More than 350 small businesses and entrepreneurs from across Wales have been handed advice on how to succeed in the digital economy. Newport's Celtic Manor Resort hosted the free event put on by Amazon Academy, which provided hands-on, practical support to help small and medium–sized enterprises (SMEs). The event offered entrepreneurs and SMEs from across Wales practical workshops with information, tips and insights on how to use e-commerce to grow their business. A particular focus of the event was boosting export sales and improving customer experience. Business benefits across the land Since launching in 2016, the Amazon Academy programme has helped over 2,000 SMEs and individuals in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle and Manchester learn how to grow their businesses. It forms parts of the company’s ongoing efforts to help SMEs from across the UK grow their businesses, in particular by boosting their e-commerce and export sales. Those who attended the … [Read more...] about How Amazon Academy helped small businesses embrace e-commerce and grow exports
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HSBC unveils highest ever £12bn small business lending fund
News / UK and world by Press Association September 19, 2018, 12:03 am FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter HSBC has hiked its annual lending fund for small businesses to a record £12 billion and has ring-fenced £1 billion for the first time to help boost overseas trade as Brexit approaches. The banking giant said the annual lending commitment was its highest to date since launch five years ago and £2 billion more than in 2017. It comes after HSBC’s 2017 fund was fully used by small and medium-sized UK firms and brings the total amount so far under the initiative to £46 billion since 2014. The group said the decision to include a new allocation for UK firms to grow their business overseas comes after its own research showed 72% of British businesses expect their cross border trade to increase this year. Amanda Murphy, head of commercial banking at HSBC UK, said: “After the success of last year, … [Read more...] about HSBC unveils highest ever £12bn small business lending fund
‘Vibrant’ Ipswich is mecca for small businesses on tight budgets, says expert
PUBLISHED: 15:24 07 August 2018 | UPDATED: 15:24 07 August 2018 Sarah Chambers Peter Tuvey of Fleximize Picture: FLEXIMIZE Archant Industry is turning away from major economic hubs and towards towns such as Ipswich, where they can find lower overheads and “enormous” potential for growth, an alternative finance provider says. Peter Tuvey of Fleximize Picture: FLEXIMIZEPeter Tuvey, co-founder and managing partner at Fleximize, which is based on the town’s waterfront, said it was a common misconception among small and medium-sized enterprises that it wasn’t possible to succeed outside of cities such as London and Manchester.Mr Tuvey, whose firm has lent more than £65m to businesses since it was launched in 2014, said with overheads booming, industry was increasingly emigrating away from the larger economic hubs in search of cheaper operational costs. Ipswich was increasingly becoming an attractive option for entrepreneurs and … [Read more...] about ‘Vibrant’ Ipswich is mecca for small businesses on tight budgets, says expert
Viewpoint: Small businesses should be supported
PUBLISHED: 08:00 22 July 2018 Unmesh Desai, London Assembly Member for CIty & East Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, but they currently face a number of obstacles. At City Hall, we are looking into ways that SMEs can be better supported. I was pleased to recently join fellow London Assembly Members from the Economy Committee to visit small businesses in Bethnal Green, and discuss what can be done to mitigate their concerns about crippling rent rises and business rates. An improved and modernised transport system is also crucial to supporting the growth of businesses in Tower Hamlets. I recently had the opportunity to visit the nearly completed and futuristic Whitechapel Crossrail station with Mayor Biggs and local councillors. I was very impressed with what I saw, with new concourses and entrances to enhance connectivity. Finally, the World cup, it was wonderful to experience the buzzing atmosphere in our community. I watched the England vs Sweden game in a … [Read more...] about Viewpoint: Small businesses should be supported
BR Exclusive: Floreasca’s small business ecosystem making Bucharest’s restaurant scene flourish
When going out on the town for a meal, Floreasca is one of those places you can simply head to and decide on a place on the go. The variety of cuisines present and the specialty shops make it a distinct culinary destination. The result, an ecosystem of small businesses active in the food and drink sector, has shaped the identity of the area, which islooking for sustainable ways to meet its full potential. Late one afternoon, 32-year-old Giulio da Sacco, a reinsurance broker hailing from Northern Italy, hopped on a rented bike and started cycling through the streets of Bucharest looking for a location for the city’s first Italian delicacies store. It was 2007 and he picked Floreasca, where, having revived his childhood dream of being a food shopkeeper, together with a partner, he opened his business one year later. But, as Cotroceni looked just as appealing and promising a neighborhood, at that point it could have gone either way. “I was lucky. It was a 50/50 bet that turned … [Read more...] about BR Exclusive: Floreasca’s small business ecosystem making Bucharest’s restaurant scene flourish