9 Business Reasons to be Cheerful as we begin 2017

It’s January, it’s cold, the Festive period is over and it’s back to the daily grind, Brexit is happening at some point, it’s all doom and gloom; or is it? Here at Laxmi we like to think that 2017 has an air of optimism to it, here are 9 business reasons to be cheerful in 2017.

1. Right now, business confidence is high in the UK with the FTSE100 ending the year at a record 7143 points.
2. The UKs manufacturing sector hit a two and a half year high in Dec-16 and looks set to continue on a strong footing into 2017.
   "The UK manufacturing sector starts 2017 on a strong footing," said Rob Dobson, senior economist at IHS Markit.
3. Mervyn King, who held the highest office at the Bank of England for over a decade, has had his say on Brexit, if anyone should be on the money its him:
   “There are many opportunities and we should look at it in a much more self-confident way”
4. Like him or loathe him Team Trump and his nation - which makes up 75% of the diminished EU population Britain will be ‘losing’ in Brexit - are understood to be offering a free trade deal with the UK, who could be next?
5. Tech Giants Apple and Google have also been undeterred by Brexit with Google planning an expansion of over 3,000 jobs in the UK and Apple have signed up as the flagship tenant of the new Battersea power station project by 2021.
6. More money for you, the business owner! From April-17 Corporation Tax is being reduced from 20% to 19%, giving you more opportunity to save or re-invest. If you need any help with business planning, please give Laxmi a call. 
7. Tax Free Money: From April-17 Personal Allowance goes up £500 to £11,500 this means that both you the owner and your staff will get the benefit of £500 extra of tax free earnings.
8. The UK is embracing cloud software. Big names in the world of Cloud Tech: Xero, Receipt Bank and Arthur to name but a few are collaborating; making us more efficient, giving us Brits a technological and competitive advantage over our international counterparts.
9. Alternative Finance or ALTFI is on the rise, no longer do you need to twist the arm of your local bank manager for some capital. With the rise of the cloud and real time accounting software, the landscape of lending money has changed and crowd funding, PayPal and platforms such as iwoca are tapping into the financial data held within such accounting systems such as Xero and offering alternative deals.

​Whatever the prevailing market conditions, it is clear that a well-run commercial venture with a superlative business model will be successful. Laxmi can help you grow every step of the way, from start-up basics and financing support to financial strategy review and KPI measurement.