The Carbon Trust is set to launch a new programme they claim will help thousands of UK SMEs to reduce their energy bills by a combined £40 million. Their Big Business Refit initiative provides firms with expert advice and access to interest-free loans to replace old, inefficient equipment with new, environmentally-friendly models.
Through their long-standing Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme, the Trust offers SMEs funding ranging from £3,000 to £400,000 to upgrade their equipment.The fund currently has £100 million worth of loans available, a sum expected to help up to 3,000 businesses cut a total of £40 million off their annual energy costs.
www.ukba.co.uk www.mgba.co.uk www.thecarbontrust.co.uk
Showing posts with label SMEs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SMEs. Show all posts
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Friday, 7 August 2009
60% of UK staff favour smaller firms
Almost two-thirds of employees would rather work for a smaller business than a larger one, according to research conducted by recruitment firm Angela Mortimer plc.
The study of around 1,400 employees found that 60% would choose a comparable offer from a smaller business rather than a large corporate as they believed that smaller firms offer a good working environment and opportunities for career development.
"For candidates big is no longer beautiful. Twenty years ago the received wisdom was to join a BA or a BT or a big bank. Now they value the flexibility of opportunity that SMEs can offer," said Mike Morgan CEO of communications firm the Red Consultancy.
www.ukba.co.uk
The study of around 1,400 employees found that 60% would choose a comparable offer from a smaller business rather than a large corporate as they believed that smaller firms offer a good working environment and opportunities for career development.
"For candidates big is no longer beautiful. Twenty years ago the received wisdom was to join a BA or a BT or a big bank. Now they value the flexibility of opportunity that SMEs can offer," said Mike Morgan CEO of communications firm the Red Consultancy.
www.ukba.co.uk
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Despite the recession a fifth of small businesses expect to grow over the next six months
The survey by O2 of 3,000 small firms found that while many companies are planning redundancies or downsizing their premises to cut costs, 20% expect to expand their business and nearly half plan to invest in new IT to become more efficient.
Although nearly 50% of SMEs surveyed said confidence was at a record low, 66% were determined to make it through the downturn and 7% of bosses said their firm was unaffected by the recession.
The report also revealed that financial issues have now replaced red tape and competition as the greatest cause for concern amongst the UK's small business community. Concerns over cash flow were cited as the greatest threat to survival, closely followed by a lack of support from the banking sector.
www.ukba.co.uk
Although nearly 50% of SMEs surveyed said confidence was at a record low, 66% were determined to make it through the downturn and 7% of bosses said their firm was unaffected by the recession.
The report also revealed that financial issues have now replaced red tape and competition as the greatest cause for concern amongst the UK's small business community. Concerns over cash flow were cited as the greatest threat to survival, closely followed by a lack of support from the banking sector.
www.ukba.co.uk
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
The majority of small and medium-sized businesses are willing to invest in green technology, despite the economic downturn
According to SurePayroll, The survey revealed that around 75% have embraced green initiatives such as recycling to telecommuting, regardless of their return on investment.
71% of SMEs surveyed commented that they implemented green practices to be environmentally conscious, and the remaining 30% sited saving money as their major motivation.
"The biggest challenge for small business owners is typically cutting costs, so it's refreshing to see that most small business owners are going green simply for the good of the environment," said SurePayroll President Michael Alter.
www.ukba.co.uk
71% of SMEs surveyed commented that they implemented green practices to be environmentally conscious, and the remaining 30% sited saving money as their major motivation.
"The biggest challenge for small business owners is typically cutting costs, so it's refreshing to see that most small business owners are going green simply for the good of the environment," said SurePayroll President Michael Alter.
www.ukba.co.uk
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Britain is officially at its most enterprising. More companies than ever before receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise – a record 194.
The awards recognise outstanding achievements in three categories: international trade, sustainable development and innovation. Achievements need to have been sustained over a few years. (You can find out more about the specifics of the criteria by clicking here.)
Applications were also at a record high of more than 1,000 – that’s up 200 from last year and the highest number since the awards were launched in 1966.
It is of course brilliant to see that more UK companies than even are proving themselves as outstandingly enterprising in positive ways.
But it’s also great to hear that so many businesses have applied for these awards.
Awards are a great way to promote your business and prove its worth. You’ll likely be covered in local or trade press – particularly if you get snapped with the lovely old Queen herself.
They also help prove your calibre and impress customers. A poll of last year’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise winners found that more than 75% said winning had given them a commercial boost, with more than half pointing out it had also raised their profile with overseas customers. Some winners have reported sales increases of up to 30% after winning.
Being awarded a business prize can massively boost staff morale too, and it gives you a good reason to celebrate the contributions staff have made.
While business award applications can be detailed and sometimes pretty time-consuming, if you think you meet the criteria and you have a shot of winning, they’re well worth going for. After all, if you don’t try, you’re sure as hell never going to find out.
