“The Business Inspector”
Discussion
Starting tonight on channel 5 is a new four part series called “The Business Inspector”, the program has been sponsored by HM Revenue & Customs. The series is presented by the highly regarded award entrepreneur Hilary Devey, who also was involved channel 4’s Secret Millionaire, and being produced by Optomen Television, makers of channel 4’s Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.
Whilst the program is basically dealing with good book keeping, increasing cash flow etc. etc., from listening to radio plugs for the program, the program will also certainly help small businesses in re valuing the viability and profitably of their businesses.
Whilst the program is basically dealing with good book keeping, increasing cash flow etc. etc., from listening to radio plugs for the program, the program will also certainly help small businesses in re valuing the viability and profitably of their businesses.
We were approached by Optimum to take part in this Doc You soap , However what they promised and what was on show last night are miles apart!.The Haulage / Heavy lift side of the Buisness in which they wanted to feature is totaly solid , yet it appears for the sake of a touch of drama everything is being featured a struggling or on the edge .
No fee or editioral Input ,no thanks ,mind was that a syrup Hilary was totting?
No fee or editioral Input ,no thanks ,mind was that a syrup Hilary was totting?
Sounds a bit like the John Harvey Jones programme in the 80s.
I recall him going to Morgan and suggesting they use mechanical, powered, nippers to cut the metal which would have increased production and profitability. They refused because it would undermine the "hand built" nature of the product.
I recall him going to Morgan and suggesting they use mechanical, powered, nippers to cut the metal which would have increased production and profitability. They refused because it would undermine the "hand built" nature of the product.
StevieBee said:
Sounds a bit like the John Harvey Jones programme in the 80s.
I recall him going to Morgan and suggesting they use mechanical, powered, nippers to cut the metal which would have increased production and profitability. They refused because it would undermine the "hand built" nature of the product.
A great series - as was the follow up "Ten Years On" series.I recall him going to Morgan and suggesting they use mechanical, powered, nippers to cut the metal which would have increased production and profitability. They refused because it would undermine the "hand built" nature of the product.
maser_spyder said:
According to 5 on demand, it's not available online I'm afraid.
That'll be '5 Not On Demand' then 
StevieBee said:
Sounds a bit like the John Harvey Jones programme in the 80s.
I recall him going to Morgan and suggesting they use mechanical, powered, nippers to cut the metal which would have increased production and profitability. They refused because it would undermine the "hand built" nature of the product.
Actually I have some sympathy with that. Not every company wants to double its sales every year. Reputation/brand are hard to build and easy to destroy.I recall him going to Morgan and suggesting they use mechanical, powered, nippers to cut the metal which would have increased production and profitability. They refused because it would undermine the "hand built" nature of the product.
Simpo Two said:
maser_spyder said:
According to 5 on demand, it's not available online I'm afraid.
That'll be '5 Not On Demand' then I'm sure if you were demanding enough, they would demand the 'on demand' team make it available.
Edited by maser_spyder on Thursday 18th March 11:59
Simpo Two said:
maser_spyder said:
According to 5 on demand, it's not available online I'm afraid.
That'll be '5 Not On Demand' then StevieBee said:
Sounds a bit like the John Harvey Jones programme in the 80s.
I recall him going to Morgan and suggesting they use mechanical, powered, nippers to cut the metal which would have increased production and profitability. They refused because it would undermine the "hand built" nature of the product.
Actually I have some sympathy with that. Not every company wants to double its sales every year. Reputation/brand are hard to build and easy to destroy.I recall him going to Morgan and suggesting they use mechanical, powered, nippers to cut the metal which would have increased production and profitability. They refused because it would undermine the "hand built" nature of the product.
Given they are still around, they either did it or found another way!
If you watched the follow up series, or read any of Harvey-Jones' books, you will find that, even though ol;d Mr Morgan weas reluctant to implement any of Harvey-Jones' ideas, his sons were actually quite impressed with some of the suggestions he made. As they assumed more control of the business, they gradually did begin tio implement some of the changes suggested.
Simpo Two said:
Wings said:
sponsored by HM Revenue & Customs
Sponsored by us in other words. Great. You'd think HMRC had more important things to do.I also believe that should one walk down any town or village high street in the UK, then one can find many businesses, such as the florists in last nights program, that the owners have allowed their businesses to suffocate their once flair and enthusiasm.
Wings said:
From the popularity of Eric Mc, and the number of questions on both accounts and tax matters that are directed to Eric, it is obvious to me that the majority of self employed people want to get their tax affairs correct, so I therefore believe this program is money well spent.
Perhaps, but I just find the concept of Government Departments 'advertising' at me distasteful.Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 23 March 15:41
Simpo Two said:
Wings said:
From the popularity of Eric Mc, and the number of questions on both accounts and tax matters that are directed to Eric, it is obvious to me that the majority of self employed people want to get their tax affairs correct, so I therefore believe this program is money well spent.
Perhaps, but I just find the concept of Government Departments 'advertising' at me distasteful.Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 23 March 15:41
But the programme is still worth watching.
Watched it during lunch today.
Not as good as many other business angels programs imo.
There was no follow up it was just a drawn out plan for one event. For the florists all you saw is them learning to pitch, nothing about their overheads etc... For the table events guy all you saw was him doing a bit of rebranding and planning to get franchisees.
No real detail on their numbers or other areas they could improve on.
Not as good as many other business angels programs imo.
There was no follow up it was just a drawn out plan for one event. For the florists all you saw is them learning to pitch, nothing about their overheads etc... For the table events guy all you saw was him doing a bit of rebranding and planning to get franchisees.
No real detail on their numbers or other areas they could improve on.
10JH said:
Watched it during lunch today.
Not as good as many other business angels programs imo.
There was no follow up it was just a drawn out plan for one event. For the florists all you saw is them learning to pitch, nothing about their overheads etc... For the table events guy all you saw was him doing a bit of rebranding and planning to get franchisees.
No real detail on their numbers or other areas they could improve on.
Absolutely. They should have just concentrated on one business for the entire programme - as John Harvey-Jones used to in "Trouble Shooter" twenty years ago.Not as good as many other business angels programs imo.
There was no follow up it was just a drawn out plan for one event. For the florists all you saw is them learning to pitch, nothing about their overheads etc... For the table events guy all you saw was him doing a bit of rebranding and planning to get franchisees.
No real detail on their numbers or other areas they could improve on.
Ironically, the HMRC chap interviewed on Radio 4 stated that the reason why they sponsored the programme was that they wanted to encourage small traders to keep decent books and records and accounts. There was precious little about that area in the actual programme.
Still, I'll watch it again as seeing how other people run businesses is always interesting and it might provide useful general information that I mjight use when dealing with my own clients.
The floristry ladies were particularly interesting to me as their circumstances echoed very closely a florist I was acting for. Unfortunately, that florist had to close, partly because they were never able to build any useful ongoing contract business.
Officially available via YT: http://www.youtube.com/show?p=O_2ex2E6us0&feat...
Simpo Two said:
Perhaps, but I just find the concept of Government Departments 'advertising' at me distasteful.
I see your point but it also seems a rather clever bit of investment to me. Helping small businesses generate more revenue I'd suggest would easily cover HMRC's costs. And increasing compliance even by a little bit probably equally profitable, so as tax payers we gain. I have to say I'm impressed with their far-sightedness. It's a shame I find her so impersonal and patronising though - a rather pale effort at imitating The Hotel Inspector - Sir John HJ had both the business skills and the people skills.Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff