Archive for the ‘Unemployment’ Category
Thursday, April 11th, 2013
History seems to have jumped up and bitten us this week. No I’m not going to write about the end of that era. The bit of history that caught my attention was that of Paris Brown – the 17 year old recruited in Kent to consult on the relationship between young people and the police.
Fredericks’ work very often involves people who want to pick themselves up after a metaphorical fall. People who have made rash decisions about money; people who have made mistakes in relationships; and people whose poor judgement has led to a criminal conviction. Whenever I interview someone who has a conviction in their past I am struck by their determination to isolate that event as in the past, out of character, an aberration. I cannot believe there is any one of us who doesn’t have something in their cupboard that they would rather not unearth. Even if it is an appalling jacket that didn’t look as bright in the shop. I’m sure you know what I mean.
Sometimes it is very hard to separate the past deeds from the present. Yet it is the thing at Fredericks we strive to do. This applicant made mistakes in the past, but have they learned from them? A customer once accused a member of staff of not being capable of assessing their plan because had they been a successful business person they wouldn’t have been working for us. No. Someone who has never made a mistake is the worst person in the world to advise others.
So I return to Paris Brown. Vilified because her mistakes were published to the world. What she wasn’t given the opportunity to prove was that they were mistakes.
Tags: Businessloan, facebook, linkedin, twitter, unemployment, whp
Posted in Micro Business, Regional Growth Fund, Social Media, Trading Places, Unemployment | No Comments »
Thursday, April 4th, 2013
The Daily Mail this week chose to blame the heinous actions of Mick Philpott on the benefit system. The interesting corollary, should the Mail’s claims be true, must be that the benefit system is responsible for millions of acts of kindness, compassion and support that are undertaken by people whose misfortune is to be elderly or disabled or rendered redundant, but who retain their humanity and dignity.
Of course the truth is that the benefit system is no more responsible for the actions of a selfish bully than it is for the compassionate who find themselves dependent upon it. Selfish sadism can no more be attributed to the benefit system than it can to the type of newspaper one reads. The newspaper is not responsible for the views of someone who reads it, people with similar views merely gravitate to particular newspapers because we like to see our own views reflected. That does not, however, make them true.
Having recently completed Trading Places and survived on Job Seekers Allowance for a week, I was interested to hear Mr Duncan-Smith proclaim himself able to live on £53 per week. We will send him an application form next year and trust that all the commentators who have been ready to slate him will also find themselves impelled to take part. It is very tough.
Tags: Businessloan, facebook, linkedin, twitter, unemployment, whp
Posted in David Cameron, Micro Business, Social Media, Trading Places, Unemployment | No Comments »
Thursday, March 14th, 2013
Some strong words from the DG of the Institute of Directors, Simon Walker, both about business practice and about banking scandals to lay down a marker and head off additional regulation. When challenged that it is his job to promote all business his response was along the lines that it as important to criticise wrong doing as it is to praise good practice.
Interesting that the cross-party discussion about press regulation is falling apart at the same time. Everyone would prefer to write their own rules and to enforce regulation for fear of a less sympathetic body sitting in judgement.
Within the world of finance lending, organisations known as ‘payday lenders’ have come under pressure to ‘put their houses in order. However, there seems to be little focus on why the need for these lenders is so great. Treating the symptoms rather than the cause once again.
There is a responsibility that comes with lending money; just as there is a responsibility that comes with borrowing it. One of the most worrying trends of recent years has been the sight of government lending money to young people without applying the usual rigour that you would expect from a lender about whether the borrower can afford to pay back.
We are faced with a situation where people need credit within a responsible environment, but all of us must take responsibility for our own debts. To teach young people that they may take on debt but don’t have to worry about repaying it is quite simply wrong. And to avoid mis-selling these loans government should spin less and provide the simple facts more clearly.
Tags: Businessloan, unemployment, whp
Posted in Banks, David Cameron, Micro Business, Unemployment | No Comments »
Friday, March 1st, 2013
There seems to be a plethora of weighty subjects to discuss this morning! Will the relative success of UKIP in Eastleigh drive the Prime Minister away from compassionate conservatism? Who gave the Immediate Past Pope his pension advice? Was the use of the word ‘productize’ on Radio 4′s Today Programme the end of the English language as we know it?
