AXIS | finance for small business

finance for small business

optimizing your company cash flow

Our expertise in the implementation of marketing strategies and management support systems enables companies to increase both external and internal income sources and hence improve the working capital position.

At the same time, a sound corporate financial strategy ensures that there is suitable consideration between the business operating cycle and working capital requirements.

market growth & opportunity

A variety of company restructuring alternatives are now available to enterprises, both large and small, that do business abroad both inside and outside of the euro zone. AXIS, a multi-lingual organization with experience in pan-European business, offers suitably tailored and cost-effective structuring solutions to Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Governments are increasingly pushing companies towards the promotion of employer sponsored benefit packages. The EU Third Life Directive enables the internationally aware to seek product solutions throughout the EU. Since considerable cost differentials exist across EU markets for what are essentially similar products, the opportunity to develop cost effective international solutions is a very real one. This presents us with a clear advantage over competitors operating solely within their local market.

By reinvesting profits made through increased productivity and reduced operating costs in a vehicle such as a corporate pension scheme, SMEs reduce the risk of losing valuable specialist and trained personnel to larger organizations. This of course helps alleviate the costs incurred when recruiting new staff. Compensation and benefit schemes need no longer be the sole domain of larger companies and institutions but can in fact be tailored to all company sizes.

an innovative approach to growth

We are committed to the continuous development of our clients by bridging the gap between performance and growth targets. Through our financial and business expertise, we ensure that clients are not only focused on the key factors necessary to achieve success but that they are also capable of maintaining their momentum for growth.

marketing services for small businesses

Customers are the foundation of a company; without them it fails. This is the real purpose of marketing: to find customers. Profit reflects the success of finding and satisfying your clients.

We help design the marketing plan for a small business that will outline what type of products / services to be provided, at what prices, to what targeted market, and with what results. The 'marketing mix' of product, price, place and promotion are the key factors that need to be considered in order to put in place an effective marketing plan.

The marketing plan is developed from a rigorous analysis and compromise between market potential and the production capabilities of the business, and then between these two factors, financial opportunities and restraints.

There are four questions that need to be asked in the preparatory stage:

where are we now?
where would we like to be?
what do we have to do to get there?
is this feasible in terms of finance and resources?

We assist companies in adopting a 'market-oriented' approach to processes in order to put in place an effective marketing plan.

market research

The three factors required for adequate research are: time, cost and facilities. The aim of market research for small businesses is to provide information vital to reaching the customer in terms of the provision of goods and services. In accordance with the companies 'terms of reference', we use whatever resources are available within the small business to gather the necessary information and put in place a plan of action.

sales forecasting

The basis of all company planning is sales forecasting. We work with management on the calculation of the market potential of their product services and the estimated market share that the company wishes to achieve. Thereafter annual sales forecasts are projected in terms of volume and value, guided by the marketing plan proposed, and under an assumed set of economic conditions likely to prevail during that period.

product policy

Marketing is identifying what customers need and then deciding how to satisfy those needs. We guide our clients towards being market-oriented in terms of their product policy. The objective is to find the most effective and efficient way of getting the product / services to the user. This involves the development of 'product positioning' strategies which consider the particular place a product / service occupies in the market relative to all similar or alternative products. Products are normally perceived by the customer before a preference is made as to which one they are going to choose.

advertising

We help small business to increase the perceived value of their products / services through the design of advertising and promotion strategies to achieve success. A product / service is not purchased for itself alone but rather for the benefits it provides.

The advertising message thus must transmit the 'unique buying points' of the product / service. Together with management, we help design an advertising strategy that focuses on the target audience, and creates a distinctive image for the company.

pricing

The price of a product has a direct influence on profit. We assist companies in the design of an effective pricing strategy that is a compromise between what the market will pay and the costs of bringing the product / service to market.

company structuring to maximize after-tax profitability

The current business climate of changing market opportunities, evolving customer requirements, internet technologies and government fiscal policies is questioning traditional means of company structuring. Firms, particularly SMEs, have to be ever more responsive and alert if they are to both maximize and secure profitability for themselves and their shareholders.

The company financial structure can have a significant effect on its after-tax profitability and is often the key to its full and proper development. In essence, once a firm's turnover and operational productivity has been optimized with overheads reduced, it remains to turn these improved pre-tax profits into 'bottom line' profitability.

