In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at the latest result from the Begbies Traynor Red Flag report which provides insight into how businesses see their financial condition in the first quarter of 2015.

Having the right skill set within a business is often cited as one of the barriers to growth and Rob looks at a new programme from Close Brothers, the asset-based lending bank, and the University of Sheffield designed to support businesses looking to take on apprentices.

With many alternative providers of finance looking forward to 2016 when banks will be required to pass on clients they cannot assist, one alternative funding platform reveals the extend of help they think UK small businesses will need.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob chats with sales mentor , author and international speaker Steve Clarke about whether there is any difference between selling products to customers and selling your idea to your bank.

If you would like the podcast version to listen to either on your phone or in the car click below to either listen to or download.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at a new business programme produced by TV production company Liberty Bell who are looking to bring together ordinary investors and businesses owners on the hunt for finance; a case of crowdfunding meets Dragons Den! Could this be for you?

The creative industry has always found it challenging to raise business finance and Rob looks at support being provided by a network of lenders via the Creative Industry Finance network with news that P2P lender Ratesetter has joined the scheme.

Continuing the support theme the Entrepreneurial Spark team has announced that KPMG has joined the network to provide advice to the businesses seeking mentors and guidance.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from an interview in which Rob talks about Business Plans and specifically what should be included in the Staff and Management section.

If you prefer to listen to this week’s Business Finance Bulletin in podcast form then click below and download.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at a recent report from the British Business Bank on the low level of awareness and activity in selling equity to raise growth finance.

If you are sold on the idea of selling equity Rob looks at Crowdcube’s statistics for the first quarter of 2015. Crowdcube are demonstrating how raising growth finance via the crowd can work.

The latest Entrepreneurs Index from Barclays and the Business Growth Fund reveals a strong growth in the number of UK start ups but offset by an apparent slowdown in fast-growth companies. And in terms of business confidence generally Rob looks at the latest survey from Lloyds Bank which reveals growing levels of optimism amongst businesses.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from a live seminar in which Rob talks about the importance to the bank of the purpose of your loan request and how you are going to use the money.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version then simply download it from our SoundCloud page by clicking below.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at the enactment of the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act which is a milestone for small businesses in addressing a number of issues holding many back. The Act resolves problems such as access to finance and late payment which will ease financing of growth.

Rob also looks at the latest scheme from the British Business Bank, the ENABLE programme, designed to help the smaller challenger banks increase their lending support to SMEs.

Your personal credit history can have a negative impact on the ability of your business to raise finance. Rob discusses why this should be the case and what can you do about it.

In this episode’s interview Rob chats with Tracey Smolinski from business networking group Introbiz in which she talks about their forthcoming business exhibition and the entrepreneurs who will speaking.

If you would prefer listening to the podcast version then simply download to your phone or PC by going below.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at how late payment continues to get increased focus by the government with revisions of the Prompt Payment Code and proposed legislation. Rob also shares surveys carried out by the Forum of Private Business and the Federations of Small Businesses looking at the extent of the late payment problem.

More news about the government’s desire to regulate that banks must refer clients to alternative sources of finance in cases where they have been declined support by the banks. Rob discusses how the British Business Bank has been given the task to find suitable partners.

If you are an early-stage growth business looking to raise finance via selling equity then Rob shares news about the Sprint programme launched by crowdfunding platform Crowdcube.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob chats with Mike Ogilvie of OBC Accountants in Eastbourne in which he shares three growth tips for businesses to act on.

If you would like to listen to this week’s episode in a podcast version you can download it via our Soundcloud page by clicking below

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at news from the Asset Based Finance Association on how asset finance business is booming.

If you are looking to purchase plant and equipment via Asset Finance Rob discusses the emergence of a relatively new provider in the market, Secure Trust Bank.

If you purchase goods from China and struggle to find the cash up front then Rob has news of a tie up between Alibaba, the Chinese online portal, and Ezbob and IWOCA, providers of short-term finance.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares one of the reasons why banks say no. Don’t fall foul of this!

If you would prefer to listen to this week’s episode as a podcast simply click below to listen and download to your PC or phone.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at evidence of a continued increase in confidence amongst small business owners with positive news from a survey carried out by Hitachi Capital.

Rob also looks at signs that the success rate in getting a ‘yes’ from banks is on the up according to the FSB’s latest Voice of Small Business Index. According to this latest report businesses are also reporting how profits are on the up and there is more interest in hiring staff. All positive signs for the economy.

Turning to alternative lenders Rob shares news of a possible new entrant into the banking market with Civilised Bank looking to launch later in the year focusing on the SME market.

Funding growth via selling equity has often been a mental stumbling block for many business owners but Rob looks at a report from the British Business Bank which reveals that more businesses are considering it as a viable option to raising cash.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob chats with Dr Paul Thomas of DNA Definitive in which he shares a number of key issues that growing businesses should be aware of.

If you prefer to listen to this week’s edition on your phone or in your car simply download the podcast version by clicking the download image.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at recent surveys from Close Brothers and the government’s Business Innovation and Skills Department on growing confidence levels amongst business owners in the UK.

Rob also looks at the latest figures from the Bank of England on the Funding for Lending Scheme which shows a continued downward slide in support from banks.

Late payment continues to be a problem for growing businesses and Rob looks at how the government is tackling the problem with revisions to the Prompt Payment Code and new rules designed to ensure the public sector pays on time.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob chats with Market Invoice, the online crowdfunding platform, which helps UK businesses unlock cash tied up in outstanding invoices.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version of this week’s Bulletin simply click below or download to your computer or phone.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow discusses findings from the latest SME Finance Monitor report on small businesses appetite to borrow. Is it as strong as we think?

One industry sector that does struggle to raise finance is the UK house building trade. Rob shares news of a new fund Santander is putting together to help house builders who need development finance.

During the financial crisis short term business loans have become popular and Rob looks at the news of the takeover by EzBob of Everline. With both companies having lent a combined £54 million the short term business loan industry is set to grow further.

Following a workshop held by Aldermore Bank on Invoice Discounting Rob had a chance to catch up with Richard Whitehouse, Regional Sales Director to hear more about how invoice discounting can help unlock cash to fuel growth.

If you prefer to listen to this edition as a podcast click below or to download it to your phone click the download button.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at findings from the ACCA and BACS on how businesses are being held back from growth by late payment.

Challenger bank Aldermore has released its 2014 trading figures and Rob looks at how they are helping UK businesses access finance.

The importance of business planning and putting together a growth strategy has been underlined by a recent survey from Barclays on how many businesses plan ahead. What do you need to think about when planning for growth?

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob asks the question, ‘What do banks want?’

If you would prefer listening to this episode on your phone or PC you can download the podcast version by clicking below.