Welcome to the Going for Gold Networking Event!
Date: June 6th, 2025
Location: Long Stratton Playground Pavilion
Join us to network with like-minded individuals. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into the networking world, this event is perfect for making new connections and expanding your circle. Share ideas, swap stories, and maybe even strike gold with a new opportunity! Don't miss out on this chance to grow your network and have a great time doing it. See you there!
Growing our business is about becoming visible and having the right tools for the job.
Event Description:
Guest Speaker Business Coach Steve Swinton
"Are You Running the Show... or Just Running?"
Overview: This session explored the often-overlooked foundations of financial fluency for small business owners. With 98% of UK businesses employing fewer than 100 people - and 90% failing within 10 years - this talk addressed a critical truth: most SMEs fail not from lack of effort or ideas, but from poor financial understanding.
Steve will guide attendees through the four essential pillars of financial awareness:
Profit & Loss
- What it really reveals - and what it doesn’t
- The distinction between Gross Profit (operational efficiency) and Net Profit (what you truly keep)
Cash Flow
- How even profitable businesses can go bust
- Practical methods to improve cash flow:
- Speeding up receivables
- Negotiating supplier terms
- Raising working capital
Balance Sheet
- A snapshot of business health: assets, liabilities, and equity
- The formula: Assets = Liabilities + Equity, and how to interpret it
Forecasting
- Why looking ahead (via cash flow and P&L forecasting) gives business owners confidence and control
- Using forecasts to set targets, plan for growth, and avoid nasty surprises
Core Message:Your financial statements are not just for accountants. They are the dashboard of your business. If you wouldn’t drive a car blindfolded, you shouldn’t run your business that way either. Understanding your numbers gives you clarity, control, and ultimately, the freedom to build a business that works for you, not one that runs you into the ground.
Final Thought:If you want to grow a successful business - and sleep better at night - it starts with knowing your numbers.
Speaker Steve Swindon – Business Growth Coach at Summit SCALE® CoachingMBA, 35+ years in consultancy and leadership, former CEO and business owne
