Are big banks failing small businesses?

The Demise of PowerPoint Presentations?

I came across an interesting article in the FT last week noting the existence of an ‘Anti PowerPoint’ (APPP) party in Switzerland. As strange as it may seem, this party is based on a very serious theory that wasted presentations are costing billions of Euros each year. This may sound a little farfetched, but I,...

Today's Puzzle: Bank Loans Rejection Rate Rockets - Majority of SMEs 'successful in getting bank credit'

It wouldn’t be too bad to read 2 articles which make different points. But what is puzzling is that both articles interpret the same data. One says that the bank funded SME Finance Monitor which we understand is providing the The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) with benchmark information has just found that...

It's time to step outside your comfort zone!

The banks way of saying no is getting more and more boring and through press and past experiences it’s quite tiresome for all of us to hear. We know every business needs finance and through the extensive application of sometimes absurd lending criteria the banks continue make it increasingly harder for SME’s to obtain it....

Project Merlin

I must say I do chuckle every time I read about project Merlin. Having spent many years in arranging business finance for SMEs it is so obvious the banks are pulling the wool over politicians’ eyes – or that politicians just haven’t got a clue what is going on. Yesterday I read a marketing spin...

We all just want a good night's sleep!

With companies’ red tape limitations, businesses fear of losing clients and managing the burden of obtaining finance it’s no surprise our sleeping patterns can be a little out of sync. As much as we like to think running a business is plain sailing, the reality is running a business isn’t easy and unexpected situations tend...

Take the initiative like Branson and Roddick!

Every successful entrepreneur surrounds themselves with credible financial advisors. Sir Richard Branson and Dame Anita Roddick are just two examples. Being at the top of their game we forget that they started out like every other entrepreneur – an idea and sheer determination to make it work. But they didn’t get where they are today...

Do we not deserve more than second best?

With Banks and Supermarkets having extensive product lines, high volume of sales and low individual service they have grown to an extent where their customer service has fallen behind and their shopping experience can be less than perfect to say the least. Supermarkets economies of scale ensure they offer the cheapest price on food and...

Deals, Deals, Deals - Finance for Business can be arranged

If you read the newspapers and listen to the politicians you might be forgiven for believing that it is all doom and gloom but whatever the economic climate – business must go on! It’s a good time to focus again on your business Every business needs finance – Finance for Expansion, for Acquisition or to...