Since the dawn of time, humans have formed groups, communities, societies, tribes. It helped them pool and trade resources, approach each other for help, and protect themselves against difficult conditions and predators.
And it’s really no different for businesses. Did you know, for example, that over 50,000 businesses in the UK are members of the British Chambers of Commerce, through their local Chamber (of which we at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce are one)?
The SME Bedfordshire Business Awards is coming to town again for its seventh year running – and this high-profile celebration of successful businesses in the local area now has a stronger connection to us here at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce than ever before.
Autumn is upon us and for many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, this time of year is turning out to be distinctly growth-focused – more spring than autumn, you might say!
In fact, according to recent research from business finance provider Novuna, 7 in 10 UK small firms are making growth plans, and in some sectors growth planning in the SME space has hit a three-year high.
Years ago, a proverb was inscribed over the fireplace of an old Bedfordshire pub: “Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No-one was there.”
It’s a reminder that, even in times of turmoil, all is often not what it threatens to be, and we believe that there are genuine signs that the coming year potentially holds hidden promise for businesses forearmed with the right knowledge and the right connections, despite the wider economic issues.
Here are a few examples of what’s on our radar.
It’s no secret that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have had more than their share of tribulations recently – Brexit, Covid, and now soaring interest rates and energy costs.
But whilst you may be feeling shell-shocked, now is not the time for desperation - it’s the time for preparation.
If you ready your business for the tricky times ahead, you might even turn adversity into opportunity.
The Government’s emergency budget – described by them as “The Growth Plan” – is the most radical in decades, and its low-tax agenda and high borrowing has raised alarm in some quarters.
But for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in particular, there are plenty of changes that stand to deliver new benefits, both to the business directly, and through more attractive conditions for employees.
Here’s what’s changed – and what it means to many of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce’s member businesses across the county.
For many UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the road is rough at the moment. We’ve spoken to our own expert members, and found some of the best resources on the web, to bring you these five tips for staying successful in a new and unpredictable world.
The 2019 Climate Change Act commits the UK to ‘net zero’ by 2050, increasing the UK’s duty to a 100% cutback in emissions by 2050.
But what does it mean for businesses? What can SMEs do to ensure they are meeting targets?
Three in four employers are experiencing recruitment difficulties, changes to immigration policies following Brexit have presented further barriers, and the evident skills shortage seen across sectors is forcing companies to look at different ways to fill the skills gap. Whilst training and up-skilling existing employees is an obvious and effective solution, it can only go some of the way, and more practical solutions need to be identified and implemented.
HSBC UK has launched a £250m lending fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, as part of its commitment to help businesses realise their ambitions for growthand navigate Brexit.
EFM has recently launched a new service "Finance Director on Demand" designed as a free helpline for SMEs providing practical guidance and support with business financial matters.
Your culture is the lifeblood of your business. In an environment where moral and ethical values are promoted and people are encouraged to think and feel more positively, employees and teams will thrive. This fosters better teamwork, better customer service and as a result, a better overall business performance.
A local firm of Chartered Accountants has helped celebrate the successes of the UK’s Small Businesses at a prestigious national awards ceremony.
Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce members, Kimm and Miller and Jam Crackers, have been crowned Winners of 2 categories in the East of England Regional heats of the Chamber Business Awards 2017. Now in their 14th year, the Awards are a highlight of the business calendar, recognising the key role that local businesses play in driving the UK economy.
As part of our business support offer, we officially launch the Autumn / Winter ERDF business growth workshops.
A new online tax forum and dedicated webchat service for small businesses and the self-employed is being launched today by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). A new online tax forum and dedicated webchat service for small businesses and the self-employed is being launched today by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The recent growth of jobs in the UK is a great success story. However, in order for this growth to be sustained and to translate into real tangible benefits for business and the economy, there needs to be a real investment in training and skills.
This year, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is proud to be hosting its twelfth annual Chamber Awards.
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE ACROSS THE BOARD FOR BEDFORDSHIRE BUSINESSES
A new report published has revealed that Bedfordshire’s top 100 businesses are in much better shape than this time last year, showing excellent growth in profitability with earnings up 13%.
Giving his reaction to the Queen’s Speech announced today, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:
From local standout to national champion: Chamber Awards to put best of British business on the map
Commenting on the new Small and Micro Business Assessment, which has been announced by Michael Fallon today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:
Commenting on the labour market statistics, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:
Commenting on the government’s decisions today on National Minimum Wage rates from 1 October 2013, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
Do you own your own company? Do you need to attract more customers? Would you benefit from some marketing advice? A new documentary series about SMEs wants to hear from you.
