The report, shows that, while many studies talk of increased business confidence around the nation, nearly a third of small businesses are pessimistic about their future.

Only 16% of businesses are very optimistic about their outlook, while only half are slightly optimistic about what’s ahead. The study also found that over two thirds of SMEs think there is a clear lack of support in their area to stay afloat and prosper.

The biggest financial concern for a quarter of businesses is a lack of access to finance with many doubtful that this will improve soon.

A third believe it will be more than 18 months before they see an improvement in the availability of finance, while a similar number don’t think it will ever get easier.

Contributed by Factorscan

Image copyright: Flickr

Invoice finance, including invoice discounting and factoring, is a proven way to grow your business. This funny, Alan Partridge style Fast Finance Guide from SME Invoice Finance introduces business owners to invoice discounting and factoring to improve cash flow. In this comedy video, the Alan Partridge character answers your question: How does Invoice Discounting or Factoring work?

As you’ll see from the video, it’s a lighthearted way to tackle a fairly ‘heavy’ subject and to introduce businesses to invoice finance. Making the service more widely accessible to owner-managed businesses is critical to the future success of small businesses in the UK.

Please feel free to forward the link below to your friends, colleagues or anyone else you think might enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYpLG4-gvQ

Click here to to watch the SME Fast Finance Guide

Contributed by SME Invoice Finance