boost your business, top tips for business funding and growth 150714

Welcome! 15/07/14

Phil Jones, Director,

Wilkinson & Partners

Jon Nicholls,

Consultant / Coach

Blue Biz Consultancy

What do I need to grow my business?

GROW model - (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) Good product / service Clear vision and a business plan, Right staff, Right attitudes and culture, Right funding strategy, Right management and leadership. Good

Blue Biz Consultancy

10 Top Tips for Business Growth

1. Open another location

2. Consider franchising your business

3. License your product and get others to sell on your behalf - need good branded product (consider IP issues)

4. Form an alliance – eg container crop working with university to gain credibility for investors.

5. Diversify – upsell , eg pyrotechnics (Table fireworks)

1. now party productsBlue Biz Consultancy

10 Top Tips for Business Growth

6. Target other markets (watch for crossing boundaries and differentiation)

7. Win a large contract (public sector or large org)

8. Merge with another organisation with complimentary skills (eg supply chain) – incar pc marketing

9. Expand globally (UKTI)

10. Expand onto internet

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Traditional sources of Finance

Government grants and loans Friends and family� Credit cards� Bank loans / asset finance� Angel investment eg SWAIN� Private Equity/Venture Capital (Eg – Seed EIS)�

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Specific funding opportunities

Startup loan scheme up to £25k (6%) Growth accelerator ** Crowd funding (loan or equity or gift) Grants eg MAS grants for R&D

If you have been refused bank finance Microloan scheme – up to £7500 (6%) Frederick foundation – commercial rate

Blue Biz Consultancy

About Growth Accelerator (from £600+VAT)

A free impartial diagnosis of the business

Additional resource - professional experienced coach supporting the management team/directors – 9 months

Access to additional knowledge and peer learning through master classes and workshops

Leadership and Management training (up to £2,000 per individual)

Blue Biz Consultancy

Routes to Growth via Growth Accelerator

1. Business Development - eg - Goodlites

2. Access to Finance eg – Tarragon restaurants

3. Innovation (creating new products & services) – eg Containercrop

Blue Biz Consultancy

Coaching for success

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."

John F. Kennedy

Jon Nicholls

Jon@bluebiz.org.uk

0779 9630590Blue Biz Consultancy

TAX BOOST

Topics

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme

Tax Reliefs

Conditions

Tax Tips

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)

Scheme designed to encourage investment in start-up companies

Company can raise up to £150,000 by issuing new shares

Generous tax reliefs for investors

SEIS – Tax relief

Income tax relief at 50%

50% reduction in reinvested capital gains of same year

Gains exempt from capital gains tax after 3 years

Loss relief against income

Conditions - Investor

Must subscribe for new ordinary shares

Investment must be in cash

Cannot own more than 30% of shares

Cannot be an employee in first three years

Maximum annual investment - £100,000

Conditions - Company

Business must be less than 2 years old

Cannot raise more than £150,000 via SEIS

Money raised must be spent within 3 years

Relief can be withdrawn if conditions cease to be met in first three years

Not all business activities qualify

Non qualifying activities

Land & Property related

Hotels & Nursing Homes

Finance related

Legal & Accountancy services

Advance clearance & formal approval

Possible get advances assurance from HMRC that a business will qualify

Formal approval can be requested once the shares have been issued

Investor receives a certificate confirming entitlement to tax relief

EIS

Big Brother of SEIS

Suitable for more established business seeking to raise finance

Tax reliefs not as generous

Tax Tips

Business structure – are you using the right structure – sole trade, partnership or company

Vat – voluntary registration? – flat rate scheme? Pre year end tax planning – maximise reliefs & minimise

tax Make sure you claim for all expenses Prepare accounts early – plan for tax liabilities Seek professional advice – not from the friend in the

Pub

Alex McArthur

Owner, McArthur Davies Marketing

MARKETING BOOST

Ten top tips to boost your marketing!

“Business has only two functions -

marketing and innovation.”

Milan Kundera

1. Claim your place online, be found!

2. When was the last time you talked to your customers?

3. The power of testimonials.

4. Be social!

5. Form a strategic partnership.

6. Get a Piggyback.

7. Be targeted.

8. What’s your offer?

9. Be attractive, not desperate

10. Remember, 7 is the magic number

Questions?Please get in touch

pjones@wilkinsonpartners.co.uk

alex@mcarthur-davies.co.uk

Keep an eye out for future events

www.boost-bristol.eventbrite.co.uk