News
NEWS
Doing Business Together
Business Club Members “Look the business”
Helping members “Look the business” and strengthen their presence at The Club is Kall Kwik of St Albans. Founder Member Mark Worsencroft has been busy supplying a number of pop up banners to members. KK’s designers (Rob’s the expert) love putting these things together and will work hard to get the design spot on for their customers. ‘It’s another service we offer our customer as well as their normal print requirements’ says Mark.
Ask Mark at the next meeting how Kall Kwik can help you “Look the business”
Mark can be contacted on: 01727 841469
Created on: 25 February 2009
NEWS
Here’s what a couple of our members have to say about The Business Club…
“Membership of the business club has already been rewarding for us. Although it only launched in September 2008 there are now a good number of members, and we have generated a number of new customers, business partners and referral opportunities from it. It may sound a bit corny, but of all the networking events I personally have tried it is the best – good fun, relaxed, friendly and already paying back on the membership fee many times over”.
Clare & Andrew Rayner – ARC Business.
www.arc-business.co.uk
Tel: 0870 8031238
“I am really enjoying my membership; not only is the format fresh & exciting each time, but I have met over 50 new contacts and already closed enough business to cover the next two year's membership.
The combination of speakers, 60 seconds, speed presentations, open networking and the recent Who's Who sessions have all been great ways to attract new business develop ideas & broaden not only my contact list but also my knowledge.
I was a little concerned that I was 'all networked out' but the style of the meetings absolutely suits the My Mustard business plan. And doing it all over a glass of wine is a real bonus...”
June Cory – My Mustard.
www.mymustard.co.uk
Tel: 07734 846855
Created on: 25 February 2009
NEWS
Flexible working: staying supple during recession
From next month, changes to the flexible working laws will allow an extra 4.5 million people the right to request flexible working hours. But what, during this time of economic hardship, will this mean for small businesses? Specialist HR adviser Chris Burgess from the HR Dept looks at how the flexible working changes could impact your business.
From April 2009, anyone with a child up to the age of 16 will have the right to request flexible working. The changes extend the existing rules which were first introduced in the Employment Act of 2002. Some businesses fear an influx of impossible demands during an economically difficult time.
But flexible working does not need to be a headache for small businesses. Handled in the right way, flexible working can even help your business thrive during the economic downturn.
The changes are straightforward. Currently qualifying employees can request flexible working to care for a child under the age of six, a disabled child under the age of 18 years old, or a person aged 18 or over who is a partner, relative or adult who lives at the same address of the employee, and is in need of care. The changes simply allow the parents or carers of children over the age of six and under 17 to request flexible working too.
Flexible working does not necessarily mean shorter hours. It applies to a wide range of working practices. It can include flexi-time, annualised hours, job sharing and home working. It might include shorter hours, longer hours, later starts and school-term time employment only.
Negotiating a flexible working package could greatly enhance your business. Accepting requests for shorter hours, for example, may be all you need to cut costs and avoid redundancies. This would save your business on redundancy fees and, arguably more valuable, help the morale of your workforce. It may also help you hold onto your best staff. Once a request has been agreed the employee’s contract changes permanently.
John Wright, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, is a fan. He says: Flexible working is advantageous for everyone.”
Chris Burgess is a human resources professional providing advice on HR and employment issues for The HR Dept. www.hrdept.co.uk
Contact Chris on 0845 2025 777 or 07799 145273
Created on: 25 February 2009
Are you speaking the right language?
The ability to communicate across cultures has never been more important.
In the UK alone, the most popular languages spoken after English are Polish, French, Arabic and Mandarin (according to the Regional Language Network) so how many customers are you potentially missing due to the fact that information isn’t available in their preferred language?
Embracing languages as part of your communications strategy may seem a daunting prospect, but it is in fact a lot easier than you might think, when you follow these steps.
1. Understand your market is multi-dimensional
You need to understand how many other languages are spoken at home. The success of Barrack Obama’s recent multi-lingual election campaign highlights that websites aimed at the American market should also be made available in languages such as Spanish and Chinese.
2. Don’t fall at the final hurdle by trying to cut corners
Organisations need to ensure that all their translated messages are consistent, accurate and most importantly this reinforces the quality and diversity of the brand by showing they value business from foreign customers.
3. If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all
What is your first impression when you see a bad translation when abroad? A poor translation can actually do more damage to the brand and the customer relationship than if you hadn’t provided a translation at all!
