Why Your Business Needs A Cash Flow Forecast
Having enough cash to continue operating is a hot concern among most business owners. And it should be, as a lack of cash is the number one reason why businesses go under. As famed business guru Peter Drucker once said, “entrepreneurs believe that profit is what matters most in a new enterprise. But profit is secondary. Cash flow matters most.”...
September 3, 2018Why you need to take a break from your business
Running your own business takes up most of your time, as an owner – and finding a window in your diary to take a break can be tricky – we often ignore why you need to take a break from your business. But having a proper holiday away from the stresses and worries of the business can be incredibly beneficial – helping you to come back refreshed, rejuvenated and full of renewed vigour for your business idea and the future of your company....
August 7, 2018Tips for choosing a small business bank
Finding the right bank to serve your small business needs can be a daunting task.With so many competing financial institutions to choose from, business owners simply don’t have the time for the in-depth research required to carefully weigh all the options.This guide to choosing a small business bank will help you narrow down your choices so you find the best fit for you....
June 6, 20184 Tips for Improving Your About Page
Every website should have an ‘about page’. It exists to capture the very essence of your business by reeling in your target audience and inspiring them with your story.The About page is more than just a brief biography or a list of achievements; it should be something that forges a connection with your readers and gives them a reason why they should choose your business.Crafting an unforgettable about page is often not that easy, particularly if you’re not the sort of person to feel comple...
June 4, 2018Social Media Etiquette: 9 more Quick Tips for Professionals
With social media, you can connect with business associates quickly and creatively. But this communication mode is not without risk. A thoughtless post can offend customers and other business partners and damage relationships rather than build them. By following a few ground rules you can be confident your comments and posts will be appropriate ones....
June 1, 2018Should you hire remote overseas workers?
The rise of the global workforce has opened up exciting possibilities for small business owners whose growing companies could use an extra set of hands. If you’re wondering whether it’s worthwhile to hire overseas workers for virtual admin support or other business services, cost considerations alone can make the prospect quite attractive.Before you decide to hire an overseas worker for your next project, keep these important considerations in mind....
May 3, 2018Creating an Effective Performance Target: 7 Key Questions to Ask
It’s essential for any business to have a robust set of performance targets for its workforce. These will drive employees to achieve in the areas that are critical for success. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that the targets are calibrated correctly in order to realise the desired results. Before introducing any new target, make sure you’ve answered the following seven key questions:...
April 9, 2018How to Create a Personal Brand
The words ‘personal brand’ is still somewhat controversial, and carry an unfortunate cast of self-promotion and vanity. The truth is that personal branding is more important than ever in the job market, and those without a clear personal brand or mission to create one are lagging behind the competition....
March 12, 2018Presentations – Saying It Without Words
It’s easy to believe that the key skill in giving a presentation is making sure you say the right thing, but studies have shown that 55% of your message comes from non-verbal cues and people remember more if they see something than if they just hear it. This article looks at the eight areas you need to focus on to make the most of that 55%....
February 1, 2018Credit and Debit Card Fees To Be Banned
From the 13 January 2018, the government are banning all credit and debit card fees. The current rule, which came into practice in 2013 states that companies can only charge what it costs them to process the credit or debit payment, this means they should not make a profit on these surcharges.The new rules will apply to any UK company selling goods and services to UK consumers. This law is following an EU directive, therefore all EU countries will also be banned from charging these fees. However...
January 30, 2018Enjoying a stress-free holiday
As a business owner, it’s important to take time away from work.But worrying about whether staff are meeting deadlines and suppliers are happy translates to more stress and less time enjoying your holiday.With a little staff communication and planning beforehand, you needn’t worry that your business won’t be able to cope in your absence.If you really can’t switch off from work mode or something urgent pops up, technology can be a great way to check in and make sure things are ticking alo...
January 22, 2018The importance of documenting processes and systems
Many entrepreneurs operate with their business processes and systems in their heads. They know what they need to do each day and the way they want to get things done.Unfortunately when a business grows and staff need to be hired – or the owner needs to take time away from the business – it’s a real liability not having processes and systems documented in one place.Read on to learn the top five reasons to record your company processes and systems, so your business can run more efficiently a...
January 11, 20187 Common Health and Safety Risks in the Office and How to Mitigate Them
Offices are often thought of as relatively benign places, compared to more manual environments, such as factory floors or construction sites. But they hold many risks of their own to employees’ health and safety. Be sure of keeping your most valuable asset safe and well by ensuring you don’t overlook these seven common office-based risks....
