Reduce Costs

Article: Benchmarking

Benchmarking Every business can use benchmarking. At its simplest, it helps you to compare statistics and control costs. More sophisticated benchmarking looks at process design and business strategy. Benchmarking is a process that compares your...

Article: Budgeting

Budgeting Are you going to be in control of your new business? Will you know in advance about any looming cashflow problems? Unless you use properly prepared budgets, the answer is probably going to be no. Budgeting sets out the financial targets for...

Article: Budgeting

Budgeting No business can know exactly what the future holds. But budgeting reduces the level of uncertainty, helping you anticipate problems, learn from the past and improve your ability to control the business. This briefing will help with internal...

Article: Cashflow Management

Cashflow Management Cashflow Management: The Basics Introduction Cash is the oxygen that enables a business to survive and prosper, and is the primary indicator of business health. While a business can survive for a short...

Article: Check your Business Rate Valuations

Check your Business Rate Valuations Small Business News 5th October 2009 Businesses have been urged to check the property valuation details they receive from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) over the coming weeks, to ensure that their business...

Article: Checking your Bank Charges are Correct

Checking your Bank Charges are Correct Introduction Banks are commercial organisations and like all other businesses make charges for providing services to customers. Charging policies vary from Bank to Bank with many banks now...

Article: Choosing an Accountant

Choosing an Accountant A good accountant will save you and your business money, but it's essential to choose the right one for your particular business. Use the following checklist to find the right person. 1) Ask friends or colleagues...

Article: Common VAT Problems

Common VAT Problems Once you understand the basics, VAT is reasonably straightforward. But there are some areas where it is easy to make mistakes. These can lead to stringent penalties, and ignorance is no defence. In this briefing, we assume you...

Article: Company Cars and Tax

Company Cars and Tax Company cars are one of the most popular employee benefits. Altogether, more than one million UK directors and employees drive company cars. Of these, half receive free fuel for private use. Successive governments have increased...

Article: Control costs and Competition in the face of Recession

Control Costs and Competition in the face of Recession As the global economy stares in the face of recession, small businesses are trying to keep their heads above water. The dilemma is trying to control costs while also ensuring they remain...

Article: Cost Control

Cost Control Cutting costs is the simplest way to improve your bottom line. Introducing a cost control system can bring immediate savings and ensure that you remain competitive in the longer term. But cost control needs to be carefully managed. While...

Article: Cost-efficient Communications

Cost-efficient Communications Every business uses the mail to communicate with customers and prospects. But, for many, the process remains a time-consuming and inefficient exercise. Phil Hutchison, Tactical Marketing Director at mail and messaging...

Article: Credit Control

Credit Control Credit control is a vital part of running any business - and especially any new business with limited cash resources. Every year, thousands of start-up businesses go bust. Many are profitable but are owed money by customers. Unable to...

Article: Credit Control System: Setting up

Setting Up a Credit Control System Mismanagement of cash flow is the single biggest reason that small businesses go under. Therefore, a good credit control system is an essential part of any business' accounting procedures. Maintaining consistent...

Article: Debt Factoring and Invoice Discounting

Debt Factoring and Invoice Discounting Financial services companies that provide businesses with debtor finance, secured against unpaid invoices are known as Factors and Invoice Discounters. Factors buy your trade debts and typically will...

Article: Debt Recovery

Debt Recovery Most businesses experience some problems getting paid on time by their customers. Good credit control helps to prevent this becoming a serious problem. However, there are occasions when a customer cannot, or will not, pay. To avoid a bad...

Article: Efficient Driving - Green Fleet Management

Efficient Driving - Green Fleet Management It makes good environmental and commercial sense to ensure that your fleet is running as efficiently as possible. And if you take the appropriate measures, there are often significant savings to be...

Article: Efficient Driving - Reducing Fuel Consumption

Efficient Driving - Reducing Fuel Consumption How to Reduce Fuel Consumption in your Fleet Improving your fleet's fuel performance makes sound commercial sense. Typically fuel costs will account for 20-30% of the total operating costs of your...

Article: Efficient Driving - Reducing the Need to Travel

Efficient Driving - Reducing the Need to Travel Working Remotely Thanks to email and the internet, remote working is a practical proposition for many employees and allows them to fulfil their work commitments without the need to either travel to...

Article: Electronic Payments

Electronic Payments What Are Electronic Payments?A website that is enabled to accept electronic payments, particularly credit and debit card payments, offers convenience to customers and streamlines the purchasing cycle. But helping your...