BUSINESS SUPPORT AND ADVICE

•  Being the MD of a Small or Medium Enterprise SME can be one of the loneliest and busiest jobs in the business world; part-time non-executive directors, advisers or mentors can be indispensable in debating and supporting an MD's concerns and plans, and a respected non-executive director can attract investors

•  Whilst Potential High Growth companies PHG s will have the necessary sector experience and product expertise, smaller companies can not be expected to have the wide range of business skills and specialities available to larger businesses. VCL 's business support is aimed at filling that need ad hoc and at a reasonable cost

•  VCL can provide a wide range of business advice for SMEs, ranging from general management advice or mentoring, to help with specific topics

•  BUSINESS STRATEGY AND PLANNING - Business plans and strategy, and mission statements

•  EXIT PLANNING, SELLING BUSINESSES, MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS - Maximising the value of your business, and all activities around preparing to sell, merge or acquire a business

•  ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE – Book-keeping and accountancy, profit and loss, banking options, debt management, credit control, tax advice and grants

•  IMPORT, EXPORT AND OUTSOURCING - Advice and guidance on all aspects of import, export, overseas manufacturing and outsourcing abroad

•  IT AND TECHNOLOGY - Hardware, software, websites and e-commerce

•  INSURANCE AND LEGISLATION - Reduced cost insurances, managing liability, employment law, and Health and Safety

•  MANUFACTURING, WAREHOUSING AND LOGISTICS - Productivity, technology and efficiency

•  PURCHASING AND PROCUREMENT - buying strategies and best practice, cost reduction and consortium buying

•  MARKETING AND SALES - Branding, copywriting, design and artwork and marketing strategies; increasing turnover and profit, maximising new and existing customers, management of peaks and troughs, negotiating contracts, business tendering and presentations, and customer service

•  PERSONNEL AND TRAINING - Recruitment, HR services, people and performance management, employee benefits and incentives; training including selling and negotiating, management and supervisory skills, train the trainer, making presentations, motivation and communication in the workplace, teambuilding, report writing, and how to write business plans

•  ACCREDITATIONS, QUALITY AND POLICIES - Health and Safety, PAT, COSHH, IIP, and ISO

•  BACK OFFICE PROCESSES - Payroll, invoicing, PAYE and business processes

•  VCL provides such services from its own resources, or from the resources of over 4,000 accredited associates of the Institute for Independent Business in the UK and overseas. We can usually find someone who is well versed in any particular problem, specialism, or industrial sector

•  In the UK Midlands, we also work with AMBA which can, in addition to a wide range of management support in the region, also offers a wide range of management seminars and training sessions on topical and profit-enhancing issues.