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THE EIS and SEIS Investment Schemes in the UK
The UK government offers two schemes, both of which I am keen to participate in as an investor. These are the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS.)
What is The EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme?)
The EIS is a government backed scheme which helps companies secure investment when they fit certain criteria, and offers tax relief to investors.
With EIS you can raise up to £5m per year and £12m in your company’s lifetime.
Find out more about the EIS Scheme and all the criteria here.
What is The SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme?)
The SEIS is also government backed, and relates to start ups who require seed funding, up to a maximum of £150,000
Investment from Ryan Howsam
If you are looking for investment for your company or start up, it’s important to find the right fit for you from an investor. I work with all the companies I invest in and encourage them to follow my 90 Days system, which gets results. I have a hands off approach, especially with smaller investments but I will still guide on vision and strategy.
Before submitting an application, please ensure you understand the criteria.
Currently, I invest in already established companies with a profitable EBITDA through my investment vehicle, Howsam.
From my own personal funds I invest in promising start ups or companies at earlier stages in their trajectories, and am keen to hear from those who fit the EIS and SEIS criteria in the UK.
If you are seeking investment under the EIS or SEIS scheme please visit my investment page here.
Previous Investments
Under my own personal funds I have previously invested in a range of companies and start ups. One such investment is Garcon Wines – now Packamama Ltd. Additionally I have invested in other companies though my Howsam investment vehicle including Holibob, Tabl and others.
How I Operate: 90 Days
My proprietary software for my business system, 90 Days is currently used across all my organisations and will be made available to you should your application for investment be successful. I believe all business should start with a vision and from this there should be a clear emphasis on the most important things to do, using an OKR framework.
The 90 Days system will help you to understand what you want and where you are headed in every area of your life, not just business.
To understand the 90 Day system further please see the informational pages on my website here.
5Select Premieres New Business Reality Programme
5Select PREMIERES BRAND NEW BUSINESS REALITY PROGRAMME
FIX OR FAIL
“Is the juice worth the squeeze?”
Meet the business guru Ryan Howsam in the pilot episode of FIX OR FAIL taking business mentoring to new levels, on 5Select this autumn.
A radical new business programme FIX OR FAIL asks one of the most fundamental questions: Do you learn more from failure than success?
Tough but fair Ryan Howsam swears that with guidance, everyone can be a successful entrepreneur. FIX OR FAIL sees Ryan: UK businessman, investor, mentor, and self-made multi-millionaire, invest in and support two ambitious start-ups.
FIX OR FAIL is a fast-paced reality business doc where the highs and lows of the two start-up businesses are on full show in all their gory glory – as they try to fix or fail.
FIX OR FAIL is live wired with fast fun descriptive animation and produced and directed by the infamous film, television and radio producer Victor Lewis Smith.
Victor says: “Ryan is a TV natural with a brilliant eye for detail which he can convey to an audience who know nothing about the intricacies and hazards that business holds.
This is no wham bam next one please biz show. We follow the companies over a full 3 year period and the stories just tumble from the screen.”
In the first ever episode of FIX OR FAIL, Ryan chooses two start-ups to seriously mentor. They need to prove to him who has true business acumen – not just a good idea.
Meet:
· Garçon Wines – the world’s first flat pack wine bottle with ecological genius and a knack for sliding through letter boxes, set up by head strong entrepreneur Santiago,
and
· Vagaband – a low tech safety device for gap year travellers who don’t mind wearing a wrist band, set up by a young 21 year old creative Walker – with his mother Renatta who comes everywhere too!
Ryan is direct, pragmatic – and approachable. With his personal mentorship, honesty and passion for their creative ideas, both start-ups follow Ryan‘s ingenious 90 Days mentoring programme. Which outfit will FIX OR FAIL? Only one will secure Ryan‘s investment of One Million Pounds….
The two companies Garçon Wines and Vagaband, have very different ideas about what it means to run a business as they develop their new Business Plans. Kept buoyant with Ryan’s seed monies, super solutions, expertise, personal advise and powerful mentorship; Ryan works quickly seeing what they don’t see – and that can be the obvious. But tensions rise as potentially disastrous mistakes are made by his two FIX OR FAIL mentees.
When London based Santiago’s Garçon Wines, and Brighton based Vagaband’s Walker and Renatta land in Spain for their final presentation to Ryan, the entrepreneurs really start to see the high stakes at risk. Have they developed their businesses? Will one of them piss away Ryan’s money with huge life changing consequences, or fix and make a fortune….?
Ryan says: “Is the juice worth the squeeze? Mentoring needs to make a difference and my skillset is to focus on a business and find a way to help make sense of it – or stop it.
In business you’ve got to be honest with yourself, as it’s very easy to believe your own bullshit. If you ask yourself smart questions you’ll get great outcomes. And stay focused – that’s what makes the difference in business.”
Today, most new businesses fail. FIX OR FAIL is a topical reminder and, maybe, a salutary lesson in how an entrepreneur should navigate tough waters – as long as the brilliant Ryan Howsam is at the helm.
FIX OR FAIL is must see TV for all budding entrepreneurs.
FIX OR FAIL on 5Select autumn 2022
Notes to editors:
Ryan Howsam is the founder and Chairman of multiple household name companies within his insurance group, Staysure, which is the market leader and includes the brands Avanti, Rock and Paying Too Much, as well as PetSure. Each of the brands in his insurance portfolio have one common aim: to dominate, innovate and disrupt in the niche insurance space.
Ryan is the lead investor in Holibob, a technology- led tours platform, and has several other businesses including a Real Estate Investment Trust in Spain, Arimelia ITG Socimi SA, whose most recent venture is a luxury co-working and office space in Marbella, Spain. The centre, Centro House, blends business facilities with accommodation and brings the feel of a private members club to co working.
Ryan would have loved to have been a top golfer but wasn’t good enough so did the next best thing. Combining his passion for golf and business, Ryan is the majority stakeholder in The Legends Tour and in addition to building the tour, he has recently launched the charity play Golf Lottery in the UK. He himself has a scratch handicap.
Ryan created his own 90 Days programme and app, based on the principles of the OKR framework. He personally uses the system and app to help set and measure goals, and improve lifestyle and performance as do his network of companies and employees.