4. Get professional help
The skill of translation is that it is more difficult than just knowing the language, there are cultural considerations, local dialect, slang and so on.
5. Produce a clear brief
If you want good translation, you must produce a good brief.
Goal. What is the problem you want to solve?
Form. The form of the source document will fundamentally affect the form of language used in the translation.
Audience. Who is going to read or hear the material?
Language. Into which languages should the source material be translated?
Quality. If the translation is intended for an external audience it must go through rigorous double-checking processes.
Style. Describe the context for the translated document .
Simon George is Director of Thames Translations, one of the longest established translation companies in the UK. For more information visit www.thames-translations.com
Created on: 25 February 2009
Dealing with paperwork effectively
KEEP A CLEAR DESK!
There is a sign which says “A clear desk is a sign of a sick mind!”. In very rare cases a clear and I mean a completely clear desk can signal that you do not actually have enough work to do. This is very rare. In most peoples experience a clear desk is a signal and a trait of someone who is organised, professional, effective, on a mission and going places. There are numerous benefits for keeping a clear desk, here are just a few:
1. Its more motivating when you come into work in the morning.
2. It stops people or prevents people putting things on your desk, people often hesitate to put things on top of clear desk and would rather put it in a tray or will wait to give it to you.
3. You lose things less frequently.
4. You are less likely to be distracted by pieces of paper, files or reports that catch the corner of your eye when you are working on something else.
5. You are less likely to spill coffee or drinks.
6. You are less likely to lose important messages or post-it notes (I have missed whole meetings, because somebody kept a post-it note on their desk which got buried and forgot to tell me the message).
7. It gives clear signals to people that your are organised and use your time well.
8. It creates a sense of efficiency and an air of authority in an office.
Whilst the benefits may be many actually achieving a clear desk can seem a quantum leap for some people. Here is a step by step process that will help you achieve this clear desk.
DEJUNK YOUR DESK: SIX TOP TIPS
1. Think about how often you use different object and store them accordingly. Keep the desktop free for in-trays containing urgent paperwork, a pot of pens and the phone, with a list of most-used numbers and a book for messages to yourself.
2. Take time out once a week to sort the paper on your desk into four piles: stuff to act on, stuff to bin stuff to file, and stuff to pass on. It shouldn’t take you more than a few second to make each decision.
3. Revamp your filling system. Keep files lean and bin anything that is duplicated before you put it away.
4. Take 10 minutes every morning to organise your day. Make a list of priorities and tackle the most challenging tasks first. Mornings are your most creative time.
5. Get grievances with colleagues sorted or make a decision to forget them, and stop whinging. Don’t waste sulking - no one will notice and resentments are a drain on your vital energy.
6. Are you in the right job? If you’re nor convinced, take a realistic look at alternatives that might suit your skills. If you don’t feel in control of your destiny, it’s hard to be focused on the day-to-day.
Graham Roberts-Phelps www.grahamphelps.com www.virtualpaplus.co.uk
Created on: 25 February 2009
MAKING YOUR MONEY
St Albans based tax and accountancy specialist Mark Fordham advises on:
Providing samples of a new product to customers
Q: I am planning to promote a new product in my small retail business. Each customer over the next week will receive a sample as a gift. Am I able to claim a deduction for this in my accounts, as I am aware that gifts to clients are in some cases not tax deductible?
A: Yes, you will be able to claim a deduction for the cost of these free samples and gifts, as, providing they include a conspicuous advertisement for your business, they will be treated as being used for the purpose of advertising.
This does not apply if the gift is food, drink or tobacco, or a token or voucher exchangeable for goods. You must ensure that the cost of the gift (together with the cost of any other such gifts given to the same person in the tax year) does not exceed £50. Remember that the advertisement must be on the gift itself, and not just on the wrapping.
Mark Fordham specialises in managing tax and accountancy affairs for small business owners – and can be contacted on 01582 791225 or by email markfordham@taxassist.co.uk
TaxAssist Accountants is located at Spectrum House, Dunstable Road, Redbourn AL3 7PR
Disclaimer – advice shared in this column is intended to inform rather than advise. Taxpayer’s circumstances do vary and if you feel that the information provided is beneficial it is important that you contact us before implementation. If you take, or do not take action as a result of reading this column, before receiving our written endorsement, we will accept no responsibility for any financial loss incurred.
Created on: 25 February 2009
