business focus 25


Chartered accountants Haines Watts presents a series of articles based on its blogs. It offers analysis, reviews and comments and welcomes your feedback at www.hwca.com/blog


of the month Planning in uncertain times writes Jane Wills, partner at Haines Watts


With the financial year-end, many business owners will be considering planning for the next year. But with a delicate economic recovery underway and an election looming it’s tempting to want to hold off until things are clearer.


Having to make decisions now that commit resources of time and money to the future can be worrying but the risk of not acting is that your business won’t be prepared and in a strong position going forward.


There are many issues beyond your control but you can work on a number of strategies to help you navigate the road ahead.


• Use your financial data: if you’re not analysing and using your data


to drive your business decisions you may be headed in the wrong direction. Fact-based planning, budgeting and forecasting can help expose strengths and weaknesses in your business and highlight where you need to focus your attention.


• Know your cashflow: accurate cashflow analysis and predictions can help you improve your finances and operations. Being able to spot trends like customers with lengthy payment cycles is vital.


• Embrace technology: use it to streamline redundant operations. This doesn’t have to mean losing talent. Automation can present opportunities for team members to grow and find new direction.


• Engage your stakeholders: think Delivering reliable daily


facilities services Hart Shopping Centre in Fleet is a buzzing focus for the local community. With some of the major high-street stores based in at as well as local boutiques, cafes and a nightclub it is a popular location, seven days of the week


With a contract that started in December 2010, Brayborne Facilities Services works closely with the management of the shopping centre to provide a range of cleaning and facilities services to help keep the Centre in a sparkling condition for shoppers and retail tenants.


Brayborne expanded its service offering in 2014 from its well- established contract cleaning service to encompass a broad range of facilities services. With a strong client base across the south-east of England, Brayborne directly employs all staff and works with trusted partners to offer other more specialist facilities services. With a focus on major office cleaning contracts, Brayborne also specialises in shopping centres, schools and colleges.


At Hart Shopping Centre, Brayborne


provides daily cleaning services throughout the year including daily cleans of the offices, car parks, and shopping mall. In addition the company provides full-time janitorial services, window and carpet cleaning, personal hygiene services, the supply of consumable products and slip testing.


“Our team works alongside the centre’s staff to provide all aspects of cleaning as well as dealing with the general public,” said Beverley Mason, business development manager at Brayborne Facilities Services. “The day-to-day operations are managed by Mary Brazil, area manager for Brayborne, who is based in our head office in Wokingham, and she liaises directly with the on-site supervisor. This close management has led to a strong working relationship between centre and Brayborne staff and allowed us to monitor the


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2015


through innovative ways in which you can leverage your business strengths. Involve your stakeholders in conversations to generate new insights and ideas.


• Challenge conventional wisdom: just because you’ve always done things a certain way doesn’t mean it should continue. Current practices fast become outdated and ineffective – don’t be afraid to change course.


SMEs by their nature are adaptable and agile and usually cope far better with ambiguity and uncertainty. Focus on your financial data, don’t fear seeking advice and exploit the competitive advantage uncertainty can bring.


For further details on financial matters visit the website.


Details: www.hwca.com


contract closely to ensure we are consistently meeting all of the client’s requirements.”


Regular monthly meetings include a review of the quality audits and in-house workplace checks and a monthly report is produced in line with agreed KPIs. “The report includes reviews of finance and accounting, quality of service, innovation, performance reporting and management,” continued Mason. “We pride ourselves in delivering a quality, reliable service and producing regular detailed management reports demonstrates our commitment to delivering peace of mind to our clients.”


Caroleanne Baker, the centre www.businessmag.co.uk


manager for Hart Shopping Centre, commented: “Brayborne took over the 24/7 cleaning of the Hart Shopping Centre in December 2010. Since that time Brayborne have provided us with an excellent, reliable service on this very challenging site. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone.”


Details: Beverley Mason Brayborne Facilities Services 0118-9789428 www.brayborne.co.uk


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