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By Dani Saveker, November 27, 2009 7:55 pm

Well I think a pat on the back was deserved last week – after just 6 months Dani Saveker, Building on Strength was a finalist in the Midlands Business Awards held at the newly refurbished Holte Suite, Villa Park in Birmingham.

Although not the overall winner of New Business of the Year, it’s a commendable achievement and one we are all very proud of. The awards were sponsored by Challinors Solicitors, Edge Creative Studios, PG Services and Lichfield District Council – with the Midlands Air Ambulance Service being the nominated charity for the event.

Organisers Diamond Edge Events and the sponsors hosted a wonderful evening full of glitz and glamour with many well known and respected members of the Midlands business community present.

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By Dani Saveker, November 26, 2009 3:01 pm

So here we are, one year on from that fateful day when we found out that our beloved Woolworths  was in administration and it saw the highest single round of job losses in the UK. I’m not sure where the time has gone?

I receive a daily Retail Week update which tells me what the latest news and views are – and today, 12 months after Woolworths went, I see that Borders has confirmed that the paperwork for administration was completed yesterday and we expect an announcement today or tomorrow. I have no doubt that it will be bought out in one form or another but there will be casualities.

As 2009 draws to a close I shall be reflecting on the events of the year as will so many of us – what changes! I can recall the sleepless nights and upsets of a year ago vividly – we were staring at administration and the closure of our own Savekers Limited which ended up happening several months later.

I know now that I am in a far better place than I was this time last year - and many of those that also lost jobs as a result of our administration have  said that it’s openned the door to new opportunities and ventures. No one could prepare me for what happened but I’m a stronger person now and more aware of the wider world. I wish all those that have experienced similar things in the last 12 months much happiness and success on their new journey – if you’ve not got to that stage yet, I promise it can be for the best even if you can’t see it right now.

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By Dani Saveker, November 19, 2009 12:48 pm

One of my oldest friend’s has recently been required to write  a biography based on ‘discrimination’. She asked for people to come forward with their stories of being discriminated against and I was one of those that put my hand up to say I’d experienced assorted discrimination.

Definition of discrimination:

“the treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit”

I have always been in a man’s world – whilst studying for my degree I was the only female, I entered engineering, I became an MD and then CEO of a male dominated manufacturing business despite my own family members being very unhappy about this, I learnt to weld and polish metal, to electroplate – all very male oriented disciplines and I loved every minute. I did none of it by chance – I have always been driven and believed that I had every right to achieve.

In no way have I allowed myself to feel like a victim of discrimination and equally I have never attempted to behave like a man or be a bra burner! I have only ever viewed it as an opportunity to break from the stereotypical views others have and put my own stamp on things. If I ever had a barrier put in front of me, I would work harder to overcome it. People can’t deny your ability if you prove it to be real.

Granted,  women often have to work harder to achieve the same as their male counterparts but you have a choice – to listen to discrimination and let it hold you back – or get on with it, be smart and successful. The only person that can ever truly hold you back is yourself – often through fear. To achieve you have to take risks and go against the flow but it’s always worth it in the end.

When I was pregnant with each of my 3 children I suffered from Symphasis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) and was wheelchair bound – and with it a new discrimination, people didn’t speak to me they spoke to whoever pushed the wheelchair. Certainly with my last child I never let it stop me – I still ran a company and went to work every day. I found humour to be the best way of coping with the situation… I actually quite enjoyed having an oversized toilet all to myself and got pretty good with my wheelchair skills! BUT, we hardly saw many of our friends and even some family during this time but that was down to their perceptions, fears and not having a clue what to say or do (so they chose to do nothing!). They couldn’t handle it - I had to and made the best of it. There’s nothing like experiencing things first hand to have an appreciation for other people’s circumstances and challenges!

I’ve never stopped to acknowledge discrimination really – I’m far too busy for that!

[Thank you to Sarah Oakes for being my wonderful friend and allowing me to help her on her journey to success]

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By Dani Saveker, November 13, 2009 10:04 am

In talking about my own experiences of running a business, helping it to develop, fighting to help it survive and ultimately having to let go I have come to realise that they are no different from human beings.

