The government have been working on the G-Cloud, which is their cloud computing solution.

It is estimated that over 250 suppliers have been named as working with the government and this includes both large and small companies. Some of the . . . → Read More: First ‘G-Cloud’ companies announced]]> A great variety of companies have recently won contracts to provide the public sector with their computing services.

The government have been working on the G-Cloud, which is their cloud computing solution.

It is estimated that over 250 suppliers have been named as working with the government and this includes both large and small companies. Some of the biggest names to become involved with the government are Microsoft, BT and Logica.

It is estimated that around half of the suppliers that are involved are classified as small or medium-sized enterprises. The Cloud store service is going to allow organisations in the public sector to purchase IT services and it has been developed by SolidSoft, itself a small business and is based on the system by Microsoft, Windows Azure.

The government are keen to promote transparency about spending and all of the pricing details are available on the service. The government have also said that no services will be purchased for longer than one year without review.

The Cabinet Office minister, Francis Maude has stated, “The new services are going to allow government agencies to purchase services in a cheaper, easier and quicker way. Furthermore it is going to make government spending more transparent for both suppliers as well as the public. The great thing about the CloudStore is that it gives the same opportunities to small and large organisations. It is my hope that this will improve the number of contracts that are awarded to small companies by the government.”

A recent report showed that just over 10 percent of contracts given by the government are awarded to small companies, which is less than half of the government’s target figure of 25 percent. The head of the small enterprise HTK, Justin Bowser, has described the new services being a game changer.

Mr Bowser commented, “It is generally very hard for small or medium-sized companies to get government contracts. Many people perceive the barriers to achieving a contract as being incredibly high. Furthermore the government often fear that small companies will not be able to deliver the results they want.

The G-Cloud really shows that the government is changing this attitude as it has changed the procedure for acquiring services. The high-profile nature of the service also means that it is going to be near impossible for the government no longer to utilise services from small companies.”

The head of ElasticHosts is Richard Davies and he has commented, “We are expecting a great deal more interest in our services especially from healthcare trusts and local authorities. These government organisations are finding that their IT systems need a refresh and we are able to offer this to them without any requirement for capital expenditure. This essentially eradicates any expensive deployment costs.”

There have been concerns raised about whether small businesses are able to deliver services to the government fast enough. An analyst for TechMarketView, Tola Sargeant has commented, “The cloud store is a catalogue of commodity products and it seems only possible for the government to compare things by price.

While this will save the government money in the long term there is a question about whether smaller providers will be able to deal with the volumes that the government often operate at. Whether they remain reliable is yet to be seen.”

Representatives from Puma and Speedo International will be offering their expertise and tips from their own sustainability practices as part of . . . → Read More: East Midlands SME’s to receive assistance]]> Some of the most successful UK companies will be offering aid to SME’s that are located in the East Midlands to help them take steps towards lowering their carbon footprint and increasing their sustainability practices locally.

Representatives from Puma and Speedo International will be offering their expertise and tips from their own sustainability practices as part of the Future Factory Nottingham Trent University sustainability project.

The event will take place on March 13st at the University’s Conference Centre and will take a closer look at how important it is for SME’s to also incorporate sustainability in their processes, products, and services.  Speaking at the Sustainability Means Business event will be Speedo International’s Head of Corporate Responsibility Robert Brown, and the Head of Puma’s Safe Ecology team Stefan Seidel.

The theme of the event will be to showcase how important it is for SME’s to work on their sustainability practices as larger businesses work towards successful meeting carbon reduction goals.  SME’s that are part of the supply chain, and other small businesses, also need to address the issue of sustainability or risk losing space in the market and contracts in the future.

Outside of these issues the event will also offer top business leaders a chance to explain how much they value the sustainability practices that they have in put in place in regards to their supply chain practices. Those in attendance will also get the chance to hear from local SME’s that have already made attempts to become more eco-friendly along with experts from the fields of climate change, green marketing, sustainability.

Nottingham Trent University experts will also speak at the one day event sharing their ideas and knowledge of the green market. All SME’s from the East Midlands have been invited to attend the free event from all sectors of the business world.

These figures come from the latest research conducted by Sage UK, the leading accounting software and business service provider.

 These findings come from the January 2012 Sage Omnibus that consists of over 1000 SMEs in the UK. It also revealed that 7 out of 10 small firms are using . . . → Read More: 1 in 5 small businesses denied loans]]>

1 in 5 small businesses denied loans

These figures come from the latest research conducted by Sage UK, the leading accounting software and business service provider.

