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.

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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 episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow from Business Loan Services discusses the government’s proposed scheme, Help to Grow, which aims to get finance to UK’s small and medium-sized businesses.
Managed by the British Business Bank Rob explains what type of businesses the scheme is looking to assist.

In the crowdfunding world Rob looks at news from AltFin on the amount of money the crowdfunding sector lent in 2014 and how a recent review undertaken by the Financial Conduct Authority has focused on encouraging crowdfunding platforms to reveal warts and all about the investments on offer.

In this episode Rob also chats with Keith Litherland, Business Development Manager from Aldermore Bank. Keith outlines the various ways in which Aldermore is helping UK businesses grow via its range of commercial finance products.

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In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at a report from the Centre for Entrepreneurs and the UK Business Angels Association on how the UK is becoming a nation of angels… but who are these angel investors and how can they benefit your business?

The statistics on how the crowdfunding industry did in 2014 are in with news from the Peer to Peer Finance Association on how the sector doubled the amount it lent in the previous 12 months. With the recent news of banks beginning to partner up with the new kids on the block crowdfunding is starting to come of age.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob looks at recent research from Barclays Bank on how business owners should embrace the merits of having a Business Plan. But does your Business Plan have to be the size of War and Peace?

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version of this edition of the Business Finance Bulletin then click below or click the download button to upload to your phone or PC.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the announcement from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) that it will now be referring small businesses which it can’t help with finance on to crowdfunding companies

Funding Circle and Assetz Capital. This is a major sign that the crowdfunding industry is now going mainstream.
Another form of alternative finance which is proving popular with small businesses is family and friends. Rob looks at findings in a survey from Everline which reveals how many small businesses use this form of finance and why.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares a clip from a seminar he delivered in Amsterdam at a Kevin Green Advanced Business training weekend. In this clip Rob shares one of the reasons why cashflow can prove to be a strain for many businesses.

If you prefer to listen to this week’s Bulletin as a podcast you can click below or click the download icon to load it on your phone or PC.

In the latest edition of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the findings from Close Brothers Business Barometer which reveals how reluctant some business owners are in hunting out new finance providers.

On the alternative finance scene Rob talks about Metro Bank’s 2014 results and how it’s living up to its aim of being regarded as the ‘bank for entrepreneurs’ by the range of business finance solutions it can offer.
Rob also reveals how the option to tap into the ‘crowd’ to fund expansion plans has been made easy with the news that FundingKnight has doubled the maximum amount it can arrange.

If you are a start up it is not easy to source finance but Rob looks at the news from the Start Up Loans company, the government supported loan company, on a new milestone being reached in terms of the number of loans granted.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week, a look at the looming Self Assessment deadline and what you can do to avoid a last minute panic!

If you prefer to listen to this week’s Bulletin in your car or on your phone you can download this episode via our SoundCloud page by clicking below.

In the latest edition of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at news from Lovetts, the commercial debt recovery firm, on how the amount of late payment debt is on the increase.
As part of its annual Small Business Income Index, news from Barclays of further evidence that the economy is showing signs of growth with a number of sectors and UK regions standing out.

Raising equity through crowdfunding continues to grow in popularity and Rob looks at an overview from Crowdcube on how it performed in 2014.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares his thoughts on the importance of having sound systems and processes in place; getting this right may reduce the amount of finance you may need to raise.

You can also listen to the podcast version of this week’s Bulletin. You can download a copy for listening later by clicking below.

In the first edition of 2015 Rob Warlow looks at reports of strong business confidence levels and the desire to grow amongst many businesses. However, there are some facing a more challenging environment with three key barriers to growth being blamed.

Of those businesses looking for finance Rob reviews a survey carried out by the Institute of Directors which lists the sources of finance that business owners are turning to.

When it comes to lending to small businesses news from the High Street banks has been bleak but as Rob reveals, the latest figures from the Bank of England show positive growth for two months in a row, which is a positive sign.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares two key questions you ask of yourself and your team when planning for a year of growth.

If you prefer to listen to this week’s bulletin on your phone or in your car you can download the podcast version by visiting our SoundCloud page.