Tag: #scaleups

How financial modelling can help improve business decision-making

by hayleyfray

Financial models are powerful tools used for a variety of purposes to assess forward looking financial information to overcome limitations of relying only historic information Some of the best uses for financial models are: We support clients build financial models for a range of business requirements, from simple forecasts to developed models to support decision-making. … Continue reading How financial modelling can help improve business decision-making

Six common mistakes in financial modelling

by hayleyfray

In short The wrong business model, lifted from earlier work Complexity nobody else can follow Assumptions with no reliable data behind them Inconsistent formatting and colour coding Broken links between sheets and files No error checks and no validation Six common mistakes people often make when performing financial modelling: We support clients build financial models … Continue reading Six common mistakes in financial modelling

Six tips to help you create strong financial models

by hayleyfray

In short Use consistent formatting and colour coding Document every assumption you make Build in error checks and test them Validate against benchmarks and history Design for flexibility, not for rebuilds Review and test on a schedule If you’ve planned your financial model and started to build it  We support clients build financial models for … Continue reading Six tips to help you create strong financial models

Thinking about Build and Buy?

by hayleyfray

Build and buy strategies are where a business acquires other businesses, very often to help increase value ahead of an exit. They are not uncommon for private equity or companies trading on a public exchange and can also work for smaller businesses but are less common.  Build and buy strategies can be an attractive way … Continue reading Thinking about Build and Buy?

Is your business culture holding you back?

by hayleyfray

In short No one culture works better than another More staff, and a recent influx of new joiners New managers with different experiences and perspectives Less identification and contact with the founding team Purpose and focus less coherently understood A different strategic focus that has not landed “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”, someone once said. … Continue reading Is your business culture holding you back?

Four barriers to employee engagement

by hayleyfray

In short Why leaders hesitate, and what the data says instead Fear of a deflating response to the survey Cynicism about what different generations want A belief that it only creates pressure on pay Not knowing what would actually help A recent report by Be The Business that compared productivity in the UK compared to … Continue reading Four barriers to employee engagement

Five behaviours to promote innovation

by hayleyfray

In short 95% of executives are dissatisfied with innovation in their business A business focus on finding better ways to do things Engagement and the creative capacity of employees Infrastructure that supports collaboration and learning Deep contextual understanding of the marketplace Willingness to act, learn and fail fast safely The benefits of creating an innovative … Continue reading Five behaviours to promote innovation

Access to Finance Challenges for Scale up Businesses

by hayleyfray

If you are a scale up business, you will already be familiar with the challenge of growing with limited financial resources. Our article ‘Considerations for Scale-ups when raising funds’ outlines some of the common solutions in addition to fundraising support we provide clients. Do you lack financing to sufficiently scale? The Scale Up Institute notes … Continue reading Access to Finance Challenges for Scale up Businesses

Time short entrepreneurs understand that a reliable infrastructure scales their business

by hayleyfray

The Scale Up Institute’s last report identified ‘infrastructure’ as one of the key challenges for scale up businesses. While not clearly defined, the term appears to refer to the ecosystem of local hubs and enterprise agencies available. If you are a scale up business (sales growth > 15%; hitting sales of £10m or more; or … Continue reading Time short entrepreneurs understand that a reliable infrastructure scales their business

What Should Your Scale Up Finance Team Look Like?

by richardspilsbury

In short Finance is often the hardest team to scale Over-spec: a senior hire brought in to clear accumulated issues Grow and build: your existing finance lead develops with the business DIY: the founder runs finance on intuitive software Outsourcing: a practice handles bookkeeping, payroll and year end Virtual CFO: a sounding board, flexed to … Continue reading What Should Your Scale Up Finance Team Look Like?