Ryan is hugely proactive in supporting and mentoring emerging entrepreneurial talents and start-ups within the UK, as well as established enterprises wanting to progress or reshape.
Why 90 Days works for goal setting
New Years resolutions sound great in theory. But how many people do you know who have radically changed their life after a new year push? My 90 Days system and structured approach means that I’m working toward my ultimate outcomes all year, not just for new year. This system aims for long term success with the power of the things you do regularly being organised around your big picture vision.
Always think ahead: A 90 Day Approach
Instead of setting myself overly strict and ambitious new year goals, I’m always thinking ahead. I have a system that revolves around 90 day segments which all fit into a year. I am planning ahead for the next year in Q3 of the year before, and that’s not just in my businesses. Every area of my life from relationships to fitness and golf are managed with the same structured approach in 90 day cycles.
Objectives, Key Results and Tasks
Following OKRTs ( that is Objectives, Key Results and Tasks) and aligning the management teams in my companies has given me huge business gains, but I also follow this approach for my personal life, and would advise anyone who has a personal goal to look into this approach too. OKRTs are the backbone of my 90 Days system, and they work surprisingly well for non-business goals. So, “getting fit” is not just something I impose on myself in January, in fact as long as my vision includes being fitter and leaner, and I set my self Objectives accordingly with Key Results, then I will naturally be setting myself weekly tasks which will move me closer to achieving them each week. This is a powerful way to only focus on what matters, seeing all the thing you want to achieve in your life in one place, knowing where you are headed and getting really selective about the actions you take to get there.
Having a Vision
It all starts with a vision before setting any Objectives. After all, you have to see it in your mind to achieve it. I would advise anyone to create a new year vision board, or articulate their year’s vision even if they don’t adopt the OKRT framework.
The new software I am creating for my 90 Days system lets the user create vision boards for their companies and their personal life areas. The personal vision is private to each user, and one the group of companies and entrepreneurs I have shared the software with so far say they love. They see this as a way to really consolidate what they are doing. After all, if you don’t have life dreams and ambitions, why are you in business?
For me personally, vision boards do help. It’s not magic, it is not a case of visualising something then expecting it to fall into your lap, but it forms the basis of every action you take in future, as you know where you are going and for companies it is inspiring as everyone can see the shared vision.
Here’s an example vision board in 90 Days, below.
Tasks
I don’t believe in to do lists and I make sure my tasks are set around my Key Results. That way I can see that the things I’m doing in a certain week will all help push me toward achieving my Key Results instead of just a load of things to do. This approach helps me to reach my 90 Days Objectives, and ultimately, my vision. Don’t fall into the trap of being a busy fool!
So my advice is very simple: start with the vision not the goal. From here look into OKR methodology if you’re not already, and create your Objectives and Key Results. Then your tasks will follow each week but set them around your Key Results- not just what is urgent. Make sure you are not a slave to a to do list.
In 2022 I’ll be releasing more details on my 90 Days system which has helped me achieve 10 x profit in my companies and move projects forward dramatically even during the pandemic.
Happy New Year!
Further Investment in Holibob, Fast Growth Travel- Tech
Having invested in travel tech brand Holibob in 2020, Ryan Howsam continues to back the company with a commitment of a further GBP 2.5m
Despite the on-going issues in the sector, Holibob has continued to show good growth, attracting a number of significant global travel businesses to use their technology.
Craig Everett, CEO of Holibob said:
“To have the continued support of Ryan is hugely exciting for Holibob. Ryan brings a lot more than capital to the business, and has had a lot of belief in our vision from day 1. We are looking forward to working with him for years to come and continuing to build the business with his support.”
Ryan Howsam explained:
“Holibob sits naturally within my portfolio of travel related companies and I’ve been impressed with the founders’ tenacity and progress over the past year. I am excited to see them continue to grow with my backing.”
For more information visit holibob.tech
Legends Tour 2022 Dates Announced
LEGENDS TOUR ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL 2022 SCHEDULE
- A minimum of 20 official events will make up the 2022 schedule with 15 confirmed today
- Record prize money of over €15 million across the Legends Tour events
- New events launched as part of 2022 schedule resulting in multiple new and returning international destinations
- Exclusive Alliance Pro-Am experiences
- The innovative Celebrity Series raising money for charity
The Legends Tour has today announced the schedule for the 2022 Legends Tour season, after two unprecedented years of restriction as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Tour is looking largely superior than before, with over 20 events and record prize funds totalling over €15 million, across a variety of different countries and continents.
The 2022 season comprises of the refined Celebrity Series and a number of events in the ‘Alliance’ format, offering amateur golfers the opportunity to compete alongside the Legends of the game – a format unique in sport that brings golf fans a premium inside the ropes experience.
The Jersey Legends (10-12 June) will return to the schedule and will be played at La Moye Golf Club and is no stranger to elite competition, having hosted the Acorn Jersey Open in 2016 and is the home club of 1991 Masters winner and Legends Tour player Ian Woosnam.
The JCB Championship (29-31 July) at JCB Golf & Country Club in Uttoxeter, England is another confirmed new exciting addition to the calendar. The event will see a total prize fund of £600,000 and will be hosted by Ryder Cup and European Tour legend Darren Clarke with all profits being donated to JCB’s NSPCC Platinum Jubilee Appeal.
The Swiss Senior Open (8-10 July) will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2022 which is the longest-running tournament on the Legends Tour which has been held annually at Golf Club Bad Ragaz since 1997. The WINSTONgolf Senior Open will also celebrate it’s 10th anniversary in July.
The Sergio Melpignano Italian Senior Open (14-16 October) returns to San Domenico Golf in Savalletri, Puglia, Italy and will welcome the Legends Tour for its final stop on European soil before the final series of events in the Indian Ocean for the MCB Tour Championship which is being finalised and will be announced in the New Year.
Mark Aspland, Chief Operating Officer of the Legends Tour, said: “After two difficult seasons at the hands of the pandemic I am delighted that the rebranded Legends Tour is looking more prestigious than ever with a minimum of 20 events on the international schedule and a record prize fund of over €15 million.
