Why Brexit Isn't the Biggest Concern for UK Small Business Owners

©iStock/Evgeny Gromov

In the UK, who are you going to call when business gets tough (and don't think Ghostbusters!)?  We're not talking about about anxiety caused by losing one big customer; rather, SMEs are more concerned with cash flow problems and tough competition from emerging markets.

According to C2FO Working Capital Outlook Survey 2016:

The majority of SMEs (55 per cent) find cash flow as the biggest obstacle for business growth and more than 40 per cent indicate an increase in working capital needs compared to last year. 

The survey examines the preferences of more than 1,800 SMEs in the UK, US, Germany, France and Italy for improving working capital efficiency, examining trends associated with economic and political factors, financing, working capital deployment and supplier-buyer relationships.

Read more:  Tough competition, alternative financing, higher interest rates

Fighting For Revenue in a Sluggish Global Economy

©iStock/Milosducati

In 2015, many companies in the U.S. and abroad are fighting for revenue in a sluggish global economy and Ex-Im Bank's closing doesn't help matters.  A strong dollar and weaker growth hamper export efforts.  For example, U.S. exports of goods and services were down 3.5% from a year earlier in the first seven months of 2015.  Exports fell 3.2% in August, according to the Commerce Department.

Many foreign companies say they can't secure financing from commercial banks without some kind of government-backed financing or guarantee, which most developed countries offer through their own Ex-Im banks.

And yet there are alternative financing methods out there ...

Read more:  Ex-Im Bank's Closing Creates Gulf