Small business soapbox

It may not happen until next spring, but the prospect of a general election certainly gets entrepreneurs talking. The state of the economy and the current government’s shortcomings and successes on enterprise makes for some interesting discussion. We spoke to some those on the frontline of Britain’s entrepreneurial battle. Here are a handful of their views.

Is the UK a more entrepreneurial since 1997?

By admin2 09/09/09 16:34

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European hills are green

Start-ups and micro-businesses tend to stay close to home. But there’s an argument for stretching yourself and trading abroad early. Bigger markets, more diverse opportunities… It’s all out there.

With this in mind, we made the trip to Belgium to see whether the ‘Invest in Brussels’ argument for setting up in Europe would convince us. (We were told there was more to the place than nice beer and cho...

By admin2 20/05/09 17:04

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Swap shop

Cash is king: in these tough times, that most cherished of truisms is cracking under pressure. Reduced consumer demand means surplus stock, and difficulties financing new supplies. As cashflow continues to suffer in the downturn, you may have already found yourself wishing you could cut cash out of the equation altogether.

Well, some wishes aren’t wasted. If you’re sick of cashflow headaches, it co...

By admin2 18/03/09 15:56

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Those who dare

As the country and the world descends apace into recession, with the bottom not yet in sight, it’s easy for businesses to lose faith, as well as money. Indeed, large firms are shedding jobs like a mutt sheds its winter coat, as evidenced by the likes of Credit Suisse; and small firms are going out of business altogether.

In our industry of printed newspapers, all hell is breaking loose and papers ...

By admin2 25/02/09 15:11

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Recession you say? Bring it on

If you believe the headlines, the financial world is disintegrating, business as we know it is a thing of the past, and we’re all headed for pre-industrial poverty.

Now we’re not saying it’s not a bit stressful at the moment. Funding is drying up, banks are closing their doors and the corporates are extending their payment terms to roughly eight million years after you invoice them.

BUT, and it’s a...

By admin2 17/12/08 11:12

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Stiff upper lip

With the bank system creaking, credit becoming harder to obtain and consumer confidence rocking, you can’t blame entrepreneurs for thinking long and hard before taking the plunge to launch a new business.

Some may feel that starting up in the grip of an economic downturn is tantamount to a casino gamble. But British entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, and I’ve got the stats to back it up.

One ...

By admin2 03/11/08 16:06

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Is business altruism dead?

When Peter Mandelson proposed the scrapping of flexible working reform last week he was greeted with a mixture of outcry from unions and parenting groups and praise from business lobbies. The newly appointed business secretary called for a review of the plan to extend rights for working parents amid recession fears. The message coming from government appeared to be thus: businesses can only afford...

By admin2 29/10/08 16:34

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Hooking them early

By admin2 18/09/08 15:28

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Overseas pool

By admin2 01/09/08 16:34

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Up-skilling our workforce

By admin2 09/07/08 12:00

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