Tips to make business life easier

Christmas has come early for Uckfield area businesses as we pass on a whole host of free tips that can make your life easier.

Thanks to firms who list in our Uckfield Directory we play Santa and hand out some gifts that can save you money, time and help boost profits, writes Paul Watson.

Watch out for unexpected fines

Lyn Lulham, of Just Simply Organised, said: “Make sure you file all your payroll and VAT returns within the due dates and make the appropriate payments on time or you may be fined.

“You may not be made aware of some of these fines until next April, when you could find yourself with an unexpected extra bill.”

Be vigilant against viruses

IT company Dragoon Solutions notices an increase in calls about computer viruses at the end of December and the beginning of January each year.

Owner Colin Hayward said people getting new computers didn’t always think about the need for an anti-virus programme. Others had an anti-virus programme but didn’t activate it.

He warned that social networking sites were often targeted with viruses and said this could affect businesses where staff went on to Facebook and played Facebook games during lunch breaks. “Everybody should be vigilant,” Colin said.

Do the housekeeping

Phil Edwards, of Weald Business Solutions, said: “The continual stop-and-start whilst you find things is not only frustrating, but incredibly unproductive.

“But many businesses put up with this rather than introduce simple housekeeping rules to solve it at a stroke. So, what can you do?

“Basically, take a good look around and clear out stuff that's 'always been there'.

“Collate tools, parts, and information, where they're needed - and ONLY have the things that are needed. Colour coding your files makes them easy to find - and easy to spot if one’s missing.

"Remember . . . ‘a place for everything, and everything in its place’.”

Make a cash flow forecast

This is a critical time of year for cash flow – many businesses are only open for three weeks but have to pay staff for five.

Annual bills such as subscriptions may fall due in January and the VAT rate is increasing.

Undertake a cash flow forecast now to make sure you can survive the winter.

Fiona Monson, of Armida Business Recovery, said: “Too many businesses fail because they only come to me for advice when something critical has happened such as a County Court Judgment or notice of a petition for winding up or bankruptcy. The sooner you face up to your financial difficulties the more options are available.”

Networking

The old saying of: "It’s who you know and not necessarily what you know" still holds true.

Many businesses and small traders have found success through networking.

Uckfield Chamber of Commerce is one of the biggest Chambers in the county and up to 100 people attend its meetings.

After some formal business, there is food and plenty of time to network with other business people.

Ian Blackaller, secretary, said: “We often have more than 80 members at our meetings so opportunities for networking and doing business are quite obvious.

“The business part of the proceedings is kept short and to the point.

“This gives plenty of time for people to move around and talk business while enjoying a free meal.”

Mr Blackaller said members were also given the opportunity to speak at meetings about their business and products and could use the chamber’s website to promote themselves.

Professional Networking is also another membership organisation where you can build business relationships.

It meets more frequently and members pass on business referrals to each other.

Don’t break your resolutions

Hazel Wells, of Balanced Accounting, said: “A 2006 Government survey found that 57 per cent of small businesses made New Year resolutions, with one of their top priorities being to improve financial systems.

“Yet 43 per cent broke their resolutions within one month.

“Keeping a close eye and a regular check on business finances can be extremely helpful in maximising profits, monitoring cash flow and nipping any problems in the bud.

“Whatever the size of your business, regular management accounts (whether prepared in-house or by your friendly local accountants) can literally be worth their weight in gold. So resolve today not to break this year’s resolutions.”

Invest in your staff

Do not forego investing in staff during harsher economic times, as it is generally these same people who will help a company survive and even thrive under darker economic conditions.

Ben Middleton, of Armida Sales and Marketing, said: “All too often, businesses will abnegate sales training programmes during times when economic conditions are challenging, when in reality these are the times when businesses should be investing in their core staff.

“If a well trained and motivated sales force can perform in turbulent times, imagine how well they will do when conditions begin to improve?

“Similarly with marketing, the bedrock of sales…intelligent (and on the whole cost friendly) marketing activity, if carried out effectively, will not only serve to support any sales activity undertaken but actually align both internal capabilities and reinforce the company’s external brand proposition to create market opportunities. A well trained sales team is then ideally placed to make the most of such opportunities.”

Use IT to secure your future

Mark Hosken, of Open File (UK), said the way companies gather and manage information sets them apart from their competitors.

“At Open File we build software applications to do an outstanding job with the information that flows into and out of your business.

“Using Microsoft products such as Office, all your business information management needs and processes can be streamlined into simple to use software applications, saving on time and costs.

“Why rely on what your employees carry around in their heads? Secure your future and create opportunity through the application of information technology."

Other news

Wealden MP Charles Hendry has urged people to support their local shops and businesses in the run-up to Christmas.

He made the call on the back of news that unemployment in the district has fallen.

The number of unemployed claimants in the Wealden constituency in October 2010 was 772.

This represents a rate of 1.7 per cent of the economically active population aged 16 to 64.

The number of claimants is 286 lower than in October 2009 and 41 lower than in September 2010.

Mr Hendry said: “I am very pleased that the number of unemployment claimants in Wealden has continued to fall.

"Since October 2009 the number of people claiming job seekers allowance has fallen by 286.

“We must continue to support our local shops and businesses in Wealden especially during this festive period. This will give our local economy a well earned boost.”

Chance to vote to speed up internet connections

There’s a chance to vote for Uckfield in a bid to speed up the town’s internet connections.

East Sussex County Council is asking people to go online and vote for the fibre based broadband technology for their town in a campaign being run by British Telecom (BT).

Towns with the most votes will be first to receive the high-speed connections, with BT saying that the top five communities could get the fibre-based broadband early in 2012.

Vote for Uckfield by visiting the Race to Infinity website. The deadline for votes is December 31.

Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Member for e-Government said: “Over the next five years BT is rolling out super-fast fibre optic broadband across the UK. However, the communities polling the most votes will be among the first to enjoy this technology which will improve communications and boost business.”