January 9, 2018Growth hacks for your small business
Deciding on an online marketing plan can be overwhelming for small business owners looking for affordable ways to nurture steady, sustainable growth. With time in short supply, the key is to find one or two growth strategies that will get results at minimal cost.These proven growth hacks offer business owners a few simple, cost-effective ideas for attracting new customers, increasing brand awareness, and ultimately, getting more sales....
January 5, 2018Email Etiquette: How to Respond to a Rude Email
The worst thing about a rude message is the author presuming you’ll respond to a complaint or request when his communication lacks any hint of civility.When confronted with an obvious violation of good manners, you can easily delete the email without upsetting anyone who is aware of politeness standards. You can also punt the request to a co-worker, but that would make you the bad guy. It’s best to respond but take certain steps to ensure your response is a solicitous one, and then move on t...
January 4, 2018Helping you prepare for GDPR
This week sees many businesses returning from the festive break eager to clear down the backlog of emails and achieve ‘inbox zero’. While some businesses are commencing new financial years, others are busy preparing themselves for upcoming year-ends as well as completing tax returns for the 31st January deadline. But looming on the horizon is another important deadline, one which a significant number of businesses have yet to realise; this will be one of the most significant pieces of legisl...
January 2, 2018Main Causes of Stress for Business Owners & How to Conquer Them
Many entrepreneurs believe that hard work and dogged determination are all it takes to build and sustain a successful business. But when you consider the pressures of running a company, it seems wise to add effective stress-management to the list. Left unchecked, stress can erode your passion and undermine performance – not to mention, take a serious toll on your health. Research compiled by Office Vibe reveals that over 70% of professionals regularly experience the physical and ment...
January 1, 2018How to write subject lines that zing
Email marketing is one of the best ways to develop a relationship with your customers. It’s also a proven way to increase sales with subscribers who are interested, qualified buyers.The key to maintaining high open rates with your email campaigns is to craft catchy subject lines for every email you send out to your customers.These ten proven tips will show you how to quickly grab attention with compelling subject lines that get results....
December 11, 2017Tax tips for new business owners
Do you want to avoid paying more than you should come tax time? Or a frantic last minute search for missing financial records?New business owners have a lot on their plate, and can easily lose track of an approaching tax deadline or financial data needed to submit their return.Being well organised is key when preparing for tax time. As is taking advantage of the many tools and resources out there to support new entrepreneurs.Set yourself up for success by following these four pillars of painless...
December 5, 20178 Ways to Engage People Better
Great people management comes through experience. Courses will teach you all of the theory, but there is no substitute for day to day managing staff within your business. Giving yourself a head start with a common sense approach and a healthy respect for everyone you come into contact with can help to develop a happy and productive workforce. We were fortunate enough as a practice to be part of a 2,000 + crowd at Xerocon 2017 in London recently, where amongst the many amazing keynote speak...
December 4, 2017HMRC stops use of personal credit cards to pay tax bills
Back in November 2017, we posted an update regarding HMRC and its decision to withdraw the option for payments to be made via a personal credit card.With the submission deadline of 31st January fast approaching, what options do you have for making your tax payments online?...
December 1, 2017Budget 2017 Update
Yesterday, the Chancellor announced the Autumn Budget 2017. Whilst there has been mixed reactions by the wider media, with some feeling that the Chancellor “delivered a shrewd but optimistic budget” this year and others suggesting little to lift the gloom of further uncertainty...
November 23, 2017Xerocon 2017 – A Valued Perspective
Back in 2012, we were among the few firms that attended the very first Xerocon in the UK held at ICAEW’s Chartered Accountants Hall or as was described on the day the ‘Hogwarts of Accountancy’.We say few, but back in 2012, the first Xerocon in London was maxed out at around 230 delegates and a handful of add-on partners, some of which are still very much active in the space today....
October 10, 20173 ways an accountant can save you money
Many small business owners think they’re saving money by handling their financials themselves. While it’s a real asset to learn bookkeeping basics, cash flow management and your tax obligations, hiring an accountant to oversee your finances has many benefits. Leaving your books to a pro will free up time so you can focus on serving your clients and implementing plans for growth. Here are a few ways an accounting professional can help you save money that you can reinvest back in your business...
September 28, 2017Tips for proofreading your business writing
For small businesses, nothing reduces credibility faster than careless typos and sloppy spelling, we know, we’ve made a few in our time.The trouble is, business owners are often so busy they neglect to notice the errors that can creep into their work, in spite of the latest word processing spelling and grammar tools.Taking the time to carefully edit your newsletters, reports, emails, blog posts and marketing collateral – following these simple tips – will make all the difference.Here’s h...
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