I’m going to argue that none of the above is more important than two loans Fredericks Foundation agreed this week. One to a man in Bath who imports and restores Vespas and Lambrettas, and whose business has real potential not just to support him and his family, but to employ and train others.
The second micro loan is to a lady whose passion for alleviating the debilitating effects of Psoriasis comes from her own painful experience as a child. This Cambridgeshire business will help her earn a living to bring up her son, but will also improve the lives of many sufferers in the region.
So whilst these decisions may not attract national attention they will change a number of lives in a practical way. These things cannot happen without the help of willing volunteers – people who help take the decisions and people who help raise the finance.
Which brings me to the start of Trading Places 2013. Many of Fredericks’ clients rely upon state benefits for their day to day needs. They seek to support themselves through earning their own income. We are often asked by people who have not suffered the indignity of being refused a bank loan: “Why can they not raise a couple of thousand?” The experience of Trading Places is to demonstrate to ourselves just how little of our expenditure Job Seekers Allowance covers.
So the week is underway. You still have time to support someone you know who is taking part. Just take a look at our website and you can find out how.
A final note of apology to those whom I offended by the use of the ‘productize’ word. It was spoken by an American, so you are unlikely to meet him in polite society.
Tags: Businessloan, facebook, linkedin, twitter, unemployment, whp
Posted in Banks, David Cameron, Micro Business, New Enterprise Allowance, Regional Growth Fund, Social Media, Trading Places, Unemployment | No Comments »
Friday, February 22nd, 2013
You might have thought that someone as cynical and crabby as me (at least in the view of my nearest and dearest) would get used to the fact that what is written in a business plan is just a two dimensional, flat and monochrome outline. Add in the business owner and suddenly there is perspective, colour, depth and sound.
This does not of course rule out the eventuality that this 4 dimensional prospect often is evidently disastrous. The pencil outline when it comes alive sometimes becomes a cash eating monster, a black hole or a vortex into which nobody in their right mind would put finance.
On the other hand some of the least inviting prospects on paper are enlivened by the personality of the business owner, whose skills so often don’t lie in spreadsheet analysis or document design. Their skills are in their trade, in their personality and their passion. People provide those extra dimensions and without looking at those people too many pieces of paper will go in the shredder.
At Fredericks we are extremely fortunate that business people and professionals give up their time to talk to the characters behind the paperwork. Unlike the jury room you get to ask the questions yourself and make decisions of your own choice. The experience is constantly surprising and enlightening with fewer disappointments than inspirations.
If you’d like to get involved just go to our website, check we have an operation in the area in which you live, and click on the volunteer button!
Tags: Businessloan, facebook, twitter, unemployment, whp
Posted in Micro Business, New Enterprise Allowance, Regional Growth Fund, Social Media, Trading Places, Unemployment | No Comments »
Sunday, February 17th, 2013
I spent a very interesting day last week hearing about the issues concerning Credit Unions. It was intriguing to hear that the issues facing these organisations are very similar to those facing business lenders like ourselves. It was equally encouraging to see that the commitment of those people I met to supporting their client base by making access to finance easier and by definition cheaper, was as keen as it is within Fredericks.
The conundrum is why it should be made complex in the first place. Why should people be excluded from discounted services just because they have less income? Why should someone who has never used debt, be excluded from taking a loan?
In the retail industry the mass market is aimed at the economy end. This is where volume is and people who choose to shop elsewhere do so because their means allow it. In banking if you have means you have access to all the services and generally these are free. If you don’t have the means or the security of property then financial services tend to be more expensive. If you can’t pay by direct debit utilities cost more. If you can’t obtain a credit card you may have to use a payday lender. That’s what payday loans are – shifting debt from one month to the next. But those with money can do that much cheaper than those without.
At Fredericks enabling people to support themselves through enterprise is our priority. But the wide availability of proper and sensibly priced financial services is key for everyone to enable them to make the most of what they have.
Tags: Businessloan, facebook, twitter, unemployment, whp
Posted in Banks, Micro Business, Regional Growth Fund, Social Media, Trading Places, Unemployment | No Comments »
Monday, December 17th, 2012
It’s at Christmas time that we are reminded of the potential of small events. One child, born homeless and vulnerable went on to change the world for ever. If we were to attempt to rewrite the Christmas Story, we would probably have Jesus born in a well-equipped maternity unit surrounded by a presidential security detail, bristling with weapons.
