It's time to improve our business haka: This week on Enterprise Nation


Posted: Sun 1st Nov 2015
Head of content Dan Martin looks back at the past week on Enterprise Nation.
How easy did you find it to set up your business? Well according to a report out this week, you would have found it harder to create one in 2014 compared to this year.
The annual study from the World Bank showed the UK has risen 26 places in the global league table of the time, form filling and cost involved with setting up a new venture.
We're now 17th, compared to our rather lowly 43rd place last year. You can be up and running in 4.5 days, the study said, with four procedures to follow, compared to six days and six procedures 12 months ago.
Our rise in the charts is great news, but we've still got a long way to go to beat New Zealand, who aren't just Rugby World Cup champions but also top the easy start-up league. New business owners there only need half a day and one procedure to get going.
When everything involved with starting and doing business is taken into account, the UK does much better with our sixth spot, but once again and just like on the rugby pitch, New Zealand beats us by taking second place in the world overall. According to Business Insider "this tiny economy has become a model to emulate in terms of its approach to start-up business". I think it's time for us to improve our business haka!
We're doing our bit to make things easier though.
Getting advisers on board is one way to improve your chances of success and five lucky start-ups had a chance to do that big style this week when they pitched to Sainsbury's director James Bailey for him to become an adviser to their business. It was a fascinating hour of pitches and you'll be able to replay the session and find out who won tomorrow on the blog.
And talking of starting up, we'll be making a massive announcement about something of interest to every new UK business owner next week so double reasons to keep an eye on the blog!
Thanks to everyone who has subscribed to Enterprise Nation TV, our new online channel of business advice and inspiration. We've been releasing lots of new videos packed with tips in under a minute. Among the highlights this week were advice on how to be a great public speaker, how to get noticed online and how to raise funding. Keep an eye on the channel for lots more videos to come.
The build up continues to our Government Exchange event in London on 12 November where we'll be connecting small businesses with government buyers looking for contractors. Entrepreneurs with experience of winning public sector contracts explained how to do it. It'd be great to see you at the event so book a ticket here.
And don't our biggest ever StartUp Saturday business training class on 21 November. Join us in person in London or at one of four live screenings in libraries across the UK. Get your place here.
Also on the blog this week:
Lessons in business storytelling from the heart of the Lake District
The Apprentice: Talking the hind leg off a donkey doesn't close deal
Read previous weekly updates:
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