The Autumn Statement 2023 confirmed that the merger of UK Research & Development Tax Credit schemes will go ahead as early as next year. This change will be legislated in the Autumn Finance Bill 2023. But what does this mean for Small and Medium Enterprises? I...
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How an expert helps unlock growth
Getting an outside opinion helped one food company increase its sales by 10 per cent and diversify its risk profile in a highly competitive market. The business had an opportunity. One of its main customers asked it to take over the manufacture of a high-demand...
Where is your sweet spot for success?
In 2008, a student asked Grayson Perry, Britain's leading contemporary artist, how he figured out what his art should be about. Perry was stumped. It is a question that many business owners grapple with - what do their customers buy from them, what do they want...
How to keep your business on the road
What do we look for when we consider the risk of financial distress? A recent review of a sample of ten companies showing signs of being "at risk of financial distress" found five had an "emphasis of matter" in their auditor's report, and the other five had one or...
Empower your people to grow business (3)
We know that reducing costs, improving efficiency, effectiveness and productivity, and enhancing the experience of your employees and customers are all proven benefits of continually improving your business. We also know businesses can be put off by what seems to be a...
Plotting the right strategic course
At every networking event I attend, I learn something. Whether by talking to another business owner or listening to a guest speaker, there are always takeaways to use myself or share with a client. Recently, a speaker started banging on about EEE - an acronym for...
Real leaders raise prices
Price is a trade-off between the value you deliver and the perceived cost to the customer. If you raise your prices and nobody complains, you probably did not raise them by enough! It is easy to be glib. Like our clients, business consultants live in a world where...
The five goals of marketing activity
You will find talking to a group of small business owners that many say marketing is for big companies that can use AI or whatever the latest trend is. But some will follow the herd and jump on the latest hack or tactic they came across on social media. Standing on...
A growth secret for a business improvement culture (2)
There is a free growth secret every business can use to drive continuous business improvement. How does your organisation get its focus right?