0203 384 0276 www.advantagebusinessltd.com [email protected]
© 2012 Advantage Business Partnerships Ltd, All Rights Reserved
‘Partnering with you to make your business better’
Small firms = Big significance
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4.5M Small Businesses in UK
SMEs Account for 99% of all enterprises in the UK
58.8% of Private Sector Employment
13.8 million people
48.8% of Private Sector Turnover £1.5 Billion
748,000 Enterprises in London
745,000 Enterprises in South East
[Source: Department for Innovation and Skills]
Some More Facts
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7 in 10 Small Businesses have introduced new products in the last 2 years
70% of FSB members used finance to support their business in last 12 months
58% of SMEs are looking to grow in 2012
6 in 10 believe the economy is a barrier to growth
[Source: FSB Small Business Members Survey 2012]
50% of SMEs fail in year 1
95% of SMEs fail by year 5
Why do SMEs fail?
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• Poor Business Planning
• Poor Marketing
• Absence of Clear Objectives
• Lack of Finance
• Poor Cash Flow Management
• Poor Management
• Poor Relations with Human Resource
• Poor Choice of Location
• Failure to Embrace New Technology & Developments
[Source: SME Events 2012]
Business Owners have two choices
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The biggest issue for SMEs is finding and receiving good advice and support that leads to success rather than
failure.
SME business support
7
12
16
24
25
29
33
36
37
38
62
64
71
75
76
11
6
6
2
5
14
17
8
38
11
13
11
16
31
28
Other
EU Funded
Univ/Coll
Big Bsns
Local Gov't
Solicitor
Informal N'wrk
Trade Assoc
Family/Friends
Gov't Funded
FSB
Bank
Suppliers
Accountant
Customers
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During the past year, what sources of support did you turn to for business support. [FSB Member Survey 2011 // Base 10,037}
During the past year, what % of SMEs found the source of support ‘very helpful’? [FSB Member Survey 2011 // Base 10,037]
% of respondents indicating source
Conclusion
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SMEs are turning to a broad range of sources for help and not finding any of them particularly helpful
Solution
SMEs require help from a source that has business management, commercial and industry capability that is a genuine benefit to their business and not a burden
How can ABP help?
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In some cases entrepreneurs may not even recognise that they need help or it is available.
Business Owners want to avoid complexity and confusion.
Problems
Solutions
Business Owners want clarity, expertise and action
Our role as trusted advisors can be the difference between success and failure
Why are ABP different?
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• We are experienced professionals
• We have held senior posts in large and small companies
• We have solid track records of building successful and profitable businesses
• We have a breadth and depth of knowledge that will benefit businesses that want to grow
• We recognise that advice has to be practical, pragmatic and actionable
• We provide a range of growth programmes to meet the needs of a business at each key stage in its development
What we do
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Advice and guidance on how to optimise your business.
Several programmes, each designed to be appropriate for the business challenge and the owners needs:
Kick-Start: For businesses in the early stages or recently established that need an injection of good business practice and assistance in shaping their strategy and business plans.
Turnaround: For businesses that are not performing to their optimum and are in need of some intensive care to get them back on track.
Entrepreneur: Working with both business owners and investors we provide business advice to help the business succeed and a watching brief on behalf of the investor to ensure their investment produces a return.
High Growth: Assisting owners and investors ‘catch the wave’ and get ahead of the competition and build a strong foothold in a rapidly developing market.
Programme Components
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Limited Access to Advantage On-Line
Resource²
Unlimited Access to Advantage On-Line
Resource
Access to Expert Partner¹
Quarterly Progress Review
Monthly Management Accounts
Reviewed
All meeting discussions documented
(1/2hr) (1hr) (1hr) (1hr) Monthly Review with MD/CEO
Board Meeting Attendance (up to
1hr/mnth
(1) (up to 2) (up to 3) Email Support (# of contacts)
(up to ½ hr) (up to 1hr) (up to 2hrs) BGP Telephone Support (per wk)
Free Free Strategy Review (2hrs)
Free Free Business Assessment (90 mins)
1 2 3 5 BGP Hours/week
Kick Start
Advantage
Turnaround
Advantage
Entrepreneur
Advantage
High Growth
Advantage
Programme:
And there’s more…
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For business owners and managers seeking a lighter touch programme: a twelve month series of Better Business Masterclasses
• 10 – 12 non-competing business owners
• Half-day meeting am or pm • Led by a senior ABP partner
• Interactive sessions
• Talk with and not to participants
• Share business challenges and experience
• Share solutions
• Networking with like minded businesses
• Opportunity to get out of the business
• Programme determined by group, content provided
by ABP
Better Business Masterclasses
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A broad range of topics such as…..
