Category: Home Business

New Easy Guide to Tax Planning

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While the effects of the recession on cash flow and business profitability are on the minds of most at present, the pending year end of April 5th 2010 provides an opportunity to ensure that your liability for the 2009/10 tax year is no greater than necessary.

With further tax increases (particularly in regards to National Insurance in April 2011) on the horizon, there really is no time like the present to take a step back and look at how you are managing your personal finances and your business and consider how you might reduce your taxes and/or improve your financial and business strategies.

In this year end tax guide, Paul Cleworth of Wealth Matters considers some of the ways you might act now to help you achieve a more tax efficient and secure future for you, your family and you business.

Download the guide here.

Mar 03, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Employment Tribunal Rules Against Rights for Freelancers

The ‘fair and equitable’ decision by the Employment Appeal Tribunal in the case Alstom Transport v Tilson has been welcomed by freelancers and clients alike.

The ruling overturned the original Employment Tribunal in July 2009, which had given Mr Tilson, an independent contractor, the option to claim employment rights (in the form of unfair dismissal) from his client, Alstom Transport.

The original Employment Tribunal’s decision was based on the fact that one particular clause in the contract between the employment business, Morson International, and Mr Tilson’s personal service company, Silversun Solutions Limited, stated that ‘the individual was not subject to Alstom’s direction, supervision or control’. However it was successfully argued that this was not what was actually happening. Therefore, the Employment Tribunal considered the entire contract a sham, thus enabling Mr Tilson to claim the same rights as an employee.

Calling All 5-9 Home Businesses

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Working 5 to 9 shines a light on the fast-growing trend that is seeing people holding down a day job and returning home to build a business at nights and weekends. We call this 5 to 9 working; that’s 5pm to 9pm. This book offers a complete section of ideas for businesses that can be started in your spare time and profiles people who are working this way. It highlights research pointing to this trend and includes quotes from experts. The book ends with a timeline of tips as to how to spend the hours of 5-9pm and how to join the Working 5 to 9 Revolution!

Watch this space for a full review when the book is out in May.

Jan 08, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Freelance Worker Manifesto from PCG

MANIFESTO

As we flip the calendar onto a new decade we inevitably start to reflect on the past, set goals for the future and ponder on what fate has in store for us. Sadly, the one thing clearly evident is that we face a very uncertain future. Despite signs that the economy is picking up with the stock market, retail and manufacturing all indicating positively (we may even officially be out of the recession) it is clear that unemployment and inflation will continue to rise and this will have repercussions on how we emerge, whether we see a double dip and ultimately how strongly we will develop as an economy.

Uncertainty abounds in our political future too, will Gordon Brown survive today’s challenge to his leadership? Regardless, all signs point to a government change in the spring and indeed, even if Labour return to power we are looking at a much changed political environment. Whatever the flavour of future government they will need to be observant, fleeter of foot, more creative and prepared to effect real and often fundamental change.

In this environment PCG is renewing its call for a fresh approach to freelancing, emphasising the vital role freelancing has to play in assisting growth. Government and policy framers have failed to recognise the value of the UK’s 1.4 million freelancers despite overwhelming evidence that freelance businesses are the bedrock of the economy, bringing essential flexibility and skills.

In Quarter 4 2009 PCG launched its Fairness, Clarity, Recognition: Manifesto for Freelancing. Copies have been sent to all MPs and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates as well as stakeholders. We will be emphasising these points hard in the run up to the election.

PCG is leading the way by calling for a fairer tax and regulatory regime. We need a pro-business climate fostered in the UK, a real commitment from policy framers to think small first, not just say it. Fair regulation means regulation that is clear, accessible and not unduly burdensome.

Fairness means allowing freelancers easier access to the market for their services. The Government needs to ensure regulatory barriers, burdens and costs to tendering are reduced, so freelancers can truly compete with larger businesses.

Heavy handed and senseless laws weigh business down like a ball and chain. This is even more so with nano-businesses. Every hour spent complying with red tape is an hour not spent productively. We need to free up Britain’s talents to create wealth, not stifle them with top down bureaucracy.

Elsewhere, PCG is asking that in future all Government departments will have to ensure that 10% of their procurement budgets will go to nano-businesses and that Government departments and their contractors must not discriminate against freelancers who do not have pre-existing security clearance when it chooses which freelancers to award a contract to.

Looking at short term opportunity and long term competitiveness issues, Intra Company Transfers (ICTs) to flaunt immigration laws could have a very profound long-term effect as well as limiting the current opportunities for our freelance contractors and consultants. Government must be vigilant to such problems and prepared to stand up to large companies who are breaking the rules.

It is PCG’s fundamental belief and echoed by most leading business commentators that flexibility in the labour market is the key to ensuring Britain’s future economic success. The next Government must encourage freelancing as a flexible, innovative and entrepreneurial way of working that enables business to perform more cost-effectively, especially when recovering from recession.

The start of a new decade provides an opportunity for fresh, innovative thinking. We will be continuing to push this message up to the election and beyond.

For more information on PCG activities, visit www.pcg.org.uk

Jan 06, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

The Social Media Marketing Book

Are you looking to take advantage of social media for your business or organization? With easy-to-understand introductions to blogging, forums, opinion and review sites, and social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, this book will help you choose the best — and avoid the worst — of the social web’s unique marketing opportunities.

The Social Media Marketing Book guides you through the maze of communities, platforms, and social media tools so you can decide which ones to use, and how to use them most effectively. With an objective approach and clear, straightforward language, Dan Zarrella, aka “The Social Media & Marketing Scientist,” shows you how to plan and implement campaigns intelligently, and then measure results and track return on investment. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the social web, this book will take you beyond the jargon to social media marketing mastery.

