Review: Fab 500 Event

Lancashire Business View played host to business leaders from across the county for the Fab 500 event at the Salmesbury Hotel with the aim of giving guidance on driving profitability into their businesses.

The seminar, held in association with Accrington and Rossendale College and Haworths Chartered Accountants, gave smaller businesses the chance to learn from their bigger neighbours.

“These panelists here today have tremendous skills and we should listen to them to learn how to improve our own.”

Chris Eccles, managing director of Bowker Blackburn, said: “We have had to change our USP and adapt to a modern market in order to move forward. Businesses need to adapt and change to survive. If you’re a family business it’s important to install some corporate thinking.”

John Stanworth, area director for Barclays, said: “Businesses that are doing well have changed and adapted through the recession. You need to plan well ahead as cash is still king.

Michael Finnigan, CEO of i2i, said: “Businesses we see doing well are ones were managers push power and responsibility down through their workforce to retain their talent. “I believe young people out there are driven and their personalities shine through. This needs to be encouraged in everybody and demanded more often.”