The power of national radio is a wonderful thing. Many thanks to Jane Thurlow and her team at the BBC for their great reception earlier today which gave me a 10-minute soapbox to reinforce the importance of having a business plan.
Hear the full interview on the Radio 4 website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0174gqc#p00lx1kr
16/11/2011
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Jane Khedair
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Business planning
Jane's thoughts
Far from being just a document for use when going to see your bank manager to ask for a loan, a business plan is now commonly regarded as a ‘must have’ by savvy entrepreneurs who want to gauge their success and be able to effectively plan their future.
Want to know more? Listen to me, Jane Khedair, MD of Business Plan Services, and Linda Torstensson co-founder of Kozi Kidz outdoor clothing company, about the importance of an internal business plan tomorrow (Wed 16th Nov) on Radio 4 (10-11am).
15/11/2011
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Jane Khedair
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Business planning
Jane's thoughts
It's official...we're off! BPS used the recent National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham to launch its new franchise proposition...exciting times ahead!
Established in London for over twenty years, BPS provides a range of services to businesses and organisations of all types. These include developing and refining business plans, working on marketing strategy and improving investment opportunities. Over eighty highly-qualified consultants help deliver the services.
11/11/2011
Posted by
Jane Khedair
in
Business planning
Franchising
Jane's thoughts
The Business Start Up Show at Earls Court on 17th & 18th November looks set to be the ‘must-be’ event of the year for budding entrepreneurs who are in search of all the support they need to start and grow and new business. Now in its 26th year, the Show’s organisers really do need to be given a huge pat on the back for a first-class format, unrivalled content and a very impressive line-up of speakers that will certainly draw in the crowds over the 2-days.
Visitors will be spoilt for choice at the huge range of parallel events – ranging from speed networking, workshops and seminars – all hosted by the UK’s leading authorities in their respective field. And all of this is available FREE through an advance ticket ordering system at https://tickets.prysmgroup.co.uk/bstartup/47/ which gives even the most bootstrapped of entrepreneurs no excuse for not coming along.
28/10/2011
Posted by
Jane Khedair
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Business planning
Jane's thoughts
Starting-up
It’s official…even the FT last weekend has recognised that there are some exciting opportunities for the private sector bid to fill Business Link void
With the demise of Business Link next month, the balance of business support provision is set to move from the public to the private sector. Whilst businesses across the UK will have no choice but to pay for support from now onwards, my thoughts are equally with the hundreds of Business Link Advisors who are now discarded casualties following years of loyal service with only grave prospects of re-employment among a crowded independent consultancy workforce.
05/10/2011
Posted by
Jane Khedair
in
Business planning
Franchising
Jane's thoughts
Starting-up
Capitalising on its success in the business planning arena for over 20 years, BPS is now available as an exciting franchise opportunity across the UK for a number of select individuals. Successful applicants will need to demonstrate a proven management and sales background and will be looking for a turn-key solution where they can use their skills and drive to fuel their own success.
22/08/2011
Posted by
Jane Khedair
in
Business planning
Franchising
A study conducted by Research In Motion (RIM) has thrown up some interesting findings - 45% of SMEs claim to be focusing on their business' expansion, with a further 21% changing their business strategy to compete with larger firms. It's great to see that competition is on the increase for the Big Boys, especially in the light of more than half of SMEs in the UK seeing an opportunity to grow their business by picking up opportunities that larger organisations and the public sector can no longer fulfill. But what about the other 50% - are they sitting dormant?
23/06/2011
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Jane Khedair
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Business planning
Jane's thoughts
Research for the Global Enterprise Monitor (GEM) conducted by Dr Jonathan Levie of Strathclyde Universitys Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship – named after Sir Tom Hunter as a prime example of a dying breed of go-getters – has revealed there are fewer ‘thirty-something’ business leaders than over recent years. More specifically, the GEM report shows Scotland has a 3.7% business start-up rate among the working-age population against a UK average of 5.6%. Fear of failure has risen from 31% in 2007 to 43% in 2010 and fewer people Scots aged 18 to 23 were likely to set up a business than elsewhere in the UK.
09/06/2011
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Jane Khedair
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Starting-up
It’s official and ready to be announced…many congratulations to Oculeve for being nominated the winner of the annual Business Plan Competition that took place at the 13th Entrepreneurship Conference last week.
As one of the judges on the panel, Oculeve had my firm backing as a very worthy winner, providing novel medical device technology for treating moderate and severe dry eye disease which remains a largely untreatable condition that is impacting on the lives of millions across the world.
08/06/2011
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Jane Khedair
in
Business planning
Jane's thoughts
Last Friday saw London Business School's 13th Entrepreneurship Conference. Rather notably, the event took place in the City at the Bloomberg centre rather than on the School's glorious Regents Park premises...all thanks to the Royal Wedding apparently which scuppered plans and campus room availability but made for a welcome change of scenery for over 200 people who joined the day's events.
06/06/2011
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Jane Khedair
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Business planning
Jane's thoughts