Thank you for stepping in to this, my first surgery with Business Matters. Each week I will answer questions either, from those posted you, the reader, or from my own surgery sessions.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
VAT returns going online only is no April fools
From 1 April 2010, businesses with an annual turnover of £100,000 or more and all newly VAT registered businesses, must submit their VAT Returns online and pay VAT electronically.
Green Shoots of Recovery and REAL Thought Leadership
There has been a lot of talk over the past few months about ‘the green shots of recovery’ that are emerging, as the recession apparently begins to ease. This doesn’t just have to be limited to the housing market and the commercial side of business – it can also apply to REAL Thought Leadership.
REAL thought leadership is based upon the idea that Reach, Engagement, Authority and Longevity are the key to being the best in your field.
Make your mark with a tenner students challenged a million in a month
30,000 students have today taken up Peter Jones’ challenge of turning £10 into a projected £1.2 Million in just one month with their own community-minded, enterprising ideas, as part of Enterprise UK’s Make Your Mark with a Tenner campaign.
Tories plan radical tax changes for business if elected
The Conservatives are reported to be working on a pilot for a new automated bank-based system which would remove the responsibility of deducting and paying income tax from employers. The new system could save businesses up to £5.5bn according to the Tories whilst also increasing revenues to the Exchequer by nearly £1Bn
Mandelson unveils £7.4m investment in low-carbon aircraft technologies
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has today announced that the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) will invest £7.4 million in developing next generation components for fuel efficient aircraft engines.
5 Tips For Selling On The Upturn – Part 2
In this article, leading Sales Expert Andy Preston explains the last two of the top 5 things you need to consider right now, to give yourself and your team the best chance of taking advantage of the upturn….
The Small Business Charter
Yesterday saw the launch of the Small Business Charter as a call to action in the run up to the general election aiming to give small businesses a bigger voice and is being backed by Intuit, the software company behind the accounts package Quickbooks.
Business confidence returns to the East of England
Business Confidence data published today claims that businesses in the East of England are predicting a strong growth in turnover of in excess of 4 percent over the coming year which is reflected in a record-high Confidence. The same quarterly published report has now recorded a positive trend in confidence in the East of England for five consecutive quarters.
So, how do i choose a trainer?
Training is a great investment to make in your staff and the efficiency of your business, but choosing a training provider you can work well with can be a bit of a minefield. What is it you are looking for in a training company, and what do you hope to gain from the training? A few questions can set you on the right track to a successful long term relationship with your provider.
Time to get tough with the social media doubters
I need to make something absolutely clear: I believe effective use of social media will benefit any business. No exceptions. None whatsoever. I don’t believe you can show me one business that can’t benefit from it. Not one. If you disagree, well sorry, either prove it or admit you’re wrong.
Big brother is watching you…
Employees. Always good to have them where you can see them right? To make sure they are in the door at 9am, working solidly and then out the door no earlier than 5pm? Ban Facebook from the office to make sure opportunities to skive are minimal and if we can give them clocking in/out cards, so much the better. After all, if the boss is sitting there watching their staff, productivity is almost guaranteed, isn’t it?
Dragon James Caan launches academy to pass on wisdom to business owners
On the back of Peter Jones opening his first Enterprise Academy and Doug Richard launching his School for Startups, fellow Dragons’ Den star James Caan is now launching his own business academy, the James Caan Entrepreneurs’ Business Academy.
Lottery awards £250,000 to help more students make money and a difference
Enterprise UK’s eagerly anticipated annual Make Your Mark with a Tenner campaign is doubling in size, offering twice as many students the opportunity to make money and make a difference with a £10 loan. Thanks to a grant of £250,000 from the Big Lottery Fund there will be more opportunities than ever this year for young people to flex their entrepreneurial muscles; making a profit and social impact.
RBS & Lloyds fail to keep business lending pledge
Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group have been criticised by a committee of MPs for failing to lend enough businesses.