Make sense of this complicated environment with the help of screenshots, graphs, and visual explanations
Understand the history and culture of each social media type, including features, functionality, and protocols
Get clear-cut explanations of the methods you need to trigger viral marketing successes
Choose the technologies and marketing tactics most relevant to your campaign goals
Learn how to set specific goals for your campaigns and evaluate them according to key performance indicators

Praise for The Social Media Marketing Book:

“Let Zarrella take you to social-media marketing school. You’ll learn more from reading this book than a month of research on the Internet.” –Guy Kawasaki, co-founder of Alltop.com

“If I could be any other person for a day, it would be Dan Zarella. Either him or Brad Pitt. But Dan’s smarter. This book is why I say that.” –Chris Brogan, President of New Marketing Labs

“This book demonstrates a beginning to the endless possibilities of the Social Web.” — Brian Solis, publisher of leading marketing blog PR 2.0

Buy Now from O’Reilly.

Jan 03, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Do You Copy From Other Websites?

Fasthosts Internet Ltd, (www.fasthosts.co.uk), a leading web hosting provider, today warned UK businesses not to be tempted to copy material from other companies’ websites. The web host has seen an 89 per cent rise in the number of content disputes involving websites over the past year, most commonly where businesses have reported that website material has been replicated without permission.

The company recommends that users always seek permission to use online material, however small, from the relevant website owner. Fasthosts also released the results of a survey of 152 UK businesses which finds that more than one third (39 per cent) admit to currently feeling envious of a website belonging to a competitor. 1 in 10 businesses surveyed had at least one item of their own website copied during the past year. The data lends weight to the theory that the challenging economy and increasingly competitive online marketplace is perhaps leading more small firms to cut corners and plagiarise online.

Nowadays, a company website is viewed by most enterprises as an integral part of its brand and public profile. However, it appears that an alarming number of UK firms are finding that material (such as artwork, descriptive text or product images) has been copied from their website and published elsewhere. The problem varies from the occasional image being used to entire website designs being replicated. The practice can lead to consumers becoming confused, or even being misled into purchasing from the wrong company.

According to Fasthosts, there has been an 89 per cent increase in the number of content disputes reported to its in-house Abuse Department from April 2008 to April 2009. The company reports that in many cases, businesses did not realise that copying items of online material could land them in trouble. A survey of 152 UK businesses(1) commissioned by Fasthosts finds that ‘web envy’ can be a real temptation for time-stretched business owners. 39 per cent of owners surveyed admit that they are presently envious of the website of a closely competing business. At the same time, 1 in 4 are considering reducing their use of external website design services in order to cut costs. A recent study by Fasthosts underlined the pressure on small business owners to maximise their use of the web – the average company rates their website at 6 out of 10 for effectiveness, whilst it also aims to treble its online revenue in 2009.

Steve Holford, CMO Fasthosts Internet, said “Particularly in a challenging economic climate, business owners may be tempted by the quick-fix of copying another firm’s work. Replicating material for commercial use often breaches copyright. Always obtain permission before using anybody’s website material”.

Significantly, the Fasthosts survey also finds that 10 per cent of participants had at least one item of their own company website copied by a third party between March 2008 and March 2009. Amongst the sample, the issue was twice as common as cyber-squatting or online security breaches. Affected users should contact the provider hosting the offending website who should then intervene.

There are a great many ways to enhance a business website swiftly, affordably and without infringing copyrights. For example, Fotolia.co.uk is an excellent source of royalty free stock images on a huge range of areas. Businesses should also consider adding features such as a blog, photo gallery or video or podcast elements. Business users can always ask their web host for pointers.

Holford added, “Website envy is not new, but the tough economy appears to have led more companies to act unfairly upon it. Businesses will gain a better foothold on the Web and earn most value through a regular output of their own compelling material, and applying time to their website in small manageable steps”.

As a leading web host, Fasthosts is well placed to deliver a high quality hosting service to businesses. The company offers a comprehensive range of web solutions including domain name registrations, email solutions (including mobile email services), shared web hosting, dedicated servers, online payment services, reseller web hosting and feature-rich broadband packages.

For more information on Fasthosts, see the website at www.fasthosts.co.uk

(1) 152 UK businesses with 1-5 employees with a website interviewed via electronic feedback form

Dec 31, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post

eTray Laptop Desk

The eTray laptop tray can turn your notebook PC into a true laptop computer that can be used for hours in comfort. It will allow your notebook’s cooler to operate the way it was designed to, and that can result in better performance and much longer battery life. In addition, each eTray is a unique handmade work of art that will look good in any living room. The eTray consists of a hardwearing laminated tray attached to an insulated conformable beanbag lap pad. This combination provides your notebook with a stable, portable working surface that keeps the heat generated by your machine well away from your legs. The improved posture and reduction in heat provided by eTray will help reduce some of the potential health problems associated with laptop use.

Sep 23, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post

Working in bed!

The CushionSpeaker from Philips includes digital stereo speakers enable you to enjoy video clips or music with great sound. With plug-and-play convenience, the USB cable plugs directly into any USB port and your notebook automatically recognises this as a removable USB mass storage device. The hardtop surface carries the notebook steadily & ensures proper airflow to prevent overheating.

Sep 07, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post

Impressive Home Office!

Most of use have to live with an office that is usually the size of a shoebox, or maybe even smaller! If your office is a corner of your sofa, take a look at this office space to make yourself green with envy. If you have an impressive office space at home, send in some images and I’ll feature these in a special area of this blog. And if you have any tips for making your compact space feel that little bit more capacious, why not pass on your hints and tips.

Aug 28, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post

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