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As your accountant, we won't just look after the financial side of your business, we can also advise you on the strategic side of your company, including the importance of business development as vital part of your growth plan. Business development (BD) is what helps your company move from slow, organic growth to fast-paced, hypergrowth. And it’s only by putting the right drive and expertise behind your BD that you can turn your strategic ideas into real success stories. So, how can we help you achieve this? Talk to you about your strategic goals The starting point for any kind of BD activity is to pin down your goals and aims as a business. When you know what you want to achieve over the coming months, it’s far easier to define a strategy for success. And that’s easier to do when you talk to an objective adviser, like us. We can sit in on your board meetings, talk to your executive team and get a real handle on what makes the business tick. And, armed with this knowledge, we’ll work with you to drive the direction of your BD and find the best opportunities for you to focus on. Help you create a clear BD strategy and plan Having a defined set of BD goals is a good starting point. But to put this all into action in a productive way, you’re going to need a comprehensive plan for your BD projects. Our years of experience advising business leaders and their teams really comes into play here. We know the best routes to take, the budgets that will be needed and the right tactics for bringing in more contracts, sales and partnerships. By putting these strategies into a clear plan, and linking this to agreed timescales, you have a BD route map to follow and action. Introduce you to a broader network of business partners We work with a wide range of businesses across many different sectors, industries and niches. By introducing you to our network of clients, we welcome you into a supportive community of like-minded business owners. And that’s excellent news when looking for new partnerships. Whether it’s attending a local conference, an online webinar or one of our in-house client events, you’re going to meet new people, share new ideas and make the right connections. This is a great way to build alliances and work together with other local businesses. And when you’re well-connected, you set the very best foundations for your future BD activity. Provide better routes to funding and investment Whatever goals you’ve set for your BD projects, it’s likely that you’re going to need additional funding to finance this activity. Investing in your expansion, or new partnerships, is vital to getting a good return on your BD, so great access to finance is a definite bonus. We’ll advise you on the most appropriate funding channels and how you can use these facilities to finance your BD plans. And we can also link you up with banks, lenders and business finance specialists – so you get the advice and finance you need to bring your BD to life. Help you track and measure your BD performance Meeting your BD targets takes time – and a whole lot of dedication. Measuring your BD performance over time, helps you stay on track and gives you a good indication of how well you’re tracking against your planned progress. We’ll help you create the reporting and metrics you need, so you have clear data to track your progress over time. You can log your activity in your project management system, or your client relationship management (CRM) software, and keep clear notes on contacts made, relationships built and targets converted etc. If you want to get more from your BD, please get in touch on 01904 787 973 or book a discovery call with Donald Inglis . We’ll partner with you to put some real drive, experience and impetus behind your BD strategies.

What’s the main thing that holds you and your business back? Chances are it’s the unavoidable manual tasks and low-level administrative responsibilities that eat into your time. But in 2025, these are tasks that artificial intelligence (AI) is more than capable of taking on. With a growing number of AI agents and assistants out there in the market, the smart business owners are the ones investing in, and learning, the potential of AI. Using AI to liberate you from the admin workload AI has developed to a point where it’s now a standard part of a modern business software suite. AI can match your transactions in your accounting software. It can write you a marketing brochure. Or it can answer your business phone and answer FAQs. For small businesses, there’s a reduced need to take on more staff. By getting your business up and running with the latest AI agents, you can quickly extend your capabilities and reduce costs. In short, AI allows you to do more with less – and in business, that’s a significant bonus! The benefits of putting AI at the heart of your business AI agents and assistants are not something that’s the sole preserve of large corporate organisations. In fact, small businesses, with their simple structures and increased ability to change and flex, are ideal candidates for AI transformation. Let’s look at a few key ways that AI benefits your business: 1. Increased efficiency in the business AI agents can easily automate your repetitive tasks, freeing up you and your team for more strategic and creative work. Forget about data entry, scheduling and planning tasks etc. 2. A better customer experience AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can provide 24/7 customer support, answer FAQs, and have personalised interactions with your customers – keeping your customers happy. 3. Informed and improved decision-making AI-powered analytics tools can analyse your business and financial data to identify trends, predict future outcomes and provide valuable insights for better decision-making. 4. More productive operations AI agents will automate your routine tasks, speed up your work rate and give better access to data insights. This gives a significant boost to your overall business productivity. 5. A clear competitive advantage When the advantages of automation, efficiency and improved productivity kick in, this gives you a tangible competitive advantage in the market. The early AI adopters are the companies that will be leading the pack and setting more solid foundations for the future. Talk to us about introducing AI into your business If you don’t know your AI from your elbow, don’t worry! In this series, we’ll run you through the basics of AI, the main terms and the AI agents that can transform your business. And if you’re hungry to know more, why not talk to our team about the AI agents and AI-driven apps that would be most appropriate for your industry, niche or business type. To find out more, call us on 01904 787 973 or book a discovery call with Donald Inglis .

