inspire issue1 int
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Brand new, bright and breezy business to business magazine north of London. Primarily aimed at new and young businesses in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. It's our business to inspire your business.TRANSCRIPT
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Issue OnePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.
It’s our business to inspire your business
Issue one • October 2013
BUSINESS AWARDSWhat’s in in for you?Answer: plenty!
NETWORKINGWho’s meeting who?Find out here.
NO PLACE LIKE HOMEOur guide to buying commercial property.
“I followed my dream” Billy Schwer tells it like it is on page 5.
Welcometo the region’s newest and best
businessmagazine
Mobile safety.How secure is your phone?Read our report on page 13.
CrowdfundingWhy this could be the ideal solution to grow your business. Turn to page 7.
Luton, Dunstable and Bedfordshire's FREE community magazine
mAIN FeATURe
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Issue OnePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.
welcome
4 Advice is available
5 Billy Schwer
7 Crowdfunding
8 Entering awards
11 Focusonfinance
12 Networking
13 Mobile security
14 Commercial property
welcome
In this issue4
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WelCOMe tO the fIrst edItIOn OfInspire BUsIness MAGAZIne
We aim to do what it says on the cover and inspire your business.
This doesn’t just mean us telling inspiring stories of individual people who have overcome
the odds to set up in business. It means giving you the help and advice you need to turn
your idea into a success. You are not alone, there are places and organisations to turn to for
advice and practical help.
This is an exciting time to be going into business. Government figures show a record
number of companies being formed. That’s great for the economy and it’s great for us.
Whatever your reason for reading Inspire; whether you’re already in business, whether
you’ve just taken the plunge or whether your plans are coming together, we hope you will
find something of use to you.
If not, we welcome your feedback. We’re not about standing still but want to make sure
we’re producing a brilliant magazine that means something to our readers.
As well as keeping in touch, we would also urge you to consider using the services of our
advertisers. In that way, we can continue to inspire you and the generations that follow us to
go for it in business.
Here’s to an inspiring and successful future...Follow us on TwiTTer@INSPIReBIzmAG
Publisher:Community Communications, 12 Alexandra Avenue, Luton Beds, LU3 1HG
Editor:[email protected]
Advertising: Mostaque [email protected]
Design:Heather [email protected]
Printed by:Bartham Groupwww.barthamgroup.com
DisclaimerAny views expressed in Inspire Business Magazine are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the publisher.
No part of the magazine should be copied or distributed without the prior consent of the publisher and remains the property of the publisher.
Page kindly sponsored by Telephone: 01582 608601
we arelistening
We want to hear from you: perhaps your expertise would be of help to others, or our advertising opportunities are perfect for you or you simply
want to give us some feedback.
We’re listening.
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October 2013 Editorial and advertising enquiries: [email protected] | 07931 973967
Advice available advice
Perhaps sales have been dropping, your cashflow is tight or competition is hotting up.
Richard Cooper, a Dunstable-based
board director at Bedfordshire Chamber
of Commerce, recently advised a
manufacturing firm that left asking for help
too late.
“There are lots of places for people to go
to seek advice,” said Richard.
SUPPORT“Many companies have no idea but
there are sources of support through local
councils, Chambers of Commerce, the
Growth Accelerator or manufacturing
Advisory Service for starters.”
Councils in Central Bedfordshire and Luton
Borough, for example, run a Timebank
Scheme where business professionals and
experts like accountants, solicitors and
business advisors give free time to give
pointers.
STANDING STILL“Things can change for companies that
have been doing well for years and they
don’t know how to handle it, standing still
in business is not an option” said Richard,
who runs his own business consultancy
service.
Richard adds that business leaders should
be able to rely on their accountant for
advice.
“If you are not getting the support and
service from your accountant, then change
them,” said Richard.
“They won’t like me for saying it but it’s
about your business.”
DON’T STIck yOUR heAD IN The SAND If yOUR bUSINeSS IS ShOwING SIGNS Of STRUGGLING.
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Issue OnePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.
success
Box clever for a lifeof your dreams
luton boxing legend Billy Schwer knows where motivation to starta business comes from.
During a 20-year ring career in the lightweight division he overcame defeat at the highest level to, at last in 2001, achieve his dream of being world champion.
Then his life fell apart.
He’d faced the possibility of death in the ring, he’d been defeated and
come back to do it again. And won. It was all he knew.
It was a staggering achievement for the lad from Luton’s Irish community.
But then another battle began for the ex Challney Boys School pupil.
The battle to find a new purpose in life.
He plunged into depression, split up with his wife and lost touch with
friends. He even spent all his money and became bankrupt.
It took Billy at least 18 months to find his purpose in life again. But Billy,
aged 44, is now a motivatonal speaker, finding fulfilment in helping others
to find that spark of inspiration to find direction and motivation.
