1. Simple improvements really can make a diference to the bottom line.

Yorkshire based Orchard Principal, Claire Dibb, gives an example of a recent project in which changes to a simple process gave estimated savings of 23% pa on the overhead reviewed...

As many legal firms will be aware, drastic cuts in government funding and the latest round of contract awards for legal aid firms have left many well-established practices facing severe cashflow pressures over the coming months.  One such local practice in West Yorkshire, Switalskis Solicitors LLP, asked Orchard for assistance in generating overhead savings through process alignment and improvements across its 6 regional offices.  

Click here to read more,  or for further details please contact Claire on 07775 821868 or claired@orchardgrowth.com.

2. FD's Acquire Orchard Growth Partners - thank you for your support.

As many of you are aware, we acquired the Orchard Growth Partners brand back in September. Since the announcement was made we have been overwhelmed by the feedback and good wishes we have received from clients and contacts. There has also been significant press interest which has been particularly gratifying.

Nonetheless we are not sitting on our laurels and continue to strive to ensure that we provide the best possible service to our clients. Whether it is strategic guidance, profit maximisation, cash flow improvement, business and financial planning or simply lifting the burden with the knowledge its in expert hands, our part time finance director services not only offer a highly cost effective solution but enable business owners and managers to focus fully on what they like doing best - growing their businesses. So please don't hesitate to get in touch if you would like to discuss your situation with us. We take the time to fully understand your problems and requirements to ensure you get the complete solution from working with us.

For a confidential discussion about your business challenges please contact us on 0845 3700 303 or info@orchardgrowth.com.

3. Enterprise Britain - more than a cliché

One relationship we have always been delighted with is that with Enterprise Britain, a series of blogs that aim to represent the views of Britain's 4.8 million small business owners and managers.

The brainchild of Tony Drury and Dirk Van Djil, the Enterprise Britain blog now reaches out to thousands of subscribers and more and more people are signing up to it every week.

As Orchard principal Antony Doggwiler, who is our main contributor to the blog, says "Given that we all know that it will be the efforts of small and medium entrepreneurial businesses that have the best chance of success, we are happy to support Dirk and Tony in their efforts to ensure that the voices of those operating in this vital sector of the economy are clearly heard."

Our lives as part time finance directors serving a variety of SME and larger businesses provide us with a steady stream of material for our weekly blog. However we are always looking for new inspiration and would welcome any ideas and contributions you may have.

Enterprise Britain needs a voice. Help us to help Tony and Dirk to provide it.

If you have any suggestions for what we could feature in future blogs please contact Antony on 07802 395224 or ajd@orchardgrowth.com.

4. The thoughts of Chairman Paul.

Probably our favourite business story of the moment is the abject surrender by SERCO following their attempt to bully their suppliers.

It is sometimes very difficult being the supplier of a large corporation when you are an SME in spite of the sense of security it might bring and there have been many recent stories of big companies putting the squeeze on particularly in terms of price and payment. I firmly believe that it is time for a fair deal for SMEs in their dealings with larger companies. In particular prompt payment policies could provide much needed working capital and do more to financially support them than any number of government initiatives.

What do you think?

Agree or disagree with Paul? Let him know on 07770 475485 or paulc@orchardgrowth.com.