SME Business News

Businesses suffering from a reduction in credit insurance will now be able to purchase up to six months top-up cover as part of the Government’s trade credit insurance scheme, announced in the Budget. Under the scheme, which goes live today and runs until 31 December this year, suppliers will be able to purchase Government-backed [...]

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02 have just published the results of their Small Business Confidence Index. The survey canvassed the views of nearly 3,000 small business owners to discover how they are responding to the current economic climate.
The key findings of the survey highlights that small businesses are determined to survive the economic crisis and have adopted a resilient [...]

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Whilst some initiatives have been welcomed by businesses, albeit cautiously, we reflect on a Budget of missed opportunities, particularly when it comes to dealing - or rather not dealing - with the thorny issue of late payment.
The £250m boost for job programmes and action by the Government to set up a trade credit insurance scheme [...]

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This month, SME Invoice Finance newsdesk stories are influenced by expectations of what the contents of that famous red leather briefcase might look like! Not long now to discover whether some of the predictions and “wish lists” from industry groups are to become a reality.
Budget Day Guide
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Alistair Darling [...]

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The FSB is calling for the Government to put in place a corporate mediator to re-establish trust between banks and businesses during the recession. This shows just how great the impasse between businesses and banks has become and how precarious the situation is for the Owner Managed Business dependent on the banks for support.
It is [...]

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The invoice finance industry is a jargon jungle. But don’t let that put you off. Let SME Invoice Finance be your guide.
If you’re unsure of some of the terms that you come across in the course of your business or when discussing your requirements, this glossary of most used terms should help you find your [...]

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The number of UK businesses that are expected to fail in 2009 will increase to 36,000 (one in every 56 businesses), according to the latest Industry Watch report by accountants and business advisors, BDO Stoy Hayward LLP.
The report forecasts that as the UK economy contracts at its fastest rate since the Second World War, the [...]

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New research just published reveals a massive increase in credit refusal for businesses, driving owners to seek out alternative funding options.
The independent study of 1000 UK accountants has revealed that the number of business clients being refused finance by traditional lenders this year has almost tripled. Such a dramatic rise in the level of credit [...]

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In life and in business, opportunities can be born out of adversity. Those who suddenly find themselves out of job or disaffected by the recession may well take matters into their own hands and decide to follow their entrepreneurial dream.
With the largest reduction in GDP expected since 1946 in the next 12 months and unemployment [...]

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Experian has published its top twelve tips for surviving a slowdown:
1 Plan proactively: have plans, and back-up plans, ready for any eventuality
2 Manage the management: present highly visual demonstrations of your ROI
3 Concentrate on customers: focus on retaining and growing existing customers rather than chasing new ones
4 Adapt your products and services: assess the environment [...]

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