It is being widely rumoured that Lord Mandelson is to announce an extra bank holiday in the UK in 2012 to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee. Her Majesty will have her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 when the Queen will also be celebrating her 86th birthday.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Your New Year’s resolutions for 2010
New year, new decade and so double the incentive to start 2010 with a clear vision and set of objectives for the next 12 months.
Airline competition good news for consumers
It seems that the competition between major airline operators is intensifying, perhaps as a result of losses sustained in the recession, and standards of comfort and convenience for customers are improving as a result.
REAL Thought Leaders go to bed with their clients!
As a new trading year approaches, it is going to be more important than ever for you and your business to be remembered by your customers for as long as possible. If you want to survive the coming months, remember that the key to REAL thought leadership is about how long you stay in people’s minds.
Dont back down on your sales in December part 2
In my last article we explored the ways in which possible sales are being lost due to salespeople accepting the usual call me back after Christmas line. In this article, I will explore this further with my second tip on ways to avoid the Christmas objections.
New December Regulation Surprise for Small Businesses
From 28th December 2009, a new regulation affecting almost every small service business in the country, from accountants to gardeners, will come into force, but many don’t even know about it yet…
Barclays announces £150M in new loans available for SMEs
Barclays has today released £150 million in new funding for UK SMEs through the European Investment Bank (EIB) Loan Support Scheme, which includes a 2.5% upfront cashback payment when the loan is drawn.
Why it pays to be protected
As businesses tighten their belt in a recession, the need for properly documented contracts is even more important than usual– it is well known that disputes increase when money is tight, and if you are doing business without proper contracts, you are at risk.
To grow or play it safe? That’s the million-dollar question…
One reoccurring topic which always seems to crop up when speaking to business owners is ‘when is the right time to bite the bullet and take the business to the next level’? When do we stop the bootstrapping and say hello to investment? I am a firm believer that all businesses can (and in most cases, should be) boot-strapped from day one. This not only saves costs, it keeps your business lean and avoids the unnecessary ‘fat’ that one could be tempted to add if investment is gained early on.
Businesses rank Business Link a success in latest customer surveys
Figures revealed today by Business Link, at an event attended leading entrepreneurs and Business Link ambassadors: Karen Darby (Call Britannia), John Bird (Big Issue), Imran Hakim (iTeddy), John Cowell (Cowell Co), and Claire Young (former Apprentice finalist) show that businesses believe they save time, increase their sales and raise profits as a direct result of using the Business Link service.
Business owners sacrifice health for work
Small business owners are putting work before their health, according to new research published today. The figures reveal that one in four (26%) small business chiefs have missed, cancelled or put off a health appointment in the last year due to work commitments.
Small businesses get help in pre-budget report
The chancellor is providing more help to small businesses by extending the availability of the enterprise finance guarantee scheme by six months to September 2010. Under the terms of the scheme, introduced in March, the government offers to guarantee 75% of loans to small firms with turnover of £25m or less.
Staff say they “deserve” Christmas parties after the last 12 months
Employees around the country really want to let loose this holiday season following the economic difficulties of the last 18 months – but nearly one in three won’t have the opportunity, as many smaller businesses plan to forgo the annual Christmas party this year.
Pre-Budget Report: Darling could drive out UK business
Business groups including the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have sounded a warning amid mounting expectations that Alistair Darling is contemplating a new 60pc to 70pc tax rate for those earning more than £500,000, as well as a windfall tax on banking bonuses.
SMEs lose nearly £1.2BN by not reclaiming VAT each year
UK VAT-registered SMEs are missing out on 1/4 of potential VAT reclaims due to sloppy expense practices, according to new research. Professor Stephen Roper, Centre for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Warwick Business School, estimates that this equates to £1.18bn in lost fuel VAT reclaim potential.
