Easynet Connect reports that 79% of small UK firms believe that the improvement in the economy will provide good opportunities for them. The internet is now a critical part of small companies operations with 81% of those surveyed saying they could not function for one day without online access.
38% of small businesses currently intend to invest in IT, 30% will increase online staff training and 15% will increase staff numbers.
Cloud computing is also becoming more popular with small firms. 24% of survey respondents said they were unhappy with their current broadband service, and 63% of them complained about the speed and reliability of their internet connection.
IMRG reports that small UK companies are also benefiting from the increase in online commerce. 51% of UK adults purchased goods on the internet in the last three months.
In the 10 years since consumer broadband connections became available, the value of online shopping in the UK has increased by 6,000%.
Mobile shopping is also increasing quickly, from both laptops and hand held devices, with a growth in laptop ownership from 34% to 53% in the past year.
V3.co.uk reports that 76% of the UK population now has internet access.
So the economic climate for small UK firms has improved. We help small UK companies by sending them qualified prospects from our Local Search facility in our Business Directory at no cost to them. Most of the 1.6 million businesses listed are small businesses.
Monte Huebsch, CEO.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Industrial growth in the UK indicates an improvement in the economic outlook.
The National Institute of Economic and Social research said that industrial production increased in December faster than had been expected. Previously the last quarter’s growth rate for the economy was said to be .1%. It is now believed that it increased by .2%.
In the last quarter of 2009, factory, mine, and oil and gas production increased by .4% according to the Office of National Statistics, compared to .1% which they had said in January was the improvement.
The effect of heavy snow falls may have a disruptive effect on this quarter’s economic results and also the VAT rate was returned to 17.5%.
Production from industry provides approximately 17% of the UK GDP. In the economic recession, output fell to 15%, however many countries experienced falls of 25%.
German industrial production has increased 5% from its recent low point and, in the UK there are other reports of improvement in manufacturing. For example the purchasing managers’ index is the highest it has been for 15 years.
There’s a glint of sunshine in the improved industrial production figures and we also help by sending UK businesses qualified prospects at no cost to them from our Local Search facility in our Business Directory.
Monte Huebsch, CEO
In the last quarter of 2009, factory, mine, and oil and gas production increased by .4% according to the Office of National Statistics, compared to .1% which they had said in January was the improvement.
The effect of heavy snow falls may have a disruptive effect on this quarter’s economic results and also the VAT rate was returned to 17.5%.
Production from industry provides approximately 17% of the UK GDP. In the economic recession, output fell to 15%, however many countries experienced falls of 25%.
German industrial production has increased 5% from its recent low point and, in the UK there are other reports of improvement in manufacturing. For example the purchasing managers’ index is the highest it has been for 15 years.
There’s a glint of sunshine in the improved industrial production figures and we also help by sending UK businesses qualified prospects at no cost to them from our Local Search facility in our Business Directory.
Monte Huebsch, CEO
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
UK Small businesses are using alternative financing methods.
Bank lending to businesses increased in November 2009, which was the first increase since January 2009. However, small businesses are looking outside traditional bank loans for finance, due to the fact that the banks are currently less than accommodating.
A survey by Bibby Financial Services reported that 40% of small businesses said that obtaining finance was critical for them and that 74% of them found that tighter bank loan approval requirements had made it substantially harder to borrow.
Factoring and invoice discounting is filling the funding gap for small firms. The Asset Based Finance Association reports that funding to UK firms in the third quarter of 2009 was £46,667 million, an increase of 4% on the previous quarter.
Invoice finance offers a number of benefits for small firms:
The facility is more flexible than a normal bank loan or overdraft.
The funds are available as soon as the client is invoiced.
There is less time spent on managing credit and in debt collection.
Cash flow is improved.
And, many of the factoring lenders provide bad debt protection.
Small UK firms need all the assistance they can get, since they will provide the jobs to lower the current high unemployment rate.
We help them by providing qualified prospects at no cost to them from our Local Search facility in our UK Business Directory. Most of the 1.6 million businesses listed are small firms.
Monte Huebsch, CEO
A survey by Bibby Financial Services reported that 40% of small businesses said that obtaining finance was critical for them and that 74% of them found that tighter bank loan approval requirements had made it substantially harder to borrow.
Factoring and invoice discounting is filling the funding gap for small firms. The Asset Based Finance Association reports that funding to UK firms in the third quarter of 2009 was £46,667 million, an increase of 4% on the previous quarter.
Invoice finance offers a number of benefits for small firms:
The facility is more flexible than a normal bank loan or overdraft.
The funds are available as soon as the client is invoiced.
There is less time spent on managing credit and in debt collection.
Cash flow is improved.
And, many of the factoring lenders provide bad debt protection.
Small UK firms need all the assistance they can get, since they will provide the jobs to lower the current high unemployment rate.
We help them by providing qualified prospects at no cost to them from our Local Search facility in our UK Business Directory. Most of the 1.6 million businesses listed are small firms.
Monte Huebsch, CEO
Thursday, February 4, 2010
85% of UK small businesses say they will expand their business in 2010.