As a professional advisor to SMEs, in particular those firms with a European or international dimension, we can evaluate the scope for company financial restructuring on a case by case basis. Through our network of respected legal contacts, we facilitate the establishment of suitable company structures for SMEs seeking to benefit from preferential levels of corporation tax in the UK and Ireland.

AXIS has extensive experience in assisting the growth of SMEs, a process which requires active management to ensure that growth is nurtured and controlled. The 'hands on' approach that we provide in both financial and operational management supports clients at every stage of this development.

mergers and acquisitions

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are a constant factor in business strategy. AXIS Strategy Consultants, as a Broker/Advisor to SMEs, provides services which cover the sale and purchase of existing businesses in the I.T. services sector.

A company that is an effective size to service a given niche market may find itself at a competitive disadvantage when the stage expands to match a national or European arena. We can assist the company in responding to external change from both the selling and the buying aspects of M&A activity.

Furthermore, many smaller and innovative companies have excellent products yet are hindered by resource constraints that inhibit expansion through internal growth. We match suitable Buyers with Sellers in the I.T. services sector in order to facilitate synergy and foster growth.

selling your business

Selling your business is a marketing effort. As with the sale of any other product, basic marketing principles apply. In the first instance, the marketing representative needs to know your product, your service, your business. Secondly, the better the business is presented and marketed, the better the results will be. Marketing a business is a challenging endeavour because of the need to keep the proposed sale confidential whilst actively seeking a suitable suitor.

our mission as a professional broker

to represent clients in accomplishing the sale of their business
to represent clients searching to acquire companies
to preserve client confidentiality and transaction details at all times.

In our role as Broker/Advisor we generally represents the Seller of a business, seeking to find and bring a qualified Buyer to the Seller. The services we provide are based on the following principles:

Confidentiality on the part of prospective Buyers is required explicitly. All prospects must sign a non-disclosure agreement assuring that the prospect will not talk to employees, suppliers or customers until such time as is deemed appropriate. It is also most important that prospects do not disclose any information about the business being sold to other parties, except to seek advice of their counsel who is also bound by non-disclosure.
Prospective Buyer screening and qualification is required to make sure that only Buyers with both the necessary skills and the financial ability to make the purchase purchase are introduced to the company being sold.
Negotiations are instigated by AXIS and conducted between the Buyer and Seller. Although we generally represent only the Seller, we do have a vested interest in completing the sale and will therefore always work toward a suitable accord for both buyer and seller.

what are the costs for these services?

Payment for these services is in the form of commission. It is paid only upon sale of the business. The commission may be a percentage of the total sale price or a set fee. Usually there is a minimum fee independent of the ultimate sale price of the business.

compensation and benefit schemes

Company compensation and benefit schemes are fast becoming of crucial importance to government planning for the provision of retirement benefits. This is particularly significant in those countries still relying on state pension schemes as it is now commonly accepted that traditional arrangements will be insufficient within even a few years. At the same time, the globalization of business enterprise has resulted in employees becoming increasingly mobile with both shorter-term jobs and a more frequent change of employer.

In summary there is a clear need for:

employers and employees to increase their contributions to compensate for a reduction in state benefit provision
employees to take over much of the responsibility for the level and flexibility of their retirement arrangements
an increased flexibility of pension schemes and plans to reflect individual requirements based on age, health and current and future earning prospects
as a priority, SME employers to set up flexible pension schemes as an enticement to recruit, retain and motivate key and skilled staff.

With these objectives in mind, the company and benefit schemes we provide typically foresee the provision of:

company or group pension plans
disability provisions
life assurance and critical illness cover
widow or widower benefits.

We can offer international group retirement schemes for companies designed on a group 'money purchase' basis, with single premium costing on regular contributions. The advantages of these schemes include:

complete flexibility: each scheme is tailor-made for the executive
portability: the scheme may be continued wherever in the world the executive is subsequently based
adaptability: premium levels and retirement dates can easily be altered to reflect changing circumstances
professional administration: a specialist team handles all administration
multi-currency premium collection: premiums may be collected in Euros, Sterling and US Dollars.

59 avenue Victor Hugo - 75016 - PARIS

Telefax: +33(0)1 39.21.74.61