Business Connections Live - The UK's Leading Online Business TV Channel

Funding Your Business For Dummies. All this alternative finance vs traditional banks and equity can be confusing. When do you need finance? What type of finance do you need and where do you go to get it? How do you improve your chances of success? What is the reality of taking on equity in terms of governance, admin and answering to others.

On this edition of Business Connections Live you will get the straightforward answers to all these questions from Helene Panzarino, Investment Readiness Advisor and author of Funding your business for Dummies

• Different forms of finance for SMEs
• Reasons for taking on finance
• Preparing to take on finance
• Debt vs equity
• Crowdfunding – donor, debt and equity
• How to prepare a good pitch

• better understanding of what is available to SMEs for finance;
• how to better prepare to get finance resource

For more great information visit our Guests website or follow them on Social Media.

Website:www.helenepanzarino.com

Twitter: @Hpanzarino

The Book: http://www.helenepanzarino.com/about

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Networking Festive Tips For SMEs. Christmas time is an important time of year for businesses. It’s the one time, you as a boss get to thank your staff for all their hard work over the year AND a chance for you to thank clients for their continued support.

On this edition of Business Connections Live we will be talking to Steve (Webb) The Barman, Cocktail Bartender for 20 years and run/own Thirst First (Mobile Cocktail Bars) about how you can put on a great event that doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but can create some fun and good memories and bring staff and clients together.

Steve is also an Networking expert who uses his business to connect with potential customers, heading up a number of networking groups. Corporate hospitality may be the start but how do you capitalise on the entertainment and grow your business.

• How there is always an opportunity to network to grow your business
• “Drinkspiration” – Very simple serves that are slightly different
• Cocktail Recipes
• Party Planning Tips
• Setting the Rules
• Glassware
• Money saving tips

• Why an event can grow your business
• Put on a Party without spending loads
• Create Fun and maybe a bit of Team bonding
• Cover all the angles – drink wise at least

For more great information visit our Guests website or follow them on Social Media.

Website: http://thirstfirst.co.uk/

Twitter: @ThirstFirst_UK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThirstFirstUK/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevetbarman

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Transform Your Communication Skills SPEAK WRITE PRESENT – WITH CONFIDENCE

is a collaboration of 11 coaching professionals that will positively develop readers speaking, writing and presenting talents in their working and personal lives. This book provides practical self-help advice on a conversational level for easy understanding. It spans the common elements of communication, of public speaking, of knowing how to prepare and deliver a presentation and how to dramatically improve personal writing skills.

On this edition of Business Connections Live we talk to Steve Bridger – Writer, Author, Entrepreneur, Business Coach, Business Start-Up Speaker about his book Transform Your Communication Skills which will help you to speak, write and present with confidence. A book to stimulate positive personal change.

• Manage nerves when speaking in public to include giving a family wedding speech
• Create engaging presentations time after time
• Develop writing skills to produce clear and effective communications

• A greater understanding of NLP _Neuro Linguistic Programming;
• social media;
• online presentation techniques and presentation skills from a company that use professional actors to work miracles with the nervous and inexperienced.

For more great information visit our Guests website or follow them on Social Media.

Website: http://transformyourskills.com/

Twitter: @prestartupbiz

The book can be obtained from:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transform-Your-Communication-Skills-Confidence/dp/1784624993/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1444212236&sr=8-2&keywords=transform+your+communication+skills

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/transform-your-communication-skills/steve-bridger/9781784624996

W H Smith: http://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/transform-your-communication-skills-speak-write-present-with-confidence/9781784624996

Contact Business Connections Live
The UK’s Leading Online Business Channel:
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How to gain access to export finance. SME’s need funding to grow their exports and to manage payment risk against their buyers. Research shows that SMEs who export are a stronger credit than those who don’t. Banks are, despite public opinion, keen to lend to support exports.  The risks for banks on properly structured export contracts are extremely low. Appetite can be found.

Why then, do so many SMEs have their export sales financing turned down?  What are the main challenges? What solutions are out there? How should an SME start the process?

On this edition of Business Connections Live we talk to Gabriel Buck Managing Director of GKB Ventures LTD – Management Consultancy focused on helping SMEs to expand their business through exports. Gabriel is a Professional Banker with 35 years banking experience transacting in the real economy right across the globe. Previously Managing Director Head of Export Credit Financing at Barclays. He was also one of the Commissioners to the “Cole Review” a Parliamentary review to help UK Government set the agenda as to what it needs to do to support UK exporters. He is also the current Chairman of the British Bankers Association, Export Finance & Trade Committee

• Why Preposition is key
• Use the right language
• How Sector expertise counts
• How to think strategically
• How to use the London Banking Market – trade finance is in its DNA
• Following through

• Start early – prepare – get advice.  UKTI / UKEF / Export Finance Advisors / British Chambers of Commerce / British Exporters Association / Confederation of British Industry / Federation of Small Businesses / Institute of Exports / Lawyers / Accountants and even Bankers…

• Don’t blame the bankers – find a solution – SMEs generally have a lack of understanding as to what financing structures are available in the market. Those that go beyond “banker bashing” or “give up” – find a solution and their business expand. Remember – banks lend money that is their core service – and that is how they make money.  Need to find the right bank.