Anyone who hasn’t been to see Billy speak is in for a treat. He takes
his audience on a no-holds-barred description of his world title fights, so
much so that you’ve simply got to cheer when he wins and holds that
championship belt aloft.
Like a warrior in olden times Billy passes on the lessons he learned not
only from his fights but his personal life, too. Like when his two older sisters
pinned him to the floor when he was a kid. He couldn’t get them off and
thought this meant he was weak. When he found boxing, that became a
way to prove to the world he was not a weakling.
Billy is now the author of Mental Boxing - The Science of Success. He takes
his message to businesses and organisations, schools and young offender
institutions.
Basically it’s about creating a mental state of discipline, dedication and
desire to expect success and create world class results.
Billy’s message includes knocking out fears that stunt personal and
business growth. He admits that he feels fear when just about to speak, in
the same way he used to when about to step into the ring. But it’s about
conquering those fears to create the future you want.
For details visit www.billyschwer.co.uk
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Issue OnePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.
Crowded housefinance
A new kind of business funding is becoming popular as a way for firms to get the money they need to start or grow.
Crowdfunding is where a large group of people contribute money
to support a business idea.
Crowdfunding is usually arranged online on websites where
businesses explain their reasons for needing funding. If investors like
it, they chip in with the necessary cash.
For investors the benefits can include the reward of being involved
in a project as it develops or to support a local initiative, friends or
family.
The returns could also be greater for investors than traditional
savings.
Pros and consFor the businesses involved, they could find investors are more
likely to take risks than more traditional lenders like the banks.
Money regulators the Financial Conduct Authority (www.fca.org.uk)
says there are risks to be aware of for investors including a risk of
fraud. Almost all crowdfunds are not authorised by the FCA, the
regulator says.
There are also other pros and cons to consider with crowdfunding.
While it is a way of increasing public profile for a business or a
project, that can be a double-edged sword if the idea fails to reach
its target. It can be a very public way of failing.
But Crowdfunding is a growing way to access funding for
companies.
Inspire business magazine takes a look at a growing form of funding
BUSINeSS ISBoomING!Make sure you’re part of it.Advertise with Inspire.
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October 2013 Editorial and advertising enquiries: [email protected] | 07931 973967
the award goes to...
if you’re running a business a vital part of bringing in new customers is to promote yourself and your services. entering awards either in the local community or within a sector can be a cost-effective way of standing out from the crowd.
Here Inspire business magazine takes a look at some of the awards local companies should look at entering and the reasons for doing so.
business awards
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We can also tailor any advertising package to yourindividual needs. Please call Diverse FM on:01582 725500 / 731400 or 07931 973967
or email: [email protected]
Pictures from the FSB Bedfordshire Awards 2013
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Issue OnePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.
There are a host of awards that forward thinking businesses can look to enter to raise their profile – and for other reasons, too.
All the local awards are free to enter... but there’s normally a cost
associated with attending the ceremony if you are shortlisted.
Businesses have to make a judgement whether it is worth paying
for and attending such events. But the kind of people who go
along are sponsors and other forward thinking contacts with
powerful networks of their own.
The act of applying for an award is one way of forcing you to
review a business plan and take a close look at where you are
going.
Often business people are incredibly focused on the day to day
running of their company and paying the bills.
But it’s worth taking time out and a deep breath sometimes to
look at where you are and where you want to be.
Valuable exerciseEven if you’re not shortlisted that is a valuable exercise in itself.
Businesses with staff also use awards as a way of saying thank you
to their teams.
A good night out, letting your hair down and cheering your
achievements can do wonders for morale and team bonding.
People who work as sole traders from home might see such
events as a way to see some human company!
Businesses that are shortlisted t0o win can take advantage of the
public relations opportunity. The organisers will have a logo that
you can put on your website.
It’s all about the power that testimonials have. A set of judges
neutral to your business have taken a long, hard look and decided
that you are worthy of an award. That’s a powerful marketing
message.
Then there is the kudos getting shortlisted or winning can give.
Press releases sent to local newspapers and radio stations can get
coverage seen and heard by a wider audience. Even if press releases
aren’t used they can still raise your profile and get you known
among local journalists.
So, those are the reasons for entering awards, how about the
opportunities?
All kinds of organisations hold awards schemes.
Newspapers and their websites have events departments that
organise various awards and opportunities for firms to raise their
profile. They are looking for income from sponsors and ticket sales so
are keen to encourage entries.
Local councils, too, often organise awards to celebrate achievements
in communities.
Membership organisations like the Federation of Small Businesses
(FSB) and Chambers of Commerce also organise awards - open to all -
to promote their services.
