Whether you are starting up a business or already established, business shows should definitely be in your diary - both from the point of view of a visitor and also as a business taking a stand. Here will we concentrate on the reasons why visiting business events can help your business grow.

1. With so many stands offering all manner of products and services you will be able to save time and money by comparing business in one place and negotiating the best deal. After all, they are there to sell and will be happy to discuss the best price they can offer.

2. You might even find a new product or service that will help your business or save you money.

It's an all too familiar story - business owners taking on too many roles in their company and, inevitably, not able to give their full focus to the business. A survey by Bibby Financial Services found that, for example, 65% help with the cleaning and a slightly lower number do the stationary order. Other common tasks include chasing payment, dealing with suppliers and securing finance. This is all well and good, but when it's being done in addition to their role it can become a burden and detrimental to the business.

Edward Rimmer, UK chief executive for Bibby Financial Services says, "People go into business because they have a passion for something and a good idea, but it is easy to underestimate how many different roles need to be taken on."

As if times aren't hard enough for start up businesses, we now hear that the UK's small businesses are paying up to three times as much for goods and services than big businesses who enjoy large savings from their favoured suppliers. Research by Huddlebuy.co.uk has shown that small businesses are paying £3.6 billion more which, for start ups, equates to £1,200 per employee. With so many SMEs struggling this is clearly an unfair cost that actually threatens the idea of an enterprise led economic recovery.