This document provides information from a business growth workshop on growing a business. It includes a GROW model for business growth, 10 tips for business growth such as opening new locations or targeting new markets. It also discusses traditional and specific sources of financing like grants, loans, equity investment. Finally it covers topics like the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme tax incentives for startups and investors, and 10 marketing tips such as using online presence, customer testimonials, and strategic partnerships.

1. Welcome! 15/07/14
Phil Jones, Director,
Wilkinson & Partners

2. Jon Nicholls,
Consultant / Coach
Blue Biz Consultancy

3. What do I need to grow my
business?
GROW model - (Goal, Reality, Options, Will)
 Good product / service
 Clear vision and a business plan,
 Right staff,
 Right attitudes and culture,
 Right funding strategy,
 Right management and leadership.
 Good
Blue Biz Consultancy

4. 10 Top Tips for Business Growth
1. Open another location
2. Consider franchising your business
3. License your product and get others to sell on your
behalf - need good branded product (consider IP
issues)
4. Form an alliance – eg container crop working with
university to gain credibility for investors.
5. Diversify – upsell , eg pyrotechnics (Table fireworks)
1. now party products
Blue Biz Consultancy

5. 10 Top Tips for Business Growth
6. Target other markets (watch for crossing boundaries
and differentiation)
7. Win a large contract (public sector or large org)
8. Merge with another organisation with complimentary
skills (eg supply chain) – incar pc marketing
9. Expand globally (UKTI)
10. Expand onto internet
Blue Biz Consultancy

6. Traditional sources of Finance
 Government grants and loans
 • Friends and family
 • Credit cards
 • Bank loans / asset finance
 • Angel investment eg SWAIN
 • Private Equity/Venture Capital (Eg – Seed EIS)
Blue Biz Consultancy

7. Specific funding opportunities
 Startup loan scheme up to £25k (6%)
 Growth accelerator **
 Crowd funding (loan or equity or gift)
 Grants eg MAS grants for R&D
If you have been refused bank finance
 Microloan scheme – up to £7500 (6%)
 Frederick foundation – commercial rate
Blue Biz Consultancy

8. About Growth Accelerator (from
£600+VAT)
A free impartial diagnosis of the business
Additional resource - professional experienced coach
supporting the management team/directors – 9 months
Access to additional knowledge and peer learning
through master classes and workshops
Leadership and Management training (up to £2,000 per
individual)
Blue Biz Consultancy

9. Routes to Growth via Growth
Accelerator
1. Business Development - eg - Goodlites
2. Access to Finance eg – Tarragon restaurants
3. Innovation (creating new products & services)
– eg Containercrop
Blue Biz Consultancy

10. Coaching for success
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to
each other."
John F. Kennedy
Jon Nicholls
Jon@bluebiz.org.uk
0779 9630590
Blue Biz Consultancy

11. TAX BOOST

12. Topics
Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme
Tax Reliefs
Conditions
Tax Tips

13. Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme
(SEIS)
Scheme designed to encourage investment
in start-up companies
Company can raise up to £150,000 by
issuing new shares
Generous tax reliefs for investors

14. SEIS – Tax relief
Income tax relief at 50%
50% reduction in reinvested capital gains of same
year
Gains exempt from capital gains tax after 3 years
Loss relief against income

15. Conditions - Investor
Must subscribe for new ordinary shares
Investment must be in cash
Cannot own more than 30% of shares
Cannot be an employee in first three years
Maximum annual investment - £100,000

16. Conditions - Company
Business must be less than 2 years old
Cannot raise more than £150,000 via SEIS
Money raised must be spent within 3 years
Relief can be withdrawn if conditions cease to be met in first
three years
Not all business activities qualify

17. Non qualifying activities
Land & Property related
Hotels & Nursing Homes
Finance related
Legal & Accountancy services

18. Advance clearance & formal approval
Possible get advances assurance from HMRC that a
business will qualify
Formal approval can be requested once the shares
have been issued
Investor receives a certificate confirming entitlement
to tax relief

19. EIS
Big Brother of SEIS
Suitable for more established business seeking to
raise finance
Tax reliefs not as generous

20. Tax Tips
 Business structure – are you using the right structure –
sole trade, partnership or company
 Vat – voluntary registration? – flat rate scheme?
 Pre year end tax planning – maximise reliefs & minimise
tax
 Make sure you claim for all expenses
 Prepare accounts early – plan for tax liabilities
 Seek professional advice – not from the friend in the
Pub

21. Alex McArthur
Owner, McArthur
Davies Marketing

22. MARKETING
BOOST

23. Ten top tips to boost your
marketing!
“Business has only two
functions - marketing
and innovation.”
Milan Kundera

24. 1. Claim your place online, be
found!

25. 2. When was the last time you
talked to your customers?

26. 3. The power of testimonials.

27. 4. Be social!

28. 5. Form a strategic partnership.

29. 6. Get a Piggyback.

30. 7. Be targeted.

31. 8. What’s your offer?

32. 9. Be attractive, not desperate

33. 10. Remember, 7 is the magic
number

34. Questions?
Please get in touch
pjones@wilkinsonpartners.co.uk
alex@mcarthur-davies.co.uk
Keep an eye out for future events
www.boost-bristol.eventbrite.co.uk