Community groups like www.communitycommunications.co.uk
and www.dunstableawards.co.uk are also worth looking at for
opportunities to promote business successes.
business awards
Member Benefits Include:
not
Page kindly sponsored by events and Pr Telephone: 01908 307456
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October 2013 Editorial and advertising enquiries: [email protected] | 07931 973967
Are you prepared?nearly 60% of Bedfordshire
and luton businesses are not prepared for any kind of disaster a survey by the Bedfordshire and luton local resilience Forum (BllrF) has found.
Conducted earlier this year as part of
Business Continuity Awareness Week nearly
100 companies completed the survey about
preparing for incidents affecting their
business.
One in five were so complacent about the
chances of a serious incident occurring that
they were doing nothing at all to protect
themselves.
Yet incidents as simple as a delivery vehicle
being stolen, a key supplier going bankrupt
or something devastating like a fire or flood
could potentially put them out of business
altogether, while preparing for crisis could
save them.
However the survey also found that 40%
of Bedfordshire and Luton businesses have
realised the business benefits of being
prepared and have a recovery plan.
business case“There’s an appetite for information and
a real need for Bedfordshire and Luton
businesses to recognise the commercial
benefits of planning for disaster,” said
Emergency Planner Amie McGrory, the
Vice Chair of the BLLRF Business Continuity
Group. “There is a clear business case for
preparing for something like your computer
hard drive failing, a leaking water tank
putting your call centre or office out of action
or a fire wrecking your business.
“We found only half of businesses are
registered to receive alerts and warnings of
local disasters, a majority with their local
council, the Met Office or the Environment
Agency. So 50% will have no warning of
severe weather or similar threats.
“Few currently follow BLLRF on social media
despite our frequent updates on local issues
like bad weather and transport problems.”
BLLRF’s survey found that only a quarter
of businesses had received any training in
business continuity and that one third of
companies would welcome help in starting to
develop their own plan.
Planning“We are now looking at ways to both
help those businesses who want to survive
should disaster strike,” says McGrory, “and
encourage those who think it won’t happen
to them”
Begin planning your recovery plan by
listening to BLLRF’s PodCast about Business
Continuity, just go to www.bllrf.org.uk/
content/?area_id=5
Visit the BLLRF website bllrf.org.uk,
their Facebook page, facebook.com/
whatwouldyoudoif and follow on Twitter:
@what_would
disaster recovery
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Issue OnePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.
Cashflow is king
If you’re good enough, you’re old enough!
Business often quietens in holiday times of the year, having an impact upon routines, says John wright, pictured, of stoten Gillam in Dunstable.
This can lead to problems for businesses
which do not properly control cashflows.
Cashflow is the balance of monies flowing
into and out of your business.
controlMany profitable businesses run into
problems because they are unable to properly
control cashflow.
Some bad habits can lead to problems:
• Failing to put in place an effective
credit control system.
• Failing to undertake cashflow
forecasting.
• Undertaking significant speculative
work without a firm order
Credit control is critical in maintaining
healthy cashflows.
Positive practices include obtaining a credit
rating for new customers and agreeing
payment terms before accepting an order.
If there is a gap between customer and
supplier payment terms, consider whether
finance is available to bridge the gap.
After you have provided goods or services
ensure you raise invoices promptly and
accurately. Have a process for chasing
invoices and dealing with disputes.
You need to consider your suppliers and
treat them as you would like to be treated.
Not paying suppliers on time is a bad
business habit and it may result in a drop in
your credit rating. • Ensure you advise suppliers of disputes
as soon as they occur
• Pay on time and keep your suppliers up
to date with any issues you have with
paying on time.
Cashflow forecasting is important to
anticipate and deal with peaks and troughs
of cash. Accounting software can assist as
should your accountant.
Young people can do inspirational things in business when given the chance.
We all know people who aren’t confident
living an academic life or who would rather
be out in the world making money.
Business is a way of firing up the
enthusiasm of people who don’t want to
follow the traditional route of school-college
and university.
The Prince’s Trust charity focuses its efforts
on those people who need the most help
- the unemployed, those underachieving in
education, those leaving care and young
offenders and ex-offenders.
The Trust’s website at www.princes-trust.
org.uk includes stories of inspirational
achievement from across Bedfordshire,
Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire that we
aim to bring you in future editions of Inspire.
Young Enterprise, another charity, takes
business into the classroom by helping
225,000 young people learn about enterprise
and the world of work.
A network of volunteers from companies
give teams of young people guidance in
setting up their own firms. Some of them
make serious money.
Young Enterprise offers something for every
year of education from the age of four
to 25. The movement argues that an
excessively narrow focus on academic
skills and exams risks sidelining other
approaches to learning and can fail to
give young people the employability
skills they need.
For more information on Young
Enterprise, visit the website www.
young-enterprise.org.uk
Some education establishments, such
as Milton Keynes College, have teamed
up with the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy
to put learning about being an entrepreneur
front and centre of the educational
experience.
If you have an inspiring story about a young
person who has started their own business,
email us:
in business
Young people are encouraged to start their own businesses, Inspire takes a look.
