A practical six-point plan developed by financial consultants BDO Stoy Hayward for better cash management in horticulture is a key part of Millennium Managers' Weekend on October 14 and 15. The self-help management group has organised the event to promote better business awareness and strategy in the industry. "Horticulture is an exceptionally volatile business ­ but sound financial planning can help to even out the troughs and peaks without resorting to costly borrowing or eating into capital," says senior BDO consultant Paul Bevan. "We're approaching the session from a hands-on viewpoint and you won't need a degree in economics to follow it. The overriding message is that simple changes can combine to make a significant impact on a business's bottom line." Subjects covered will include managing cashflow and working capital; break-even analysis; achieving business stability; key performance indicators; planning for growth; and understanding profit. "It's all about cash conservation and management. The principles are the same whether you are running your own glasshouse operation or managing a marketing budget for a large packer or processor," says Bevan. Millennium Managers was set up this spring as a non-profit making organisation set up by managers in horticultural business who know and understand what their industry needs. It has the backing of the Horticultural Traders Association, the NFU, and the Institute of Horticulture. "Millennium Managers is a platform for developing a wide range of training opportunities," said a spokesman."This means empowering producers so they can take the industry forward." A web site at www.millenniummanagers.co.uk has more details. {{PEOPLE MOVES }}