And even if you get nominate but don’t win, you’ve raised your profile and the ceremony should be a fantastic chance to network.
Source: www.smarta.com
www.ukba.co.uk
Applications were also at a record high of more than 1,000 – that’s up 200 from last year and the highest number since the awards were launched in 1966.
It is of course brilliant to see that more UK companies than even are proving themselves as outstandingly enterprising in positive ways.
But it’s also great to hear that so many businesses have applied for these awards.
Awards are a great way to promote your business and prove its worth. You’ll likely be covered in local or trade press – particularly if you get snapped with the lovely old Queen herself.
They also help prove your calibre and impress customers. A poll of last year’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise winners found that more than 75% said winning had given them a commercial boost, with more than half pointing out it had also raised their profile with overseas customers. Some winners have reported sales increases of up to 30% after winning.
Being awarded a business prize can massively boost staff morale too, and it gives you a good reason to celebrate the contributions staff have made.
While business award applications can be detailed and sometimes pretty time-consuming, if you think you meet the criteria and you have a shot of winning, they’re well worth going for. After all, if you don’t try, you’re sure as hell never going to find out.
And even if you get nominate but don’t win, you’ve raised your profile and the ceremony should be a fantastic chance to network.
Source: www.smarta.com
www.ukba.co.uk
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Free Insurance Health Check for Companies
Aon have launched a new service for small and medium-sized businesses that offers free advice and assessments to ensure that their insurance is sufficient in the current economic climate.
The health check is available to all small companies with a turnover of between £2m to £20m and will include an insurance audit, a written report of its findings and recommendations on how firms can identify and manage risk exposures to ensure they have the correct level of coverage.
"We have to do more than just react to the challenges affecting SME businesses so Aon is taking a proactive approach with the Health Check to help SME businesses analyse their insurance programmes," said Gerry Callaghan, sales director of Aon's SME team.
www.ukba.co.uk
The health check is available to all small companies with a turnover of between £2m to £20m and will include an insurance audit, a written report of its findings and recommendations on how firms can identify and manage risk exposures to ensure they have the correct level of coverage.
"We have to do more than just react to the challenges affecting SME businesses so Aon is taking a proactive approach with the Health Check to help SME businesses analyse their insurance programmes," said Gerry Callaghan, sales director of Aon's SME team.
www.ukba.co.uk
Saturday, 4 April 2009
SMEs suffer crime increase
Crimes against small business have risen for the second six-month period, according to figures from insurance gaint Axa.
The research revealed that there had been a 10% increase in crimes against small firms in the UK, with the number of arson and malicious damage claims rising 23% and 14% respectively.
"Both malicious damage and arson tend to go up in a recession as premises are left unoccupied and unprotected by failed businesses, making them easier targets for vandals," said Gregor Elrick, head of property at Axa.
www.ukba.co.uk
The research revealed that there had been a 10% increase in crimes against small firms in the UK, with the number of arson and malicious damage claims rising 23% and 14% respectively.
"Both malicious damage and arson tend to go up in a recession as premises are left unoccupied and unprotected by failed businesses, making them easier targets for vandals," said Gregor Elrick, head of property at Axa.
www.ukba.co.uk
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Recession - Who Is Riding The Storm?
The research pinpoints the types of businesses more likely to be riding the storm rather than being swamped by the waves. So who is riding the storm?
• SMEs with mobile workforces – they are 10% less likely to have been hit by the slowdown
• SMEs with older, more experienced ‘captains’ – more than half of directors/owners aged over 55 are unconcerned about long term survival while just 31% of 35-44 year olds share this confidence
• SMEs who had a ‘worst case scenario’ strategy in place – confident, booming businesses were three times more likely to have had this in place
• SMEs investing more in training, IT & Telecoms, marketing - all are more likely to be riding the storm
• SMEs with a woman at the helm – female-run businesses are 30% more likely to be riding the storm
Extract from: A Guide To Plain Sailing Through The Recession - Plantronics - www.plantronics.com.
The full guide can be downloaded here: http://www.sme-guide.co.uk/
www.ukba.co.uk
• SMEs with mobile workforces – they are 10% less likely to have been hit by the slowdown
• SMEs with older, more experienced ‘captains’ – more than half of directors/owners aged over 55 are unconcerned about long term survival while just 31% of 35-44 year olds share this confidence
• SMEs who had a ‘worst case scenario’ strategy in place – confident, booming businesses were three times more likely to have had this in place
• SMEs investing more in training, IT & Telecoms, marketing - all are more likely to be riding the storm
• SMEs with a woman at the helm – female-run businesses are 30% more likely to be riding the storm
Extract from: A Guide To Plain Sailing Through The Recession - Plantronics - www.plantronics.com.
The full guide can be downloaded here: http://www.sme-guide.co.uk/
www.ukba.co.uk
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