January 31, 2011
Filed under: Business Advice,Business equipment,Business Tools — admin @ 1:54 pm
EPOS systems or Electronic Point of Sale systems are now found in almost all major retail stores. They give businesses a fast and convenient way of making transactions with customers, while taking and recording the necessary information.
Should all businesses use EPOS systems or just the major retailers?
When you look at the advantages of having an EPOS system, every business should have one even the little convenience stores.
You can save yourself and your business from human error when calculations and sales are made. We all know how easy it is for your finger to slip and hit the wrong button. Well you would no longer need to worry about that as EPOS systems keeps your pricing consistent with the option of making changes easily.
No more will you have to do manual stock takes, keeping your staff on later than their shift and paying them overtime. If you use our system, you can quickly and easily produce stock reports and evaluations on stock and expenses.
Worried that your staff are slacking off and not paying full attention? Not anymore when you can monitor staff activity. Being made to sign in to their system with their own cash allowance in the till you can monitor exactly what is going on, electronically.
Customer experience is crucial and with EPOS you can ensure that transactions will be put through with consistency but also with speed.
Where to purchase EPOS Systems
There are many places out there that supply you with the equipment you need to help make your business a success. However, you want to speak to someone who will take you through the purchase process step by step and give you a bespoke deal that will suit your specific business.
Highstreeters are not like any other consultancy; they will become your best friend when it comes to changing your business for the better. They listen to all your needs and then give you the best solution with extras.
January 30, 2011
Filed under: General — Alan @ 10:19 pm
Wales is sadly lacking in the export department, according to statistics in the December 2010 report produced by Barclays and Kingston University Small Business Research Centre. The latest figures indicated that not only have exports fallen off dramatically over the past year, but also only a handful (about 1%) of SME’s have any plans to begin exporting this year. In the 12 months to September 2010, Welsh exports dropped by more than 62%, or almost £600 million. The overall export figures for the U.K., however, showed an increase of more than 12% over the same time period.
At present it seems that small businesses in Wales are not getting the support and encouragement that is needed to make exporting their products an achievable goal.
The Welsh Assembly has initiated a Flexible Support for Business plan, but it appears that business owners are not taking advantage of the information available to them, and not moving to seize the opportunities that the authors of the study say are definitely out there.
Of the Welsh SME’s that are involved in exporting, the report says that the majority only got into it because of customer inquiries and requests from countries abroad; they are not taking the initiative to locate and correspond with new customers. The reasons for this hesitation vary, but they include the lack of time and expertise to put together a workable plan, as well as the language barrier that makes person-to-person interaction more difficult. SME owner/managers are also accused of being “set in their ways” and unwilling to take a chance on disrupting service to their domestic customers.
January 29, 2011
Filed under: Small business — Alan @ 4:01 pm
CEO of Ounces2Pounds the gold party organizers Krista Waddell stated that almost two thirds of all new businesses start small from one’s own home. She added that out of those most of the new businesses are born from mothers attempting to start a career that allows them to stay at home with their kids.
Enterprise Nation reported in a new analysis that every week about 1,400 new home small businesses are started which makes home businesses more popular than any other type of start-up business.
Waddell explained that even with the advances of women in the workplace there is still a great deal of pressure for moms to stay at home and raise their children which is why they often look for a solution that allows them to avoid nursery care but still stay successful in their own right.
Stay-at-home mums are responsible for setting up the most home-businesses followed by young people and the over 50s.
“The home-business is a route is an excellent way to bring people into employment who might otherwise not contribute to the economy,” said Ms Waddell, whose company is included in The Guardian’s top 50 good ideas for home-working.
Ounces2Pounds and cosmetics giants Avon and Body Shop are all reporting a huge up take the numbers of stay-at-home mums who are offering the services as party organisers and home-workers.
Ounces2Pounds are active supporters of Enterprise Nation (the UK’s resource for home-workers) which advises government of small and home enterprises.
“We are proud to sponsor this year’s Home Business category of the Enterprise Nation awards for £3, 000,” said Ms Waddell. “Ounces2Pounds has seen a huge increase in the number of stay-at-home mums who are applying to be party hostesses.”
Almost one third of the UK workforce is employed by home businesses (28%) and they produce a combined turnover of over £364 billion.
Karren Brady has recently joined Avon Cosmetics to mentor their part-time female home-workers. The vice-chairperson of West Ham United FC has taken on the role because she wants to be able to motivate self-employed women.
“One of the key messages for all women is that you don’t have to have an ambition to run a global bank and you don’t have to be at home just running a family,” said Ms Brady.
“There is a combination between the two things; there are other opportunities out there to find that combination.“
Founded in 2006 by Emma Jones Enterprise Nation has grown to become the largest community of home-workers in the UK. Their website contains invaluable information about home business, lifestyle and technology as well as videos, competitions and a community forum.
