Doing business internationally can be complex. However it brings with it a wealth of opportunities, and thanks to advances in technology, trade agreements, and globalisation, with the right know-how it’s easier than ever to expand your business operations into overseas markets. The pandemic and the UK’s departure from the European Union have presented challenges for domestic firms engaged in exporting and importing, with supply chains being hit hard. Yet with every difficulty comes opportunity for those open to diversifying their strategy and looking outside of the box. There is plenty to look forward to and many UK businesses have taken advantage of the positive opportunities that have emerged, allowing them to negotiate trade deals, to take advantage of a weaker pound when exporting goods overseas, to explore new markets, and broaden their reach through online channels, and to focus on bringing the supply line back to the UK and to maximise the UK customer market. We … [Read more...]
UKBA Conference: Plan to thrive, not just survive
UK Business Advisors Conference: Plan to thrive, not just survive Date: Thursday 11th March 2021Time: 10:00am – 12:30pmLocation: Online More than ever businesses need to be able to adapt and evolve. At our conference, our expert speakers and panel will look at how businesses can reshape and plan for a post-covid world. 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone, from loss of health to loss of business. As we start the new year, businesses must reshape and plan for a post-covid world. There may be a ‘new normal’ that we have to live and work within, but the need for products and services has not gone away. Now is the time for businesses to focus their efforts on how their business fits into the new normal and strategise for the future, looking at their own business model, their … [Read more...]
Adjusting to The New Normal – changing attitudes amongst employees?
The seismic and devastating impact of Covid-19 on the majority of business plans cannot be overstated. It is a fair assumption that things will never be the same again for some time; if ever. Hence the appearance in the media of the phrase “The New Normal”. Since time immemorial successful enterprises have had to adapt to new circumstances and seek new and alternative opportunities. Often radical change does present new opportunities – we just have to detect and exploit them. The most important asset to any business is the people that work for it. Individual employees at all levels are currently reviewing their motivation and priorities – quality of life and appreciation thereof has become most important to many as a result of the pandemic. There is interesting data emerging from the employee experience during the lockdown period: 97% of marketing and communications staff have reservations about returning to work and 82% nervous about travelling into work (Insight agency … [Read more...]
Business Interruption Cover – A Misnomer? Your claim may be valid?
Businesses are being turned down for claims on their Business Interruption Insurance policy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Often their brokers or insurers are telling them that their cover is not valid for a claim due to the impact of a pandemic. They may still have a valid claim. On May 1st 2020, the Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intended to seek clarity on the availability of business interruption insurance by seeking a declaratory judgment through the courts. This will be helpful, but complex because of the huge variety of wording used in policies covering business interruption. It is unlikely to produce a speedy outcome and could cause more harm by giving insurers the opportunity to delay paying out on claims pending a court decision. It is important in these uncertain times for businesses to plan for the future with some clear idea as to whether or not they might be able to plan on some sort of payout under their insurance policies. Whilst insurance brokers do … [Read more...]
UK Business Advisors support provided to clients during Covid-19 – 01
Our UKBA teams regularly meet by Zoom video call. Today, our London and South East team reviewed the support given to companies in the last couple of weeks, and we would like to share this with you. You are also encouraged to visit our general support page at https://ukba.co.uk/coronavirus Here are examples of how we have helped companies and added value to them: Apply for Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan applications (40% approved and 60% pending to date) Plan for Furloughing, restructuring and assisting Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme applications from 20.1.20 Prepare business strategy, business planning and financial planning Assisting construction companies preparing to resume operations and resolve supply chain issues Applying for an Innovate UK funding competition Helping companies to claim R&D Tax Credits and get cash injections Completing the recruitment of a marketing manager and working with clients to plan their needs … [Read more...]