Savekers Limited was 106years old when I had to turn off the life support - there was no cure and letting go was the kindest thing I could do. My great grandfather has “given birth” to T Saveker Limited and with every new born comes the excitment, anticipation, pride and dreams. Companies travel through the stages of life including being toddlers, teenagers, through adulthood, middle age, old age and eventually death. They form relationships along the way some good and some bad. Some have accidents that shorten their life or handicap them and some may have an illness – the lottery of life can be seen in businesses and organisations.

I did a bit of research this morning to see if any famous celebrities were born in 1903, the year Savekers was born. I Googled my question and up came a list - many of the names would have been people my grandparents may have recognised but there were two that I certainly knew… Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. I adored both of them especially in the Road To films.

I knew Bob Hope had enjoyed a long life but on further investigation I found he’d lived to 100, just 6 years shy of Savekers. Bob did his bit during the second world war – as did Savekers (we manufactured parts for sten guns and spitfires), he was loved by many as was Savekers. It was painful to many when he passed away in July 2003 – friends, family and adoring fans, and each would have their own memories of him. This is no different to Savekers. We grieved for our loss, remembered fondly and now take a piece of it with us in the future.

I smile when I remember Bob Hope and I do the same with Savekers Ltd.

I always spoke of business being all about people and how they connect but it fascinates me now to view the link between people and companies – look at a well know company and describe it as a person, it changed my perception and helps to see things more clearly.

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By Dani Saveker, November 7, 2009 7:36 pm

I was invited by Business Insider magazine to take part in a round table discussion last week sponsored by Santander in Birmingham. The subject for this particular session was about “securing business finance”.

In particular we looked at how easy is to access finance now as opposed to 6 months ago. Round the table we had representatives from the banking sector, an accountancy firm, lawyer, Transitions Bridge Fund Loan scheme,  FSB,  Aston Reinvestment Trust and a family run business – and myself as a previous chief exec and now business advisor.

It was apparent that the professionals in the room firmly believed that there was improved access and choice for SME’s. This may be the case but I pointed out that no one has actually shared this with owner managed businesses. SME’s and their executives remain focused on survival and so don’t have time to investigate options until it’s too late.

“What barriers exist for SME’s” – well there’s a leading question! Time, skills, experience, money, invoice discounting and banking terms, credit insurers, employment law,  cash flow, H & S, failure within the provision of management information, no succession planning, unstainable growth, lack of sales and marketing, no business plans …and on we go… take your pick! More than anything it’s a lack of trust and support.

One of the gentlemen at the table mentioned Advantage West Midlands, our RDA and Business Link - and the Chamber of Commerce. I suggested that SME’s do not have the time, patience or inclination to approach any of these. I was told that they all have websites to tell us what is available – well ‘ve tried using them and gave up! Frankly the support available to succeeding and struggling SME’s is beyond terrible. Another chap mentioned how accountants could provide support – well who would trust them? I agree they should be a part of the team as should your bank but there is no trust and we all know they have other agendas.

We need better advisors and critical friends to support and challenge, to ask the “obvious” questions, to provide contact details for trusted and suitable professionals, to help gain access to funding, to prepare for sale and exits and to support projects. May be this is best delievered as a non executive role? or I would always (and from a good number of years experience as the CEO of an SME) recommend a quarterly health check preferrably as an away day and delivered by a trusted business advisor (that knows what it’s really like and can actually help).

This should look at the individual executives, the board as a whole and senior managers, communication, the business plans (and I would be looking for the realistic, hopeful and negative versions!), strategy and how things are being delivered, management financials and then any details. Finally agreeing on what the action points are and responsibilities.

I can’t recommend this enough – we all need support and somewhere to turn both in good times and bad – and certainly have a trusted advisor that is external to see the obvious and help guide you.  You shouldn’t be afraid of due diligence – this should reinforce everything and if you want to seek funding, you could then demonstrate a solid management style that is proactive and able prepare in advance.  Everyone around the table agreed that this would be fantastic in applying for funding and proving you’re a  ‘great business’.

There is a £1000 of funding available for businesses to help with this support – if you might be interested please drop me a line by email or by calling 0781 99 27 26.

To read more about this round table discussion, please get the December copy of Business Insider.