January 28, 2011
Filed under: Business Advice — admin @ 2:01 pm
Whether you are moving house or business you will probably have a variety of belongings or goods that need to be transported to Australia safely and efficiently. Tudor International Freight Ltd provides shipping to Australia, so you can transport all of your possessions with the comfort of knowing that true professionals are taking care of them during that long journey.
Shipping to Australia is a popular choice not only with people who are moving to Australia due to the relocation of their work place, but also with business professionals who may need to transport equipment and tools that are required for their working practice.
Australia is about 15,287 kilometres from the UK so whether your stay is short or long, having all of your necessary tools and belongings with you may be the difference between a successful stay and a unsuccessful stay.
January 27, 2011
Filed under: Business Finance — admin @ 11:41 am
Advertising Feature
Over the past decade or so, the internet and mobile technology has revolutionised the way we do all kinds of different things. Of course, one of the biggest changes has been how mobile and online banking have created more options for managing our money.
At Lloyds TSB, we’re proud to give our customers the best of these services and have introduced numerous features in this area to make banking as simple as possible. One way we help our customers to manage their money is by offering a text alert service which sends an SMS to a designated mobile phone when an account is getting near to or over its limit. Signing up for this service could mean that you avoid any unplanned overdraft charges. In the event that you do go overdrawn, you can avoid charges by making the most of our grace period. You are also able to set up alerts for high and low balances, meaning you’re able to choose the services that suit your needs the best and use them when it’s most convenient for you.
Another way we keep you in touch with your money is through our weekly balance alerts, which detail your balance and the last six transactions. When you set this up, you’re able to choose to have the message delivered at a day and time that suits you. Our overseas transaction alerts could also come in useful – they’ll let you know when your card is used abroad, meaning you can keep track of your spending abroad, and most importantly, help to guard against someone else using your account.
Access to a current account through online banking is something many people have come to expect. As its fast, convenient and easy to use, there are all sorts of reasons why you might feel online banking is right for you. With Lloyds TSB’s online banking, you can manage your money in many different ways. Along with being able to check your up-to-the-minute balance, you can search your statements by date, amount or payment type to find out details of transactions that go back many years. You’re also able to manage your Direct Debits and standing orders and transfer money instantly between Lloyds TSB accounts and there’s also an option to apply to increase your credit card limit or overdraft.
By using both of these services, you’ll be able to take better control of your money – wherever you are in the world. When you use Mobile Banking, you are only really limited to where you can manage your money by where you’re able to get network coverage – meaning you can often manage your money on the go. With access to mobile and internet banking from Lloyds TSB, you’ll have the best of both worlds when it comes to managing your money.
Filed under: Sales — Alan @ 3:40 am
Britain’s economy dropped by about .5% over the final quarter of 2010 ruining the day of those who had hoped to see the economy show some growth over the last quarter due to the poor winter weather that dashed hopes of retailers to see high Christmas sales.
The slump came unpredictably after the year was marked prominent growth and has caused many experts nervous who have been concerned that the country may be on the brink of a double dip recession due to new austerity measures.
Over the three months leading up to December the GDP fell by about .5% in the face of a positive .7% increase over the third quarter according to a statement from the ONS (Office for National Statistics).
This the first drop in the GDP since 2009 and went against the wide spread expectation that there would be another increase over the fourth quarter of last year.
City Index in London staffer Joshua Raymond stated that the GDP figure has shocked those in finance and has increased fear that coalition government’s new austerity program will prevent growth from occurring sending the country back into a dreaded recession once more. Technically, a country is said to be in a recession after two quarters in which the GDP falls.
After the data was released on Tuesday the London stock market crashed and the British pound dropped with many economists predicting that the Bank of England will not raise the interest rates in an effort to stop inflation from flying sky high.
At the same time, the International Monetary Fund stated that the global economic recovery is starting to finally show positive signs of traction but there is still a high chance of it turning around due to the act that there is still not enough financial reform in place and still high concern over debt.
January 21, 2011
Filed under: Small business — Alan @ 6:11 am
The biggest banks in the country will be lending less than expected to small and medium-sized enterprises this year, at the same time as former bosses of Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds could be earning more than £3million in pay and benefits, the Sunday Times reports.
The widely-reported lack of bank lending, prompting fears of a ‘double-dip’ recession, led to “Project Merlin”, involving discussions between the Government and the ‘big five’ banks in Britain – Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Santander and RBS. According to the Bank of England, these five, plus Nationwide, account for around 65% of lending to business.
Discussions are nearing a close and agreement, according to Treasury Minister Danny Alexander on Sunday. Alexander, speaking to the BBC, said, “We are trying to have a settlement with the banks that enables the economy to move forward. The most important things are to secure additional lending for the economy, particularly for small business, and for the banks to show some responsibility about pay and remuneration to reflect the justifiable public anger.”
