SME Magazine SPRING 2017 | Page 3

EDITOR’S COMMENT & CONTENTS CONTENTS 4 GIBSON’S VIEW When it comes to Brexit, the UK holds all the cards, says Marcus Gibson 10 LISTEN, LEARN, LEAD Former England rugby player Tim Rodber on what the sport taught him about running a business – and how to keep ahead of the pack 14 THE MAVERICK FACTOR Professor Damian Hughes on the importance of making people think – what he calls Double Loop Learning 18 LEARNING LAND Entrepreneur Seb Francis tells us about his educational technology company and what it takes to work around the clock 23 BRANDING? WHY BOTHER? Expert Robert Bean considers what small businesses need to do to make sure their customers – and clients – get maximum bang for their buck 28 IMPROVING ON REALITY Goldman Sachs estimates the size of the VR/AR market may reach $182bn by 2025. Scott Shillum finds out why 31 FLYING HIGH SMEs are central to the UK and Europe commercial drone industry, which has enjoyed phenomenal growth in recent years. Simon Wigmore reports 34 THE RIGHT IMAGE Reputation management is not rocket science but it can send some into orbit and leave others burnt and bloodied, says Stephen Fleming 36 MEETING OF MINDS Organised by Like Minds, more than 150 leading investors, entrepreneurs and SMEs came together to hear the most innovative thinking in business today 45 THE SOLUTIONS LAB Specialist knowledge is key to success for SMEs so, in each issue, we drill down to get the best advice from the experts in the business world www.smeweb.com A DROP OF THE STRONG STUFF T o the National Enterprise Network’s annual conference in London where Dawn Whiteley, the organisation’s chief executive, could not hide her disappointment that no one from government felt it worthwhile to pop in and say hello. As reported later in this issue, Whiteley told delegates: “You may have noticed we have had no MPs or ministers here today. On this occasion the MP (Margot James) declined our request to be here… She is the Minister for Small Business in a department that does not appear to have a remit for small business.” Whiteley may have been speaking in a quiet, controlled fashion but her message came through loud and clear: SMEs are the heartbeat of the UK economy and everything should be done to help and encourage them – including coming along to such conferences. There may well be good reason for the government’s no-show but Whiteley’s suggestion that the business department “does not appear to have a remit for small business” is strong stuff and I await an official response with interest. Talking of strong stuff, take a look at our interview with former England rugby player Tim Rodber, one of the toughest players in a formidable England pack back in the 1990s, on his move from top level rugby into the world of business. Rodber, still looking good for his years at the coalface of one of sport’s hardest games, tells us about his role as chief executive of The Instant Group – and what lessons he took from the rugby pitch into his business career. Now that we face a General Election on June 8, the type of Brexit we can expect – whether it be soft, hard, grey, red white and blue, sensible, clean or something in between – will be much debated over the coming weeks. And, amid the bickering and the political jousting, I imagine the net result will mean a softer Brexit than might have happened without the election – that’s certainly what the markets were betting on after Theresa May’s announcement. In the meantime, enjoy the magazine and let me know what you think. We are here to be part of the SME world and would love to hear from you. My email address is below. GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESS GROWTH Editor SME [email protected] INSIDE: WHAT BUSINESS CAN LEARN FROM THE MAVERICKS Spring 2017 I £4.99 www.smeweb.com AHEAD OF THE LEARNING CURVE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR’S EDUCATIONAL LESSON + LISTEN, LEARN, LEAD From chief enforcer to chief executive: Former England rugby player Tim Rodber on how he is driving his company to new heights GUIDE TO GROWTH Branding expert Robert Bean on the six questions all small businesses need to ask themselves to get maximum bang for their bucks MEETING OF MINDS More than 150 leading investors, entrepreneurs and SMEs come together to hear the most innovative thinking in business today Designed & Published by Publications UK Limited Advertising Tel: [phone] Email: [email protected] Managing Director Stewart Lee Editor Daniel Evans Tel: [phone] | [email protected] [email protected] Production Manager Hitesh Chauhan Design Dan Angel Production Emily Turner & Angela Brown Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication, and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and the promoters will not accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication without permission is strictly forbidden. ©Publications UK Limited 2017. The publishers make no recommendation in respect of any of the advertisers, and no recommendation may be implied by way of the pre sence of their advertisements. SME 3