“We are very pleased with the variety of new events featuring in the 2022 schedule including the JCB Championship and the Jersey Legends returning after the previous event in 2016.
“The Swiss Senior Open will see it’s 25th anniversary, which is a great milestone for the Legends Tour, along with the final series of events in the Indian Ocean for the MCB Tour Championship which is always a memorable way to conclude the season which I am very much looking forward to.”
Phil Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Legends Tour, said: “The impressive 2022 schedule is the result of great work from everyone at the Legends Tour, and with the unduly support of the Legends ambassadors it has proven pivotal to our growth.
“The Legends Tour is an integral part of the European Tour Group, and we are working in more international destinations than ever before. This co-aligns perfectly with our Legends Tour proposition by having long lasting relationships with specific destinations and supporting clients looking for premium experiences.”
Legends Tour 2022 schedule (confirmed events):
|
Start Date |
End Date |
Tournament |
Venue |
|
06/05/2022 |
08/05/2022 |
Riegler & Partner Legends, Austria |
Golf Club Murhof, Frohnleiten, Austria |
|
13/05/2021 |
15/05/2021 |
Spain TBC |
TBC |
|
10/06/2022 |
12/06/2022 |
Jersey Legends |
La Moye GC, Jersey |
|
17/06/2022 |
19/06/2022 |
European Legends Links Championship, hosted by Ian Woosnam |
Trevose Golf & Country Club, Padstow, England |
|
23/06/2022 |
26/06/2022 |
US Senior Open |
Saucon Valley CC, Bethlehem, PA, USA |
|
08/07/2022 |
10/07/2022 |
Swiss Senior Open |
Golf Club Bad Ragaz, Bad Ragaz, Switzerland |
|
15/07/2022 |
17/07/2022 |
WINSTONgolf Senior Open |
WINSTONopen, WINSTONgolf, Vorbeck, Germany |
|
22/07/2022 |
24/07/2022 |
Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex |
Kings Course, The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Scotland |
|
29/07/2022 |
31/07/2022 |
The JCB Championship |
JCB Golf & Country Club, Uttoxeter, England |
|
19/08/2022 |
21/08/2022 |
Irish Legends presented by McGinley Foundation |
Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort, Co Donegal, Ireland |
|
26/08/2022 |
28/08/2022 |
Staysure PGA Seniors Championship |
Formby GC, Southport, England |
|
16/09/2022 |
18/09/2022 |
Legends Open de France hosted by Jean Van de Velde |
Golf de St. Cloud, Paris, France |
|
23/08/2022 |
25/09/2022 |
Scottish Senior Open hosted by Paul Lawrie |
TBC |
|
30/09/2022 |
02/10/2022 |
Farmfoods European Senior Masters hosted by Peter Baker |
TBC |
|
14/10/2022 |
16/10/2022 |
Sergio Melpignano Italian Senior Open |
San Domenico Golf, Savalletria, Puglia, Italy |
Pitching for investment: How to impress
Does asking for investment fill you with dread? Do you let your age or experience hold you back? How can you make sure you make the right impression when pitching for money?
I am often asked for advice from businesses seeking funding and how to handle objections from potential investors. Entrepreneurs tend to worry they are too young, too old or that they don’t have the right education or experience. In fact, it doesn’t matter how old you are, how long you have been in business or what your track record is (within reason). What matters to me is you, how you can demonstrate you have what it takes, how well you can articulate your vision, how good your idea or product is and if your business idea really makes sense. This is particularly important in the times we are living in with the changing landscape since Covid-19.
The Basics
The most important thing that I would say if you’re going to approach a private investor is firstly make sure that the business can be articulated in 30 seconds or less. And, secondly, that whatever vision you’re going after you have a team who can demonstrate the capabilities to be able to deliver on it. Do you fully understand the market that you’re going into and who the winners and losers are? Do you really understand how other companies have won in this space? How will you win? And finally, do you really understand the financials and have a business model that makes sense?
As an investor, there’s no way I’m going to pay an overvalued amount. Have you valued your business correctly? You need to think about how the investor can get ten times their money, to take into account that they are going to lose some.
You
Forget the business for a moment, are you a good investment? If I give you my money for your business, I am investing in you as well as the idea. I therefore always look for evidence of resilience, vision, and an ability to inspire others with charisma. Can you articulate your vision in a way that gets people excited? Does it get me excited? Positivity and decisiveness are also important qualities.
All these things are traits I look for in entrepreneurs and business founders, because they are incredibly important in business. Make sure you cultivate them if you want to be an entrepreneur!
So what can make someone stand out to an investor?
It’s hard to define what makes a founder stand out who is looking for money. There is often that intangible quality or spirit that shines through. But, one thing that really does stand out to me is if someone has had it tough. Someone who can bounce back and is resilient. Is this you? Maybe you’ve failed before. Don’t be afraid to share that: I don’t see a problem with people who have failed. In the USA it’s the norm but in the UK they seem to think if someone fails it’s bad and clearly it’s not. You can fail many times until you succeed. That being said, you should never fail the same way more than once.
Secondly, do you think big? I am looking for people who think big but who haven’t lost their marbles in doing so. For example, I heard from someone building a yoga platform the other day who said they were going to have a billion people using their platform. There are just under 8 billion people in the world, so really there is no chance! Whilst it is important to be ambitious you really have to sensor check your big thinking so there is actually some reality in there as well.
Is this your first Rodeo?
Some investors will look at opportunities from entrepreneurs without a track record and some won’t. If an idea is good enough and well thought through, then not having a track record doesn’t make a difference to me. But what does matter to me is that the people with the idea will have the ability to deliver it. You can have a great business idea, but with people that don’t know how to deliver it, it will fail.
The World is Changing- Are You?
Given we are in the middle of a pandemic, it’s also important to look at the current landscape and appetite for investment in different sectors. We don’t know how long it’s going to last and what long term effects it’s going to have. But, it’s highly likely that over a period of time it will disappear. Or it will become a run of the mill thing like the flu. Every business has to look at several scenarios. In a normal market, and a “new normal” market how will your business perform? Investors may now look at a business in relation to Covid. In other words how will this business perform in a Covid world? How can you demonstrate to your potential investor that you have a plan for different scenarios? This is incredibly important.