Everything we do with consequence usually starts with small, seemingly very risky and vulnerable beginnings. Business is no different. It often takes sleepless nights, hard work, courage and steadfastness. And passion. These are qualities we look for in our Clients. Will they all go on to change the world? Unlikely; but will they change their world? Very likely.
The initial results might seem quite small – small profits, higher self-esteem, freedom to exercise one’s own judgement. But the ripples that can spread out from these are truly inspiring. Lower family break ups, better health histories, higher academic achievements, lower crime rates. All from a single business start-up. That’s what drives us at Freddies, and our volunteers too. The opportunity to be part of something that can change lives from humble beginnings.
Let’s remember that now, at Christmas. May we, at Freddies, wish you a very happy and peaceful time. And let’s enter 2013 with renewed energy to help bring economic recovery to the UK. One small, and seemingly unimportant business at a time.
Tags: whp
Posted in Banks, Micro Business, Uncategorized, Unemployment | No Comments »
Friday, December 14th, 2012
Christmas and New Year is traditionally a time to reflect and resolve. I find the line “I’ve no time to help with the washing up, dearest, I am currently cogitating on a resolution” goes down a treat over the festive period. Perhaps this is why enquiries for our microloans increase in January and February, as people choose a new course for themselves.
In rather a risky strategy, given that Fredericks aim is to lend people money for their businesses, I would encourage people thinking of taking this route to consider whether they need money to start it at all? Many ideas can be started by borrowing tools or transport; prevailing upon friends and family; starting at evenings and weekends.
Fredericks’ approach is to limit our clients’ indebtedness to its barest minimum, but to support and stay available to clients through the start-up and development stage. You don’t have to win us over with a big flashy ambitious scheme. Ambition is an excellent quality, but in business so is pragmatism.
An exciting business plan is actually one that has its feet on the ground. The excitement comes from knowing that a small amount of money will get an enterprise started and that next year’s Christmas dinner will be eaten in the reflected glow of achievement.
That’s another line to help the festive atmosphere: “I’ll be with you in a minute, I’m just basking in my own self-satisfaction.”
Tags: Businessloan, facebook, linkedin, twitter, unemployment, whp
Posted in Micro Business, New Enterprise Allowance, Regional Growth Fund, Unemployment | No Comments »
Saturday, September 22nd, 2012
Gathered the whole Fredericks team together this week. Everyone I believe was buoyed up to see how the organisation is growing, but also taking care to maintain the ethos. Nobody wants to end up detached from the fundamental purpose of helping people help themselves.
Of course to claim that the employees of Fredericks are the whole team would be entirely inaccurate. The team includes the vast array of willingly given support in every area. All the time given by volunteers to sit on Development Boards, to provide rooms for meetings, to get out and network, to train and support clients is absolutely crucial to our operation. Those are in 2012 parlance the ‘Jobs Makers’ – their enthusiasm and knowledge makes it all happen.
Finally of course there are the people who sit on our lending panels and take the tough but often rewarding decisions. This week we have started another 3 businesses and given another 3 people the opportunity to perform. We thank our supporters and wish our clients all the luck in the world!
Tags: Businessloan, unemployment, whp
Posted in Micro Business, Regional Growth Fund, Unemployment | No Comments »
Saturday, September 22nd, 2012
It was back to work this week, with 2 businesses funded and 3 jobs created, through a combined loan value of under £7,000. There is nothing spectacular to report about either business. They are just 3 committed people finding ways to use their knowledge, skills and experience to earn a living.
Most of us can empathise with a desire to provide for oneself. To attempt to achieve that through starting your own business is one of the more difficult options. Any popular culture medium which claims differently is deluded. Apart from anything else who are you going to talk to if you have a bad day?
I don’t have too many bad days, but fortunately when I do I can take it out on a colleague, preferably one who gives me a hard time when things are going wrong for them. The life of a sole-trader is, as the title sounds, an isolated one. The most likely businesses to succeed are those where the owner has a good support network. People they can call on for advice, help and guidance.
If you have any time in your life to be a sounding board and supporter of a small business let us know and we’ll see if we have anyone near you who you could help. Thank you!
Tags: Businessloan, unemployment, whp
Posted in Micro Business, Social Media, Unemployment | No Comments »
