136
NeedTOKnow
ESSENTIAL UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION FOR FRANCHISES AND SMEs
EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES
‘Name and shame
■ THE BRITISH Chambers of Commerce and UK Trade
late payers’ appeal
& Investment are encouraging rms to look further
a eld for pro t opportunities. And while exporting ■ THE GOVERNMENT is being pressed
offers a whole new set of challenges there are support to name and shame large companies
mechanisms in place for entrepreneurs. The Export who do not pay small businesses on time.
Market Research Scheme is the perfect place to start if Liberal Democrat spokesman for SMEs,
you are considering new markets. The service provides Brian Cotter, has tabled a parliamentary
companies with free, professional and independent advice motion calling on of cials to take tough
about researching sales abroad. It also offers subsidies action against those companies which
of up to 50% towards market research. The EMRS has continue to out the laws. Despite the
funded 6,000 rms with a total of £11 million in the last introduction of additional late payment
20 years. A further £3 million has been given to 240 protection laws in 2008, it is estimated that
trade association projects. For further information, go to large organisations still owe £20 billion to
emr@britishchambers.org.uk or call 02476 694484. small companies. By law, rms are obliged
to disclose their payment records but an
increasing number are refusing to comply.
EMPLOYERS
OFFERED
MONEY TO
RECRUIT JOB
SEEKERS
STUDY FINDS MENTORING
■ BUSINESSES WILL
AND COACHING WEAKNESSES
be awarded ‘golden
hellos’ of up to £2,500 ■ FEW ORGANISATIONS are currently
if they recruit and train seeking to embed a coaching culture in
Free offi ce space
job seekers who have their business and are missing out on long-
been unemployed for term gains, a study from the Association of
offered to start ups
six months or more Chartered Certi ed Accountants (ACCA)
the government has has found. Although the research of 700
■ A NEW announced. The move is rms across 170 countries revealed a belief
scheme offering part of a £500 million in the bene ts of coaching and mentoring,
free access package designed to it was mostly an aspiration and not a
to millions of tackle unemployment reality. Support from senior management
pounds worth of and those wishing to set was a signi cant factor in the delay in
of ce space has up their own business implementing strategy at lower levels.
been launched will also be supported Where coaching was in place, there was
to help start up as part of the initiative. evidence of poor training so that practice
companies. Workspace solutions provider Regus has The scheme starts was ineffective. The ACCA believes that
formulated a campaign to support UK entrepreneurs this month (April) and there is a missed opportunity here for a
by offering free use of its business centres. Business will be administered low-cost intervention with disproportionate
mentoring sessions will be offered at its facilities through JobCentre bene ts being largely ignored because of
to individuals seeking start up advice. Under the Plus advisers. The day-to-day re- ghting.
scheme, Regus is providing unlimited use of its British Chambers of
business lounges and cafes in over 1,000 locations Commerce cautiously
worldwide. Entrepreneurs can choose to have free welcomed the
use of day of ces and meeting rooms or free of ce programme but said
space for three months. Regus hopes that the that cashflow was the
idea will allow up to 50,000 start up rms to get main concern for SMEs
established. Look at
www.regus.co.uk/getstarted. at the moment.
April 2009
www.businessfranchise.com
BF136-138_Need2Know_Apr09.X.indd 1 25/2/09 18:15:45
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