Picture News, a weekly news resource service for teachers, is one of seven small businesses to receive advice from business guru Deborah Meaden in a new mini-series launched by NESCAFÉ® by Nestlé Professional to give practical support to SMEs.

Director, Katie Harrison of the Harrogate-based business was one of over 800 SMEs to register to receive advice on the series, Let’s Partner Up for Good. Her firm Picture News provides schools with topical news resources to create engaging and exciting lessons.

She appears in the first episode of Let’s Partner Up for Good which focuses on business growth.

Discussions with Deborah Meaden and Katya Simmons, Managing Director at Nestlé Professional dug into several topics under this banner including how to expand a business abroad and how to develop and grow a business with minimal resources.

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With the scale up rate among UK businesses having slowed dramatically in the last decade*, much of the advice in the first episode focuses on growth.

Deborah said: “If you try to enter more than one market at the same time, you’ll encounter more problems and make more mistakes. So, first, I would assess the opportunities and choose one market with the best pathway in terms of growth potential.

“After you’ve got the experience of dealing with one country – for example learning the sensitivities of that marketplace – you’ll be better prepared to roll out from there.

"I also think it’s important to find a partner in said country; someone who can help you find your way in the idiosyncrasies of local markets. That’s an incredibly valuable tool for any business.”

Katie said: “Taking part in NESCAFÉ by Nestlé Professional’s Let’s Partner Up for Good campaign was a brilliant experience.

"Having the opportunity to ask in-depth questions to the incredible Deborah Meaden and the talented team at Nestlé Professional about how our business can grow internationally was truly an entrepreneur’s dream.

“The advice the experts gave is already being implemented. The idea of focusing on one market and delegating responsibilities internally has already proven to be a success.”

The 3-episode series airs between now and December on the Let’s Partner Up for Good hub and YouTube: Business Growth Strategies With Expert Advice from Deborah Meaden and Business Leaders (youtube.com)