Monthly Archives: March 2020

5 reasons why (and how) you should meet demand for cashless payments

Originally written by Lee Jones on Small Business
For businesses in the unattended market, keeping up to date with ever-progressing technology poses a challenge. Cashless payments and new payment methods have been growing in popularity, and it can feel like a struggle to keep up. Not to mention the fact that the time and expense of upgrading self-service payment terminals can be intimidating.
However, failure to move with the times could cost merchants business.
Here are five reasons why (and how) any merchant who operates unattended terminals – whether they’re in hospitality, parking, transport, retail, transport or travel – should be looking to meet the demand for cashless payments.
>See also: Why businesses should go cashless: pros and cons
#1 – Cash has been dethroned
The old saying, cash is king, has become less and less relevant in recent years. Card payments in the UK have grown at an exponential rate, and research from UK Finance showed that the amount of payments made with physical money dropped by 22 per cent between 2006 and 2016. In fact, card payments overtook cash payments in 2016, with notes and coins accounting for just 40 per cent of spend. It’s predicted that, by 2026, cash will be used for

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Sara Davies of Dragons’ Den 7 tips for small business

Originally written by Timothy Adler on Small Business
Sara Davies, 35, is the latest – and youngest – dragon to join hit BBC show Dragons’ Den.
Davies began her entrepreneur journey while still at the University of York, where she graduated with a First in business management. She founded Crafter’s Companion, a crafter’s supply company, as a student. During a placement at a tiny craft company, she spotted a gap in the market for a tool which could create bespoke envelopes for handmade cards. With help from her retired engineer father, she designed a product called The Enveloper, going to a TV shopping channel to sell it. She sold 30,000 units within six months. By the time she graduated, her business was turning over £500,000.
 Today, Crafter’s Companion turns over £35m and exports to more than 40 countries globally, employing over 200 people worldwide.
 In addition to appearing as a dragon, Sara Davies continues to run her business with her husband Simon and has two small children.
>See also: Piers Linney: ‘I was one of the first to do real tech on Dragon’s Den’
#1 – Don’t let emotion drive your business
One of my biggest learnings was when we were turning over £2m a year

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