With business growth, income, entrepreneurship levels all being much higher within the Asian community than the population as a whole; how will the current down turn affect Asian businesses? Are Asian businesses well placed to take advantage of the opportunities that arise during a downturn? These were among the topics debated at the INAB 'Strategies for Success' business event on 12 June 2008 in London.

A panel of entrepreneurs including Mahesh Shah - CEO of Nucare, Rickie Sehgal - CEO of Transputec Computers Ltd, Anita Samtani - Marketing Director of Geeta's Foods and Atul Amin of Hugh Cartwright & Amin, hosted an open panel debate on many of the issues pertinent to medium-sized business owners.

The INAB organisation which currently restricts membership to owners of a business with a turnover greater than £1 million per annum, organises events specifically designed to appeal to business owners on a growth path, to assist with the process and expand personal networks as well as provide an interesting forum in which to discuss hurdles that face the business community.

HOW TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF SELLING YOUR BUSINESS

Anuj Chande, Partner and Head of South Asia Group, For Grant Thornton UK LLP discussed the various options for a success sale of a business. Anuj is a corporate finance partner at Grant Thornton with over 29 years professional and commercial experience. At Grant Thornton Anuj leads the South Asia Group, set up by him in 1991, to serve Asian owned businesses both in the UK and those investing from the Indian subcontinent and elsewhere. His clients include those in food, drink, media, hotels, technology and property. Over the years he has advised on both debt and equity fund raisings for his Asian clients.

Anuj highlighted the various methods for valuing companies and highlighted that "management structures were of paramount importance for the successful sale of Asian family businesses".

THE PROPERTY MARKET IN A "CREDIT CRUNCH"

Peter Stilliard, Head of Asian Markets, Lloyds TSB gave an overview of the property market during the current "credit crunch". Peter Stilliard heads up the Asian Markets Team for Lloyd's TSB's Business Development arm across the UK. He has gained considerable business experience from his 30 years with the Bank in London and the South East. His team cover all aspects of growing businesses and specialise in a number of key sectors including retail, hotels, care homes, healthcare and property.

Peter outlined how "global liquidity means that funding is still available for investment in the property sector but most lenders are 'cherry picking' applications based on previous client relationships and trading history". He emphasised that "location, location, location" was the mantra for buy-to-let residental landlords and that lenders were now requiring deposits that matched the rental yield. For commercial lending he said that most lenders preferred owner-occupiers over buy-to-let landlords.

He did highlight that in the current "credit crunch" valuations were "generally heading downwards".

ART AS AN ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Dr Amin Jaffer, International Director of Asian Art, Christies International discussed the option of Art as an alternative investment strategy. Dr Jaffer has responsibility for developing Christie's brand and business in India. For thirteen years a curator at the V&A museum, he specialises in Indian art in the age of European influence. Dr Jaffer co-curated the V&A's blockbuster 2004 exhibition 'Encounters: the Meeting of Asian & Europe, 1500-1800' which explored the artistic and cultural encounter between Europe and Asia following the discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco da Gama in 1498. Dr Jaffer is the author of several books and is the co-curator of the V&A exhibition about princely life in India.

Click below to download a copy of the speakers' presentations:
INAB 'Strategies for Success' 12 June 2008 event (, 360kb)

ABOUT INAB

INAB is an independent network that organises activities and provides educational and networking opportunities for Asian family businesses, with the help of academics and service providers, in order to create and distribute knowledge, exchange experiences and build relationships. For further information, visit www.inab.biz

	INAB 'STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS'
	Click for larger image Anuj Chande - Grant Thornton, Atul Amin - Hugh Cartwright & Amin & Rickie Sehgal - CEO of Transputec Computers plc	Click for larger image Mahesh Shah - CEO of Nucare, Peter Stilliard - Head of Asian Markets, Lloyds TSB, Fiona Owen - Grant Thornton UK LLP and Anuj Chande - Grant Thornton UK LLP
	Click for larger image Dr Amin Jaffer - International Director of Asian Art	Click for larger image Atul Amin - Hugh Cartwright & Amin with Rupal Patel - Founder of INAB
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