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1. A Finance Director's dos and don'ts of exhibiting.
It happens to most of us at one time or another. Exhibiting that is. One of the reasons for this newsletter is to tell you that Orchard Growth Partners will be exhibiting twice during March, at the Yorkshire Mafia Conference in Leeds on 15th March and at Gatwick at the South East Business Show on 25th March. We are hoping to see as many of you as possible during these two events.
Exhibitions are a great way of engaging with a number of clients and contacts in a short space of time. However it should not be forgotten that they cost time and money and it is important that the return on this investment is measured and monitored.
With this in mind, Orchard Principal Antony Doggwiler takes you through some of the dos and don'ts of exhibiting.
Do make sure your people are fully briefed as to what is expected of them and have the necessary tools to make the exhibition a success. Knowledgeable professional staff on the stands will make a professional impact.
Click here to read more. We look forward to seeing you on 15th or 25th March. Further details can be found by calling Claire on 07775 821868 or Harvey on 07917 784170, or by e-mailing exhibitions@orchardgrowth.com
2. The importance of establishing a compliance culture.
 Whatever the new Coalition Government might say, regulation is not going to disappear overnight. The Bribery Act of 2010 is one such example that has devoured a number of column inches recently. With this in mind Ed Simpson of The Legal Director considers the importance of establishing a compliance culture.
Recent guidance issued by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the imminent entry into force of new anti-bribery legislation have highlighted once again the importance for all directors of understanding the relevant legal frameworks in which their businesses operate, and ensuring that appropriate internal policies and procedures are in place to promote a culture of compliance amongst staff and business partners.
This is nothing new: businesses already have to address the issue of compliance in relation to matters such as health & safety, employee harassment, money laundering, and competition law. The Bribery Act has put these issues back at the top of the agenda because of the apparent breadth of its scope, potential criminal liability for directors who allow (actively or passively) their companies to engage in prohibited behaviour, and what the defence of having adopted "adequate procedures" to prevent prohibited behaviour actually means.
Click here to read more. For more information or for help assessing you company's risks contact Ed Simpson at The Legal Director on 020 7024 3608 or e-mail him at ed.simpson@thelegaldirector.co.uk
3. The Research & Development tax credit opportunity.
 Getting money back from the taxman can be quite daunting especially when it is in relation to something as complex as the R&D tax credit. Although HMRC have tightened up the rules over the last few years, it is still possible to succeed with claims and actually boost your business cash flow without waiting as Orchard Principal Harvey Mitchell was able to demonstrate.
When software company Aqilla first started developing their web-based accounting solutions in 2007, the last thing that was on their mind was the tax opportunities available. They just wanted to get the product finished and out into the market place.
The rules at the time seemed too complex and difficult and even the company's accountants were not too sure how to go about the process. However, when Harvey did his own review following his appointment in 2008, it seemed to him that an opportunity was being missed, and that what was needed was an intelligent "insider" - somebody who understood the business and the product development process but also had commercial finance awareness. In short a highly experienced finance director.
Click here to read more. For more information please contact Harvey on 07917 784170 or e-mail him at harveym@orchardgrowth.com.
4. The thoughts of Chairman Paul.
 I have been following the debate concerning the future of the Olympic stadium very closely over the past few weeks and after last week's decision I am just glad as a West Ham fan to have actually won something at last!
However the debate of the future of the Olympic stadium has highlighted for me the importance of legacy. In this context it was sporting, but in my view not enough businesses and business people consider their own legacy. We all know how difficult it is in the current climate to cope with the here and now, but all businesses need to have an eye on the future and what will be left behind for employees, family, community, suppliers and customers.
I hope that all the debate that has taken place about the future Olympic legacy will rub off on the business community.
What do you think?
Agree or disagree with Paul? Let him know on 07770 475485 or paulc@orchardgrowth.com.
Kind Regards,
The Orchard Team | 
