A niche and the DiMA:S

Interesting conversation amongst some of the HUB 250 MDs this afternoon about the need (or not) for smaller companies to strengthen their identification with a niche in their market. Overall feel was probably yes - in the face of broader base competitors buying in business but with a strong feeling that business was there to be won particularly from London based competitors at a decent price.

And talking of a niche - Brighton and Hove's not so small niche as the primary city for digital media was enhanced by an excellent inaugural Digital Media Awards: South at the stunning, if slightly cramped, All Saint's Church in Hove. An enjoyable evening with some well-deserved award winners and a great example of the talent in Brighton & Hove and beyond. Congratulations to Phil Jones, his team at Wired Sussex, Midnight Communications and the supporters and sponsors. It should help convince the doubters (and there still are some) to back Wired Sussex's campaign to make the area renowned for its creative digital skills.

I spent the evening in the, as always entertaining, informative and occasionally raucous, company of the Nixon McInnes types who sadly missed out on the Blog award. FTL! I guess this time chaps.

Well the answer is "we are still in the business of lending money" but strong message is for the right deal and with the right (i.e. strong) security at the right (i.e. higher) price. Let me know of any experiences you might be having.

BBC confirms VAT thought

I'm glad to see that the BBC have picked up the news of the potential VAT rise even though it's now being heralded as a mistake. As a sad beancounter this news had already been hawked around the trade press and I still say they will probably do it - whoever "they" are by that stage.

Any news from the banks? - RBS are saying that they are still lending and I'm meeting them tomorrow so I'll keep you posted....

Chancellor rides to the rescue of business?

or does he?

Widely touted and leaked package to "kick start the economy". From a quick glance it looks like the best news for smaller business is the delay to the increase in the corporation tax and a promise to allow us to spread tax payments to help cashflow, not sure what the second one means but the phone lines to the Revenue will already be red hot and I wonder if a certain Revenue employee will now hold off on action against a client struggling to pay PAYE?

The VAT adjustment won't help too many b2b service companies as it is just a pass through except for things like entertainment and car purchases where it can't be reclaimed. I guess it may help the retail sector to subsidise their discounts.

Watch out for the government's favourite stealth tax - National Insurance - will be going up for employers and employees from 2011. Don't bet against VAT following once it gets back to 17.5%.

The Chancellor says that the economy will recover in early 2010 - will it?

We are still getting very mixed messages some members are still seeing good business and in fact 3 recently reported October as their best months of the year.

Will it make much difference to you? What are the best bits?

MDHUB Seminar dates for 2008 - 09

The MDHUBs monthly seminars start this Wednesday. They will be running once a month, 3pm at the Royal York Hotel, Brighton.

The seminars are monthly informative sessions, delivered by MDs and based on their practical experience, both good and bad, of their subject. We are please to announce that on the 12th November Penny Bailey will be sharing her experiences of the highs, lows and rewards of being a Managing Director.

Penny is the Managing Director of Bailey Solutions and also a finalist for the Institute of Director's Southeast Region's Director of the Year Awards 2008. Penny will find out if she was successful when the winner is announced on November 25th 2008.

In addition, experts will be able to answer individual questions, develop open discussions, followed by valuable speed networking opportunities.

For future reference, the up and coming seminars are as followed:

Managing the pressures of being an MD - 12th November

Raising finance & Investment - 10th December

Managing maternity & paternity leave - 14th January 2009

Marketing - 11th February

Recruiting & Managing good sales staff - 11th March

Updates on employment law - 8th April

International business - 13th May

Social Media – an update on last development - 10th June

Acquisitions & Mergers - 8th July

Buying & selling a business - 12th August

Branding - 9th September

Introducing robust management & quality systems in business - 14th October

PR - 11th November

Seminars come free with MDHUB 100 & 250 membership but cost £30 for non-members.
If you would like to book your place on any future seminars please email Kate - editor@mdhub.co.uk or call 01273 311220.