Do you know what you want?
Before you talk to an investor, it’s a good idea to be clear in your head what you are looking for. In terms of deal structures you’ll find that depending on who you’re pitching, some people will just buy straight equity. Straight equity basically means they are just paying for the stock. Larger companies will put in loan notes and they’ll charge, so be wary of that as a business owner. If someone is putting in loan notes what they tend to do is roll up and compound against you. So just be very wary there as you can have your equity or your value wiped out very quickly with loan notes.
Investors will be looking for some protection, in some cases this may be personal guarantees, although be wary of these, but they may want some form of security, or preference over the company should it go bust. Often investors will be looking for an exit depending on who they are, in 3-7 years. I’m a little bit different as I’m not looking for exits in the short term. If something’s good long term I’m going to stick with it and keep going.
If you are interested in investment and think you have the resilience and vision to impress, check out the application opportunities on my website here.
Think big when setting new year’s resolutions
Did you know that 99 percent of resolutions fail? I’m not surprised, as most people start with a vague goal like “lose a stone” or “save money” which isn’t exactly inspiring and it’s only a matter of time until the novelty of salad or spreadsheets wears off. So here we are in 2021, and this year more than ever it’s important to look ahead with positivity. The system I use, 90 Days, concentrates on the long term vision with targets for 90 days and the year ahead and can be used for any area of your life, not just business. I find this much more achievable than simply setting myself a new year’s resolution, and this system is so simple anyone can do it. Here’s how:
Start with your vision
What is your ultimate dream life? Having a strong, emotional connection to a vision you can see and imagine is much more powerful than simply trying to stick to rules. I write out what my ultimate life would look like in every area from relationships, to golf, to fitness to business. This is incredibly powerful, and doesn’t have to be time bound, you can use vision boards if you prefer or simply write it down. We tend to overestimate what we can achieve in a year and underestimate what we can achieve in 10, so dream big, don’t hold back!
Your goals for 2021
For 2021 you will need to set goals too, although I prefer the term outcome. An outcome is something you will achieve, a goal is something you may achieve. Choose one major and up to three minors, and write them down.
90 Days
Here is where the crucial part of my system comes in, choose your major and minor outcomes for the next 90 days. What are the most important things you have to achieve in the next 90 days to take you closer to your dream life? So, if you’re doing something that isn’t relevant to that, then ask yourself , why are you doing it?
Tasks
Next come tasks. I write my tasks out weekly and assign each one to one of my outcomes or life areas I am working on. If it doesn’t take me closer to my outcome it is not important.
As a typical entrepreneur with a million ideas a minute, focus has always been a struggle for me. Having a system that forces you to hone in on what’s important will prevent you veering off in different directions and help you make massive progress.
And it’s really that simple.
If this resonates with you, you can find out more on my website about my 90 Days programme. I’m also developing software to help businesses adopt this method themselves so watch this space. For now you can start with just the basic concepts above and you will be amazed at the progress you make.
I would love to hear how you get on.
Covid Business: Have you taken the tough decisions you need to?
Ask Powerful Questions and Get Powerful Answers– the biggest question you will need to ask yourself right now is have you really taken the tough decisions you need to, in order to protect the future of your company?
Right now as a business owner, you probably have a challenge on your hands, and you’re not alone. As far back as April, more than half a million UK businesses were reported to be in significant economic distress, and around a quarter ceased trading altogether temporarily. Now we are seeing some easing of lockdown measures, it doesn’t mean things will return to normal and bounce back immediately. In fact, we are expecting a long period of recession and economists don’t foresee us springing back quickly with a V shaped recovery. So, what does this mean for your business? I remain an eternal optimist and I know there is always a way to succeed. The key is not to panic but to take the time to ask yourself the right questions and to look at every area of your business.
Sometimes it is all too easy to put off making the tough decisions, but acting at the right time really can be the difference between make or break. Quite simply, you can get to profit two ways, increasing income or reducing costs. Look at every cost line, if it’s not needed now, get rid of it, the only exception being if it massively impacts your business when volume returns. If so, find a way to put the cost on hold.
This is where negotiation comes in. You would be surprised at how, in the current climate you can renegotiate existing contracts and deals, as your suppliers are in a different position. Where you can put off costs, you must do so now. Have you really been through every cost line and challenged both on the amount you are paying and the payment terms?
Right sizing your organisation- the biggest tough decision.
Getting your staff planning right is essential at any time. Given the furloughing scheme, I believe most employers are doing the humane thing and furloughing staff but it doesn’t stop there. You will have to remodel your business and account for several scenarios. How many staff will you need for each one? If you really don’t need them any more and you cannot afford them, you will have to make the tough choice of letting them go. This needs to be balanced carefully with long term pain of course; recruiting is much more expensive in the long run than keeping on good people, as long as they are needed.
How a reset could be a good thing for your business
Economists say we will not have a V shaped recovery. It is going to take businesses and consumers a while to bounce back. But, a reset is not always a bad thing. Taking stock and analysing your processes through the whole business can bring about new ideas, cost savings and efficiencies.
So what should you do now?
The three most important pieces of advice I can give to any company on the road through the coronavirus recovery are
- Don’t forget to be there for the customers you can still get
- Develop new ways to standout from the crowd with your proposition, service and offers
- Hit the reset button: Take stock of all areas of your business, looking at your processes. Fresh eyes will make you surprised to see what you didn’t before.
Do Not Stop Marketing
I’m amazed to see companies literally giving up, turning off their marketing spend when there is still demand there. If people are actively looking for your product, even in a downturn, let them find you. It sounds simple, but surprisingly I have seen many companies taking a blanket approach turning all marketing off. While some cut backs may be needed, if you do have channels that are paid for on results then you can still go for it. For instance with pay per click marketing, if people are still searching for your product, even if there are less searches, then it’s a no brainer to keep appearing for the smaller pot of people who still want your product.
Develop your Standout
The biggest thing now for any company in this world where it is harder to get the consumer as there is less money flowing is understanding that you really have to get your proposition, price and offer right for the market.
You may have to work a little harder but then when you do, the rewards will be higher. The market and world has changed. It is likely you won’t be able to continue exactly the same as you were, and the winners will be those who stand out. You can develop better products, better services or ideally both and you will need to reconsider the changing behaviour of customers too.
