Are Brits losing the art of conversation?

●     One in eight share bad news with family and friends via text message

●     Brits find money matters the most uncomfortable conversation topic

New research has revealed just how reluctant Brits are to have face-to-face conversations, with many choosing to deliver bad news via technology.

The study, conducted by savings and mortgage provider The Nottingham, asked over 2,000 Brits about the conversations they find most difficult and the methods they use to avoid face-to-face interaction.

It found that almost one in eight (13%) Brits share bad news with friends and family via text or instant message. Women are more likely than men to choose such technology for these conversations (14% vs 10%), but nearly half (45%) of the nation don’t deliver bad news in person.

Age is also a factor, with the younger generations finding face-to-face conversations more uncomfortable than older groups. Three in five of those aged between 25-34 (60%) use technology to share bad news, compared to just a third (33%) of over 55s

The conversations Brits find most difficult tend to be around finances. Respondents were asked to rank a series of conversations on their level of discomfort and the topic of saving was rated the most taboo, closely followed by mortgages.

In fact, Brits feel more comfortable telling friends and family members about health problems and relationship issues than they do about their financial situation.

The conversations Brits find most uncomfortable involve:

  1. Savings
  2. Mortgages
  3. Relationships
  4. Career progression
  5. Health

But it’s not just awkward topics that the nation is shirking, but face-to-face conversations in general. The research found that around half of Brits (49%) have a conversation in person with their best friend on a weekly basis, while more than one in six (17%) speak to their siblings face-to-face less than once a month.

While this reluctance to talk in person, especially about finances, is found across the nation, it is more common in some UK cities than others. The people of Bristol find money talk the most challenging, with its residents finding the subjects of mortgages and savings more difficult to discuss than those in any other city.

At the other end of the scale, the people of Norwich are the most comfortable with financial conversations with friends and family.

The top five cities which find financial conversations with friends and family the most and least comfortable are:

Discussing ‘Money Matters’ across the UK
  Most Comfortable Cities Least Comfortable Cities
1 Norwich Bristol
2 Sheffield Edinburgh
3 Southampton Belfast
4 Cardiff Glasgow
5 Birmingham Liverpool

The study found when Brits discuss finances; they feel happiest doing so with their partners. However, while friends and parents were tied in second place in terms of preferred listeners, young Brits (aged 25-34) would rather talk about money with their mates.

Tina Hayton Banks, Director of Member Services at The Nottingham, said: “It can be really difficult to discuss finances with loved ones and our research has highlighted just how uncomfortable Brits find such conversations, especially face-to-face. Through their reluctance to talk in person, younger generations risk falling through ‘the advice gap’. Particularly when it comes to finances, there’s only so much you can find out online  before you need to talk to an expert around your specific circumstances and goals.”

“At The Nottingham, we value the art of conversation and pride ourselves on talking to our members about their finances whether in person at one of our branches or using technology, such as speaking to a mortgage adviser face-to-face over video. These conversations can be really valuable to customers, sometimes helping them understand certain products better or saving them money by getting them a better interest rate or mortgage deal. So when it comes to money matters, it really does pay to talk.”

About The Nottingham

The Nottingham is a top-ten building society and estate agency operating online and via a network of over 60 branches across 10 counties. The Nottingham offers a broad range of building society services such as mortgages and savings, as well as whole-of-market mortgage advice provided by Nottingham Mortgage Services. Founded in 1849, The Nottingham is a mutual building society owned by its members with a long and proud history of doing the right thing and helping communities in its heartland prosper.

[1] Survey of 2,006 UK adults conducted by The Leadership Factor in October 2019 on behalf of Nottingham Building Society.

Financial Risk Management – Impact and Execution

No matter what linked to money moving in and out of business is a financial risk. Financial risk management is a way of knowing and handling financial risks. These are the risks your company may face now or in the future. The key to any financial risk management policy is the business plan. A plan that will show workers what they can and cannot do. Also, choices need to escalate, and who will bear the overall duty for any risk that may arise.