For the first time businesses are being offered interactive support with their tax affairs by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
BIS Minister Michael Fallon has announced that the government are looking for two Entrepreneurs in Residence. They want to bring small businesses and entrepreneurs in to the heart of government in order to ensure that policy decisions have the small firm perspective taken into account from the very outset.
Since the dawn of time, humans have formed groups, communities, societies, tribes. It helped them pool and trade resources, approach each other for help, and protect themselves against difficult conditions and predators.
And it’s really no different for businesses. Did you know, for example, that over 50,000 businesses in the UK are members of the British Chambers of Commerce, through their local Chamber (of which we at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce are one)?
The SME Bedfordshire Business Awards is coming to town again for its seventh year running – and this high-profile celebration of successful businesses in the local area now has a stronger connection to us here at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce than ever before.
Autumn is upon us and for many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, this time of year is turning out to be distinctly growth-focused – more spring than autumn, you might say!
In fact, according to recent research from business finance provider Novuna, 7 in 10 UK small firms are making growth plans, and in some sectors growth planning in the SME space has hit a three-year high.
Years ago, a proverb was inscribed over the fireplace of an old Bedfordshire pub: “Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No-one was there.”
It’s a reminder that, even in times of turmoil, all is often not what it threatens to be, and we believe that there are genuine signs that the coming year potentially holds hidden promise for businesses forearmed with the right knowledge and the right connections, despite the wider economic issues.
Here are a few examples of what’s on our radar.
It’s no secret that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have had more than their share of tribulations recently – Brexit, Covid, and now soaring interest rates and energy costs.
But whilst you may be feeling shell-shocked, now is not the time for desperation - it’s the time for preparation.
If you ready your business for the tricky times ahead, you might even turn adversity into opportunity.
The Government’s emergency budget – described by them as “The Growth Plan” – is the most radical in decades, and its low-tax agenda and high borrowing has raised alarm in some quarters.
But for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in particular, there are plenty of changes that stand to deliver new benefits, both to the business directly, and through more attractive conditions for employees.
Here’s what’s changed – and what it means to many of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce’s member businesses across the county.
For many UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the road is rough at the moment. We’ve spoken to our own expert members, and found some of the best resources on the web, to bring you these five tips for staying successful in a new and unpredictable world.
The 2019 Climate Change Act commits the UK to ‘net zero’ by 2050, increasing the UK’s duty to a 100% cutback in emissions by 2050.
But what does it mean for businesses? What can SMEs do to ensure they are meeting targets?
Three in four employers are experiencing recruitment difficulties, changes to immigration policies following Brexit have presented further barriers, and the evident skills shortage seen across sectors is forcing companies to look at different ways to fill the skills gap. Whilst training and up-skilling existing employees is an obvious and effective solution, it can only go some of the way, and more practical solutions need to be identified and implemented.
HSBC UK has launched a £250m lending fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, as part of its commitment to help businesses realise their ambitions for growthand navigate Brexit.
A local firm of Chartered Accountants has helped celebrate the successes of the UK’s Small Businesses at a prestigious national awards ceremony.
Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce members, Kimm and Miller and Jam Crackers, have been crowned Winners of 2 categories in the East of England Regional heats of the Chamber Business Awards 2017. Now in their 14th year, the Awards are a highlight of the business calendar, recognising the key role that local businesses play in driving the UK economy.
As part of our business support offer, we officially launch the Autumn / Winter ERDF business growth workshops.
A new online tax forum and dedicated webchat service for small businesses and the self-employed is being launched today by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). A new online tax forum and dedicated webchat service for small businesses and the self-employed is being launched today by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The recent growth of jobs in the UK is a great success story. However, in order for this growth to be sustained and to translate into real tangible benefits for business and the economy, there needs to be a real investment in training and skills.
This year, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is proud to be hosting its twelfth annual Chamber Awards.
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE ACROSS THE BOARD FOR BEDFORDSHIRE BUSINESSES
A new report published has revealed that Bedfordshire’s top 100 businesses are in much better shape than this time last year, showing excellent growth in profitability with earnings up 13%.
Giving his reaction to the Queen’s Speech announced today, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:
From local standout to national champion: Chamber Awards to put best of British business on the map
Commenting on the new Small and Micro Business Assessment, which has been announced by Michael Fallon today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:
Commenting on the labour market statistics, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:
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