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Small business thread
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Message 1.Â
Posted by Nomadnomore - XNo - Quiz Queen (U3180380) on Saturday, 24th April 2010
A thread to share experiences and lessons, ask questions and unload when you have had a hard day.
Normal rules apply, no soliciting or advertising. No names no pack drill.
Next post introduces me. -
Message 2
Posted by CC Growing old disgracefully (U13344869) on Monday, 26th April 2010
I am now retired but did once work for a small business. As an employee the one thing I ask is that the boss of a small business does not bring his problems,moans and general dad temper on their staff when things go wrong with the business.
I found this very very hard to cope with as did others and it did not make a very good atmosphere at work -
Message 3
Posted by CC Growing old disgracefully (U13344869) on Monday, 26th April 2010
Sorry just noticed the above post "next post introduces me". The person I am talking about is an ex boss not you!
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Message 4
Posted by Barefoot - a Bit of a Handful (U14258080) on Monday, 26th April 2010
I have just blown my top at someone who called up to say that 'her colleague' had phoned in February offering IT support and we have expressed interest. NO WE HADN'T! I know it's an established sales technique but all it does is irritate me. Don't they understand this?
Our standard reply is 'no thanks, we have a local supplier who knows our system". The firm that phoned are located something like 100 miles away so would be useless in an emergency.
I also know that times are hard, and feel for people who have to spend their life making these calls, but I don't see what benefit they get by ringing the same people again and again.
bc -
Message 5
Posted by Morganish (U9108847) on Monday, 26th April 2010
I have a friend who has been fitting solar systems for the last few years, working mainly with private one-off clients and occasionally sub-contracting for larger jobs. There are only three of them and a trainee employed full-time by the company. There's a lot of regeneration work in the area and some large contracts up for tender. My friend has excellent qualifications, including MCS accreditation which is difficult to achieve. No one is in any doubt of the quality of the work or the company. But after two failed tenders he's a bit stuck, because he's been told the company is too small. If there was a workforce of, say, 10, he would be considered. No amount of assurance that he knows lots of experienced people in the business and could easily put together a team of 10 if they got the job seems to work.
Anyone else been through this or something similar? He's not really in a position to take on an extra 7 engineers or trainees on the chance that they land a contract that'll keep them all busy for four months. -
Message 6
Posted by Barefoot - a Bit of a Handful (U14258080) on Monday, 26th April 2010
It might be worth trying to work with another similar business when going for the big tenders. Either as a consortium or your friend as lead contractors with sub-contract support.
Or if he's used other people in the past, list the workforce on the tender document as 4 full time and 10 associates.
The local Business Link organisation might be able to suggest some ides as well. The governemnt is keen to get SMEs used for public tenders.
bc -
Message 7
Posted by Morganish (U9108847) on Monday, 26th April 2010
Right: same info, but phrased differently. Thanks. He's got plenty of good people for sub-contracting and is perfectly happy to take on the trainees required to fulfill the upskilling agenda (already has good contacts and takes trainees on work experience from the local college). The larger contractors who are looking for renewables specialists are desperate to work with him because of his MCS, but the lack of full-time staff really seems to be a stumbling point. He already has a Business Link advisor, but he doesn't seem to be much help. He'll have to try again, but differently!
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Message 8
Posted by Barefoot - a Bit of a Handful (U14258080) on Monday, 26th April 2010
this seems odd given the propensity for the construction industry to subcontract!
If the larger people want to work with him perhaps they should go for the contracts, with him as the lead subcontractor.
bc -
Message 9
Posted by Barefoot - a Bit of a Handful (U14258080) on Monday, 26th April 2010
having read your first message again, I note you say "2 failed tenders".
I reckon it's taken us over 100 to get to grips with public tendering. We now have written policies for everything, for example.
bc -
Message 10
Posted by MV Whitby May Rose (U6862284) on Monday, 26th April 2010
Count me in. Two years into being self employed and challenging times ahead as the contract that I have for 21 hours a week for 3 years is coming to an end early next year. I am already starting to fret about the way forward ( understatement, my stress levels are sky high). This is coupled with a completely different domestic and financial situation to the one that I had when I started being self employed and also to the one I was expecting for the next few years.
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Message 11
Posted by Morganish (U9108847) on Thursday, 29th April 2010
That's interesting, Barefoot. I think perhaps they have had very few difficulties so far. We found them a few years ago when they fitted a solar thermal system for us. They were incredibly well-informed and passionate about what they do. Both the main partners are graduates and emanate straightforward, honest enthusiasm, so although they were slightly more expensive we went with them: so much better than the hard sales techniques we encountered in larger companies. They have been landing about 80% of the contracts they quote for: presumably other people were equally impressed with them. They sailed through their MCS registration for all their renewables (something that I understand many companies really struggle to achieve). And the big national companies that are involved in the major regeneration contracts also seem similarly impressed and have highly recommended them.
BUT they have been told several times they are just not big enough. They tick every box going. One of the directors (also works on the tools) is female. One is minority ethnic. They have a first-class record of training up students from the local FE college and have worked on several major projects as sub-contractors for other companies. They also have a number of other small, reputable companies or sole traders they use if they have too much work. No cowboys, everyone fully H&S trained, everyone tightly supervised and sent for training as required. Apparently they have been complimented on the paperwork and policies supplied for tenders. But it seems to come down to how many they actually employ on a permanent basis, and as they don't lie or big themselves up they seem doomed to miss out. -
Message 12
Posted by Nomadnomore - XNo - Quiz Queen (U3180380) on Thursday, 29th April 2010
Next post introduces me. Â
Sorry, I must have got distracted.
