ETEAKET SHORTLISTED FOR MAJOR AWARD
Eteaket, the Edinburgh leaf tea specialist, has been short-listed for an award at the prestigious Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards. - the food-lovers’ event of the year taking place on 22nd May The business is among more than one hundred businesses entering in 18 different award categories - all recognising excellence across Scottish food and drink.
Speaking as she received the good news about their shortlist success, Erica Moore, Founder and Managing Director of Eteaket said, “I am absolutely delighted at the nomination. It is fabulous to see all the hard work of our wonderful Eteaket team paying off. The candidates in the category are so strong that whatever the outcome it is an absolute privilege to be in the same category as them... although we obviously would love to win!”
The event, at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre in Edinburgh, sold out in record time and will be bigger than ever before with 700 guests attending on the night.
The awards are organised by Scotland Food & Drink in partnership with The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS). The event’s headline sponsor is Asda and the awards are supported by Think Local.
Eteaket teas and meals are available from the tea room in Edinburgh city centre at 41, Frederick Street. You can also buy the teas online at www.eteaket.co.uk.
For more information contact Sarah Chanter at Eteaket on 0131 656 2982 or 07725 816 464 or email [email protected]
WHAT SMALL FIRMS NEED TO HELP THEM EXPORT
Ruth McKay
With the UK current account deficit reaching all-time highs, it is vital we seek new avenues where small firms can grow and prosper.
One that offers significant growth opportunities is exporting. The FSB’s quarterly business index reports that a net balance of 24% of FSB members expects exports to rise in the next three months.
The recent survey of nearly 9,000 small businesses found that the sectors most likely to export are manufacturing (42%), wholesale trade (41%), research and development (36%), engineering (34%) and digital/telecoms businesses (25%).
Six per cent of members that don't currently export say they would like to do so. This could generate millions in additional revenue. It would also help the government meet its ambitious targets to get 100,000 new businesses exporting by 2020 - potentially adding £5.6 billion to the economy.
However, with only one in five businesses accessing the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) organisation’s exporting services, there is clearly still growth potential in the small business export market. So what is stopping more small firms exporting when the world of business has never been better connected?
The FSB has highlighted the challenges facing small businesses. Twenty three percent of members report that issues such as access to finance are a barrier. A further thirty five per cent say exchange rate volatility also affects trade. The FSB would like to see a referral mechanism so that banks refer more businesses to organisations who can advise small firms on exporting and accessing finance such as the UK Export Finance organisation.
In my experience there are a great number of small businesses that could achieve real growth by exporting. However, many simply do not know where to start. There are also any small businesses who do not trade online - a barrier to exporting.
Many small businesses also still believe that it is an activity reserved for larger businesses and are unaware of the support, advice and help they can access through organisations such as the UK Trade & Investment. The FSB has recommended that, to encourage more firms to export UKTI needs to focus on tailoring and promoting its products and services to small and micro-businesses and to raise awareness of the support on offer.
Mike Cherry, FSB National Policy Chairman, said, “UKTI has clearly listened to the concerns raised by small firms and offers much wider support and advice to small businesses. They just need a helping hand to get on the way and be made more aware about the help that is out there for them.”
This certainly chimes with my own experience. In addition to greater awareness I believe we need more detailed and practical information designed and tailored to small businesses enabling them to take that very first step in exporting to entering new markets, growing their businesses and offering new jobs.
More information, greater education and more practical support will see small businesses export, grow and achieve success abroad.
