Your EnterQuest Bulletin - Issue 176
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| Thought for the week: "Many an optimist has become rich by buying out a pessimist." Robert G. Allen |
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In this week's issue:
If
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information team and we'll do our best to help.
Send
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access over 800 factsheets, guides and small business reports, go
to www.scavenger.net. |
Small business statistics - what use are they?
There are some new statistics about small business in the UK that have recently been published by the Government agency known as the Small Business Service (SBS), which is part of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The SBS figures report that at the start of 2005 there were an estimated 4.3 million enterprises in the UK, an increase of 59,000 (1.4%) on the previous year. They also report that most (99.3%) of these enterprises were small (with between one and 49 employees) and accounted for 47% of employment and 36% of turnover in the UK.
The report goes on to reveal that in certain sectors, like financial intermediation, only 14.7% of employment was in small firms whereas in the agriculture, fishing and forestry sector, employment levels were 93.8%.
Still awake?
The SBS stats also claim that these small business levels are the highest since the beginning of time (well, 1994), but they don't make it clear whether this, like just about everything else, is as a result of global warming or the DTI's own handiwork.
It's also fascinating to note that these statistics are only 'estimates' and an SBS press release about the report even claims that "there is no single source of estimates of the number of businesses in the UK".
So what's the bleeding point, then?
And what the heck is anyone supposed to do as a result of reading these statistics? Start up a farm as soon as possible? Plant some trees?
What the self-admiring Government agencies like the SBS should really be investigating, reporting and formulating policy about are the critical and practical needs of small business owners and how these can best be supported on as wide a scale as possible.
Like how are they going to tackle the reality that the majority of new UK business start ups are not eligible for grants or the DTI's current business support products?
Or the fact that the majority of new business owners cannot fart and chew gum at the same time, and need help with understanding the day-to-day practicalities and responsibilities involved in running a business.
Or tackling the fact that most businesses that fail will do so because they don't understand cash flow and that effective marketing is simply about getting the right message to the right people with the right presentation.
The stark reality is that a recent view expressed by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is right on the button in that the SBS should be axed, as it has been and continues to be a waste of time and taxpayers' money (to the tune of the £80 million that has been ploughed into it).
That's £80 million spent on producing meaningless statistics, and also on duplicating and replicating so many of the comprehensive, market-driven business support services that are already being effectively provided by private enterprises and voluntary organisations across the UK.
Animal marketing magic
There are plenty of examples of unusual ideas for getting your business name more widely known, if you look hard enough.
For example, using animals to market your business is an idea that's been going for a while, especially with cattle, horses and sheep:
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One example is to plaster your logo onto half a ton of horse that'll be travelling around on police business. Nottinghamshire Police is currently looking for sponsorship of its mounted section - from having a business name emblazoned on a single horse's saddlecloth or horsebox to sponsoring the entire mounted section.
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The idea of advertising on cows seems to have started in 1996 when West Midlands farmer Harry Goode started selling advertising space on his herd. The cattle wore jackets with the sponsors' names on the side, including premium US ice cream manufacturers Ben & Jerry's.
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In the Netherlands, an enterprising hotel chain had jackets made for sheep.
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The latest to find fame using this 'guerrilla marketing' technique is an American casino, which went one step further and actually dyed a herd of cattle, with the full support of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Incidentally, have you heard the term 'purple cow'? It's the title of a book on marketing by US business guru Seth Godin, who says that for businesses to be successful, they need to have a 'purple cow' - something that is phenomenal, unique or remarkable about their venture.
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For hundreds of practical tips and techniques about finding new customers, increasing sales and growing your business, check out the UK Small Business Marketing Bible. |
Help with environmental legislation
Whether you own or run a shop, or run your business from home, there are a number of environmental regulations applying to all businesses that you need to comply with.
The law in this area covers everything from how and where you dispose of waste to the amount of noise your business makes, and it can be tricky getting your head around exactly what you need to do to meet these requirements.