Reset: Your chance to take stock and improve your processes
Sometimes a reset is not a bad thing, looking at every process of your business is a great thing to do. When you really look at your processes properly it’s amazing how much you can save, in both time and money. For example I’ve completely overhauled the way we measure and report on operational efficiency with call handling in my business.
While trying to reduce the average call handling time but also driving more sales to the website, we realised that customers who do need to come through the contact centre need more time, but generally buy higher cost products. So even though the average handling time goes up, we get more from it. Looking at our operational efficiency using the average handling time metric, which we had done since day dot, turned out to be misleading. Now we are looking at margin per minute, measuring true value from the calls we get.
Just because a process has always been in place in your business doesn’t mean it makes sense. Take a fresh pair of eyes and go through all areas of your business.
Focus and Vision
To get out of the downturn, you need a clear vision that brings you and your team together, heading in the right direction. Having a vision is always important but now is the time to take a fresh look at where you are headed. Does it still make sense? And, once you have redefined your vision, you need to make sure every employee knows about it too. After Covid 19, ask yourself, how and where do I need to change my focus?
In order to work towards my vision and bring my teams on board with it, I use OKRs. These are objectives and key results, which are measured quarterly in cycles of 90 days. There is visibility at all levels of the company vision and OKRs so each employee can see how their role fits into the greater collective goals. The system puts the onus on the individual to set his or her own targets and to have stretch targets too. Managers are empowered to report upwards when something is off track. This has been so transformative to my companies that I’ve seen massive change.
Now more than ever, I strongly recommend using this approach to bring teams on board and ensure fantastic performance.
Is the car industry falling asleep at the wheel while Tesla drives forward?
In April 2020, more Tesla vehicles were sold in the UK than any other make. The figures of car sales overall are still low due to the coronavirus pandemic, but electric vehicles took 34% of the market share last month. That’s impressive..
Other car manufacturers have a serious threat from Tesla, but this could happen in any industry. It pays not to be complacent.
You have to stay ahead of the curve, or be left behind.
The perfect example is Blockbuster and Netflix. As early as 2000, Reed Hastings (CEO of Netflix) approached former Blockbuster CEO John Antioco and asked for $50 million for the firm. What a missed opportunity! Simply sticking their heads in the sand thinking streaming would never replace video rental was not a smart move. Don’t be the next Blockbuster, ensure you are embracing the changes and disruptions in your own industry.
Elon Musk has always been a visionary, originally misunderstood, when he wanted to buy a ballistic missile from Russia to create rockets they laughed at him so he built it himself. Now Nasa use him to put thousands of rockets into orbit for satellites. This is true visionary behaviour. With Tesla, he saw where a car could be and he pushed to get the battery and car technology so good that now he supplies tech to these other motor companies. This is a smart move, so he now plays a huge part across the whole eco system.
If Musk wants to change something he is agile, and has used innovative ideas to help build not only Tesla but to propagate the use of electric cars in general. Tesla has 429 locations around the world, offers customers the ability to purchase and customise their model online and has its own network of Supercharger stations, places where drivers can fully charge their Tesla vehicles in about 30 minutes for free. This has all helped him to disrupt and change the market.
Where’s my market going? What is going to disrupt my industry?
These are the questions I would be asking myself right now. It pays to be one step ahead of the game, never be blinkered and assume things will stand still. Channel your inner Elon Musk.
Government loans and grants for UK businesses hit by #Covid19
You’re pivoting, you’re cost cutting, but the situation is still bleak; Grants, loans and subsidies could make or break your business right now. If you haven’t already, ensure you’re not missing a trick with a grant to help you get through the coronavirus pandemic. Loans can also be very helpful, as long as you understand the terms and fully analyse your expected performance post-lockdown. With any loan, always ensure the metrics make sense and do your homework before applying.
Grants
The government grants for companies hit by #Covid 19 are detailed here. You may also find local authorities, charities and organisations offer industry specific grants. A good place to look for these is Grantfinder
Self Employed: help for the Self Employed during Coronavirus
If you are self employed and have lost income, a taxable grant will be paid to the self-employed or partnerships, worth 80% of profits up to a cap of £2,500 per month.
Initially, this will be available for three months in one lump-sum payment, and will start to be paid from the beginning of June.
Small Business Grant Fund (SMGF)
Under the Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF) all eligible businesses in England in receipt of either Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) or Rural Rates Relief (RRR) in the business rates system will be eligible for a payment of £10,000.
Find out more
Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grand Fund (RHLGF)
| Under the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant (RHLG) eligible businesses in England in receipt of the Expanded Retail Discount (which covers retail, hospitality and leisure) with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will be eligible for a cash grant of £10,000 or £25,000 per property. Eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of up to and including £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000. Eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000. Businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or over are not eligible for this scheme. Businesses which are not ratepayers in the business rates system are not included in this scheme. Find out more |
Innovate UK Grant
Grants of up to £50,000 will be available to technology and research-focussed businesses to develop new ways of working and help build resilience in industries such as delivery services, food manufacturing, retail and transport, as well as support people at home in circumstances like those during the coronavirus outbreak.
Future Fund- convertible loan
The Future Fund will provide government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.
The application process is investor-led. This means an investor, or lead investor of a group of investors, applies in connection with an eligible company. As a company you can still register your interest though the relevant pages on the uk.gov website.
Eligibility
You’re eligible if your business:
- is based in the UK
- can attract the equivalent match funding from third-party private investors and institutions
- has previously raised at least £250,000 in equity investment from third-party investors in the last 5 years
There are also eligibility criteria for investors.
Find out more about Future Fund
Loans
Loans on offer depend on your circumstances and I would always advise you analyse your cash flow fo the next 6-12 months, taking into account the current climate. How many customers can you serve in six months when social distancing measures continue? Do you need to add any element of a personal guarantee? Think carefully and take advice where needed. A loan could help tide you over, but just ensure it works for your evolving business too.
Here is more information on the loans on offer.