• Don’t be put off if your domestic bank turns you down. As the banking market becomes more fragmented – SMEs may not be approaching the bank that has the appetite for that particular sector or geography. Need to approach the International trade finance experts – often based in the city – rather than at the branches. And present in their language. SMEs often are unable to present their business case in a language and structure that the banks understand and are willing to accept. 

• If the Export Contract is important – get specialist advice. (Cole Commission) – “SMEs don’t want generic advice but are more inclined to refer to sector experts for assistance”

• GKB Ventures LTD. For SME’s who find it too expensive and un-economical to hire, on a full time basis, a high caliber Global Sales Financing Director – GKB Ventures – offers a solution

Independent Specialist Advisor for SME’s who:-

• See financing for its buyers as a key path to growth
• Wants solutions in a timely and efficient manner
• Insight and guidance as to which exports are financeable
• Help in the presentation and selection of banks
• Transparency in terms of the all in cost of financing
• Follow through “Busy SME don’t have the time to navigate through the maze of export offerings.” (Cole)
• Making sure it dovetails with SMEs goals / aspirations

Advice can be provided at a strategic level on an ongoing basis or at an operational level for a particular transaction

For more great information contact our Guest on

email: [email protected]

Contact Business Connections Live
The UK’s Leading Online Business Channel:
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We are always looking for Industry experts…

How To Launch A New Business

Starting a new business or adding a new product line to your existing service portfolio can be the most exciting thing you ever do – but it can be one of the most daunting too. There are so many different elements to think about, it’s very tempting to rush in and start trying to sell without taking the time to really pin down the who, what, why, when and how of your new service. It’s also really easy to get seduced by people trying to sell you the latest marketing idea or method, which could eat into your time and potential profit before you’ve even begun.

Emma and Anneve, directors and co-founders of The Marketing Matrix have managed launches which have ranged from large corporates with seven-figure marketing budgets to startups with little more than a great idea and some clever code.

Whatever your budget, clear messaging, a detailed understanding of your ideal client and a targeted approach to your communications campaign will create a strong foundation for growth.

• What IS your proposition and why does it matter?
• Who is your IDEAL client?
• Why communicating what makes your business different is so important
• How to make it easier for your clients to buy from you
• Why you should give your knowledge away – and what to expect in return
• How to choose the best ways to reach your target audience

• Clarity about the service your business provides
• Saved time and heartache – only win the type of business that is right for you
• Stand out from the competition
• Packages, products and services that are easy for customers to buy
• An understanding about what a valuable free download can achieve
• Confidence choosing the right types of communication for your business and budget

For more great information visit our Guests website or follow them on Social Media.

Websites: http://www.startupfast.co.uk/    http://themarketingmatrix.co.uk/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AnneveH

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/startupfast

The Book: http://www.StartupFast.co.uk/connections

Contact Business Connections Live
The UK’s Leading Online Business Channel:
Visit our Website
You can Email the studio here

We are always looking for Industry experts…

How to Make Business Connections. Today’s casual meeting could be tomorrow’s multi million pound customer. Is there a right and wrong way to approach Networking and do you need to do it all?

Paul Bridgland is an expert in Word of Mouth Marketing and Networking. On this edition of Business Connections Live we will look at how businesses, regardless of size can network more effectively and grow their business.

What techniques should you be using and what are the absolute No No’s that many business owners make? How do you select the most appropriate networking organisation to join and as a business owner can you achieve the same results with social media and telesales?

Paul will explain why each market sector will have a different approach and clarify what you should and could expect. All too often we have heard “I tried it and it didn’t work for me”.

On the show we will also look at why a local presence is so important and how you raise profile.

So how to make business connections on this edition of Business Connectuions Live we talk about:

• Specialties:Networking
• Word of Mouth marketing
• Social Media
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Mail out campaigns
• Search engine optimisation
• Networking events
• Seminars
• Training courses
• LinkedIn
• Recommended Local Businesses

Paul has been involved in Sales and Marketing specifically in the media sector for most of his life – his (local) company Creation Station pioneered multimedia computer graphics at a time when people were still using slides – He sold Creation Station in 2000.

He bought the best of Guildford franchise in 2008 and has developed it into one of the most active franchises in the best of network
Paul says:”We are all about quality rather than quantity – and we are definitely not an on-line directory! We are always looking for recommendations of local businesses that excel at what they do.”

For more great information visit our Guests website or follow them on Social Media.

Website:  http://connectsurrey.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/connectsurre

Contact Business Connections Live
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We are always looking for Industry experts…

Why Time Management Is Crucial For Profit

As a young entrepreneur Julianne started with taking on a business at 22 in heavy losses with only 1 member of staff, she has gone through wearing many different hats in the business and learnt from the mistakes made along the way.

Along the way she has learnt key lessons in order to propel her business from losses to profit which will be shared today.

One being managing your 24 hours in the day! Every entrepreneur has the same 24 hours in the day, whether it be Richard Branson or not. It’s what you do with those 24 hours a day that counts! Today you will learn how to get the most output through infrastructure and goal setting.

