Category Archives: Business

Company Valuation Methods – You Need to Plan Ahead

Posted on February 28, 2011 by

There comes a time in the life of many a small businesses when the owner wants out.  There can be a variety of reasons; retirement, the call of a new opportunity or simply boredom.  This is the point where the … Continue reading →

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Barclays – Taxation and the need to engage

Posted on February 19, 2011 by

The banks are in the news again.  This time Barclays is being publicly berated for supposedly not paying enough tax.  The headline on BBC Breakfast made reference to Barclay’s “Offshore tax arrangements” in a clear attempt to leverage the anti-bank … Continue reading →

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Project Merlin – Why did it take so long?

Posted on February 18, 2011 by

On the 9th February, the banks and the government signed a lending and bonus deal.  Under Project Merlin, banks will lend about £190bn to businesses this year – including £76bn to small firms.  There has been a lot of talk … Continue reading →

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No Plan Survives First Contact With The Enemy

Posted on February 15, 2011 by

Having met a few entrepreneurs over the years, it is interesting to hear their views on planning.  Some of which are quiet dismissive: What is the point of planning, something different always happens Planning just ties you down – these … Continue reading →

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National Apprentice Week

Posted on February 8, 2011 by

It is very appropriate that the final of Michel Roux’s Service should be followed by National Apprentice Week.  Although it is a bit of an overused phrased, we need to remember that the young people of today are the wealth … Continue reading →

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Michel Roux’s Service – The Finale

Posted on February 4, 2011 by

What can I say, but what a fabulous close to such an excellent series?  I am referring of course to the wonderful Michel Roux’s Service. Which came to a close last night with a little twist at the end of … Continue reading →

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Proactive Positive Laziness – Part Three

Posted on February 2, 2011 by

Let me tell you another story: Many years ago I went to work at an organisation as a factory accountant (I love factories) for a technology company.  Part of the role involved the cross comparison of large tables of data … Continue reading →

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Entrepreneurs Business Academy – Update

Posted on January 30, 2011 by

Do you think you and your business would benefit if you spent a day with half-a-dozen millionaires sharing with you their secrets of success? I thought it sounded like a great idea so on Saturday I did just that. I … Continue reading →

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Fred Sirieix

Posted on January 28, 2011 by

Something that I always find inspiring is seeing passion and great achievement emulating from an unlikely source. And so, over the last week or so, our house has been spell-bound, mesmerised and overjoyed as we watch the TV.  The program … Continue reading →

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Recruitment – It is like a Two Ronnies sketch

Posted on January 27, 2011 by

I’ve been thinking about the recruitment business and, to be honest, I think it is a very imperfect model.  My thought process has been driven by a real concern about the ability of small businesses to access real talent. Small … Continue reading →

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