 These findings come from the January 2012 Sage Omnibus that consists of over 1000 SMEs in the UK. It also revealed that 7 out of 10 small firms are using their business plans to measure their company’s performance, but that 1 out of ten use the business plans to secure either funding or financing for their business accounts.

 The real cause for concern, however, is that it was also revealed that less that half of these firms, 42%, don’t have any kind of business plan at all.

 In order to help owner-managers more accurately build sustainable growth and secure further finance for their business accounts, Sage is providing its business planning tool Sage Planning for Business free with its flagship small business accounting software Sage Instant Accounts 2012. Sage Planning for Business is designed to help make finance from banks and investors more accessible to people with a small business, by allowing owner-managers to build upon their cash position, confidently ensure the sustainability of their business accounts, and easily create robust and up-to-date business plans.

Robin Moore, Product Manager for Sage’s Small Business Division and accounting software, commented: “Access to finance remains one of the greatest challenges facing small business owners today. However, there are a number of vital things owners can do to help themselves and their business accounts, such as ensuring they have a fully robust and up-to-date business plan in place. By incorporating Planning for Business into our accounting software Sage Instant Accounts 2012, we are aiming to help businesses more accurately plan for the future and achieve their aspirations for growth.”

To further support those with a small business, Sage Instant Accounts 2012, the easy-to-use accounting software, contains a host of improved features to save owners even more time on their business accounts. The latest package allows small businesses to:

• keep track of their cash flow and profitability;

• submit VAT returns directly online;

• prepare year end accounts; and

• produce customised Charts of Accounts using templates for different business structures (eg. sole trader, partnership, charity or limited company).

For further information, please visit: sage.co.uk/sage-instant-accounts.

Every year, most firms will make . . . → Read More: Credit ratings need to be watched by SMEs]]> Experian has recently advised small businesses not to overlook their credit rating when they are looking to negotiate with suppliers. Small businesses are hoping that 2012 is going to be a good summer due to the increase tourism that should bring some welcome relief after a long time of economic uncertainty.

Every year, most firms will make a plan about what their actions are going to be over the next year but many will unfortunately overlook their credit rating. It is important to consider this as it can give you a better negotiating position when dealing with contracts made with suppliers.

Small firms are likely to need to secure the best deals on essential items, such as banking, the telephone and utilities. If they are suffering from a poor credit rating that it can be hard to secure the best deals as the companies will see you as a greater risk.

With a weak credit rating a company will be sceptical of your ability to meet your financial obligations and therefore will set up strict payment terms. Research by Experian found that in 2011 most companies operating in the leisure sector paid their bills an average of 30 days late. This has meant that small and medium-sized companies are being particularly scrutinised by utility providers so that they pay their bills regularly.

The bigger problem is that some cannot secure new finance if they don’t have a good credit rating. Many companies do not realise that if they register more information officially then they are going to be seen as a lower risk to lenders and therefore are more likely to secure financing.

The credit rating by which your business will be judged is usually based on how the directors have performed in previous business endeavours. If you are starting up a company for the first time it can be a good idea to partner someone who has previously experienced success. Experia also showed that a business with two partners is much more likely to succeed than someone who is setting out on their own.

Kate Jenner is the Commercial Team Manager of http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/  and she has said that they were getting more enquiries than ever . . . → Read More: Endsleigh Insurance gives tips for home-workers]]> The state of the current job market is encouraging many, particularly working mums, to try being self-employed for the first time. Endsleigh Insurance are providing some great tips for those wishing to set up their own business.

Kate Jenner is the Commercial Team Manager of http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/  and she has said that they were getting more enquiries than ever from people who setting up their own business for the first time. She added that the internet has made it so much cheaper and easier for people to trade, but many are still very naïve as to how to go about it.

Top 5 tips

1. Benefit from business accounts

It may not seem like a priority if you’re not expecting to make much money initially, but it’s important to separate your personal and business finances – also there are free gifts and other benefits to enjoy.

All the main high street banks will be competing for your business and will offer all manner of perks and gifts to get you to bank with them.  When you are starting off on your own, every little helps.

At the same time, get your mobile phone transferred to a business account. Welcome improved customer service and special deals that only apply to business users!  Moving your mobile phone to a business account can be a great money saver.  You might be able to combine with a broadband package and often benefit from attractive phone upgrades as well as free calls between business users.

