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The UK business blog will provide information and advice on a wide range of business related topics including finance, employment, law, marketing, training, the Internet and everything in between!

Our goal is to provide our visitors with a valuable source of information, offering guidance from industry experts to help you to grow your business throughout 2012 and beyond. Our experts write for all experience levels, so whether you're new to business, a serial entrepreneur or a seasoned business professional, we hope you’ll find our articles of interest and share your thoughts with others.

 
 

Budget 2014 implications for UK SME’s

Mike Smith provides brief insight into the Budget and some of the implications for UK SMEs Continue reading “Budget 2014 implications for UK SME’s” »

 

Summary-Key points Budget 2014

George Osborne has presented a budget for “the makers, the doers and the savers” in effect wooing the pensioner vote in this next to last election budget. Here is a key point summary Continue reading “Summary-Key points Budget 2014” »

 

Guidelines for working with your spouse.

Are you of the thought that spending more time with your hubby or wife would be wonderful or a complete nightmare? You could have a wonderful relationship but would it all go to pot if you had to spend 24/7 together? Continue reading “Guidelines for working with your spouse.” »

 

Changing with a market

Now forgive me if this little post sounds like I’m boasting. I assure you I’m not, it’s just I think that sometimes someone who is less involved or not so emotionally tied up in a business can see the obvious when the proprietor simply can’t. Continue reading “Changing with a market” »

 

The Key to Blogging

So many people find writing a blog difficult and I can’t blame them! What do you write about, how do you write it, why does nobody read the darn thing or want to link to it – well I was sitting at home chatting to my other half the other day and he commented about a regular e-mail he receives. Continue reading “The Key to Blogging” »

 

Weird Expense Claims

A lovely lady called Kate sent me a copy of a recent survey into expenses. The survey was commissioned by Access aCloud and looked into the methodology of expenses processing, claims and re-payment. Interesting (well perhaps) but the rascal in me spotted the side comments in the survey, which I found much more interesting – well ok, amusing. Continue reading “Weird Expense Claims” »

 

Employers can reduce their Employer NI contributions from April 6th this year

The HMRC has now issued guidance and exclusions on how to claim up to £2000 per year of your Class 1 NIC’s and don’t forget it takes effect on 6th April 2014. Continue reading “Employers can reduce their Employer NI contributions from April 6th this year” »

 

Auto Enrolment: Ensure Your Business Is Ready For The Compulsory Workplace Pension

By the time you read this, every company in the UK that employed more than 5,000 employees on 1st April 2012 will have already had its staging date for the auto enrolment into the new Work Based Pension Scheme. Continue reading “Auto Enrolment: Ensure Your Business Is Ready For The Compulsory Workplace Pension” »

 

Does old fashioned etiquette and dress sense matter in the modern office?

I ask the question because (as you can imagine) I do have my own views and I’d love to hear yours. It’s interesting to find people turn up for interview in dirty shoes and scruffy attire and yes, even today those first impressions do count. Continue reading “Does old fashioned etiquette and dress sense matter in the modern office?” »

 

So you want to work from home…

In this age of the Internet, there are many of us that either chooses or dreams of working from home. My partner and I do just that, and along with the many benefits such as flexibility, there have been some interesting challenges which may just be helpful to someone dreaming of turning the office light off for the last time . Here are a few of them that spring to mind. Continue reading “So you want to work from home…” »

 

An Xbox One for your small business? Mixed messages from Microsoft

Last month Microsoft launched its offering for the eighth generation of video game consoles, the Xbox One. Along with a state-of-the-art video game engine, the console includes live HDTV support, motion control, videoconferencing, cloud storage and multi-tasking capabilities – all part of what reviewer Matt Helegson of Game Informer describes as the software giant’s mission to take “control of the living room”. Continue reading “An Xbox One for your small business? Mixed messages from Microsoft” »

 

Asset Protection Trust – Can You Really Avoid Carehome Fees ?

Over recent years, Asset Protection Trusts have been sold to the public as a way of ring-fencing capital to ensure it is not eroded by care home costs, inheritance tax and other potential asset corroding activities. Continue reading “Asset Protection Trust – Can You Really Avoid Carehome Fees ?” »

 

Summary Key Points Autumn Statement 2013

Government message is that the plan is working, the economic outlook is better and the austerity measures will continue.

Opposition argument is that it is not actually helping people with a continued squeeze on standard of living and increases in the cost of living.  The recovery is still based on an increase in personal debt and it is an unsustainable economic recovery. Continue reading “Summary Key Points Autumn Statement 2013” »

 

What is the most important factor when recruiting?

I do honestly do other things than look through the Beeb all day, but I have to credit them again with a recent article on recruitment that caught my eye.

Just about every business person must look to Richard Branson’s success with admiration and it was Mr Branson’s thoughts on recruitment that caught my eye. Continue reading “What is the most important factor when recruiting?” »

 

Running a business in a war zone…

Well ok, perhaps not a war zone, but I spotted a recent article on the BBC website, which made fascinating reading. I’ve abbreviated some of its points here, as I was just awestruck. Of course many of the globe’s people have little choice, but how in God’s name do they do so? Continue reading “Running a business in a war zone…” »

 

What should you do with Mobile Phones in the Office?

I’d lock them all up! . Continue reading “What should you do with Mobile Phones in the Office?” »

 

Using the Open Market Option To Maximise Your Pension Annuity

Do you realise that even if you have been saving into a pension scheme with the same provider for your entire working life, when it comes to choosing how your pension fund is paid out, you have a greater range of choice than you may be led to believe. Continue reading “Using the Open Market Option To Maximise Your Pension Annuity” »

 

Online, speed is everything

High Speed Internet GraphSlow internet connections are one of the most irritating – and destructive – problems facing UK small businesses today. If the internet goes down altogether doing anything can be well-nigh impossible – not to mention the danger of missing clients, or potential clients, who are trying to get in touch. Continue reading “Online, speed is everything” »

 

Forget the marketing, we’re all for social media…

said the unemployed marketing manager! Ok, so social media must be the biggest buzz word for most companies now and lets face it, the way a company communicates with its prospects and potential customers has changed exponentially over the last few years. For many it’s difficult to grasp all the Facebook, Twitter ,“likes” and stuff (especially if you’re over 50), however are we able to drop the traditional marketing – indeed more to the point, should we? Well before you think I’ve finally lost it, I for one sit securely in the NO camp! Continue reading “Forget the marketing, we’re all for social media…” »

 

How Companies Avoid Corporation Tax

I watched a great video on the BBC with the beguiling title of “A Beginners Guide to Tax Avoidance”. It is a fascinating simplification and here is our summary. Continue reading “How Companies Avoid Corporation Tax” »