Knowing what’s around the corner is hugely valuable as a business leader. But we’re trading in a world where uncertainty waits around every corner – making it difficult to predict the future business landscape and what your next move should be. You can’t change the evolving economic, political and business threats in the world. But in this series we’ll show you some key way to thrive and reduce the uncertainty. Dialing down the uncertainty, to gain a competitive edge Uncertainty affects your ability to trade. Not knowing if your costs will rise or fall, or if there’s a talent shortage or surplus, makes it difficult to make rock-solid decisions and plans. Your goal in the current environment is not to remove these external threats. It’s to reduce some of the uncertainty through clear planning and inventive strategic thinking. Let’s look at the five key areas we’ll cover in this series, and how they dial down the uncertainty. Financial forecasting and planning Carrying out regular cashflow forecasting and budgeting helps you anticipate any potential financial challenges. Good cashflow forecasting, coupled with scenario planning, helps you make informed decisions about your spending and where you may need additional funding. Performance monitoring and analysis Tracking important metrics and having a key performance indicator (KPI) dashboard helps you review your performance against targets and look for the areas of improvement. Monitoring those KPIs keeps you in control, even if external factors and threats are proving to be difficult. Strategic business reviews When was the last time you revisited your business plan? Updating your strategy and business plan helps you stay aligned with your goals, even if external factors and changing market conditions are making trading difficult. Remember, no business plan is written in stone! Getting proactive with tax updates As the business landscape changes, the government is likely to look for ways to inspire enterprise and boost the economy. Being aware of legislative changes, tax reliefs and allowances, and available government grants, helps you navigate the uncertainty. You can keep compliant, maximise any benefits and see the positive impact on your capital position. Business diversification and growth strategies Being able to flex and change your strategic direction gives you a huge competitive edge. Brainstorm ideas for ways you could diversify your offering and explore new opportunities. This could mean new products, new revenue streams and even partnering with other small businesses – both inside and outside your existing sector. Making the path ahead clearer and easier to navigate There’s no denying that we’re trading in difficult times. But getting proactive with your planning, forecasting and strategic thinking makes the road ahead clearer. Come and talk to us about the key areas of uncertainty in your business – and find out how we can guide you through these uncertain times and out the other side. Call us on 01904 787 973 or book a discovery call with Donald Inglis .

You started your business to have the freedom of being in charge. But are you actually working harder than ever and drowning in admin, meetings and other demands on your time? Don’t worry, there are ways to get your work/life balance back under control. In this series, we’ll look at the core ways your business can be structured to deliver on your own personal, family, philanthropic and leisure goals. A business that’s designed to balance work and downtime Running a company can be all-consuming. You have a business idea you believe in and a team that’s working hard to bring your product or service to market. It’s easy to let the multiple tasks on your to-do list take over, so you end up working around the clock, with no downtime. But, ultimately, working this hard is counter-productive. You burn out, have no energy to lead and start to make silly mistakes. So, dialling down the workload is a must. Here are four key ways to get your work/life balance back on track: Prioritise tasks and block out time Schedule specific blocks of time for work tasks, personal appointments and downtime to relax and decompress. Be ruthless about prioritising tasks and focus on the 20% that yields 80% of the results. This prevents work from bleeding through into your leisure and family time. Learn to delegate and outsource Don't try to do everything yourself. Find the tasks that can be delegated to team members or outsourced to freelancers and other contractors. If data entry is your nemesis, hire a bookkeeper. This frees up your time for higher-value activities and reduces your workload. Establish boundaries between work and leisure time Set clear boundaries between your work and personal life. This might mean turning off work-related notifications after a certain time, or designating specific days or times for family and friends. If you work from home, think about having a home office that you can only use during these agreed working hours – so you create a separation between work and downtime. Schedule regular breaks and downtime Burnout is a real risk for entrepreneurs. Be sure to take regular breaks throughout the day, even short ones, to recharge. Schedule proper downtime – evenings, weekends and holidays – and stick to it as much as possible. This gives you time to breathe and keeps you fresh. Helping you set and track your personal goals No company has ever prospered with a tired, burnt-out and frazzled CEO at the helm. If your business is taking over your time, now’s the time to take a new approach to your workload. Come and have a chat about working smarter, not harder Take back control of your time and design a business that works for you – not the other way around. If you’re ready to find a better balance, let’s talk. Get in touch today and start building a business that supports your goals, your wellbeing, and your future. Call us on 01904 787 973 or book a discovery call with Donald Inglis .