In a recent survey of 530 UK small businesses, Peopleperhour.com reported that the recession had a negative effect on only 25% of them. 33% said that the economic downturn produced a benefit since it had forced them to use technology and the internet to lower their business costs.
Another survey, by the Investec Entrepreneur Confidence Index, confirmed these results, showing that 90% of small firms say their revenue will increase in 2010. That study also reported that two thirds expect the economy to get better in 2010, 83% say the economy will not decline, 72% think that this year will be good for them and 46% intend to spend on new technology.
UK business confidence is at a six year high.
The UK economy grew by .1% in the last quarter of 2010, which means that the recession is formally over, but the GDP growth figure was less than what had been expected. There had been six consecutive quarters of negative growth previously, the longest negative period since the inception of the records in 1955.
Accessing finance is still a problem for small firms. A survey by Graydon UK reported that in the last 6 months of last year, 40% of small business finance applications were refused, 52% had business loans rejected and 28% of overdraft extensions were refused. 28% borrowed from family or friends and 8% used personal credit cards for business purposes.
So the positive spirit of small UK businesses has not been blunted and since the small firms will be the main vehicle for hiring new staff, that is important.
We help by sending qualified prospects to them from our Local Search facility on our UK Business Directory at no cost to them. Most of the 1.6 million firms listed are small businesses.
Monte Huebsch, CEO.
Another survey, by the Investec Entrepreneur Confidence Index, confirmed these results, showing that 90% of small firms say their revenue will increase in 2010. That study also reported that two thirds expect the economy to get better in 2010, 83% say the economy will not decline, 72% think that this year will be good for them and 46% intend to spend on new technology.
UK business confidence is at a six year high.
The UK economy grew by .1% in the last quarter of 2010, which means that the recession is formally over, but the GDP growth figure was less than what had been expected. There had been six consecutive quarters of negative growth previously, the longest negative period since the inception of the records in 1955.
Accessing finance is still a problem for small firms. A survey by Graydon UK reported that in the last 6 months of last year, 40% of small business finance applications were refused, 52% had business loans rejected and 28% of overdraft extensions were refused. 28% borrowed from family or friends and 8% used personal credit cards for business purposes.
So the positive spirit of small UK businesses has not been blunted and since the small firms will be the main vehicle for hiring new staff, that is important.
We help by sending qualified prospects to them from our Local Search facility on our UK Business Directory at no cost to them. Most of the 1.6 million firms listed are small businesses.
Monte Huebsch, CEO.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
UK small businesses think 2010 will be a successful year.
A survey by O2 of 3,000 small business proprietors found a positive attitude towards the business climate for this year. 25% say they are in a better financial position than a year ago and 32% said they were more confident than they were a year ago.
The survey found that many small firms had tightened their operations over the last year. 39% reported that they had reduced staff numbers compared to 1% last June. In addition, many have reduced stock, improved payment arrangements with the firms who supply them, and taken a more prudent approach to granting credit.
They also said that not increasing staff wages and not paying for employee holidays had assisted them.
59% expect to do better this year than in 2009 and 35% anticipate enhanced profits in the first quarter of this year.
69% said that their main worry is the state of the economy which is still in recession; however Treasury expects growth to be 1% to 1.5% in 2010. Concern was also expressed about an increase in tax and interest rates and the lack of finance available from banks.
62% of the small business owners said the depreciation of the pound had not affected them and 12% said it had helped their business with better returns from exports.
65% said that investment in technology had assisted with improved productivity with 44% said that mobile phones and mobile internet connectivity had made a major contribution. 66% said they will keep their investment in technology at the same level and 16% said they would increase their spending.
So the economic recession has made UK small businesses more efficient and ready to benefit from the anticipated return to positive growth.
We help by providing qualified prospects to them at no cost from our Local Search facility in our UK Business Directory. Most of the 1.6 million businesses listed are small firms.
Monte Huebsch, CEO
The survey found that many small firms had tightened their operations over the last year. 39% reported that they had reduced staff numbers compared to 1% last June. In addition, many have reduced stock, improved payment arrangements with the firms who supply them, and taken a more prudent approach to granting credit.
They also said that not increasing staff wages and not paying for employee holidays had assisted them.
59% expect to do better this year than in 2009 and 35% anticipate enhanced profits in the first quarter of this year.
69% said that their main worry is the state of the economy which is still in recession; however Treasury expects growth to be 1% to 1.5% in 2010. Concern was also expressed about an increase in tax and interest rates and the lack of finance available from banks.
62% of the small business owners said the depreciation of the pound had not affected them and 12% said it had helped their business with better returns from exports.
65% said that investment in technology had assisted with improved productivity with 44% said that mobile phones and mobile internet connectivity had made a major contribution. 66% said they will keep their investment in technology at the same level and 16% said they would increase their spending.
So the economic recession has made UK small businesses more efficient and ready to benefit from the anticipated return to positive growth.