Financial risk is linked with the money that enters and leaves a business. In the business world, financial risk management is the process of identifying, analyzing and making or mitigating risks in financing decisions.

Financial Risk Management and its Importance in an Organization

Risks may come from external and internal sources. External threats are those that are not under the direct control of executives. These risks include interest rates, market rates, state issues, and so on. Internal risks include breach of data or non-compliance, among many others.

Risk management is vital in business as, without it, a company cannot set goals for the future. If a firm sets goals without taking risks into account, they will likely lose track as any of these risks reaches their place.
Many groups have added risk control units to their team. The team aims to identify risks and develop plans to protect against these risks. They are also bound to move all members of the company to join in these strategies. The same, the risk control team is liable for valuing all risks while fixing the ones that are critical for the business. Risk control ensures that the firm allows only those risks that will aid it in giving its primary objectives. It is likely if they keep all other risks under control.

Financial risk is linked with the money that enters and leaves a business. In the business world, financial risk management is the process of identifying, analyzing and making or mitigating risks in financing decisions.

Financial Risk Management – How to Implement

Companies manage financial risk in many ways. It is a process that depends on the company doing and on the level of risk it takes. The company managers must know and assess the risks. Also, they should decide how they will manage it.

Some steps in the financial risk management process are:

  • Identify exposure of risks: Risk control begins with the recognition of business risks and their sources. A high point to start is the company’s budget. It gives insight into the liquidity, debt, interest rate risk, and currency risk. It also grants info about weak stock prices faced by the company.
  • Exposure analysis: The next step is to identify or set numerical value for the known risks. Analysts tend to use regression and standard deviation methods. These are ways to measure a company’s exposure to various risk factors. These tools cover how diverse data points differ from average or mean.
  • Make a “smart” choice: After analyzing the risk’s roots, decide how to move with this report. This decision-making rule depends on many factors. E.g., company goals, market context, risk appetite, and if the cost of mitigation favors the risk drop.

Financial risk management terms business on how to deal with risks if they arise. It helps to learn many ways and means for managing these risks. It also gives the company the courage to execute and form a useful control plan to prevent or reduce losses.

See also about Brecit Extension – Flextension

EU approves Brexit ‘flextension’

How could a further three months of uncertainty affect investment and small business?

Leading finance experts discuss the impact of a further Brexit delay.

This morning, President of the European council Donald Tusk tweeted: ‘The EU27 has agreed that it will accept the UK’s request for a #Brexit flextension until 31 January 2020. The decision is expected to be formalised through a written procedure.’ 

Tusk made the announcement after the 27 countries that will remain in the European Union when Britain leaves agreed on Monday to accept London’s request for a Brexit extension.

But how might another three months of uncertainty and debate affect the vital community of small businesses and the investors that support them? Luke Davis, CEO and Founder of IW Capital, discusses the impact of the outcome on investment:

“Small businesses in the UK are undoubtedly hoping for increased certainty over the Brexit deal and leaving date. Once the deal is confirmed the sentiment to push on with business will really be able to take off. As entrepreneurs and investors look to capitalise on new opportunities that are bound to exist after Brexit. Over the last year or so, we have seen a concerted effort to get on with business, regardless of Brexit and the eventual outcome.

One thing that we need to ensure is that entrepreneurs and investors looking to start or support a small business are not put off by the turmoil in Parliament. At IW Capital, we have experienced record deal flow and buoyant investor confidence. What Brexit ends up looking like will not affect the fantastic range of innovative, growing SMEs we work with that are likely to drive our private sector forward.”

Jenny Tooth OBE, CEO of the UK Business Angels Association, shared her views on what the delay could mean for regional businesses:

“As negotiations continue to drag on and eat into the transition period, which was put in place to help business prepare for the imminent loss of EU support, we are at risk of running out of time to plan and make changes. Funding for SMEs in the regions has been somewhat forgotten about recently. This will subsequently impact regional SMEs more than larger businesses that can take the hit, or areas such as London or the Golden Triangle which receive the majority of domestic investment.