• Writing or improving your business plan
• Business finance options
• Cash controls and forecasting
• Time management
• Leadership and management
• Profitable sales processes
• Customer Relationship Management
• Managing key relationships • Bank • Accountant • Legal Advisor • Investor(s)
• Protecting your most valuable asset, your intellectual property.
We know what we don’t know..
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• We have a broad range of skills and capabilities but we don’t claim to be experts at everything.
• We don’t do: Finance Legal Human Resources Specialised industry expertise
BUT, we might know someone who can!
• We work closely with a panel of carefully chosen ‘Expert Partners’.
• Our ‘Expert Partners’ are highly regarded in their own fields of expertise.
Accountants
Investors
Distress/
turnaround
Insolvency
Practitioners
Networking & SME
support groups
Surveyors
Growth
LEPS
SME non-
profit support
organisations
Capital
Enterprise
Other
financial
providers
Other B2B
providers
Brand
Consultants SEO
IT Services &
Telecommunications
Share
schemes
Web design Social
media
Banks
IFAs
Solicitors
Est. Agents
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Our wide ranging partners know our skills and how we can help businesses improve. Many of our clients have been introduced through our Strategic Partner network.
Client examples...
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• Group with 2013 AIM listing • Pre – starts • Early stage start ups • Distressed turnaround acquisition – 3rd party investor support
• Exit strategy – succession plan draft & implementation • Established businesses; new inspiration & expertise
• High growth
• Organic growth strategy and progressive acquisition focus It is not always about more profit, distress or early retirement…
In Summary…
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• Experienced and capable practitioners
• Providing pragmatic, practical, actionable advice that delivers results
• A range of programmes to meet the specific needs of a business
• A panel of discipline specific ‘Expert Partners’
• A network of ‘Strategic Partners’
Next steps…
1.In your network there will be several clients and contacts that are in need of our assistance in one form or another – you are likely to be one of them!
2. Put them or yourself in touch with us and we will meet for a NO FEE NO
COMMITMENT ‘Business Assessment Session’ to explore how we add significant value
3. For ideas, advice and proactive networking with business owners and professionals connect with us @Advantage_BP and join our complimentary Linkedin Group
Testimonials...
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“I have known Daryl for several years and he has been a great source of ideas and support to my own business. He has successfully helped us to ride the storm of a tough economic climate, and I consider him a close, trusted friend. He is determined, helpful and creative in his mind-set. His knowledge of success in the SME market has proven invaluable to me and Kaizen Furniture. ” Director, Kaizen Furniture "I have seen a marked increase in efficiency, sales and productivity throughout the short period of time that we've worked together. ABP are professional, friendly and help to make working an enjoyable activity... Happy office, happy staff, happy clients, happy bank balance!!" Director, BuzzPoint "ABP and Working Capital Partners work with similar companies facing similar problems. ABP's enthusiastic approach and comprehensive network are a huge asset which have already resulted in positive business contacts which will reap highly beneficial long term rewards." Director, Working Capital Partners Ltd "I have recently been working with ABP on the events their team are running at the Workshop at O2 Tottenham Court Road. Their enthusiasm and commitment to providing assistance and guidance to help SMEs grow their business fits perfectly with the ethos behind the Workshop space, and it has been great to partner with Advantage and their partnerships. It has been a pleasure to work with ABP on this project." Andrew Levy, Telenomics "Having recently attended an event at which Advantage was presenting, it is clear that the passion for supporting small business is backed up by the knowledge and experience of the SME sector. It is evident that ABP puts clients at the heart of their business, and looks to add value at every opportunity.“ David Arthur, HSBC