2.       Put all “sundries” through the company account
“Working from home” can mean sitting at a computer, or driving around your local community, either way you are going to clock up a lot of payments for small items.
This can mean paying for tea bags, buying a new computer keyboard, or simply stocking up on pens!  Make sure you get a VAT receipt for all payments as it all stacks up.

3.       Use your social networks to market yourself as cheaply as possible
Advertising in the local paper, or online, might be necessary to get yourself started, but there’s nothing like using your network of friends, family and former business contacts to find work.
This isn’t the time to be bashful – make sure everyone knows about your new business by updating your LinkedIn profile and sending out messages through Facebook and Twitter.

4.       Join relevant groups & organisations
Is there a union or organisation that covers your particular sector?  Joining up can reap huge rewards, by offering you discounted training and advertising opportunities, as well as widening your network of contacts.

As well as official bodies, look out for collectives that work with people like you.  There are lots of excellent organisations representing your focus or network, working mums, local business forums for example. Or if you are a blogger you will find a number of groups to join.

5.       Protect yourself
Whatever service or product you are selling, you are liable for its safety, accuracy and general adherence to the law.  Whatever your line of business, whether a beautician, writer or plumber  you will need cover for Business and Office Equipment, Stock, Business Travel, Revenue Protection, Tools and Goods in Transit.

Endsleigh strongly recommended that sole traders and the self-employed ask an advisor about Public Liability insurance costs and benefits for their sector.

Endsleigh online http://www.endsleigh.co.uk
Endsleigh Insurance on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Endsleigh
Endsleigh Press Office on Twitter http://twitter.com/EndsleighPR
Endsleigh on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/endsleigh

The report also highlights that London is still the best place to own . . . → Read More: North of England SMEs will see property values improve]]> According to a recently published report, small businesses in the North of England can look forward to an expected rise in the value of their properties during the year. The study has been published by Lloyds TSB and is being conducted by Property Matters.

The report also highlights that London is still the best place to own commercial property in the UK and there is confidence throughout the industry that values are going to continue to increase in the city.

It is not just London that are expected to experience growth in the value of their commercial property and the north-west is a pocket of the country set to receive an increase in value over the coming year. It is expected that the area will experience a growth of nearly 6 percent, which compares favourably to the growth expected in London which is about five percent.

Despite the optimism for this part of the country, business owners in the area are still rather gloomy about how they expect the property market in the UK to perform overall. In London businesses are still positive about property and they expect their commercial property value to increase. This further highlights the difference between the south and north of the UK.

The relationship director of Lloyds TSB in the North is Stephen Hughes who has commented, “It is understandable that business owners in the north-west of the country are not particularly optimistic as they have recently been through rather hard times. Fortunately though, the attitude towards property is improving and it is expected that the market will rise.

“A recent study showed that around half of businesses in this part of the country are relying on bank loans as their primary funds and this can offer an idea of why they might be reluctant to invest in commercial property at this time.”

The figures revealed that in June there were just 8% without insurance, but that went . . . → Read More: Number of SMEs without insurance rises]]> Twice a year Aviva carries out an SME Pulse survey with small and medium enterprises (SME) in the UK. The latest survey of 500 SME has revealed that the number of businesses operating without insurance has increased in the last 6 months.

The figures revealed that in June there were just 8% without insurance, but that went up to 20% in December. In addition it was found that 29% of the businesses with insurance were not certain that they had the right policy.

The Commercial Product Manager of Aviva, David Bruce, said that businesses know about the importance of keeping their staff motivated, keeping a healthy cash flow, and minimising unnecessary costs, but something that is often underestimated is the importance of having the correct insurance that will protect the business.

In fact, in some cases insurance is a legal requirement. 47% of SME surveyed had employees and 10% of these companies did not have insurance. Not having employers liability insurance can lead to a heavy fine, so they must be careful.

The problem often comes when companies need to make a claim only to find that their cover is not adequate for what they want to claim. This is a disaster for anyone, and if you are not certain that your company is covered then you must speak to your insurance broker. They will be able to advise you on what is and isn’t covered currently, and how to protect you.

43% of SME said that they had found 2011 tougher than they had expected and were not expecting any improvement in 2012. 35% feared a double dip recession, which is up from 28% in the last survey. Further, only 19% felt that the government had been effective in its commitment to cut red tape. Hopefully the reality will be better than the expectations.