Wednesday 4th December 2013: Autumn Statement It has been announced that George Osborne will be presenting his Autumn Statement to Parliament at 12.30pm, Wednesday 4th December. The Statement usually sets the tone of future changes to our tax legislation, particularly, those to be included in the Finance Bill 2014. Tuesday 10th December 2013: Draft clauses […]
Tips for Media Interviews
As a business owner or manager, you will most likely have to speak to the press or media at some point in your career. Here are some tips to help you deliver a compelling message when engaging with the press: Create a Headline Every time you give an interview, the journalist / reporter should walk […]
Strategic Alliances
In the current economic climate, businesses must look at new ways to win customers. As such, many firms are now looking at strategic alliances which allow them to access new segments of the market. If properly executed, a strategic alliance can be good for business and good for the consumer. A strategic alliance is similar […]
Pinterest Marketing Strategies
With over 27 million unique visitors and in excess of 200 million page views a day, Pinterest is one of the fastest-growing social media sites out there, so it’s all the more important to leverage it in all aspects of your online marketing efforts. Here are some ways to use Pinterest as part of your […]
UK economic growth best since 2010
Dare we hope? In the third quarter of 2013 the UK’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 0.8%. Don’t be dismayed by the small percentage. The key is it’s a positive number and the best growth indicator published since 2010. Hidden within this increase are some pleasant surprises: • A 2.5% surge in construction activity, bolstered […]
Post Office sell-off underpriced?
If you managed to acquire Post Office shares at 330p per share you will have been presently surprised by the opening price on the London Stock Exchange. At 8am on the first day of trading the shares stood at 430p rising to 450p in the first few minutes. At the end of the first days’ […]
NIC Employment Allowance April 2014
The Chancellor announced the creation of a NICs Employment Allowance in the 2013 Budget. This is planned to start on 6 April 2014 and moved a step closer to becoming law with the First Reading of the Bill on 14 October 2013. HMRC have published the following background information about the scheme: “In the March […]
Sir Richard Branson leaves UK for British Virgin Islands
Sir Richard has decided to leave the UK and live in his holiday home. He wants more time to surf, kite surf, play tennis and stay limber practising pilates. He says that his decision is not dictated by tax considerations. His personal wealth is estimated to be £3.5bn which means he can spend several million […]
Talking up the prospects for growth
We have enough information about the UK’s economic woes to keep us depressed for many years to come. Every week we are told why sustainable recovery from recession and its after effects is just round the corner. The problem is the “corner” is mobile, always just out of reach. Which is why the current round […]