http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php Business advice for UK startups, owner managers and entrepreneurs en Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:51:58 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1939 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:03:10 GMT 1. Training Days or Conferences Try using QR codes during conferences or in-company training to provide information about each other or to interact... 1. Training Days or Conferences

Try using QR codes during conferences or in-company training to provide information about each other or to interact with delegates by changing the information of the QR code often and then asking them to scan the person sitting next to them – a simple but effective way of introducing people to each other!

2. Competitions and Fun Prizes

You can engage your department by emailing them vouchers via the QR code at the end of a major assignment. You can either send them the printed codes or simply email them the code image. Alternatively, print the codes in your Company Handbook or similar and tell employees that these codes will be changed with exiting company competitions, freebies and information. For this to work with static QR-Codes, you need Dynamic QR-Codes. All you need to do is to update the content of the QR-Code with an appropriate service.

3. Dynamic Badges

Team members can also be engaged by using QR code badges or event IDs that contain their Twitter, LinkedIn or maybe Facebook page so staff can get to know more about their colleagues.

4. A Business Mystery Game

Set up a Business Mystery for new employees. Each QR-Code will contain a piece of information or clue such as text, music and audio as well as video and URLs, all of which will help solve the mystery of e.g. Why is Business the leading expert in (Service/Product)? Or why not use a similar mystery game during company outings or events to lighten the mood by e.g. asking them to discover Why the Mr/Mrs. CEO/Manager/Director forgot his train ticket? This is a fun and active way of getting the team working together. ]]> SQUARE:CODE http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1939 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1936 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:59:17 GMT One of the most important decisions a business owner has to make is whether to operate as a sole trader/partnership or via a Limited Company. ... One of the most important decisions a business owner has to make is whether to operate as a sole trader/partnership or via a Limited Company. Company tax rates have fallen in recent years and this has made the Company route more attractive even to those posting relatively low levels of profits. However, any decision on incorporation should not be taken on tax grounds alone. The nature of the business, its trading methods and even the personal circumstances of the owners need to be taken into consideration before a conclusion is reached and it is therefore essential that you take advice from your accountant before making your decision.

Ignoring the nuances which will colour individual decisions, there are a few areas which apply to all decision processes. These include:

• Who owns the business? A limited company is a separate legal entity and this means that the directors have to act in the best interests of the company rather than their own best interests whilst a sole trader has a lot more freedom to make changes within the business structure. However, business debts run up by a limited company stay as the debts of that company whilst those of a sole trader fall on the business owner themselves.

• The ongoing tax and legal implications. Not only are the tax structures different, limited companies have legal obligations to file company accounts and publish documents such as board minutes and resolutions. This can result in additional costs as well as a loss of privacy. However, given the current corporation tax rate and the flexibility of remunerating “owners” via salary or dividend these costs are usually outweighed by tax savings.

Continue reading... ]]> apacarada http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1936 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1938 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:52:00 GMT I’ve posted in the past about the numerous ways Twitter has helped us to grow KashFlow. Something I’ve not mentioned before is how incredibly... I’ve posted in the past about the numerous ways Twitter has helped us to grow KashFlow.

Something I’ve not mentioned before is how incredibly valuable it is as a tool to connect with journalists which in turn helps you get coverage for your business.

There a a lot of friendly, accessible journalists on Twitter and it’s well worth following them and looking for opportunities to get your company in the media.

Don’t forget the ‘social’ element of social networks. Too many people (in business generally, not just Twitter) deal with others as if they’re a job title rather than as a real person.

If you’re going to bombard a journalist with press releases and self-promotional links then you wont get very far.

Treat them like real people, join in the conversation when there’s nothing in it for you, help them where you can – that’s what creates a real human connection.

So when Harry Hack at Widgets Weekly is writing a story about the new Doodlyflip, you’ll immediately spring to mind as someone that is a bit of an expert on Doodlyflips and he’ll ask for your opinion.

Here’s my personal top three tweeting journalists (in no particular order)

@sparky000, Web Editor at Management Today
@RichardTyler, Enterprise Editor at The Daily Telegraph
@Dan_Martin, Editor of BusinessZone.co.uk

Want more? Then continue reading here ]]> DuaneJackson http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1938 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1937 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:58:00 GMT We’re constantly improving our accounting software based on your feedback. A very popular feature is the PayPal Import service that takes data from... We’re constantly improving our accounting software based on your feedback.

A very popular feature is the PayPal Import service that takes data from PayPal and converts it into accounting data.

After listening to your thoughts on how we can improve this service we’ve decided to make a few changes… [continue reading] ]]> DuaneJackson http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1937 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1935 Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:41:33 GMT I am please to announce that we have now put LocalSquare into the Alpha testing phase. This means LocalSquare is now available for you to add your... I am please to announce that we have now put LocalSquare into the Alpha testing phase. This means LocalSquare is now available for you to add your listings and find out what is going on in your local community, all for free.

Taking over a year from concept to Alpha testing, LocalSquare has been a labour of love for all of those involved, but we understand that there will be bugs and oddities, so we are hoping to received some great user orientated feedback.

Take a look at LocalSquare, place a listing, or may be even arrange to buy something that is already listed. LocalSquare can be found at http://www.localsquare.co.uk or by typing LocalSquare into Google.