Bounce Back Loans
| Small firms will be able to take out interest free loans worth up to £50,000 under a new emergency micro-loans scheme. New “bounce-back” loans will be 100 per cent guaranteed by the Government.The Government will cover the interest on the loans for the first 12 months, with firms able to pay back the remaining balance over the next five years at “very low” interest rates. This scheme will help small and medium-sized businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) to apply for loans of up to £50,000. Find out more |
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) supports small and medium-sized businesses, with an annual turnover of up to £45 million, to access loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million for a period of up to 6 years.
The Government will also make a Business Interruption Payment to cover the first 12 months of interest payments and any lender-levied fees. This means smaller businesses will benefit from no upfront costs and lower initial repayments.
The government will provide lenders with a guarantee of 80% on each loan (subject to pre-lender cap on claims) to give lenders further confidence in continuing to provide finance to small and medium-sized businesses.
The scheme is delivered through commercial lenders, backed by the government-owned British Business Bank.
Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
A government-backed loan scheme for large businesses affected by coronavirus for firms with a turnover of more than £45 million. As of 26th May, 2020, companies who qualify will now be able to apply for up to £200 million of finance, with certain restrictions. To apply, companies must choose a lender who is accredited by the scheme.
Furlough Scheme- New Bonuses for Staff Brought Back from Furlough announced
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has revealed new “jobs retention bonus” of £1000 per retained employee in next stage of the coronavirus economic plan.
Confused about government support?
There is now a helpful support finder on the UK Gov website, follow this link to access.
Focus
Trying to stay focussed is my Achilles heel and I think many entrepreneurs are similar.
I’ve developed a unique 90 day approach, taking the best of what’s out there to keep a razor focus on the things that make a difference. Learn how to roll this down throughout your organisation for maximum impact.
Financials and KPIs
Imagine trying to fly a plane without understanding the instruments, don’t do that with your organisation.
Learn how to build financial reports and kpis which enable you to drive the business in a risk controlled way focussing on the information which will inform your decisions. I favour cash flow positive businesses. Learn how to build your business without the need of external investment
Your business
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
Learn how to do a deep analysis of your business to make sure it’s worth going after. Develop a strategy to own a space in the market and build a powerful go to market plan. Don’t be a dummy and limit your marketing, learn how to competitively outspend your competition and achieve incredible growth
Your team
Learn how to build an A player team.
The cost of getting the wrong people into your business is way more than the recruitment and training cost, these people need to be relied upon to drive your growth. Get this wrong and your business will fail. Learn how to delegate and hold people to account without constantly chasing for updates.
You- the entrepreneur
What’s your vision?
Do you know how much you need for your ultimate lifestyle? It always amazes me when people don’t know what they are aiming for, know where you’re going, it’s easier to get there
Saga- Too many suits making stupid decisions
Published: 22/4/ 2022
Saga – A prime example of how a management team with no skin in the game can ruin a fantastic business.
I’ve followed Saga for many years and as a shareholder with more skin in the game than the suits running it, I have a strong opinion on the way it’s being managed. Recently I have seen a systematic destruction of value. So let me offer some advice to a company I know well.
I wasn’t surprised to see Saga has asked its banks for a repayment holiday on loans made to its cruise ship business. That will buy management some time, but I am not convinced that more time is going to salvage Saga’s cruise operation.
I believe Saga should close down the cruise business immediately to concentrate on salvaging other parts of the company that are worth saving. I know it’s tough to shut a business but this is a time for drastic action to be taken in the interest of the Saga business as a whole.
It’s my understanding that Saga has around £700m plus of debt on its cruise ships and additional group debt of around £450m in the core business. Management has said each of its two new ships will generate £40m of EBITDA. But, according to the industry insiders I’ve spoken to, that is a highly optimistic assumption. In the current environment, rather than generating profit, they may well have a negative financial impact on the group.
Reuters recently reported Saga is taking on further debt to add to its existing £450m. The management team should be clear about whether they are taking on core debt to support the cruise business. If so, do they have cross guarantees from the cruise business to the group? That seems unlikely to me, because of the regulatory issues it would raise over liquidity.
I’ve admired Saga in the past and it has carved out a unique space in the over 50s market. But the truth is it’s failing to capitalise on what should be a dominant position. Its figures suggest it only sells an average of 1.2 products per person, which shows how ineffective the cross-selling and cross-marketing strategies have been.
That number shows the business strategy is just not working. Saga’s over 50s play is clearly not resonating with the younger end of this demographic, but they do have a loyal, older, customer base. There is no doubt at all they should focus exclusively on that market. The key strategic question is what should they be selling them?
From a purely commercial standpoint I believe the management are about to make a huge mistake. They should shut the cruise business and focus on the parts of the business that are making money – cauterising the wound to ensure the rest of the company remains healthy. They are probably fearful of brand damage should they put it into administration, but consumers will understand that cruise operators are facing huge issues. There is no better time to get rid of it or if possible get someone who will take it off their hands for nothing.
Time for tough decisions
The cross marketing strategy is failing. Cruise is a separate business and it is one that is dragging the rest of the company down with it. The financial facts bear the argument out. The company has £1.2bn of debt, and £90m of profit, with nearly all of the profit generated by the insurance business. In business, as in life, the difficult decisions are often the right ones.
Selling or closing the cruise ship operation would leave Saga with £450m of debt and around £90m of profit – immediately strengthening the balance sheet.
In fact, cutting the cruise business adrift would lead to cost savings, meaning profits could increase overnight to £100m or more. Even with £500m of debt (including new borrowing), that is sustainable and gives Saga a base to build on.
The truth is management – unlike shareholders – aren’t putting their own money on the line. If they were, they might take the ruthless decisions needed to give Saga a chance of survival.
I’m always prepared to be proved wrong, but my bet is that ship has already sailed.
Softbank’s strategy: Big stakes, poor risk assessment
Published, April 17th 2022
“Softbank’s strategy still lacks common business sense. The number one rule in investing: Don’t lose money”
With recent reports showing Softbank has made a loss of $12.5bn, it’s easy to see how, as many of the individual investments themselves have flawed business models. The overarching investment strategy is an interesting one:
- Softbank’s model is to over-invest and over-value
- This creates a leader and a marketplace, a self fulfilling prophecy, catapulting their investment companies to dominate.
