Tag Archives: Entrepreneurship Policy

We need an entrepreneurial future

Introduction

In the dynamic landscape of global economics, fostering entrepreneurship is paramount for nations aspiring to bolster economic development and innovation. Entrepreneurship acts as a catalyst for job creation, market competition, and community revitalization, playing a pivotal role in propelling a country towards prosperity and self-sufficiency. Recognizing the multifaceted benefits entrepreneurs bring to each nation, governments worldwide are considering a diverse array of policy changes designed to nurture and support the entrepreneurial spirit. These policy changes span various dimensions including access to capital, education, regulatory environments, and societal well-being, addressing the myriad challenges entrepreneurs face in their journey.

The proposed suite of 30 policy changes encapsulates a holistic approach to building an entrepreneurial nation. It aims not only to stimulate business formation and growth but also to build a resilient and inclusive ecosystem where diverse voices are heard and innovation thrives. The policies range from tangible financial incentives such as tax reliefs and research grants to fostering softer elements like networking, mentorship, and diversity. Moreover, they seek to mitigate risks associated with entrepreneurship through enhanced bankruptcy laws, crisis management training, and cybersecurity support, thereby creating a secure and conducive environment for business ventures.

The inclusion of sustainable business incentives, rural development programs, and initiatives promoting social entrepreneurship underlines the growing importance of balancing economic growth with social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Equally crucial are policies focusing on improving digital literacy, technology infrastructure, and market access, reflecting the evolving nature of entrepreneurship in the digital age.

This comprehensive set of policy changes is not without its challenges and downsides, requiring meticulous evaluation and balanced implementation. Nonetheless, it represents a visionary step towards molding a nation that celebrates innovation, embraces diversity, and continually strives for sustainable economic development through entrepreneurship.

30 New Support Policies

  1. Access to Capital: Enables entrepreneurs to secure necessary funds, fostering business growth and innovation.
  2. Education and Training: Develops skilled entrepreneurs, fostering sustainability and innovation in business.
  3. Reduction in Red Tape: Streamlines business procedures, reducing time and cost of starting and operating businesses.
  4. Tax Incentives: Provides financial relief, enhancing business viability and encouraging investment.
  5. Market Access and Trade: Expands business reach and scale, promoting international cooperation and competitiveness.
  6. Internet and Technology Infrastructure: Facilitates access to essential technology, boosting competitiveness and innovation.
  7. Intellectual Property Protection: Safeguards innovations, incentivizing research and development.
  8. Labor Laws: Fosters a flexible, skilled workforce, aiding in business growth and adaptability.
  9. Commercial Property Incentives: Reduces overhead costs, making it easier to start and maintain businesses.
  10. Enhanced Bankruptcy Laws: Encourages entrepreneurial risk-taking by reducing penalties associated with failure.
  11. Support for Research and Development: Drives innovation and technological advancement, creating a competitive edge.
  12. Networking and Mentorship Programs: Facilitates knowledge sharing and community building, fostering business development.
  13. Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Supports underrepresented groups, promoting a diverse and inclusive business environment.
  14. Sustainable Business Incentives: Encourages environmental responsibility, contributing to long-term societal well-being.
  15. Rural Development Programs: Supports entrepreneurship in underserved areas, promoting regional economic growth.
  16. Export Assistance: Facilitates international trade, expanding market reach and revenue potential.
  17. Healthcare Support: Provides health security, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on business development.
  18. Childcare Support: Supports work-life balance, particularly aiding female entrepreneurs in business pursuits.
  19. Legal Assistance: Aids navigation through legal complexities, reducing risk and fostering compliance.
  20. Affordable Housing Initiatives: Ensures housing security, allowing entrepreneurs to invest more in their ventures.
  21. Public Procurement Opportunities: Offers consistent revenue streams through contracts with public agencies.
  22. Digital Literacy Training: Enhances ability to leverage digital tools, increasing business efficiency and reach.
  23. Innovation Competitions and Awards: Recognizes and supports innovative ideas, providing funding and publicity.
  24. Transportation Infrastructure: Improves logistics and access to markets, reducing operational costs.
  25. Cybersecurity Support: Protects business assets, reducing the risk of financial and data loss.
  26. Access to Markets and Distribution Channels: Facilitates partnerships, opening up new avenues for sales and growth.
  27. Customer Education and Engagement: Builds consumer loyalty and brand awareness, enhancing market position.
  28. Immigration Policies: Attracts international talent, enhancing diversity and skill in the workforce.
  29. Crisis Management Training and Support: Prepares businesses for unforeseen events, promoting resilience and continuity.
  30. Incentives for Social Entrepreneurship: Supports solutions to social issues, fostering societal well-being and responsible business practices.

UK Entrepreneurs Policy Wish List 2019

The UK is one of the best places for entrepreneurs to start a business but it still has a number of issues which needs to be resolved if this is to continue post Brexit.
The UK government has stated in its Industrial Strategy white paper “Our ambition to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business requires us to safeguard the things we do that already contribute to our success, and to act where necessary to make us even more attractive.”

So what action is needed to help Small Businesses?