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October 2013 Editorial and advertising enquiries: [email protected] | 07931 973967
Meet and greeteven in these days of social media like Twitter and
Facebook and the power of websites like eBay to reach customers around the world, there’s still plenty to be said for making face-to-face contact.
There are scores of networking breakfasts, lunches and evening events
to attend, each group with its own particular focus.
Some groups have a more hard-nosed, disciplined focus than others.
Many hope to generate long term relationships based on regular
attendance.
There are also groups based on subjects like social media or
membership of organisations like the Chambers of Commerce or even
the love of curry and football. There are also groups specifically for
women entrepreneurs.
The crucial thing is to think of what businesses want to achieve and
pick a group to suit that.
If you Google “networking groups” plus the name of your town,
plenty of options will pop up.
Inspire bUSINeSS mAGAzINe TAkeS A LOOk AT The POweR Of ATTeNDING NeTwORkING meeTINGS
networking
Luton, Dunstable and Bedfordshire's FREE community magazine
/kəˈmyo͞onitē/
Community: It’s what we’re all about and we’re there, right at the heart of it.Community: Giving local stories the coverage they deserve. Providing businesses big and small with the opportunity to reach their customers.Community: Are you part of it?
Noun1. A group of people living together in one place.2. All the people living in a particular area or place.
Contact [email protected] all advertising and editorial enquires.
ll
ce.ace.
uk
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Issue OnePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.
eVeRyONe kNOwS The ImPORTANce Of SecURITy ON cOmPUTeRS, bUT whAT AbOUT mObILeS? Inspire TAkeS A LOOk.
Why advertise with Inspire?
handset safe?Mobile phones are increasingly important
for business.They aren’t just text and voice communication machines, they
are powerful handheld computers.
Mobile phones now are a huge database of information
about us, our businesses, our customers and our contacts.
But how many of us pay as much attention to security on our
phones as we do to our PCs, laptops and tablets?
DefenceFree antivirus apps like Avast! can provide a first line of defence against mobile
data breaches. Phones and tablets with internet connection are just as vulnerable to
hacking attacks as desktops.
Phones can also be made more secure by setting a password to unlock the
screen. And there are also tracking apps for mobiles which can locate them if they
are lost or stolen.
Better safe than sorry!
technology
targeted distribution• We’ll be targeting (and attending!) a rich plethora of networking
groups and expo events.• We’ll be a visible presence in the region’s business centres, schools,
universities and colleges.• We’ll be ever present in receptions at key businesses including those
of our advertisers and also accountants, solicitors, libraries, doctors’
surgeries and hotels.
Growing and vibrant marketplaceStatistics show that business in this area is flourishing and schemes on
both a local and national scale support this.Dacorum Borough Council has put the economy as its number one
priority and councils in Luton and Central Beds organise Timebank schemes to help companies form, whilst the government is setting an enterprise agenda and seeks to encourage people to start their own businesses through a campaign called Business Is Great.
As our marketplace continues to grow so will our distribution and we’ll be there at grassroot level inviting new business owners to join our growing readership.
This is our ‘taster’ edition is just a 16 page edition however this will rise significantly for Issue Two with a target distribution of 5000 copies.
Informative and engaging editorialThe quality of our editorial is paramount. As well as the commercial
knowledge and experience within our own editorial team we’ll be inviting well-known and well-respected business managers, such as mentoring expert Richard Cooper and accountant John Wright to offer their advice.
• Free A4 bi-monthly full colour magazine
• High quality print and production
• supported by positive and relevant editorial
• Discounts for repeat insertions
• Full design service available
Inspire Business Magazine affords its advertisers the opportunity to reach a new and valuable customer base. Whether via our comprehensive but affordable advertising packages or through featured editorial, Inspire wants to help businesses to work together to support the drive for success of all those involved.
Whatever your size, trade and even budget, we’re confident that advertising in Inspire will bring positive and long-lasting results.
FOR ALL EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING ENqUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT US ON:Telephone: 07931 973967 Email: [email protected]
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October 2013 Editorial and advertising enquiries: [email protected] | 07931 973967
Location LocationLocationMaking the right choice when going for business
premises is absolutely vital.As with choosing a home, location is everything, says government
advice service Gov.uk.
If your customers or employees can’t get to you, your business may
struggle.
If you depend on passing trade, then being in a busy area is a must.
But there are other considerations, too. The availability of parking
and public transport are key considerations for employees as well as
customers.
As for the building itself, key questions to ask could include disabled
access and having power, water and enough room to be able to grow.
Those are just some of the issues to consider before taking the
plunge and making an appointment with a commercial property
agent.
Happy hunting!
property
Inspire business magazine looks at important factors when choosing premises.
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Issue OnePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.
Advertiseyour
vacancieswith
Inspire
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