- The model itself could be very profitable, however in my opinion some of their investments have not had sufficient risk assessment: WeWork and Uber being amongst the most alarming.
WeWork’s model is to take leases on buildings that other people own, and oversell the underlying desk space, which in theory makes more money than a typical rental return. Therefore, by not owning the underlying building they are in theory not taking the risk. The reality is, however, there are huge fixed costs which in a downturn they can’t cover. Tying themselves up to long term leases adds no balance sheet value.
When it comes to Uber, their model is more complicated and problematic than other sharing economy organisations like Airbnb: With Uber, there are multiple issues. In many cases there are cars to supply, in some cases help to buy cars, as well as political and legal minefields to overcome. Airbnb is also risky in terms of legal challenges, but it’s a case of the owner simply using an asset, without any fixed cost risk. What’s more, Airbnb is a global model but Uber is regional and easier to imitate.
In summary, Softbank’s “Beyond Carrier” strategy is to connect people, things and events through telecommunications. (www.softbank.com) This mission may be at the heart of their chosen investments, and arguably, propelling the growth of companies like Uber has created huge cultural and social changes through technology. Common business sense is still needed though: To me it seems the basics of risk assessment and business modelling have been neglected in some of Softbank’s more infamous investments.
Need a business interruption loan? Think like an investor
Business is an intellectual game not an emotional one, and that doesn’t change in times of crisis. Before applying for a government backed loan, to increase your chances of success you must think like an investor. This means assessing your business objectively, is it still a good business? Do you really need a loan? And, finally, what would an investor think of your proposition?
The latest reports that just 1.4% of businesses who have applied for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme (CBILS) have been successful is not surprising to me, as an investor. For the bank, only 80% is guaranteed which poses some considerable risk, especially as now it has been announced that banks are banned from asking the business owner to personally guarantee the other 20%. So, how should businesses prepare?
For business owners
A loan, no matter if it’s 80% government backed or not, is still a loan, and the repayments have to make sense to you. As well, your business has to be attractive to the lender. Is your business viable? How will your metrics change in the next few months when social distancing measures continue in-force? Any business owner should be asking themselves this question, “If you were an independent investor, what return would you want from your money or time, and can your business provide this?”
Make sure you have a clear proposition, don’t just assume you will get the money as it’s government backed. The banks need to assess each company on a case by case basis.
The questions I would be asking myself are, how will I have to reinvent my business? What changes will I have to make? For example if you have a restaurant, how will social distancing affect you in future? Will you be taking less covers? Will you have to go for a more upmarket positioning and charge more per cover to mitigate this impact? You know how many people you need through the door to make a profit usually so how can you still succeed with social distancing?
“The real damage may be yet to come, when businesses start to open up again but in a new environment, with social distancing measures likely to continue for some time”.
Assessing risk – the lender’s perspective
The obvious question to ask about the CBILS scheme is why are so few businesses being accepted?
Firstly, banks are being inundated with requests and have not had the chance to resource up for this, so there will inevitably by a backlog. Any business, no matter how big, when faced with overwhelming volume is bound to slow down. Secondly, banks are no longer following their usual underwriting risk assessment criteria. Now it appears the rules have changed and banks have been banned from asking for personal guarantees from small businesses seeking help, so it is not even clear who takes on the risk for the remaining 20%. This situation could mean the part of the loan not backed up by The Government is not secured, and therefore it becomes a bigger risk for banks. If there are no personal guarantees then surely the banks are going to choose companies who have more chance of success.
As an investor myself I can see why lenders would not want to provide loans to companies who were not solid before the crisis, so you really need to do your homework, do your own planning and asses whether you have a viable proposition for the lender.
What should business owners do? Should you take a loan at all?
Each business is unique but now is the time to take stock and really assess where the business will be in the short, medium and long term. Take advantage of grants, furloughing schemes and plan carefully for the return to business post Corona. With emotions running high during the Covid19 pandemic, it’s easy to let the heart rule the head. Now is the time to be objective. It’s absolutely worth getting a grant or furloughing your staff so they can be paid, whereas a loan is something you have to consider carefully. A loan is still a loan, with repayment terms, even if it’s 80% government backed. How will you repay it? Are you sure this is the best option for you and if your business is strong enough to support it?
Applying for a loan
Here is a link to information about the CBILS scheme and how to apply.
If you do decide to go ahead and apply for the loan, make sure your application is a well researched one. To increase your chances of getting the loan you need to have done your homework and planned for the medium and long term impact of coronavirus social distancing rules, and show how you are mitigating the risks. Remember your loan needs to be considered carefully and still poses some risk for the bank, so having a solid plan is the only way you will be accepted. It also means there is more chance for you to succeed, during and after the coronavirus pandemic. Businesses evolve, and those that will do well are those who can move with the challenges of the market at any time.
Furloughing staff? Don’t make this stupid mistake!
If you’re furloughing staff: Make sure they want to come back.
There have been numerous studies which show it is more expensive to recruit a new employee than it is to retain one. If you have had to furlough staff, the biggest risk right now is losing their loyalty. When your company comes together again, you want your staff to have your back. Furloughing staff is already much better than letting them go and shows your commitment to them in the long term, but employees may not realise this, thinking it’s just free money from the Government. So how can you keep your teams on board? With strong leadership.
“The Government will kindly be paying your staff 80% of their wages for the next few months, but they will not be responsible for setting your future culture, only you can do that.”
The company your furloughed staff come back to may not be the same as the one they left. Don’t neglect your staff right now. It’s not just about money, it’s about continuous leadership in good times and bad.
Communication
The most important piece of advice I can give is don’t forget your furloughed workers. I send regular video comms to mine, via email. I simply tell them about what we are doing, how we appreciate them and want to see them back at work soon. I am also sharing data about our performance and this also shows that we know what we are doing as a management team.
Remember: Communication is two way
Be approachable as a Leader. You can’t exactly open your office door now most of the workforce is working from home or being furloughed, but you can and must make a means of communication available to your staff. It’s important to listen to their concerns and address them honestly too, don’t just make your dialogue all one-way. Right now I don’t have a lot of spare time. My business has been hit by the Covid19 pandemic and I’ve been on back to back conference calls for the past two weeks. I still make time to answer employees who contact me.
