BUILDING RESILIENCE
Aaron Lee is a chemical distribution specialist helping his clients source chemicals from across the globe . A freelance consultant who lives on the Wiltshire border , he said :
“ Supply chains in my world are critical and yet it ’ s very easy to play it safe and stick with what you know – until things go wrong . Most businesses don ' t have a robust evaluation process of their supply chain and that includes chemical and ingredient suppliers . They don ' t keep a close enough eye on market trends or on supplier capabilities . I do – and even though I ’ m young in my own business ( less than a year ) I ’ ve been travelling the globe for over a decade stress-testing supply chains .
“ It ’ s essential to try to stay ahead of the curve and be ready to change or flex if something comes along to disrupt a supply chain which can have knock-on effects when it comes to costs . How much do you think it ’ s going to cost to move goods which cannot go through the Red Sea route for safety reasons – to be re-directed around a much longer route ? We are yet to see the full fall-out of that situation .”
DRAW ON YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCE TO BE A LEADER : I ’ ll give the final word to Lucy Beck of A2Z Cloud based in Salisbury . She talks about ‘ grit ’ which can help a leader draw upon their life experiences right back to childhood to get themselves – and their teams - through those difficulties in business which come yet cannot always be predicted .
From being bullied at school for her size , to excelling at squash and becoming an accomplished county level player in Yorkshire , to founding her business in a world where finding investment as a female tech business owner was and is extremely challenging . Then she moved her business from Shaftesbury to Salisbury to solve a huge recruitment problem , through more recently to the sudden loss of her father and business investor .
“ This odyssey of mine has been underpinned by a belief in the transformative power of grit ,” Lucy said .
“ Embracing the necessity of making mistakes , to fight even when defeat seems imminent , and to make the tough calls others shy away from . It ' s about managing emotions effectively , trusting one ' s instincts , and giving more than what seems feasible . My commitment to leading with integrity , even when no one else follows , meeting and exceeding expectations against all odds , and paying attention to the minutiae that others might overlook , has been crucial .
“ The core values embedded in my company – RICHES ( Respect , Inclusion , Communication , Humanity , Efficiency , and Success ) — have been my guiding principles . They remind me that success is not just about growth and evolution but about embodying these values in every decision and action . My journey at A2Z Cloud is a testament to the belief that with perseverance and a steadfast adherence to our values , overcoming any obstacle is possible .”
How Cashflow Finance can aid business resilience
by Natalie Charteris , Operations Director at South West Business Finance
Cashflow refers to the money moving in and out of your business . The aim is to have a positive cashflow ( more money coming in than out ) so that you can deal with any unexpected issues and invest in growth . Having poor cashflow can cause major business issues even if you ’ re making profit ! So , what is Cashflow finance and how can it help ?
ADVERTISING FEATURE
A cashflow forecast will help you to see how much money your business will have in the future , letting you plan for these possible unexpected changes in business and budget effectively for things like stock and employee costs .
Running a successful business can be a challenge , especially if your business is subject to seasonal highs and lows . It is important that you ’ re prepared for any unexpected issues that could affect your cashflow and cashflow finance could be the answer by assisting with the following :
• Helping even out peaks and troughs in the cash flow cycle
• Tackling long payment terms and money held up in unpaid invoices
• Fulfilling expansion plans such as new staff , premises or projects
• Allowing you to take unexpected opportunities for growth
Finding the right type of finance for your business can be difficult . We can help guide you in the right direction of different cashflow funding structures such as short terms unsecured loans , bridging finance or invoice finance to ensure that cashflow doesn ’ t become an issue for your business . To find out more about how SWBF can help your business , email : enquiries @ swbf . co . uk or call : 01225 800 849 .
Visit SWBF online at : www . swbf . co . uk
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2024 15