The potential loss of investment from the continent including the European Regional Development Fund, Horizon 2020 and the Jeremie fund could create a huge investment gap in UK. This is concerning not only for the loss of EU money, but the risk that Government support for finance to replace this EU funding may take time to have an impact on the ground.”

If you would be interested in speaking to Luke or Jenny or if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

James Lester
Senior Communications Executive
42Bruton

Banking Circle Launched Payments Insight Paper: Latest research highlights the vital role of PSPs in increasing SME financial inclusion

London, 27th October 2019 – Money20/20 USA today played host to the launch of the latest Banking Circle insight paper. ‘Pay, Set, Match! Payment services for SMEs – Jump-starting a virtuous digital payment circle’, uncovers the challenges and opportunities for payment providers serving SMEs.

Banking Circle, the ground-breaking provider of business banking infrastructure, commissioned MagnaCarta Communications to produce a series of research papers investigating how financial institutions of all types can each play a role in increasing SME financial inclusion. This insight paper is the latest in the series, following the initial white paper which launched in May 2019 and a Banking Innovations insight paper published in September 2019.

Anders la Cour, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Banking Circle commented: “Increasing financial inclusion is core to every Banking Circle solution we build. As such, we regularly speak to businesses of all sizes and types, working in all regions and industries, to gain invaluable insights into the current challenges and where we can tackle existing pain points. This Payments-focused insight paper includes input from a range of players in the market, each identifying key challenges and opportunities for payment providers.

“The unique insights we have gained in producing this paper are invaluable for Banking Circle but also for the wider industry and will help us work together to build an ecosystem of efficient and cost-effective solutions to meet the needs of real businesses. The current offering is not serving SMEs effectively enough, but meaningful change will only be possible when every player in the market knows and fulfils its specific role, working in collaboration and not competition with other providers.”

The full report, ‘Pay, Set, Match! Payment services for SMEs – Jump-starting a virtuous digital payment circle’, is available to download at bankingcircle.com/whitepapers and video interviews can be found here.

About Banking Circle

Banking Circle is a next-generation provider of mission-critical financial services infrastructure leading the rise of a super-correspondent banking network. Banking Circle empowers banks and financial tech businesses to support customers’ trading ambitions – domestic and global – whilst reducing risk and the operational cost of transactions. Banking Circle solutions are increasing financial inclusion by helping thousands of businesses transact across borders in a way that was previously not possible.

In 2013 Saxo Bank formed a new entity, Saxo Payments A/S, with the purpose of using Saxo Bank’s core capabilities within the non-cash payments market. In October 2015 the company launched the Banking Circle – its ground-breaking product for payments and FX to the Financial Tech industry. In October 2017, the company launched its new identity for Banking Circle, to reflect its position as a financial utility servicing Financial Tech businesses and banks. In September 2018, Banking Circle was acquired by EQT VIII and EQT Ventures, in partnership with Banking Circle’s founders.

Domiciled  in the European Union, Banking Circle specialises in providing global banking services including accounts, payments, lending and foreign exchange services to financial institutions, including FinTechs, banks, acquirers, payment service providers, FX brokers, money transfer businesses, e-wallets, and alternative payment providers.

For further information and interviews please contact the Banking Circle Press Office: 

Wendy Harrison/Lucy Wright – Harrison Sadler

T: 0208 977 9132 E: bankingcircle@harrisonsadler.com

How to Improve Sales Performance | Tricks and Tips

Although the sales process is an integral part of any business, it is no secret that it is complicated. It needs insistence, a plan, and consent of human psychology and it often changes as your business grows. But it can be tough to find out how to enhance your sales, except to make more calls or find more potential clients. We spoke with sales experts to get the best tips on how to improve the sales process.

Find out how to improve sales and change your business to the latest sales device that uses the right mix of customer service. Focus and build customer support, leading to repeat sales.