Survive and then Thrive – UK Business Advisors are ready to help
Other than the cruel personal impact of COVID-19, there is unequal pain and gain for UK businesses. Hospitality businesses are grounded and businesses with sought after services and products are struggling to cope with demand and managing their supply chain. There is no one magic solution for all! More than ever, business leaders need to keep a cool head and make the right short term decisions to enable their business to survive or operate differently. Supporting staff as far as possible is a defining characteristic of well-led businesses. The businesses that make the right decisions now and plan effectively for how to be prepared to thrive in the recovery should have a bright future post coronavirus. You are no doubt being bombarded by emails and other communications offering advice, help and “seven steps to solving everything”. The UK government has announced an unprecedented range and magnitude of support for businesses and employees – you will have found that many of the … [Read more...]
Urgent business support during Coronavirus/ COVID-19 Emergency. Nationwide network of Business Advisors available to support you
Businesses and individuals are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertain times due to the COVID-19 emergency. Our support page link is at the end of this newsflash. Like you, we are feeling the impact to our work, families and friends. UK Business Advisors (UKBA) have contingency plans in place and are we already remote working and communicating via phone and video calls to support our clients. As premier advisors to UK Small and Medium sized businesses, we are ready to play our part to help our clients and the wider business community during these difficult times. We remain confident that businesses that show decisive leadership can survive and bounce back. UK Business Advisors have activated our nationwide network of experienced advisors to help business owners and directors plan what is needed. Even with government grants, business rates relief or emergency loan support there will be difficult decisions to be made quickly. We can provide initial support and share our … [Read more...]
Top Tips for Networking at Business Events
Business networking is one of the most effective ways of generating new business, but it can seem daunting for the less extrovert doing it for the first time. However, even the most shrinking violet will gain confidence and effectiveness with practice. There are many different types of networking event and different times of day in which they happen. Most will let you try them out once or twice for a small fee. Once you have attended a few, chose the ones where you are most comfortable and have had the most success. To help you make more of the opportunities present at your next business event, here are my top 10 tips for networking effectively. Draft an 'elevator pitch' - a short (approx. 30 seconds) overview of your business, that you can trot out when asked “what do you do?”. It is best to have a few variations so that you do not say exactly the same thing every time, and so start to sound like a recorded message. Take a plentiful supply of … [Read more...]
Budget 2018 – At a glance
Business Small retail businesses in England will see business rates reduced by a third. The annual investment allowance is to rise five-fold from £200,000 to £1 million for two years. Reforms to individuals working under IR35 are to be extended to the private sector by April 2020. Corporation Tax to remain at 19%. Personal The personal allowance is to rise to £12,500, higher-rate threshold up to £50,000. A 4.9% increase will set the national living wage at £8.21 an hour for over-25s. Stamp duty abolished for all first-time buyers of shared-ownership homes worth up to £500,000. Duties Fuel duty unchanged at 57.95p per litre of petrol, diesel, bio-diesel or bio-ethanol. Duties on beer, most ciders, and spirits remain unchanged for 2019/20. Cost of a bottle of wine duty to rise by 8p, in line with inflation, in February 2019. VAT The VAT-registration threshold is to stay at £85,000 until April 2022. The Government will revisit options … [Read more...]
Budget 2018 – At a glance
Business Small retail businesses in England will see business rates reduced by a third. The annual investment allowance is to rise five-fold from £200,000 to £1 million for two years. Reforms to individuals working under IR35 are to be extended to the private sector by April 2020. Corporation Tax to remain at 19%. Personal The personal allowance is to rise to £12,500, higher-rate threshold up to £50,000. A 4.9% increase will set the national living wage at £8.21 an hour for over-25s. Stamp duty abolished for all first-time buyers of shared-ownership homes worth up to £500,000. Duties Fuel duty unchanged at 57.95p per litre of petrol, diesel, bio-diesel or bio-ethanol. Duties on beer, most ciders, and spirits remain unchanged for 2019/20. Cost of a bottle of wine duty to rise by 8p, in line with inflation, in February 2019. VAT The VAT-registration threshold is to stay at £85,000 until April 2022. The Government will revisit options … [Read more...]