We help by providing qualified prospects to them at no cost from our Local Search facility in our UK Business Directory. Most of the 1.6 million businesses listed are small firms.
Monte Huebsch, CEO
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Europe generally lags behind the US regarding internet access.
GFK Custom Research Worldwide surveyed almost 17,000 people in 17 countries in September, to establish the level of access to the internet in the various countries. 15 Western and Eastern European counties were included plus Turkey and the US.
In Western Europe, 61% of those surveyed said that they had online access from work, home, an internet café or a mobile phone.
In Eastern Europe, 59% reported having internet access.
In the US, 75% said they had online access.
In the survey results, the Netherlands and Sweden both had very high internet access levels, 91% and 86% respectively. This is a reflection of the strength of their economies and of the wealth of their residents.
The lowest results came from Italy with 39%, Romania with 36% and Bulgaria with 37%, the last two being the least affluent of EU countries. The low level in Italy may be due to the high level of communication by mobile phones there and the fact that the Italian government has not pursued high levels of internet connectivity.
42% of the Europeans said that they thought that content on the net should be free, but only 21% in the US agreed with that suggestion.
Regarding the use of the net, 13% of Western Europeans said that online shopping was the most important aspect, compared to 12% in the US and 25% in the UK who rated shopping as their number one online activity.
This very high figure for the UK seems to be combinations of the trust UK consumers have in online transactions and the bad UK weather which makes shopping without leaving home more appealing.
As the importance of online access continues to increase, the counties with the highest levels of internet usage by their population will have decided advantages over those who lag in getting people connected to the net.
We help with our Local Search facility in our UK Business Directory, by delivering prospects to the 1.6 million businesses listed, with no cost to them
Monte Huebsch, CEO
In Western Europe, 61% of those surveyed said that they had online access from work, home, an internet café or a mobile phone.
In Eastern Europe, 59% reported having internet access.
In the US, 75% said they had online access.
In the survey results, the Netherlands and Sweden both had very high internet access levels, 91% and 86% respectively. This is a reflection of the strength of their economies and of the wealth of their residents.
The lowest results came from Italy with 39%, Romania with 36% and Bulgaria with 37%, the last two being the least affluent of EU countries. The low level in Italy may be due to the high level of communication by mobile phones there and the fact that the Italian government has not pursued high levels of internet connectivity.
42% of the Europeans said that they thought that content on the net should be free, but only 21% in the US agreed with that suggestion.
Regarding the use of the net, 13% of Western Europeans said that online shopping was the most important aspect, compared to 12% in the US and 25% in the UK who rated shopping as their number one online activity.
This very high figure for the UK seems to be combinations of the trust UK consumers have in online transactions and the bad UK weather which makes shopping without leaving home more appealing.
As the importance of online access continues to increase, the counties with the highest levels of internet usage by their population will have decided advantages over those who lag in getting people connected to the net.
We help with our Local Search facility in our UK Business Directory, by delivering prospects to the 1.6 million businesses listed, with no cost to them
Monte Huebsch, CEO
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The UK government is paying companies who supply them quickly but large, private sector companies are still paying too slowly.
The Department of Business Innovation and Skills said that 95% of invoices sent to the UK government are now being paid within 10 days. This is a result of government action taken last year to assist small businesses with cash flow through the economic downturn.
Local government is not doing as well, with only 42% of invoices being paid within 10 days, the average payment period being 18 days.
However, only 22 of the FTSE 100 companies have committed to the government’s Prompt Payment Code, which was introduced a year ago. The cost to UK businesses in 2009 is estimated at £189 million, in interest on late paying invoices.
On average, private companies paid 21 days after the due date and large companies were the slowest payers.
So while companies are paying slightly faster than they have been, the paying cycle still reflects reluctance to part with the cash.
The Forum of Private Business said that late payments were hurting suppliers and the worst hit was smaller firms. They appealed to large companies to speed up the payment of invoices to assist the economy to recover and to relieve the rate of unemployment.
Small UK businesses have experienced a very trying time and they appreciate the prospects that we send to them, without cost, from our Local Search facility in our UK Business Directory. The vast majority of the 1.6 million business listed in our directory are small firms.
Monte Huebsch, CEO
Local government is not doing as well, with only 42% of invoices being paid within 10 days, the average payment period being 18 days.
However, only 22 of the FTSE 100 companies have committed to the government’s Prompt Payment Code, which was introduced a year ago. The cost to UK businesses in 2009 is estimated at £189 million, in interest on late paying invoices.
On average, private companies paid 21 days after the due date and large companies were the slowest payers.
So while companies are paying slightly faster than they have been, the paying cycle still reflects reluctance to part with the cash.
The Forum of Private Business said that late payments were hurting suppliers and the worst hit was smaller firms. They appealed to large companies to speed up the payment of invoices to assist the economy to recover and to relieve the rate of unemployment.
Small UK businesses have experienced a very trying time and they appreciate the prospects that we send to them, without cost, from our Local Search facility in our UK Business Directory. The vast majority of the 1.6 million business listed in our directory are small firms.
Monte Huebsch, CEO
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