Thursday, February 15, 2007

BizHelp24 News 174 - 15th February 2007

Telephone Answering Services - Could Your Business Benefit?

If you own a small or growing company it’s far too easy to miss important business calls when you are really busy: you may be stuck in meetings, away from the office, already using the phone/s or frantically working to meet deadlines. Either way, there’s nothing more frustrating for your customers than trying to deal with people they simply can’t get a hold of!


Could Your Business Take Advantage of Improved Branding?

Although branding is often seen as something carried out by big businesses, it is also used to great effect by many small to medium sized businesses (and even sole traders). However, too many businesses ignore the possibilities that branding can offer.
A new survey for Microsoft has found that over a third of small businesses admit to having no brand values. In addition, 35% do not acknowledge the strategic impact of marketing on their business.


Are You Making the Most of the Web?

More small businesses than ever now have a website, but are you making the most of the internet with your online presence?
A study by web hosting company Fasthosts identifies three main varieties of online business based on key attributes. These findings have then been used to create a simple car analogy, so businesses can easily reflect on where they are and where they want to be. So, what types of website are companies running?


Improve Your Cashflow with Invoice Finance
Invoice finance is a quick and low cost way of improving the cashflow of your business. Here is a guide to what factoring and invoice discounting can do for your business.


EBay Traders and Online Traders - Do You Need to Register as Self Employed?

Tens of thousands of people are making money out of eBay every day, yet a large number are unaware that they may be required to pay tax and register as self-employed.
A new internet-based guide by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for people who trade online is being launched. It outlines the rules for people who trade online for a profit, as opposed to others who are just clearing low value items from the attic.


Could Your Cashflow Benefit from Extension of Vat Scheme?

If your business struggles with VAT or find that paying out VAT affects your cashflow then the extension of a special scheme from 1st April 2007 could help you. From 1 April 2007 the threshold for the Cash Accounting Scheme (CAS) is to be more than doubled from £660,000 to £1.35 million (the expected value of your taxable supplies for the tax year)...


Free Small Business Tools from BizHelp24

Running a small business is never easy; keeping on top of all the different areas of importance can be a challenge for even the most energetic entrepreneur. The good news is that we can offer some help with our free BizStart24 software for PC's. BizStart24 features over 40 letters and forms to make the running of your business quicker and easier.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

BizHelp24 News 173 - 8th February 2007

Help Customers Find Your Business Online

Most online purchases begin with search, so it’s important to be at the top of the listings. The best way to do this is sponsored search, where customers can find your business when they are looking for you.

Find out more about how Yahoo! Search Marketing can help your business and claim a free £50 credit when you sign up...


Are You Employing Foreign Workers Legally? - A Guide

With more businesses than ever employing foreign workers, and the addition of Bulgaria and Romania to the countries whose citizens can reside freely in the EU; small businesses are struggling to understand the rules and regulations that they need to follow in their recruitment processes...Here is a guide to what you need to do to stay within the law.


Are You Risking Losses With Out of Date Equipment?

Almost every business in the UK uses computers or other technology to run part of (or often all of) their operations. Yet nearly two million small businesses are putting their data and productivity at risk by using old technology to run their business.
A new survey by BizHelp24 has found that 24.8% of small business owners say they do not need to update or replace their computers and other technology at all...


Start the New Year by Improving Your Cashflow with Invoice Finance
Invoice finance is a quick and low cost way of improving the cashflow of your business. Here is a guide to what factoring and invoice discounting can do for your business.


Liability Insurance Costs Expected to Rise – Be Prepared

If you have employees then you will be aware of the high cost of Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI); the costs shot up a few years ago, and sadly they look like they could rise again in the near future.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned that employers’ liability insurance premiums could rise, following the new scheme that allows the NHS to recover the costs of treating patients that have been paid personal injury compensation.


Free Small Business Tools from BizHelp24

Running a small business is never easy; keeping on top of all the different areas of importance can be a challenge for even the most energetic entrepreneur. The good news is that we can offer some help with our free BizStart24 software for PC's. BizStart24 features over 40 letters and forms to make the running of your business quicker and easier.