Listening to employees
Here are some emails : one I received from a staff member thanking me for my video update and another reply I sent to a different employee who did the same.
It means a lot that we can still keep employees engaged and on-board in this difficult time and I am looking for ways to get them back in as soon as I can. I’m working toward making my organisational culture better, not worse after #Covd19. Are you doing the same?
Morning Routine: Wim Hof and Tony Robbins
Morning routines are important.
One of the best ways to achieve your outcomes is to start the day right. It’s not just BS either, if you look at all the great leaders and successful people they tend to have something in common, a positive and disciplined morning routine.
I started using the Wim Hof Method when I was recovering from cancer. It’s helped me tremendously not just in business but in my personal life. I make sure I follow a structured routine with exercise and breathing, every single morning. Wim is an amazing guy who uses his breathing to control his own nervous system and he’s been getting a fair bit of press lately. I think he’s great and swear by the ice bath every morning. Trust me, as daunting as it looks it really works. I even had to brave the North Yorkshire sea yesterday.
Tony Robbins
One of the other gurus I follow is the legendary Tony Robbins I’ve met Tony and participated in his seminars. He has helped me understand what I really want in life and go for it. One of the techniques he taught me is priming which is another breathing technique.
Design your own routine
Whatever the routine is you choose, pick one and stick with it for 21 days. This is how long it takes to change a habit. If the ice bath is not for you, you could try yoga or meditation, or even just writing a list of how you want to the day to go. This may sound like new age stuff but trust me, it actually works.
Get Focused
I’ve got through a lot so far in my life and these techniques have genuinely helped me. I am the chairman of three insurance companies and co founder of a tech start up. I receive approximately 1000 emails a day, around 200-300 whats apps, I have investments and mentees I need to manage and I am juggling this with family too. On top of all this I naturally have a short attention span. Focus for me has always been my achilles heel. Waking up, breathing, setting my intentions and jumping in the sea (or an ice bath) sets me up for the day so I can handle whatever is thrown at me.
As business owners we have a lot to do right now: no time for wallowing!
Check out my video below if you want to see me in action with my morning routine.
Cheers,
Ryan
Free business advice opportunity!
I’m offering my time for free during the coronavirus pandemic.
As a mentor, investor and business owner I know we are facing a challenging situation right now with Covid19. I’ve been there before and faced really tough times. You don’t know what you don’t know and having the right approach and mindset is key to coming out of this the other side stronger than ever.
My approach may be different from many, who get caught up in fear. I prefer to find opportunities even in a downturn and I want to help others do the same.
I’ve decided to open up my diary for businesses who need help for the next couple of months and offer free mentoring- I will answer your business questions every Monday afternoon in my Facebook Group. Make sure you join my group, the link is in the footer, and if you have a question you can fill out the form here.
In times like these we need to pull together,
Ryan
Marketing during #Covid19
Should you pull all of your marketing campaigns during the #Covid19 pandemic?
Do not succumb to fear: Firstly, have you assessed the market? It’s possible you still have some potential customers out there, even now. If there is still some demand, however small, you need to be visible. Be smart with your marketing spend. Adopt measurable, direct response advertising strategies. I also recommend that you reduce any ATL campaigns at this time if you can.
Then there’s the long term vision- we know the Coronavirus pandemic may last some time but it won’t last forever. Can you put new prospects onto a nurturing campaign?
And finally, anyone who isn’t doing this is just crazy right now: Think laterally. How can you serve the customers you already have during this time? Can you pivot or create new products? Can you at least keep your clientele engaged for when things pick up? Now is the time to get creative….
Watch my video below and good luck with your marketing. Let’s keep positive!
Uk Gov help for SMEs #Covid19
The Government is offering help to SMEs during the #Covid19 pandemic. I’ve taken a detailed look at the recent literature and in my video, below, I offer my thoughts on the various options for business owners. I also share my advice during this crucial time. Remember to think like an entrepreneur, keep adapting and you will bounce back!
For more information about the government help, check out: official Government advice for support for UK Businesses.
Vlog 6: Leading from the front
Own the story in your business
I like to cut negativity and rumours dead before they can start to take hold in my organisation. I recommend you own the story in your business by being visible and leading from the front. Putting out a clear and unified message across the whole Exec team is extremely important in a time of crisis.
I try to always be authentic with my employees. Today, for example, I’ve made a short video for my call centre team about what we are doing here at Staysure as I am trying to reinforce our new safety protocols. I want my team to know how hard we are working to keep the business successful in years to come and how much they matter to that picture.
Vlog 5: Finding a win win
After the harrowing few days we have had at Staysure, by sheer perseverance I’ve come up with a win win. Business is about constantly finding solutions..
Determination
Determination has kept me going these last few days, (as well as adrenaline!) As an entrepreneur I have had to think on my feet to ensure the future of my business and make sure my exec team are making smart decisions. In today’s video I explain how I’ve taken some decisions for the good of the company and to ensure customers who have already made a purchase with us get the maximum benefit of their policy in future, once it is safe to travel.
Vlog 4: Honesty is the best policy
After a roundabout turn form our underwriter to no longer offer TDE despite an earlier deal, I have had to appease customers.
When customers come in a stampede
Customer demand being too high is usually a “good problem to have”, but since I have been the only player in the market offering TDE we have literally had more than 30 times the usual volume Our call centre was swamped and our website also buckled under the pressure, not a good place to be when we were not able to accommodate all the customers who wanted to add TDE to their policies. What’s worse is the underwriter pulled the TDE so some of those trying to add it on Friday couldn’t get through. This has caused an influx of calls and complaints. Sometimes in trying to do the right thing you end up with a whole host of new problems- all you can do is put it right and put your best foot forward, showing you are doing what you can.
I made the following video for customers to show them I do care, and explain what we are doing to put the situation right.
VLog 3: Business goes on in a crisis
Business continues even in a crisis.
Day 3 of the Coronavirus pandemic crisis and my Vlog continues.
I just got out of a meeting with my underwriters and the good news is I am keeping the travel disruption extension for now- this is the result of sheer hard work, a strong relationship and tenacity as I want to do the right thing for my customers and the business.
Watch here..
