A group of local business experts have launched a new free series of business seminars aimed at helping guide local business owners and directors through the four key stages of their life-cycle, including start-up, growth, expansion and eventually succession planning and exit strategies.

Finding the time to attend seminars has become more and more difficult as we try to squeeze more into our working day. But taking time to step back and take in the ‘big picture’ is imperative for businesses to grow and thrive.

Tammy Butler, from Hopkins Solicitors, says: “It’s easy to get wrapped up in our everyday operational tasks and fire-fighting, and forget to ensure you are not only planning ahead for the future, but checking that you have all your current business aspects, that you’ve worked so hard to achieve, set up correctly and secure.

“We have collaborated with a group of local business experts to create a series of seminars that will have relevant information with a quick strong impact for the attendees.”

These seminars have been set up to include short 15 minute snippets of advice on topics that are relevant to a business based on the current life-cycle stage they are in. Richard Hampshire from Hampshire Hill Financial Advisors says, “We have always run seminars to advise business owners on how to best invest their business profits, but we wanted to expand this offering and include other important aspects such as legal and accounting advice. We feel this new series will significantly help business owners obtain an overview of the topics they need to be addressing based on the stage they are in, and to start preparing them for the next stage.”

Currently there are seven local businesses experts involved, including Hampshire Hill Financial Advisors, Hopkins Solicitors, Stopfords Accounting, D2N2 growth Hub, Barclays, Invest in Ashfield and Mansfield District Council. As the upcoming seminars are scheduled that list is expected to significantly expand.

Deputy Mayor Mick Barton said “The council supports businesses to develop and grow in Mansfield and provide good employment opportunities for local people. Our dedicated business support team can provide information on grants, starting up and growing your businesses. This new schedule of events is a great opportunity to access professional services and support”.

Seminars scheduled in 2019:

Chapter 1: A health check to ensure your foundations are right (30th January 2019)
Chapter 2: Managing the growing pains of your success (Spring 2019)
Chapter 3: Expanding through mergers and acquisitions (Summer 2019)
Chapter 4: Succession planning and your exit strategy (Fall 2019)

Chapter 1: A health check to ensure your foundations are right

Who should attend: This first chapter has been created for SME businesses (0-5 years old) that want to check they have the core foundations of their business set up right. This seminar is a way to take a step back and ensure they have their business set up in the most secure and profitable way possible.

• Business structures; the legal pros, cons and the tax implications of each (Tom Stendall of Hopkins Solicitors and Brian Stopford of Stopford Associates)
• Credit control; what you need to know about T&Cs and debt collection (Carl Wright of Hopkins Solicitors)
• Investing profits; making your money work harder for you (Richard Hampshire of Hampshire Hill)
• Funding options; funding future growth and improvements (John O’Donnell of D2N2 Growth Hub)
• Cyber security; protecting what you’ve built (Anthony McGhie of Barclays)
• Business Support; how your local authority can help (Fardad Amirsaeedi of Mansfield District Council)

On Wednesday 30th January the doors will open at 7:30am for breakfast rolls and refreshments, and the seminar will run from 8:00am till 9:30am, followed by networking and drinks.

It will take place at The Oakham Suite, 155 Nottingham Road, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 4AE. Free onsite parking is available.

To Reserve a Space: Seminars are free to attend but space is limited. To secure a space email [email protected] or visit https://www.hopkins-solicitors.co.uk/about-hopkins/business-seminars/