Branson calls for businesses plan

[Postie]

Business tycoon Richard Branson urged the government to promote economic growth by making it easier to start small businesses in the UK.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-1822502...PublicRSS20-sa

What do you think?
.

[casssimplyb]

I think it's an intriguing idea. Small businesses are the back bone of the economy so anything that helps them flourish is a good thing.

[Ray Stewart]

In my recent experience there is no shortage of good business ideas and people keen to start - the problem is funding. The banks are still holding tight onto money and only giving it to businesses that don't need it. Solid embryo businesses that are starting to succeed, but really in need of cash flow help, are being turned away.

So much for Cameron wanting to make it easy. Order the banks to do their job and these businesses will prosper and grow and create employment. Leave things as they are and nothing much will change for the forseeable future.

[Mark]

Do you think we're still letting the banks get away with murder?

[leemason]

What we need to do is to recall all of the money that we "lent" to banks are start a proper business investment bank who's sole role would be to provide investment funding for UK businesses of all sizes. This should be run by business people who know what it's like to start and run businesses. Not bankers!

[Mark]

Good idea - the banks are always calling-in the loans they give!

[thelegalstop]

Richard Branson is an expiring person with everything he does. In this case, I could not agree more that this is a very good idea! Small businesses do need a push!

[leemason]

Do you mean inspiring?

[philwheatley]

These days, people can start a business with the cost of a domain and hosting. Of course, it depends on your type of business, but a website can put your business in front of people worldwide. Amazon vs woolworths for example. I think it is great that many people have taken a step back from life and had the opportunity to really think about what they are doing with their lives, in some cases this has meant starting a business rather than being an employee.

The problem though is how people approach it. In some cases, people just think "I would like to open a party shop" or "a coffee shop" or whatever, without doing any research as to whether their town really needs one. So, any scheme run by the government would need to involve some kind of education rather than just funding.

Thanks
Phil

[leemason]

That's why I was suggestion a really "business" run investment bank. This would mean that new businesses not only got the finance but the mentoring needed make a success of their venture.

[philwheatley]

Originally Posted by leemason

That's why I was suggestion a really \"business\" run investment bank. This would mean that new businesses not only got the finance but the mentoring needed make a success of their venture.

Oops, sorry Lee, I missed that part. Yeah, you're right. In fact, mentoring is a huge short cut to success.

Thanks
Phil

[leemason]

Originally Posted by philwheatley

Oops, sorry Lee, I missed that part. Yeah, you're right. In fact, mentoring is a huge short cut to success.

Thanks
Phil

No, you didn't miss anything I just didn't fill in the gaps that where in my mind! I'd really love to see something completely outside of Government and the current banking system to provide such mentor related finance to small and growing businesses.

[spraytanpro]

Something like Business Link (RIP) or Growth accelerator providing the mentoring & aproving the business model & Branson providing the funding (via Virgin Bank) would work a treat.