Gibtelecom Business’ Post

Extreme trading challenges are being faced by pubs across the UK. Even with trading positive for many this is simply not converting to profit. Food and drink costs have risen 40% in the last 24 months, energy costs are double or triple pre-pandemic levels and staffing costs have risen significantly to both attract & retain team members. The recently announced increases in the National Living Wage will now mean this has risen 40% since 2020. Operators continue to work to deliver an affordable experience for customers, cost increases can not be simply passed on in prices which would reduce trade and drive inflation. The welcome announcement of the extension of the Business Rates Relief is essential for many pubs as part of the wider support they will need to weather these exceptional cost pressures. This benefit must be passed on in full in all areas of the UK. Add your support to the call for this for Scottish pubs below 👇. #MyPub #HeartoftheCommunity BII

Extremely frustrating that both the devolved Governments of Scotland and Wales have decided not to pass on the full business rates relief announced by the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement for 2024. Recognising the invaluable contribution of pubs in high streets and communities across the UK, it provides vital support for many licensees via a 75% business rates relief to allow pubs across the country to weather the exceptional trading pressures that they are facing. Our members pubs across the whole of the UK are facing exceptional trading pressures through high energy bills, food & drink bills having risen by 40% over the last 24 months and rising staff costs. These short-term pressures are threatening the viability of many pubs and also holding back vital investment that would drive further growth in the sector. The early notice of business rates relief for 2024 is a vital element of a package of investment in pubs that is critical to unlock their full potential. Our nations pubs hold a unique place in all our communities providing a welcoming and accessible place for all, supporting vital skilled local employment and suppliers, in addition to being at the heart of economic growth. We would ask the Scottish and Welsh Governments to urgently re-evaluate their decisions and provide the full level of business rates The Scottish Government Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government #MyPub #HeartoftheCommunity BII

Pubs play a crucial role in Scottish tourism overall and are often at the heart of a community. They provide vital employment opportunities for local people but the sector is currently dealing with many complex problems that threaten business survival. Like many other sectors, soaring costs coupled with declining sales due to the cost of living crisis have translated to reduced profits, poor cash flow, and the threat of insolvency. In some cases, serious financial decline is rapid so fast action is needed if businesses are to survive. https://lnkd.in/e_SGVDiS

Building relationships is not all about you. It is about adding value to other people and their business. People are more attracted to business relationships where they feel valued. 🙏🏼Be genuinely interested in helping others in building community. In our Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce we strive to do this; as part of the Membership Committee we work hard for it! #chamberfirst #gableschamber #businesstips #contactlink #businessmatchmakingmadeperfect #buildingcommunity

How about we kick off some pre-event networking before the Gold Coast Brewers Lunch this Friday! Time to break the ice and get to know each other. Drop a quick intro about yourself and your business in the comments section below. #networking #thebrewerslunch #networkingbenefits #networking #charityevents

Come and experience something different in the world of networking.

Two years of planning; four months of six-hours-per-day work; hopeful that the free networking provides mid-level small businesses a one-to-one experience with both the financial institutions that support them and the nonprofits that offer free help (like SCORE, SBDC, Women's Business Center, etc.). We shall see by Monday night..yes, or not? Successful or...do a post-mortem?

Scotland's other national drink I received this picture today from Scottish Business Network Ambassador Peter Gardiner in Sydney Australia. It created a laugh-out-loud moment in our household and left me contemplating the reality of the Scottish diaspora experience. Though living 10,500 miles apart Peter and I share a common culture. A shared experience, a sense of belonging. We trust each other and trust is of course the single most valuable commodity when working internationally. Or as Silicon Valley VC Eric McAfee so brilliantly put it "𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭". If this image was of a can of coke my emotional reaction and that of my family would have been different. It had to be Irn-Bru. It is a common question when talking with Scots the world over to ask, "Where do you buy your Irn-Bru?". The taste of this sugar-enriched sparkling hangover cure is of course "made in Scotland from girders" as I have discovered are so many of our far-flung community of Scots. They are never fazed by a request for support. These hearty souls have come together, the world over to support Scotland through our Scottish Business Network community. They answer the call when made whether it is to make a connection locally, offer advice or meet with a visiting entrepreneur. All they request is a clear, precise, specific "Ask" and they will put down their sparkling drink to join on a Zoom call and offer assistance. Remember that our community is one comprising volunteers, there is no payroll function at Scottish Business Network HQ. Well actually there isn't even an HQ, why would we need one when we have so many superb supporters who generously offer us space to use when required? So please accept my thanks to all who have so kindly offered support over the last eight years and here is an ask from me. We are looking to partner with Scottish-based professional services firms who would like to align their brand with our mission. You may have aspirations to grow your business in London, Sydney or New York and if that is the case we should "have a word". We know how important a return on sponsorship spend is and we'll ensure this is delivered. DM me for more information. I feel I should close by stating that "other carbonated soft drinks are available" but of course, as Scots know, there is only one :) AG Barr Group #ScotlandIsNow #diaspora #globaltrade

“A little bit of planning can go a long way. Booking ahead of time and directly through hotels can end up saving you a ton of money and potentially give you access to great promotions and deals.” - Leigh Myles (Senior Business Development Manager Africa, Profitroom). Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dHiMBZpG #TourismNewsAfrica #IndustryNews #Profitroom

💷 They say money makes the world go round, and whilst it certainly helps, this week our chapter meeting was all about celebrating, as this week, actually during the meeting we hit a huge milestone in business thanked to BNI Ambassadors chapter members 💥 On Tuesday, our stats revealed our thanked business had reached over £1,000,000 💪🏼 with the actual figure figure being £1,002,644! Teamwork makes the dream work and #BNIAmbassadors is certainly hitting milestones, with currently 23 members, but there's room for plenty more! In fact, to celebrate St Patrick's Day and the first day of Spring later this month, we are having a dedicated Green themed visitor day on Tuesday 19th March, so whether your business is involved in sourcing Fairtrade or ethical products, strives to reduce it's carbon footprint 👣, or simply has Green in it's business name, we'd love to hear from you and invite you to visit our online only meeting with a great team of networkers. ♻️ With no travelling expenses or CO2 emissions and no time wasted sat in traffic jams 🚗, networking online is not only the way forward, it's the future! Get in touch to visit #BNIAmbassadors - the Greener way to network! https://lnkd.in/eUP-N8z4 Adam Dilloway FICB PM.Dip Andrew Budden Property Developer Alexis Hutchinson Daniel Fisher Derek Harper Gareth Keyte Karon Swinburn Lee Harris Mark Harris CeMAP Martyn Bottomer Michele Ibbs (MCIM) Neil Carroll Ranjit Bath Ravinder Rakkar Sadie Dilloway MInstLM Sam Ball Sarah Bishop Scott Jones Sean Skeldon ACII Sevvy Hasan - STEP Affiliate, MIPW Shelly Barratt simon fellows Steve Jones #BNI #BNIAmbassadorsOnline #BNIOnline #Networking #OnlineNetworking #BusinessOpportunities