Feedback would be greatly appreciated to info@mailingintelligence.co.uk ]]> petersoftware http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1935 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1934 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:21:28 GMT We've now got all the infrastructure in place for our loft conversion business, including office and website.

Our details are:

The Surrey Loft Experts
3000 Cathedral Hill, Guildford, GU2 7YB
08435 235172
www.thesurreyloftexperts.co.uk ]]> nk400 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1934 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1933 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:19:22 GMT Let's hope they generate a few phonecalls!

http://www.manta.com/ic/mx72s24/gb/t...y-loft-experts
http://directory.independent.co.uk/c...xperts/7322108
http://www.touchguildford.com/business/list/bid/7322108
http://www.scoot.co.uk/England/Surre...-13322394.html
http://www.mylocalservices.co.uk/Sur...t_Experts.html ]]> nk400 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1933 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1932 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:10:02 GMT Tech365 (http://www.tech365.co.uk/) are delighted to welcome on board our newest addition to the team Tom Raketic. He has come to us with the view of... Tech365 are delighted to welcome on board our newest addition to the team Tom Raketic. He has come to us with the view of completing an Accountancy apprenticeship and we wish him all the success for the future. ]]> tech365 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1932 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1931 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:02:00 GMT If you’re using KashFlow for your accounting and invoicing then you’ll be used to your accounts being highly automated so that you can get on with... If you’re using KashFlow for your accounting and invoicing then you’ll be used to your accounts being highly automated so that you can get on with running your business.

We’ve just released a new feature that automates the whole process of Credit Control. [Continue Reading] ]]> DuaneJackson http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1931 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1930 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:02:00 GMT If you’re using KashFlow for your accounting and invoicing then you’ll be used to your accounts being highly automated so that you can get on with... If you’re using KashFlow for your accounting and invoicing then you’ll be used to your accounts being highly automated so that you can get on with running your business.

We’ve just released a new feature that automates the whole process of Credit Control. [Continue Reading] ]]> DuaneJackson http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1930 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1928 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:14:32 GMT I've started off the marketing by listing the business in a number of directories to give a wide coverage as possible i.e whatever directory people happen to find, the business will be listed on. In my experience people can be referred from the most random, low-profile websites i.e the long-tail. So I'm registering for a lot of different business directories. More the follow shortly but this is where I've started!

http://www.local-buzz.co.uk/business...perts/15511885
http://www.misterwhat.co.uk/company/...erts-guildford
http://www.hotfrog.co.uk/Companies/T...y-Loft-Experts
http://person.yasni.co.uk/nicholas+w...nversions?wpps
http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/the-surrey...erts-guildford
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/2239299-...erts-Guildford
http://www.bizwiki.co.uk/loft-conver...ft-experts.htm
http://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/company/th...-18009435.html
http://www.freeindex.co.uk/profile%2...%29_420216.htm
http://www.citylocal.co.uk/Guildford...U2-7YB/b-ksdd/ ]]> nk400 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1928 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1927 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:57:35 GMT Somebody asked me the weirdest question today, they wanted to know why and what I had blogged about someone in a little blog post I made over 10... Somebody asked me the weirdest question today, they wanted to know why and what I had blogged about someone in a little blog post I made over 10 months ago?

It got me thinking though, now that blogging is used so much for business use, for marketing use, for SEO etc. have people forgoten what blogging was originally for?

I probably blog at least 6 or 7 times a week across multiple blogs on multiple sites about multiple subjects.

I only really use 1 or 2 sites for marketing blog posts, the rest are basically just used for waffling, keeping an online diary and generally waffling on about whatevers on my mind at the time.

Asking me why I made a particular blog post over 10 months ago seems a little strange, do other people still blog the same way as I do? just waffle away and write about things happening around them?

It's kind of sad the way blogging has been taken over my marketers :redface: ]]> UKSBD http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1927 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1926 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:23:01 GMT Wildlife, Garden and Pet Bloggers , you are invited to write about a few things you like to blog about, in exchange you have exposure, a link back... Wildlife, Garden and Pet Bloggers , you are invited to write about a few things you like to blog about, in exchange you have exposure, a link back to your website, picture and whatever else within reason you'd like to include. I may tweak the title and text a little just to ensure your post gathers maximum amount of exposure.

I'd like to read stories about things you've seen or done relating to garden pets or wildlife ie: a frog pond you may have made, a hedgehog you may have rescued and so on. Funny human interest stories that will appeal to my readers. If interested please complete a contact form here.

http://www.ihairyfrog.com/p/guest-bl...sion-form.html ]]> Cartoon Logos http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1926 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1929 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:15:00 GMT Trains journeys are one of the few times I get to just sit and read so I was looking forward to reading some more of Atlas Shrugged on my train home... Trains journeys are one of the few times I get to just sit and read so I was looking forward to reading some more of Atlas Shrugged on my train home last night.

I think I actually swore out loud when I realised my iPad battery was dead and I hadn’t synced the book to my phone. Continue reading... ]]> DuaneJackson http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1929 http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1925 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:59:22 GMT I'm doing a comic strip for Superhero animal activists Fauna Fighters.
http://www.faunafighters.com.au/

These real life 'superheros' are raising awareness and taking action to protect animals rights and free them from suffering.

You can see more of my cartoon mascot designs and creations here.

]]> Cartoon Logos http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/blog.php?b=1925