But help is at hand. There are various sources of information and advice which you can access quickly on the Internet to ensure that you keep within the law:
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NetRegs, a website set up by the Environment Agency, offers free guidance on all sorts of environmental issues to various business sectors in different parts of the UK.
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You can now complete an online survey compiled by NetRegs called 'Solutions to Pollution' - this will help you carry out a quick environmental audit and assess whether or not you are complying with legislation in this area.
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Why not also have a look at the practical Envirowise website and take up its green efficiency challenge by ordering a free CD-ROM designed to help you save money by reducing waste?
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Finally, our useful introduction to environmental regulations also provides a helpful summary of the main legislation that will affect your business.
Auction websites
The top ten most visited auction websites, according to web ranking tool Alexa, include some extremely practical, tip-packed sites for buyers and sellers trading on eBay and developing online auction sites. Here's the top ten:
1) AuctionHints
2) The Auction Board
3) UK Auction Help
4) Luv2Bid.com
5) AuctionInsights
6) Free Auction Help
7) Auction Essentials 4U
8) Auction Patrol
9) AntiqueCAST
10) eBay Auction Secrets for Buying and Selling
Each
week we provide you with summaries of some popular or emerging business
ideas in the UK.
Here
is this week's idea:
Regularly improving your vocabulary is not just about learning a new word and its meaning. It will improve your general knowledge and make you feel and act smarter in all sorts of personal and business situations.
Do you know what the word 'lessor' means, in business terminology?
a) a person or business that leases property, land or equipment to another party
b) someone who owns a licence to republish copyright material
c) an official term referring to a 'silent' partner in a partnership agreement
d) a business tenant who is in rent payment arrears to a landlord
Answer at the end of the Bulletin.
No smoke without fine
Small business owners are being warned to get their anti-smoking policies in order. You could face fines of up to £2,500 if you're caught out when new legislation comes into force next summer. You'll need to display a no smoking sign on your premises, or you could be fined £200. A further charge of £1,000 could be levied if you fail to put up a sign or if people ignore it. The consultation on how the regulations will actually be carried out is still ongoing. But law firm DWF says they will be stringent.
Software pirates could face bigger fines
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) is lobbying the Government to introduce tougher penalties for businesses that use unlicensed software. The trade body represents most leading software publishers, and it reckons the current system is far too lax because if you abuse the law, you can't currently be punished in the civil courts. The BSA wants the Government to introduce a new fine that would be levied against firms found to be using software without the right licences.
Online community for village retailers
ViRSA is the website of the Village Retail Services Association, which promotes and supports rural community-owned shops. You'll find case studies and a directory of community-owned shops nationwide. There is also a range of advice sheets available to download for people considering starting such a venture. You'll also find a news section dedicated to the small shops sector.
The secrets of an entrepreneur
Wannabe entrepreneurs are being offered a helping hand by a website that is billed as somewhere they can find out about emerging trends before everyone else. EntrepreneurSecrets.co.uk provides information on global economic trends and niche business ideas, in an effort to help start ups and existing businesses to write their business plans and carry out market research.
As well as the Purple Cow, here's another excellent offering from marketing guru Seth Godin. He looks at ways in which businesses can create a 'viral' marketing buzz about their new products and services, examining how organisations like Napster and Hotmail have achieved this. Godin explains how the Internet offers a great opportunity to spread ideas in this way, and provides practical tips on how business owners can succeed with viral marketing. Check out:
Just one word answer
The answer is a).
A lessor is a person or business who leases a piece of property, land, equipment or premises to another party. |
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Good luck
The EnterQuest Team
This information is meant as a starting point only. Whilst all reasonable efforts have been made, the publisher makes no warranties that the information is accurate and up-to-date and will not be responsible for any errors or omissions in the information nor any consequences of any errors or omissions. Professional advice should be sought where appropriate. |
