Issue 1 - January 2012 
CN Partner News
In This Issue
Join our Partners for 1-2-1 meetings at 7 Feb Lunch
New Year's Resolutions: starting a business
New Year's Resolutions: growing a business
New Year's Resolutions: exiting a business

Join our Partners at the 7 Feb networking lunch with speaker Lara Morgan:

one-to-one meetings available on request

Lara Morgan
 We have our first networking lunch event of 2012 on the 7th of February at Claridge's and our guest speaker will be Company Shortcuts Founder Lara Morgan, ex CEO of Pacific Direct Group. Lara will talk about "Values leadership to ensure engagement and innovation." 
 
As an enhancement to the networking opportunities at the event, we are also offering members the opportunity to take part in short, one-to-one meetings prior to the lunch (11 - 12), in order to maximise time spent at the event.  Priority booking will be given to members and lunch delegates but meeting attendees do not have to attend the lunch.
 
If you would like us to set up a brief meeting with a Partner or member of the network please email us with the details (you can either search the members' database on our website by logging in to the members' area first, or you can search through members of the Chairmans Network Group on LinkedIn). Delegates lists from past networking events are also available to view on our website. 

Please contact us if you experience any problems with this. Obviously, acceptance of the meeting request will be at the discretion of the invitee.

 

More about our Partners
 Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment services for individuals and businesses globally

 

Incisive Edge
Incisive Edge are revenue generation specialists working with mid-tier owner managed companies to deliver sustainable, profitable, predictable growth and helping to realise more profitable futures.


Hayward & Associates logo
With access to an extensive network of C-Level, Directors and managers in the SME sector, Hayward & Associates delivers first-rate, handpicked executive management teams to the Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT) industry

 

 

LDC

 

LDC is the UK's leading mid-market private equity specialist 

 

nortons

nortons is an international firm of business consultants and chartered accountants

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, 
Welcome to the first edition of Partner News - a quarterly update with insights from our Partners: accountancy firm nortons, Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management, business growth specialists Incisive Edge, executive search specialists Hayward & Associates and recently joined mid-market private equity specialists LDC.

 

In this issue our Associates look forward to 2012 and offer valuable tips pertaining to starting, growing and exiting a business in the coming year. If you would like to meet any of our Partners (or other members) for an exploratory chat, this can be facilitated prior to our 7 February lunch at Claridges, London (places still available as this goes to press).

Pointers on starting a business (or early stage): 

 

Dan HallIt's never too early to Plan. Estate planning opportunities may exist when shares in a company have little or no value

  

Prepare for worst case scenarios like the death of a shareholder or key employee 

 

 

 

 

David Bowler- Focus on positioning the business in the market place
 

- Differentiate through creating a strong customer value proposition
 

- Build a competitive advantage to make you stand out
 

- Put the correct structure in place to ensure timely and cost efficient delivery of your high quality and innovative product/ service
 

- Stick to a lean model and refrain from expenditure on unnecessary overheads. Cash flow is crucial
 

- Focus on sales first and sophisticated brand development coming second

 

Andrew NortonPlan, Plan and Plan - failing to plan is planning to fail

Seek outside funding at the right time

Get the right Management Team

Protect your intellectual property

Think global when you plan

Take proper advice

Conserve Cash flow

Think Strategically about your channel to market

Think Strategically about your exit

Know your elevator pitch and hit everyone you meet with it!

 

Pointers on growing a business:

 

Ed Haytwer

Have a clear growth strategy. Is your business following a clear and distinct approach to growth? 
 

Establish original protected intellectual property rights within the company 

 

David Bowler

 - Create a robust practical strategy across all key areas of Finance, Clients, Systems and processes, L&D - training, Growth and innovation

 
- Target achieving specific profitable revenue objectives and building measureable share-holder value within a defined time limit

 

 - Identify a specific customer base to sell to by segmenting, targeting & qualifying market data.


- Build product extension and depth - what else can you sell to your target market around your core business offering?


- Focus on widening distribution channels to reach new markets


- Develop a resonant brand and consistent communications strategy


- Sell increased product volume at a greater frequency and higher value to existing clients


- Build the business on several different pillars of retained profitable revenue

 

Pointers on exiting a business:

 

Dan Hall 

Review the equity ownership within your business to ensure that business owners qualify for 'Entrepreneurs Relief' 


Think about where you may live post-sale

 

 
  

David Bowler

- Ensure proper succession planning

 

- Devolve the management of the business so future success isn't dependent on the owner-manager

 

- Forward extend client contracts and be able to show the sustainable profitable future of the business

 

- Highlight the value your business offers both alone and which can be multiplied when a prospective purchaser adds their resource to it to achieve specific results (e.g. their geographical footprint, sales-force or established distribution channels will multiply existing revenues)

 

- Find choice of purchaser in the market-place to create a competitive sale scenario and leverage an increased price on exit

 

Ed HaytwerMake sure your business is groomed for an exit. Is the business from an operational, financial, and leadership level in the right position for a good exit?
  

Have you identified your exit route. Do you know how you wish to exit the business and if it is through institutional and or a trade sale angle has the businesses been suitably marketed to potential buyers?
  

Understand the value of your business in the market. It is easy to believe that a business is worth more than it actually is, so understanding the macro environment is a key dimension 
The Chairman's Network is a membership based business networking club for Chairmen, CEOs, NXDs and Senior Directors who meet regularly at networking events with eminent speakers. Its aim is to
enable the leaders of growth-oriented businesses to succeed more quickly by leveraging the collective expertise, experience and contacts of other members. For more information on membership and events, please call 01242 236277