The Bank of England recently announced a drop in the UK base interest rate, with a drop from 4.75% to 4.5%. The final impact of this drop can be both positive and negative for your small business, so it’s worth understanding the effect that interest rate changes can have. Let’s take a look at how a drop in interest rates may affect your finances. Reduced cost of borrowing Lower interest rates on loans : This directly translates to lower interest payments on your existing loans and potentially more favourable interest rates on any new loans you take out. Increased access to credit : With lower borrowing costs, you may find it easier to secure financing for expansion, investment in new equipment, or to overcome and present challenges. Improved cash flow Reduced debt service : Having lower interest payments frees up cash flow. This can be used to reinvest in the business, used for marketing, or distributed to shareholders. Increased consumer spending : Lower interest rates help to stimulate consumer spending. This can mean increased demand for goods and services, higher sales and boosted revenues. Better opportunities for investment Lower cost of capital : With cheaper borrowing costs, you can invest in growth, including research and development, technology upgrades or hiring new staff. Increased confidence : Lower interest rates can boost investor confidence. This makes it easier for you to find investors and raise capital through equity financing. Economic growth Stimulate the economy : Lower interest rates can boost economic growth by encouraging borrowing, investment and consumer spending. This creates a more favorable environment for your businesses to thrive in. A stronger economy = a more stable future. Get the funding to secure your business future Investing in the future of your business is a vital step. With interest rates currently lower, now could be the time to think about borrowing and putting your 2025 strategy into action. Talk to the team about your growth plans and how these interest rate changes may impact your business. We’re here to help you reinvest, grow and keep on evolving. Call us on 01904 787 973 or book a discovery call with Donald Inglis .

Recent years have been demanding and exhausting for many business owners. Are you one of them? The challenges have been relentless, and we know many small business owners have had to navigate unprecedented challenges first because of the pandemic and then from inflation and other market impacts. Burnout results from long-term stress and can manifest in emotional and physical exhaustion, which may affect your enthusiasm for running the business you once loved. What can you do about it? We understand that as a business owner, you have many responsibilities, and often you do everything on your own. So we know how hard it can sometimes be to keep on top of all your legal obligations. The most important step is to acknowledge you feel burned out and need a break. Take a break as soon as you can. Plan ahead for time away from the business. However, while getting some rest in the short-term will help, long-term stress will take commitment to recover from. Strategies to help recover from burnout What can you do differently to avoid prolonging or retriggering the burnout? Delegate – Look at the low-value tasks you spend time on and pay someone to do them for you. This will free up time and energy. Re-energise – If you're struggling with a lack of enthusiasm or purpose, talk to colleagues or a business coach for support. If possible, connect with people in the same industry so you can share among others who may be facing similar challenges. Stand back – Take an objective look at how much you are working and how effective you are. For example, is it time to streamline your work activities and put boundaries around working hours? Reassess your goals – Do you have clear business goals for the short-term and long-term? Either set some realistic goals or revise them if they are too difficult right now. Commit to some regular self-care actions – Think about what you love doing outside your business that is nourishing. Regular exercise? Time in nature? Going on a retreat? Learning something for fun? Improving your diet? Get an app on your phone that reminds you to take mini breaks throughout each day. Whether that is movement, mindfulness or music, use technology to help. Celebrate milestones and achievements – When overwhelmed with stress or exhaustion, it's easy to forget the positives. Remind yourself of just how much you have done in the last year! Need some support? You’ll be better able to face challenges, run your business well and assist others if you are looking after yourself well. We’d love to help support you back to passionate engagement with your business. If you’re feeling burned out and need help in managing systems, technology, payroll or other financial and administrative management, talk to us today, and we'll back your recovery. Call us on 01904 787 973 or book a discovery call with Donald Inglis .

