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Alan Sugar Q&A

Thursday 3rd December 2009

Newly appointed business czar Sir Alan Sugar gave advice to Bristol company bosses during a closed-door all-day question and answer session at Ashton Gate's Dolman Exhibition Hall.
The businessman – who became a peer last week – was at Bristol City's home to give advice and answer questions at the event organised by the Government funded Business Link organisation.
But Sir Alan, who has been appointed to champion small businesses, gave an interview to the Bristol Evening Post during a break for lunch.
After spending a month travelling to similar gatherings across the country he revealed that the concerns and worries of business leaders are the same in every part of the UK.
He added: "I have no message really, I am hear to talk to people and listen to their concerns and to see if there is any advice I can give them. I get asked a whole array of questions and hopefully I can help with my experience.
"I get asked questions from people who are wanting to start a business, wanting to raise finance or wanting to move to new premises."
Asked if he had any specific advice, he said: "I would tell people to be adaptable but there is no set pattern for success, each case is different and should be handled differently. My tip for success is to focus on what you do and to keep taking stock."
Sir Alan added that he was quite keen to reach young people in the world of business and had been involved in event aimed at encouraging young entrepreneurs to come forward with new ideas.
He also believes that a positive attitude is needed to help the country recover from the recession.
Sir Alan said: "A lot of people believe it is damaging the nation's spirits because of the headlines they are reading in the papers every day, we are in danger of talking ourselves into a recession.
"There are a lot of companies out there who are just getting on with it instead of jumping on the bandwagon. There is too much doom and gloom about and we need to move on from that."
He added: "When we are in a boom we don't necessarily realise it, the only time we realise it is when we are looking back. It makes me laugh when I read headlines that say that America is coming out of recession. How does anybody know that."
Asked about the row surrounding bank loans he said: "There is still access to money sometimes it is a bit of an excuse used by business. Banks want to lend to small businesses but they have to put forward a business case. All I can say to the Federation of Small Businesses is they need to be careful not to be too depressing.
"I deal in facts and not anecdotes.
"I am here to help people and not to talk about problems with the banks."

Courtesy of Bristol Evening Post - sponsors of the Dolman Exhibition Hall