The likely agreed lending figure will be somewhere between £160-180million, compared to the £200million envisaged by the Government. A pay deal has not yet been agreed for current employees, by contrast to their former managers.
It remains to be seen whether Project Merlin will be able to pull a rabbit out of the hat and spark a strong economic recovery.
January 20, 2011
Filed under: Small Business News — Alan @ 6:06 am
Many small businesses in the U.K. are struggling to stay afloat, and hiring new employees has often been out of the question. The government’s temporary break on National Insurance will help, but not enough, according to the Forum of Private Businesses. Phil Orford, the Forum’s chief executive, said that if the country’s small businesses are meant to grow and prosper in support of economic recovery, more changes are desperately needed.
In a recent survey carried out by FPB, a not-for-profit organization, more than two-thirds of business owners polled said they think the tax structure is unfair and unwieldy. About one in five said that they would be willing to pay more tax if the system were to be simplified; as it stands the U.K.’s tax system is one of the most complicated in the world.
More than three-quarters of those polled said that the headache of payroll taxes tends to deter hiring new employees.
SME’s also said that the loopholes employed by big businesses with armies of tax consultants should be closed, as they can’t compete in that area. About half said that the VAT increase would have a negative effect on their businesses, and about 10% said the increase would give competitors an unfair advantage.
Last summer the government created a new Treasury department called the Office for Tax Simplification, which is presently working on the complexity problem, hopefully to do some restructuring that will help smooth the way for small business growth. The FPB reported that a majority of small business owners feel that the current tax structure and its inequities and complexities are the biggest problem they face. Orford said that losing some of the existing red tape and lightening some of the tax burden for small business should be the Treasury Department’s priority.
January 17, 2011
Filed under: Business Finance,Small Business News — admin @ 6:12 pm
After its record breaking series in 2010, Dragons’ Den is open for business once again, giving entrepreneurs from across the country the opportunity to pitch for investment and fulfil their business ambitions.
Last year saw the multi-millionaire investors offer their own money to 17 worthy entrepreneurs. One of the most memorable was Kirsty Henshaw, who, after an emotional encounter in the Den, secured £65,000 from Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones to expand her business. With their help, her range of ‘Freedom’ healthy frozen deserts has hit 2000 supermarkets nationwide and sales figures have hit £360,000. She predicts she’ll make £1million in sales in her first year alone…
Dragons’ Den has created some incredible success stories over the last eight series. Brixton based Levi Roots shared his secret recipe, Reggae Reggae Sauce, with the financiers, in return for a £50,000 cash injection. Since the Den, Levi’s created a wide range of products, he says last year he sold six million bottles of his sauce alone and his business is now valued in the millions. But it’s not just about food; Imran Hakim’s I-Teddy, Neil and Laura Westwood’s Magic Whiteboard and Peter Moule’s electrical Chocbox are all businesses that have followed a path to success assisted by Dragon backing!
The rules are simple: entrepreneurs can ask for cash investment in return for equity in their business. However, they must get at least the amount they ask for or they will walk away with nothing. The Dragons want to invest in the very best that British business has to offer. They’re prepared to listen to a pitch for any type of business but they have to believe that it requires investment and will make money before they’ll back it with their own cash.
If you’re genuinely seeking investment for your business idea or invention, we’d like to hear from you. For an application form please send an e-mail to dragonsden@bbc.co.uk or visit www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/apply for details on how to apply.
January 14, 2011
Filed under: Business Finance — Alan @ 2:33 am
Once again, small businesses in the U.K. are taking the worst hit from the combination of rising fuel costs and the ubiquitous VAT, according to FSB national chairman, John Walker. He said that the Federation of Small Businesses has been calling for the Conservative Party’s promised “stabilizer” on fuel prices, but no action has been taken.
The idea is that a system of adjustment would be put in place whereby the duty on fuel would be lowered when oil prices rise and increased when they drop.
The FSB also noted that on most of the continent, the price of fuel to consumers is split about half and half between the product itself and the tax on it, whereas in the U.K. the split is more like three to one, with the larger portion going to tax. They said the U.K. also has Europe’s second-highest rate on diesel fuel, which makes it that much harder on businesses that depend on long and short-haul road transport.
Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters on Sunday that setting up an adjustment on fuel prices will be a difficult proposition. He said the increase in duty was part of Labour’s programme, and with the deficit being what it is, the Coalition government couldn’t see a way to get rid of it. The idea, Cameron suggested, is for the Treasury to “share the burden” of higher petrol costs with motorists, but the bottom line is: the Treasury needs more revenue, from any source that can be tapped.
The issue is likely to heat up with protesters organizing rallies in a “fair fuel” campaign to let the government know that they’re seriously disappointed in the lack of action to support businesses struggling for survival.
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