Being in financial distress is incredibly worrying for any business owner. When you’re facing County Court Judgements (CCJs), mounting debt and the possibility of insolvency, it can seem like there’s very little light at the end of the financial tunnel. The latest report from insolvency experts at Begbies Traynor shows a record number of UK businesses finding themselves in financial distress. Numbers have increased by 50% from September to December 2024, with 46,583 businesses falling into the category. But finding your finances in this perilous state doesn’t have to be the end. There are ways to mitigate the damage and get your business back on track. What qualifies as ‘financial distress’? Financial distress is defined as ‘being in significant difficulty in meeting your financial obligations’. In essence, it will usually mean that you no longer have the cash or liquid capital to pay your bills, cover payroll costs or repay your debts. But what causes a company’s finances to get into such a dire state? Insufficient cash flow A lack of cash is a primary cause of financial distress for many affected businesses. Unexpected expenses, delayed payments from customers and rising costs can all contribute to this negative cash flow position. Declining sales revenue A drop in sales also means a drop in revenue. This can be due to increased competition, changing consumer preferences or economic downturns. With less money coming in, you lose the ability to meet your financial obligations. Rising costs Skyrocketing costs of raw materials, labour or energy can all have an impact. Higher costs and expenses eat into your profit margins, putting major strain on your cashflow and leaving you unable to cover your key outgoings. Excessive debt High levels of debt, particularly short-term debt, will lead to high interest payments. These increasing interest rates make it difficult to meet your financial obligations, and also make it unlikely that lenders will offer further funding. Poor management decisions Some of the causes of financial distress come from macro, external conditions. But poor strategic decisions, ineffective marketing and inadequate financial planning also play a significant part. Talk to us about overcoming financial difficulties If debt is mounting and your cash flow situation is looking dire, the time to take action is now ! The sooner you tackle the financial issues in the business, the sooner you can start to bring your debts under control, and your cash flow back to an acceptable level. Come and talk to the team about your financial worries. We’re here to help you get back on track and to secure the future of your business as a viable enterprise. Call us on 01904 787 973 or book a discovery call with Donald Inglis .

Being able to evolve over time is vital if you want your business to last. The market doesn’t stand still, so it’s important to diversify and to keep your offering fresh. You may well have a product range and a customer base that’s ticking over nicely. But customer and market needs can change very quickly. Blockbuster, for example, had a huge international business, but the invention of on-demand movies killed that business in just a few years. If you want to bake longevity into your business, it’s crucial to keep moving and reexamining the value that you bring to your audience. Here are five potential strategies for diversifying your business: 1. Introduce new products or services Expand your offerings by developing complementary products and/or services. This could mean bundling existing offerings, or creating entirely new lines to cater to existing and new customer needs. 2. Diversify into new sectors It’s easy to get comfortable in your existing market niche. But you’ll find more opportunities by entering new, related or unrelated markets. This cuts your reliance on a single market, cutting down the risk of putting all your eggs in one basket. It also introduces your brand to a whole new customer audience. 3. Deepen your market penetration Going deeper into your existing target market can reveal a whole new audience. Think about what you can add to make your offering more attractive. Put cross-selling and upselling strategies in place to increase the sales potential from existing and new customers and listen hard to customer feedback. 4. Expand into new territories Having a new market to sell into is a great way to boost your sales opportunities. Find an international market that has a relevant customer demographic and tailor your products and services to this new foreign audience. Bear in mind though the compliance, customs and tax requirements of going international. 5. Form strategic partnerships Your reach and revenue potential is greater when you collaborate with other businesses. Entering into a partnership helps you offer joint products or services, leverage your partner’s customer base, or explore new distribution channels. This could be a partner in your existing market, or in a complementary market. Talk to us about diversifying your business offering If your aim is to optimise your business, diversification is a real must. It introduces you to new sectors and audiences, increases your sales opportunities and reduces risk. Talk to our team about ways to diversify your offering and add a new angle to your strategy. Call us on 01904 787 973 or book a discovery call with Donald Inglis .