The world is slowly changing and 2019 will bring us many new things. All industries have to adapt to the new economic demands and so do franchises. Strategies will have to change to stay on top of trends – both for doing business and finding employment.
It has undoubtedly been a difficult few years for the UK high street with many shops closing and the loss of big-name brands. And with major retailers reporting disappointing sales figures over Christmas 2018 there may be more to come.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has found that the small business confidence has hit the biggest low since the financial crash in 2011. The small business confidence was measured at -9.9, in their Small Business Index (SBI). The uncertainty that comes from Brexit is taking a toll on small businesses in the UK resulting in them being very unsure of what’s to come.
Sharing your IT expertise could pave the way to a profitable IT consultancy. However, to compete with larger companies, you will have to progress past the constraints of a start-up in its first year. There are a few methods of doing this that will help you to build up your IT company and attract more potential clients.
It’s 2019 and businesses are starting to see the importance of artificial intelligence (AI). Even though the number of businesses that use AI still sits at a disappointing 16%, it is expected to triple by the end of 2019.
In a small business, it can be exciting when work is overflowing. Busy times are usually indicative of success and growth. Working around the clock to ensure your business’s success can be rewarding and exhausting. So how do you know when it’s time to hire someone new? If you’re turning down work, that’s a solid sign that you do need some help in the office. However, every business will grow differently. It’s important to consider all your needs before taking on a new employee.
Franchising is an excellent way for individuals to start a business while benefiting from support, training and branding from a larger, more experienced company. The 2018 British Franchise Association (BFA) Natwest franchise survey highlighted a sharp rise in under-30s starting franchises and a high rate of female entrepreneurship.
Readers Question: Just completed my first “job” as an LTD company, providing professional services. The work was done over a 4 month period in New Zealand and my invoice was submitted to a 3rd party UK agency, net of 15% New Zealand tax. How do I go about proving to HMRC that tax has been deducted and also how to pay the balance of 4% tax owing?
It is undeniable that social media has become the most powerful digital marketing tool in the 21st century, clear from how digital strategists and content marketers rely on it. Social media has attained a wide usage from all over the world, capturing both the young and old. In an era where the most significant percentage of the world is tech-savvy, it is necessary to keep abreast with tips and techniques that give you a competitive edge over other people, particularly in matters of running a successful business.
If you search for health and safety procedures online, it looks like an absolute minefield. In reality, it is pretty easy to get to grips with. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is a piece of legislation and guidelines put into place to protect your employees, customers, visitors to your premises and you from harm.
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Poor training has been touted to be one of the main reasons for the high turnover among employees. Many businesses continue to invest in legacy training techniques like classroom coaching and PowerPoint-based training methods that are not only extremely theoretical but also do not help with retention.
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Readers’ question: I am a shareholder in a limited company and receive dividends as payment each month. I am being taxed by the company at 20% as corporation tax before they pay the dividend and then paying up to 32.5% tax as I am a higher bracket taxpayer. So, on the majority of the dividend, I am paying 52.5% tax – is this correct?
Moving into a new office is an exciting time – you might be moving into your first office space and preparing to launch your business. Or, your company may have grown and so you’re now looking to change locations and find a larger office space. However, moving offices can also be stressful and there are a lot of things to consider when planning an office move.
As the bells and fireworks signal the dawn of another new year, we feel just enough optimism to make ambitious resolutions that, while well-intentioned, are often ditched come February. Rather than recommending you neglect Netflix in favour of a gym membership or swap your weekend (and evening) drinks for kale smoothies, I’d instead like to give you five reasons why 2019 is the year you should crowdfund your business.
The impact that mobile apps have had on e-commerce is noticeable almost instantly. Consider all of the companies that have successfully built a niche for themselves by creating engaging mobile apps. The success of those apps and the companies they empowered is sure to change the world of online retail.
The most important question that a business owner needs to ask themselves is ‘what internet speed do I need for my business?’ but more often than not, they don’t really understand what internet speeds mean in the first place.
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As a new business, breaking into the market and encouraging people to buy your products can be a daunting task, yet it is your business’s only lifeline to success. How you approach your sales is vital when it comes to making your business a success, but is this the only thing you should be focusing on?
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Regardless of whether you are an employee or a self-made entrepreneur, in order to work efficiently, you need to be able to focus. This word is essential for doing any kind of work but staying focused is often difficult as there can be so many distractions in the workplace. In order to tackle this issue, both employers and employees are constantly on the lookout for methods to make the workplace more private.
The UK experiences shockingly low employee engagement levels, which is impacting productivity, worker morale, and staff turnover levels nationwide. Many businesses overlook this fact however both employer and employee suffer the consequences of this. Only around one-third of British employees say that they’re engaged with their work, and 66% of millennials feel they’ve chosen the wrong career.
In recent years, YouTube has become an increasingly important marketing tool for businesses. More and more marketers are taking note and increasing their use of YouTube in promoting their businesses. If you are not already using YouTube, you are definitely missing out. You know what they say, if your competitors are doing something, you should investigate and start doing it better. If you are already using YouTube, good job! Keep doing it and do it better than everyone else in your niche.
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