MBA Associates News This is where we’ll be sharing our thoughts on topics that matter to us. Who knows… we might even share pictures, videos and links to other interesting stuff. If we catch your interest, let us hear from you If you’d like to signup for occasional enews then subscribe here… or bookmark this page.
ERP Without Betting The Farm
A True ERP solution without ‘Betting the Farm’ and ditching your window fabrication software It’s a dilemma we see in successful growing businesses:- Your business has grown and needs integrated systems – one set of data from prospect to invoice You need Joined up systems that don’t rely on constantly re-keying the same information (or what you hope is the same !) Spreadsheets and separate pieces of software that don’t…
All’s Fair In Love And War
“All’s Fair in Love and War”…and Business? (Thoughts on clichés and ethics!) “All’s fair in love and war” usually accompanied by a smirk from the person delivering the justification for something that you probably see as patently unfair is something we’ve all probably heard at some time or another but is it right? Part of the problem when considering ethics in business revolves around the spectrum of what is ‘right’…
Survival of The Least Fit – it’s 2008 all over again
At the risk of upsetting some ‘players’ it seems that what was a huge issue in 2008 when this article came out is a huge issue now and behaviours are not changing (why would they?). For fabricator just substitute whatever business you fancy, the principles remain sound! Darwin And The Survival Of The Least Fit A very experienced senior manager said to me this week that he was seeing…
We’re heading for the cloud…. and that means email too
We are upgrading our email and back office systems this morning and moving storage and domains. Inevitably there will be a very short space of time while this is in transit so If you send an email that bounces or you don’t get a reply you expected then please contact us again. Hopefully we won’t do a TSB and this will only be a period of half an hour or…
Ethics and the Window Industry – Make your own mind up
We don’t think this needs a comment – make your own mind up “Safestyle UK plc, the leading retailer and manufacturer of PVCu replacement windows and doors to the UK homeowner market, announces that it has been informed that on 20 January 2014 Steve Birmingham, Executive Director, entered into an agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Mr Mitu Misra pursuant to which Mr Misra lent Mr Birmingham £1,555,556 (the “Loan”).…
Health and Safety Liability & Sub-Contractors -The ‘Safestyle’ Question
There has recently been some debate around what a company’s (and therefore a Directors) responsibility is towards the health and safety of it’s subcontractors, we aren’t lawyers and you should get specialist advice but there is pretty clear guidance out there that says that even if you don’t employ someone if they are working under your direction you have responsibility for their safe working methods and environment. The Health and…
Entu’s Latest Update Considers It’s Viabilty As a Going Concern
Bad news continues at Entu with significant deterioration in the businesses position, total shareholders liabilities now £15.7m. The Chairman states “Appropriate bank support continues to remain in place whilst this process is completed [strategic review and going concern]. Based on the current level of interest, the Board hopes that the Group will be able to secure new long-term finance facilities. However, should the Group’s banks withdraw their support or should…
If you can’t find fitters – buy a company (or two) that has
Residential repair and improvements business HomeServe announced on Friday that it has acquired shareholdings in Checkatrade in the UK and Habitissimo in Spain. The FTSE 250 firm said the two separate businesses provide access to high-quality tradespeople performing home repairs and improvements via online platforms. It confirmed it purchased a 40% interest in Checkatrade, and a 70% interest in Habitissimo, with the deals being worth a combined £37m. Speaks to…
Grafton Group results, there is definitely money to be made!
If you were in any doubt evidence here is that there is definitely money to be made in building products Grafton Group the international builders merchanting and DIY group (Plumbase, Buildbase, Selco etc) have posted increased group revenue of £2.51 billion an increase of over 13% on 2015 and 10.4% in constant currency. New branches, exposure to multiple markets and acquisitions proving again that it’s those who are proactive that…
“The Press also should be a prompt and vigilant alarm bell” But … an opinion
It’s probably fair to say that 1941 was a testing year for the UK and in a speech to the house in July Churchill addressed the issue of how (specifically production) news was put about. Quite a few echos in 2016 so without apology perhaps we should bend an ear ? SUPPLY. (Hansard, 29 July 1941) We are often told that “the House of Commons thinks this” or “feels…