Tips on how to improve sales – for the sales team

Slice down your sale goals

Viewing your annual or monthly sales goals can be devastating. Break large targets into flexible pieces. E.g., you might decide to perform specific tasks every day: find two new business prospects, make five phone calls, and make one new meeting. Design a search plan that defines how you will make new leads.

Inverse the sales funnel

It makes sense to follow a regular sales funnel as part of your sales strategy. If you find that nothing is shaking, try working opposed. Rather than focusing on your income goal, focus on client service. Talk to your clients and find out what they need from you. Develop a sales plan by cutting each step into feasible daily tasks.

Use emotional aptitude to make client relations

Selling is both knowing who you are selling to and selling a product. The bond you build with your clients can be a critical factor in deciding if you are selling or not. Emotional aptitude is informing of its own and emotions of other people.

Tips on how to improve sales – for sales manager

Improve sales strategies

A good sales plan outlines how you will bring new clients. And also how you will create or expand links with potential clients. Besides, how you will continue to sell your product or service to existing customers.

When making your strategy, you should:

  • Define your target audience and create your ideal customer profile
  • Resolve how the lead is generating
  • Perform SWOT analysis
  • Form income targets
  • Set your conversion goals
  • Define your business place in your market
  • Prepare a plan in case of an error

When you create your first sales strategy, you can also create a plan listing what to do in the event of an error. Examples of these cases are a loss of a notable sales agent or a mismatch of your sales target. Your skilled plan should indicate who will be told of the problem and how. Also, consider the steps you and your team can take to fix the issue. In some cases, avoid repeating these errors in the future.

Find out how to improve sales and change your business to the latest sales device that uses the right mix of customer service. Focus and build customer support, leading to repeat sales.

Manage your sales team effectively

Your sales strategy is as good as your team. So, you should develop motivated and well-trained sales agents. The best way to do this is to learn about the people in the group. As a manager, you must know what drives them as an individual.

During the sales training, be honest with your reps regarding goals, notices, and ways to assess their efficacy. A manager should plan meetings (monthly) with each seller to find out what they need and where they struggle.

See more at CFI.co Blog

InvestPro UAE Dubai 2019: the main business conference in the Middle East

The most awaited international business conference is coming. Join InvestPro UAE Dubai 2019 Conference and Workshop, which is held on November 13-14 at the Oberoi Dubai hotel.

Join InvestPro international business conference in UAE - Dubai 2019 Conference and Workshop, which is held on November 13-14 at the Oberoi Dubai hotel.

InvestPro UAE Dubai 2019 is the largest and most significant conference on investment migration, wealth management and asset protection in the Middle East, which will gather over 300 attendees, a multitude of industry leaders, financial advisors and international service providers who will share first-hand information on the latest developments in residence and citizenship planning, taxation, investment opportunities.

The InvestPro conference program:

  • Investing in technology companies, Awad Capital (UAE)
  • Immigration by investment to USA (EB5), Mona Shah & Associate (USA)
  • International insurance solutions and tailored risk management programs for Ultra-High-Net-Worth families, Sophos Advisors (USA)   
  • UK Immigration Options vs. Global Alternatives: Case Studies, Beyond Residence &Citizenship (UK)   
  • Navigating Market Risk with Alternative Assets, MMG Finance LLC (Panama)    
  • The Caribbean is Dead: The U.S. is the Future for International Banking, Stern International Bank (USA)   
  • Cyprus as international economic center, MCIT (Cyprus)
  • Obtaining a higher education degree in Cyprus as a way to integrate into economic, social and political systems worldwide, Aurora Consulting (Cyprus)     
  • New opportunities in Georgia: Simple registration/Operations. Easy banking. Low taxes, Hualing Kutaisi Free Industrial Zone (Georgia)    
  • Business in Russia: Create opportunities and Navigate business risks, Interfax (Russia)     
  • Substance and the Migration of Companies to Dubai, Swiss ILC Management Services (UAE)  

You may see the final conference program by the link.

