Blog Posts

Oxfordshire's Bigger Business Breakfast July 2026

OBCN is growing beyond the breakfast room

At the end of this month’s Oxfordshire’s Bigger Business Breakfast, on Friday, we held a Bonus Session to show members what is already live online, what is coming next and how they can get more value from OBCN between meetings.…

The Big Power of Small Businesses

In this episode, Ben speaks with Mary Thomas of Concise Training and Concise Digital, Nick Mason of Wagner Mason Accountants and Howard Feather of Howard Feather Business Advisors. Exploring how successful businesses can overcome difficulties, both professional and personal to strive for success. Listen to the…

Making networking work for you!

As in-person meetings have returned in this post-pandemic world, how can networking events help businesses grow their client base and how can these businesses get the most out of such events? In this episode, Ben speaks with Matt Eastland-Jones of Story Ninety…

Catering Supplies and Equipment Right on Your Doorstep

There isn’t a lot that an employer needs to legally provide, but no office or workplace is really complete without refreshments & catering supplies to help keep your employees productive and your visitors happy… Welfare in the workplace  There isn’t…

Quiet quitting and putting the human in Human Resources

First came the great resignation, and now we have quiet quitting. Why are employees becoming increasingly dissatisfied with their work, and what can employers do to retain their staff? In this episode, Mike speaks with Paul Hayward of Blake Morgan and Jane Fryatt of…

Members supporting Grassroots football

Two OBCN members, Critchleys and the charity SpecialEffect, have agreed to support Harwell & Hendred YFC U11’s Blues. Critchleys have kindly sponsored the new main kit for two years. The wonderful Blue and Black ‘Nike’ strip replicates a previous company…

Raising finance for your business in 2022

What are the different ways to raise finance in 2022 to fund your growing business? In this episode, Mike speaks with Tracy Smart of The Smart Team, and Sam Jones of NGI Finance.  Current climate with raising finance Different ways…

The Importance of Coaching & Development

In this episode, Mike speaks with Nick Hughes from Dynamic Coach Group, Jenny Gordon from Jenuine Consulting Ltd, and Ian Farrington from Prodevuk. When do you know you need coaching and development? How important is development to career progression? How…