Tips for business owners to navigate 2025

Welcome to our first Watering Hole of 2025. In this issue we'll look at the ongoing implications of the budget for business owners and have lots of tips for navigating 2025 successfully. ?

The ongoing implications of the October 2024 Budget??

Martin Brown and Karishma Navarane of Ignition Law talk through the key measure from the October budget and the impact that they have been having on businesses and particularly owners who plan to grow and sell their businesses. They also share their tips and insights to help businesses to navigate the coming months?

Business growth through ESG?

We have worked with MSx, leaders in UK Bonded Warehouse Services and Distribution, since 2023, beginning with a Business Growth Plan, but have since provided ongoing Board Advisor support and consulted on their ESG journey. Peter Blatch is Business Development Director at MSx. He explains how their ESG journey has developed:??

We have seen an ever-increasing requirement for ESG conformity within all new tenders/contract negotiations, especially with regards sustainability. To this end we see this as a key development area in the coming months and is becoming a key element to securing longer-term agreements moving forward. Surprisingly, through recent discussions, we would appear to be ahead of some of our competitors, but we understand that there is still a need for further development in this area, and a need to increase awareness and involvement across the business on a day-to-day basis. We believe establishing a stronger ESG platform will ultimately provide us with a competitive advantage and make us the go to partner in our channel.??

Read more about our work with MSx here. https://elephants-child.co.uk/portfolio-items/msx/??

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Navigating the Entrepreneurial Ocean??

Hugh Griffiths , Board Advisor with us at elephants child, is a former military aviator, turned entrepreneur. He founded Inzpire Ltd, one of UK’s fastest growing defence companies, which he led as CEO for many years. He shares his tips for SME leaders to help them survive and thrive beyond the start-up phase. https://elephants-child.co.uk/2025/01/20/navigating-the-entrepreneurial-ocean/?

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Sharing our experiences?

Brady Last (Davies) is just one member of the herd with her own experience of building up and preparing a business for sale.? She spoke at Gillingham Football Club ’s business club recently, sharing her experiences and learnings with their business members.??

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?Fareham Town u14s??

It’s been an exciting start to the year for Fareham Town Girls u14s who we are proud to sponsor. They’ve had some big wins and some close defeats. Wishing them all the best for the rest of the season. Next up is Crystal Palace this Saturday.???

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?? Thinking about doing more as a sustainable business but not sure where to start???

A few ideas from Danni Brotherston :??

1?? Explore the B Corp framework?

The free B Impact Assessment is a handy tool for spotting areas to improve, even if you’re not aiming for certification.??

2?? Write a list of what you already do?

Create a list under the headings of Environmental, Social, and Governance. What are you already doing well? What do you want to do? Where are the gaps???

?3?? Set a couple of small, clear goals?

For example: Cut waste in your packaging; Support local community initiatives; Be more transparent about how you make decisions.?

4?? Look at other frameworks?

Tools like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or ISO 14001 can give you other ideas and guidance.?

5?? Involve your team?

Some of the best ideas come from within! Talk to your employees—they might already have insights or passion projects that align with your values.?

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We hope that 2025 is a successful year for you and your business, to owners everywhere we advise:?

• Monitor regulations?

• Use the opportunities presented?

• Hope isn’t a strategy?

• Get good quality, holistic advice?

• Let’s have a chat?

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