Why attend InvestPro?   

  • 25+ Speakers – CEOs and Owners of leading companies of the industry;     
  • More than 16 hours of practical material and insider information;    
  • More than 26 workshop tables and opportunity to receive consultation;      
  • 300+ potential customers, clients, and new partners for 2 days networking in the heart of Dubai;      
  • Representatives of more than 30 countries: Europe, CIS and Baltic region, Asia, the United States, and Canada;    
  • Business networking with your clients and partners during the cocktails at the end of each day, coffee breaks and lunches;    
  • The luxurious venue, perfect conference organization and the highest professional level of participants.    

Participation terms:    

  • Companies from UAE: the participation for 1 Top Manager from the company is complimentary until 01.11.19 with your unique promo code CFIco.
  • The cost for delegates from other countries, as well as companies that are located in UAE and engaged in consulting in the field of investment abroad, the purchase of real estate abroad, asset management, opening an account in a foreign bank, registration of a company abroad – EUR 300.
  • Receive 10% discount with CFIco10 promo code.

REGISTRATION

Do not miss the most significant conference in Dubai!

For more information, please contact Bosco Conference: +44 203 519 34 84; bc@bosco-conference.com

Join InvestPro international business conference in UAE - Dubai 2019 Conference and Workshop, which is held on November 13-14 at the Oberoi Dubai hotel.

See more at CFI.co Blog

Future of IoT in Business | Internet of Things

The future of the IoT or Internet of Things extends to change as state of affairs change. All progress of today connects to IoT. The IoT is here, and it is making steady progress in many industries. We can expect more than 75 billion devices connected over the Internet of Things by 2025. It takes some aim to get into the IoT, but taking some expert advice will boost your business. When you are ready, be adapted to make the next moves with technology.

How will the Internet of Things technology transform businesses? The future of IoT is finally expediting and it is making steady progress in many industries.

Future of IoT is an opportunity for a business IoT tactics usually base on a small local axis and cloud-based access to knowing the benefits. They range from primary use cases, e.g., machine learning and artificial intelligence. Some of the aids of the IoT need a transition to a partial cloud. For this, you will have to plan for that as well.

  • Real IoT: It exists – there are a lot of chances and data for those concerned.
  • Viable IoT: The actual cases of the company make it more realistic.
  • Design reason can help ease the start-up process.
  • Lastly, it comes to taking useful tips on how to reach this.

IoT merger with blockchain and AI

IoT is not the expertise of change meant to be alone at the same time. It is in its place, arising among emerging techs and IoT. Cloud, blockchain and applied science are the keys to causing market value and growing finance. We defeat the main hurdles, such as data analytics issues, bandwidth, and costs. Yet, we are entering to see early waves where firms can charge higher than expenses in IoT.

How will the Internet of Things technology transform businesses? The future of IoT is finally expediting and it is making steady progress in many industries.

IoT and machine learning groups give the mind that allows them to apply IoT business tools to the info they offer. Rather than refer to data producers. Small computing lets it scale by ranging the cloud function to the edge. It helps fix cost, bandwidth, and safety issues. IoT will base on endless growth, integration, and the growth of these new techs.

It is to gain the desired results at the industry level. Fog Computers, AI solutions, and IoT have the potency to exceed their planned business. It is why a future-thinking company met on integrating them.

Based on clients and form, IoT can be set into three parts

  • The IoT for the user adds connected devices such as smart laptops, watches, phones, cars. Moreover, count fun systems and other related devices.
  • The IoT adds things like medical devices, asset control, and tracking devices.
  • The IoT covers things like related flow meters, water waste systems, drains screens, and electric meters. It also adds building a robot and other related smart systems and tools.

The future of IoT is vast. Rising network agility, unified AI, and the ability to deploy on a full scale will revive the growth of the Business Internet. It is not only to put billions of devices together but also to take the aid of a large amount of valuable data.

See more at CFI.co Blog