MDHUB launches programme of Seminars

The MDHUB Seminars are monthly informative sessions, delivered by MDs and based on their practical experience, both good and bad, of their subject. The programme will start on 12 November 2008 and take place every second Wednesday of the month from 3.00pm at members’ offices.

Wednesday 12th November 2008-11-05
Seminar 1: Managing the pressures of being an MD

The MDHUB is pleased to announce that Penny Bailey will be sharing their experiences of the highs, lows and rewards of being a Managing Director.

Over the forthcoming months the seminars have an impressive line up of specialist speakers, which include Fiona Martin from Martin Searle Solicitors, Jamie Shaw of Geeks on Wheels and Kate Burgess from KBC Public Relations & Marketing Ltd amongst others. Other topics that will be covered range from managing maternity and paternity, developments in Social Media and raising finance and investment.
In addition, experts will be able to answer individual questions, develop open and rigorous discussions, followed by valuable speed networking opportunities.

The Managing Director of the MDHUB, Phil Green says
“Combining the wealth of experience and diversity of members’ business, the seminars aim to facilitate sustainable business and personal development for managing directors by providing an open, honest and challenging environment in which to test business thinking with the confidential support of their peers”

Seminars cost £30 for non-members but come free with MDHUB 100 & 250 membership.

To find out more or wish to attend our next monthly seminar held on the 12 November 2008, please contact Kate Mockford on 01273 311 220, alternatively email editor@mdhub.co.uk

MDHUB Annual General Meeting - 29 October 2008, Stanmer House

The Annual General Meeting provided members and supporters with the opportunity to network and catch up on the latest MDHUB developments. The event was held at Stanmer House, Brighton and included presentations by our own Phil Green, Anna McGrail from Content Consultants and Norman Mayhew from The Sussex Signs Company.

Support has arrived for Mid Sussex MDs

The MDHUB’s launch event was held in Burgess Hill within the prestigious building of the successful jewellery concessions firm – Icon Live. MD’s from all over the region attended, to network and learn from Rosie Freshwater, MD of Leapfrogg Ltd about how the MDHUB supported her business growth.

Being an MD can be a lonely job, which is why the MDHUB was set up. Its aim is to be the premier peer to peer business growth support network for Managing Directors in the South of England. To facilitate sustainable business and personal development for MD’s by providing an open, honest and challenging environment in which to test business thinking with the confidential support of their peers.

Due to the success of the MDHUB in recent years it now has two divisions, the MDHUB100 and the MDHUB250; both dedicated to the pursuit of business excellence catering to MD’s with different lengths of experience.

The MDHUB operates an annual programme of monthly workgroups and seminars, coupled with events, training and other invaluable business activities. For more information please visit http://www.mdhub.co.uk/.

Bringing the MDHUB to the Mid Sussex region will help not only to support the sustainable growth of local businesses, but also to encourage local MDs, who join the organisation, to work together and use one another for support through the MDHUB’s facilitated business programme.

The Managing Director of the MDHUB, Phil Green says “The Brighton and Hove MDHUB effectively supports its members, all MD’s of varying sized companies, to achieve business excellence. This continues with great success; in the last couple of years three of our members have sold their businesses for in excess of £50 million but remain and continue to grow in Sussex. We are very much looking forward to seeing the same results in Mid Sussex.”

To find out more about the MDHUB or to attend one of their taster workgroups to be held in Mid Sussex on the 5th and 10th November 2008. Please contact: Kate Mockford editor@mdhub.co.uk or ring 01273 311220.

Welcome to the MDHUB

MDHUB is the premier business club for leading MDs. Dedicated to spreading best practice through peer-to-peer contact between like-minded MDs. It is our aim to help our members develop sustainable business growth.

Our organisation provides a challenging but open, honest and trusted environment for pursuing fresh ideas, resolving demanding issues and debating the future of business.
MDHUB currently operates in Brighton & Hove and Mid-Sussex with two divisions, the 100 and the 250. Both are dedicated to the pursuit of best business practice, but each caters for MDs with a different length of experience.

This blog is intended to inform you on all the regular activities that go on within the MDHUB. If you are not already a member then this is the place to find out what we do and how to join us.