OH and myself have a small business designing and making composite parts. We used to employ several people but now it is just the two of us with some part time help as and when.
We have just completed four years in business and it has been a tough four years but hopefully we have now built a reputation and will start to see the rewards (ie. making a living rather than pouring money into it).
Big issues for us:-
1. Finding new customers
2. Generating repeat orders from existing customers
3. Keeping stock to a minimum whilst still being able to deliver as needed
4. Cash flow.
How is everyone else doing? BTW, I hate those cold calls as well. -
Message 13
Posted by blimbles (U2522058) on Friday, 30th April 2010
Bookmarking - I posted a few times on the old "Running your own business trials and tribulations" thread which seemed to go quiet after a while.
Not sure if I qualify as a "small business" as to date, it is still only me. I have tried setting up my own consultancy using associates rather than employees, aiming at the SME market, but business development has been difficult and I am back working on my own in order to make ends meet.
The recession has been difficult, but things are picking up a bit now, though what I can charge is less than a couple of years ago.
I have found that networking develops more business than my website or advertising, possibly because I am selling me and my approach.
b -
Message 14
Posted by strawberrysunrise (U10452397) on Friday, 30th April 2010
bookmarking,
TJGG and I run a small business,we are contractors,We specialise in design and construction but with a PA/Concierges type service that a lot of our customers use. -
Message 15
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Friday, 30th April 2010
Bookmarking.
I found the previous thread interesting. -
Message 16
Posted by Westsussexbird or Birdy aka Westie (U6316532) on Friday, 30th April 2010
I have been wondering why I thought of the previous thread yesterday, and it was when I heard/saw a woman telling Gordon Brown that the company she worked for had been successful despite him.
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Message 17
Posted by Barefoot - a Bit of a Handful (U14258080) on Friday, 30th April 2010
I shouldn't post this as I am about to go but ...
any thoughts on increased NI vs cuts in public sector. My view at the moment is that I'd probably prefer the NI increase as any significant cuts could mean no/much less work, rather than less-profitable work. The companies supporting David Cameron seem to be largely those in the retail sector who will probably be less affected by cuts in public sector spending - the supermarkets have shown how a switch towards 'Value' and away from 'Finest' can maintain sales.
bc -
Message 18
Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010
Hi, would like to join this thread.
Now semi-retired myself after a varied technical career, I support other family members in a small firm.
In previous incarnations I have watched colleagues in large public and private organisations choose suppliers and contractors. Most try to keep to the rules of their organisations on:
- shortlisting a suitable number,
- ticking the boxes on qualifications, diversity, etc,
- interviewing/selecting in a fair manner.
Public sector bodies have less freedom as in my experience they have more rules and are really checked on this stuff.
I am sure that many know at the start of the tendering process who they want to win, just as you might when choosing your own decorator etc. It is worth having a try though, because minds can be changed.
The offering of the small firm or contractor must be as easy as possible for the big chaps to understand and monitor.
In my current role we are aiming more at householders and other small businesses, a new area to me, so I will be interested to learn more on grabbing the attention of such folk. -
Message 19
Posted by Spartacus (U14243804) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010
Tue, 11 May 2010 13:28 GMT, in reply to sagethyme in message 18
Not really a small business as its just me and Cap'n Carrot, getting time to do the admin and stuff like that is our main problem - he won't ever turn things down so now running late on some projects (ones I can't help him on)and being away from home all week travelling doesn't make things easier but am hoping that as I get more experienced I will get better at planning. -
Message 20
Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010
Angua
Ah yes, the admin! We were initially daunted by it all. When we remember to be polite the officials can be quite human and helpful, eg even VAT folk. It gets much easier after the first year when you have templates and examples to copy.
As for the Elfin Safety, despite what the Daily Wail says, common sense should get us through. No-one is going to impose large fines because our bandages are a year out of date, there will be advance warnings before they would even visit (OK will check the First Aid Box having thought of that....)
Has anyone actually had a site visit from Officials to check Tax/H&S etc? How did it go? Do you think insurance against such visits is worthwhile? We have an acquaintance who had a time-consuming visit and is taking out insurance, but we thought it was money down the drain. Enough goes to insurers for statutory stuff. -
Message 21
Posted by Barefoot - a Bit of a Handful (U14258080) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010
in 20 years we have had 3 or 4 VAT visits and 4 or 5 Customs (Inland Revenue) visits. All passed with no probkems. I think they must reduce the incidence of visits if no problems are found.
Clearly by saying this I am summoning them up.
bc -
Message 22
Posted by Rider_on_the_Wheel (U4404005) on Wednesday, 12th May 2010
I think it's a case of lack of staff and a lot more small businesses.
Years ago visits seemed to be every three years and then when border controls were relaxed ex-customs officers seemed to be drafted in amongst the (usual) female 'clerk type' inspectors. They always spent a good day going through all the invoices and seixed on anything that was zero rated.
The last VAT inspection we had was done by post!
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