The Patient Capital review industry panel identified the real issues and stated stated that “opportunities remain for improvement across the ecosystem, particularly with respect to the transformational development of some of these start-ups into large-scale businesses, where the proportion of UK start-ups which scale into large businesses lags significantly behind the US. This indicates that many UK-based businesses are unable to reach their full potential and either remain “stuck” in a mode of incremental growth, or accept a trade sale as the most convenient exit, both of which are ultimately to the detriment of the UK economy, tax receipts and job creation.”
… so I thought I would brainstorm an 11 point action plan for the UK government to act on in 2019, my:

UK Entrepreneurs Policy Wish List 2019.

1. Global Business Language

  • All business owners to be able to learn at least one of the top 5 business languages for free online: Top five languages: Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, Arabic and Portuguese
  • Business language and industry terms should be taught in all secondary schools
  • All schools teach Chinese as second language and not French to reflect international trade opportunities

2. Knowledge Economy

  • Online Knowledge Centres hosted by one business focused university per region which cover topics such as:  Export, International Financial Transactions, International Legal Contracts, Global Insurance, International Taxation
  • Graduates who start businesses (and pay Corporation Tax) which employ more than 5 people (and pay PAYE) for more than 2 years get their student loan deleted
  • Creation of the national Innovation/Entrepreneurship/Export awards televised and sponsored by large businesses

3. Business Productivity

  • All businesses must report a productivity metric in their annual accounts to companies house. This should force them to look at how to improve it, to ensure they are inline with international benchmarks
  • An industry strategy for UK low productivity industries should be set and implemented within 2 years
  • Support for increasing productivity through cloud and freemium technology platforms should be free for all SMEs

4. UK companies should be able to create subsidiaries through UK companies house online

5. To develop a better UK business centric culture, the BBC/Channel 4 news (government owned and run channels) to report good news stories on UK businesses and how they are exporting.

  • BBC/C4 measured on how many different UK based/citizen owned businesses they report on per year. The Total should be good news stories minus bad new stories.
  • The BBC/C4 charter to be changed to mandate promoting British Business Interests, especially British citizen owned SMEs and startups. It is currently the other way around.

6. Government Spending (Local, County, Region Government and NHS)

  • Local governments to report on how they support SMEs through awarding smaller multiple awarding contracts
  • All local council/NHS offered contracts to be offered to SME who have registered office within 30 miles of the county/region boundary

7. UK embassies driving UK exports

  • Set core focus of UK embassies to developing trade links and opportunities for UK businesses
  • To offer quarterly business networking sessions (<£50 per ticket)
  • To provide national reports/opportunities on monthly basis (free)
  • Set a new foreign office metric (UKP exports to that country per citizen of that country) which is reported to parliament each year

8. Business Taxation

  • Streamline the HMRC business tax system so everything can be done online without an accountant or dedicated software. If it can’t be done delete that aspect of the tax system
  • Business rates for UK headquartered businesses set to zero for businesses less than £10m turnover
  • Business corporation tax at 12.5% same as Ireland, our neighbour

9. SME Finance

  • British Business Bank to have focused fund for SME growth ( especially for businesses with £1m to £10m turnover)
  • Startup loans to continue with greater support in mentoring and global-export business best practice
  • CSR and charity donations to get better tax relief to encourage the long term development of a sustainable third sector

10. All new processes post Brexit

  • For import and export to be done online within 24 hours
  • For bringing talent to UK (immigration) streamlined to 36 hours with online forms (e.g. getting Visa and NI) and pay less than £200 per person/employee

11. Business Buildings infrastructure set for the new century

  • All new business parks/buildings have renewable energy generation
  • All new building (business+housing+retail) to have fibre broadband into the property (and not up to the curb) as the vast majority of businesses are run from home

Venture Creation – BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship Programme

In the last year I have had the amazing  opportunity to design a venture creation BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship Programme which is oriented towards students who wish to combine study towards an honours degree with the opportunity to start their own business in a supported environment with guidance from specialist lecturers, practising entrepreneurs and mentors. Over the years I have seen many programmes and wanted to create something for Entrepreneurs, the student and for practitioners.

This is a practice-oriented degree, which focuses on the development of the students’ entrepreneurial effectiveness. This is achieved by embracing the concept of ‘learning by doing’ which ensures students are acquiring real knowledge and practical expertise to support their business start-up and business growth aspirations. There is a focus on real business experiences including master classes, enterprise events and interactions with local and global entrepreneurs. This philosophy is extended within the assessment primarily for (rather than ‘of’) learning Entrepreneurship (QAA (2012) Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education: Guidance for UK Higher Education Providers, pp9).

Similarly, although there is an inherent emphasis on learning within the learner’s own start-up venture, the Entrepreneurship skills acquired will be transferable to other business environments and learning opportunities.

This BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship Programme aligns with the nation and international government agenda (The Impact and Effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Policy, NESTA 2013) and seeks to increase the number of entrepreneurs in the economy.

A range of teaching pedagogies are adopted to ensure the curriculum enhances the learning of all students both in the startup and in group learning environments. In addition to lectures, seminars, videos, podcasts, presentations and visiting entrepreneurs, students will participate in action learning sets and interactive activities to apply learning from businesses experiences in their startup. These approaches are intended to take into account the principles of inclusivity: the types of learner, their startup business, their prior experience and expectations and how they learn and will be supported to learn effectively.

Given the focus on developing a continued learning environment in which students develop an entrepreneurial mindset, there is an emphasis within the BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship Programme on tutoring and mentoring to support individual requirements, and also to reflect (at a meta-cognitive level) on their learning process. The programme is supported by more than 10 Entrepreneurs in Residence, regional business support agencies and local businesses.