout the coming year. When you are in one of…
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