Julianne believes that when in the early stages of starting a business it is always difficult and the best way to learn, is to learn from other entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. Surrounding yourself with likeminded people will not only push you to strive to the next level, but also learn from mistakes they have made. This is where choosing the networking events you go to can be crucial.

This edition of Business Connections Live we talk to Julianne Ponan owner and CEO of Creative Nature a superfood brand. Developing a Superfood brand and within an 18 month period she had put the company back into profit, raising the brands profile and launching new product lines all with only 2 members of staff.

• How to manage 24 hours in a day & where you are wasting time
• The power of Social Media
• Why nutrition and exercise plays an important part of getting the most output
• Building a Team and putting infrastructure in place
• How to NOT wear all the hats in the business
• Building your network

• Building a social media presence across the top 3 FB, Twitter, Instagram, and how you can build it without taking to many hours!

• Improving your day to day output
• Why your network could be your net worth!
• A better understanding of what networking events you need to attend to build your network.

For more great information visit our Guests website or follow them on Social Media.

Website:  http://www.creativenaturesuperfoods.co.uk/

Twitter: @creativenature @julianneponan

Facebook: Creative Nature Superfoods

Contact Business Connections Live
The UK’s Leading Online Business Channel:
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We are always looking for Industry experts…

The Perfect Sales Pitch

Sales is the key to driving every business forward. Sales success is closely tied to an individual’s passion for selling and Michael Graham – Senior Partner of MJB Graham Consultancy will talk you through building on team  spirit to drive your company to the higher sales levels that you are aiming for through sales training and coaching.

With the correct Sales Training and Coaching you could achieve higher volumes of sales increase the bottom line and improve the quality of those sales therefore helping to retain clients and increase positive brand awareness.

This edition of Business Connections Live will be a valuable insight into how to make the sale and close the deal

• How to Create the Perfect Sales Pitch
• How to effectively close their customers
• How to generate more leads through various social media platforms
• How workshops and events will help them generate leads
• And much more

• Effective selling
• How to close clients effectively
• How to create the perfect sales pitch
• How to use social media to generate sales

For more great information visit our Guests website or follow them on Social Media.

Website:  http://www.mjbgraham.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MJBGConsultancy

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MjbGrahamConsultancy/

Contact Business Connections Live
The UK’s Leading Online Business Channel:
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We are always looking for Industry experts…

How To Take The Pressure Out Of Selling. “Is The Juice Worth The Squeeze?” People are sick of feeling sold to- they’ve heard all the techniques, don’t like the cheesy approach and don’t appreciate being asked loaded questions. The good news is the world of sales has changed – for the better!

Today’s salesperson has to find ways to demonstrate how they care. They need to differentiate through their actions and prove how they can create real value. To do this they need to be able to understand what value actually represents UNIQUELY for that Prospect. By using this approach salespeople will feel more confident to do more of the things that they might otherwise be cautious of doing!

This is how Martyn Sloman helped one of his clients win the biggest single order (£160,000) in the history of their business to date!

• The value of asking the questions you NEED the answer to
• The value of demonstration & doing things others won’t do
• The secret to selling more!

• A realistic appreciation of what represents real value to the Prospect/ customer
• The actions which take the pressure out of selling resulting in more business.
• Practical ways to adopt the habit of self development- the single differentiating factor of every exceptional salesperson!

For more great information visit our Guests website or follow them on Social Media.

Website: www.golddusttraining.co.uk

Twitter: @GoldDustTrainin

Contact Business Connections Live
The UK’s Leading Online Business Channel:
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We are always looking for Industry experts…

Building A Business With Entrepreneur Kate Lester. An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes in a particular arena and in her first 20 years Kate made quite a few!

Like many business people, Kate spent the first 20 years of her own business swamped and it took a long time to build the business she wanted. Then in 2012 it all changed. On this edition of Business Connections Live Kate shares how she changed her growth curve and the key lesson she learnt – Kate has been through all the pain so that you can just do the good bits!

Building A Business With Entrepreneur Kate Lester is an entertaining hour of information and advice from a business mentor coach and entrepreneur.

• How to build a scale-able business
• The 5 key areas you need to focus on:
  • YOU
  • People
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Communication
• The TDI – the Total Distraction Index
• The Profit versus Grief Ratio
• Business Planning Kate Style – putting your personal ambitions at the heart of your business planning with JFDI

• Key areas of focus to build your business quickly
• Building a scalable business
• Matching your business with your personal ambition
• Enjoying what you do

For more great information visit our Guests website or follow them on Social Media.

Website: www.diamondlogistics.co.uk and www.katelester.com

Twitter: @Courier_UK

The Books: http://www.amazon.co.uk/JFDI-format-business-match-ambition-ebook/dp/B00QAL7GJQ and  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stop-Reading-Self-Help-Books-ebook/dp/B00JE9W3HQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Contact Business Connections Live
The UK’s Leading Online Business Channel:
Visit our Website
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Live Shows on Youtube Mondays Mid-day GMT
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Follow us on our Facebook page
You can Email the studio here

We are always looking for Industry experts…