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Best value for money events in 2018

ABC Staff
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Best value for money events in 2018

When looking for the best value for money events to attend, value for money doesn’t necessarily mean the cheapest event you can go to.  When picking an event you want to consider how much bang for your buck you’re getting.

You can pay a small fortune to go to some sporting events (cough cough, a Premier League Football match), which only last 90 minutes. However, there are brilliant events all over the country that provide atmosphere, fun, intrigue and something different.

Here’s our list of the best value for money events in 2018…

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

3rd – 27th August

The home of over 50,000 performances and heading for more than 3,000 shows. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe takes place over three weeks every August.

This is the world’s biggest arts festival and it’s the place to go for dance, stand-up comedy, theatre, spoken word, opera, art exhibitions, circus, and more.

Tickets are purchased for whichever acts you would like to see, so do your research.   Each show/ performance is individually priced (averaging £10 per performance) so make sure you have a rough plan for each day otherwise you can end up spending money on performances you wish you hadn’t.

However, if you are willing to just put yourself out there and try new things this is the place for you. If you’re lucky you might see the next Peter Kaye or Ricky Gervais for just a few quid.

The Fringe does provide you with the perfect opportunity to explore the city. Edinburgh is stunning and well worth a visit so why not kill two birds with one very dramatic stone?

Grand National

14th April

Horse racing is the most stylish way to celebrate sport.  You don’t get to put on those platform shoes, top hats and fascinators at Wembley Stadium!

The Grand National is like no other horse racing event in the country.   It is the longest horse race in the Country at two and a half furlongs. The distance alone guarantees you value for money when compared to some of the shorter races that take place on other tracks around the UK.

The bookies take some incredible bets on the day with nobody batting an eyelid at £50,000 each way bets. But, you don’t have to be a millionaire to enjoy the thrill. It’s just as exciting places your £1.00 to win bet and then cheering like a banshee from the side lines.

Everyone has heard of Red Rum (no not from The Shining), the legendary triple-winning, formidable horse.

Over 600 million people watch the event live at home. 40 horses and jockeys line up to race across the famous fences including Becher’s Brook, Canal Turn, Valentine’s and The Chair.

You could be at Aintree to witness the drama unfold in person and to watch the hero come through at the end.

Tickets start from a bargain £29 and if there are more than seven of you a discount of 10% can also be claimed.  How often can you get a full day out with incredible sporting action, live music and the possibility of having that winning feeling for under £30? A keen eye can also spot some more favourable Grand National Odds with the on-track bookies.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show

By muffinn (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwf2005/14098177757/) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

22nd – 26th May

Now timing is everything for this beautiful show. Trying to get it when the crowds aren’t too full-on, the weather being dry and sunny, and the flowers at their peak can be a fine art. However, to be perfectly honest it isn’t worth worrying about.

The event is stunning. Even if you are damp, chilly and being herded like cattle, the incredible displays will still awake your senses.

Our top tip is to be to become an RHS member before you buy your tickets. This will allow you access on a discounted ticket price.  You can become a member for £47.50 with the cheapest tickets available for £29.00.

There is a lot more than flowers and plants at the flower show, including food, drink, retail, shows, etc, which is why demand for tickets is high every year.

Be prepared to get garden inspiration by the wheelbarrow load. You’ll will be rushing home to get your Titchmarsh on in the back and front garden.

The Royal Wedding

19th May

You are cordially invited to the marriage of HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Megan Markle.

This is a date for your diary, a day when the nation will come together to give the happy couple a ‘right Royal knees up’

If Harry and Megan’s wedding is anything like previous Royal events, Windsor and London will transform into one big party for the day. So, why not dig out your Union Jack and take to the streets  to enjoy the atmosphere. The UK has been a little short in national pride of recent years but events like this make everyone feel good.

If you can get to Windsor the atmosphere is sure to be buzzing. Local residents are also taking full advantage of the upcoming nuptials and renting out their properties for over £15,000 per night, so be sure to pack your tent or have your taxi or hotel pre booked. Although the day itself is a freebie, hotels and restaurants will be cashing in on this once in a lifetime event. But, you can still find the odd bargain and now is the time to get booking.

 

Boomtown Festival

9th – 12th August

Yes, large festivals are notoriously expensive with tickets normally starting from around  £200. BUT, with most concerts now charging anything upward of £40 for a position in the nose-bleed seats, just to just see one act, festivals are definitely the best way of seeing some of the top performers crammed into one weekend.

With Glastonbury not on this year, Boomtown takes the crown for value for money.  There are still tickets available through resale tickets sites and the line up this year is pretty incredible from Soul II Soul through to Goldie & the Heritage Ensemble with literally everything in-between.  Boomtown is celebrating its tenth year and we think this will be an anniversary you won’t want to miss.

Let’s just hope there are no car-park fires this year!

The tickets are priced in tiers, Tier 1 (£155*) Tier 2 (£170*), Tier 3 (£195*)

How to Choose the Best Conveyor System for Your Business

Elliot
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How to Choose the Best Conveyor System for Your Business

A conveyor system is a piece of equipment that is used to package or move products within a business. When most people think about conveyors, they imagine the heavy machinery used in industries. While this is partially true, even small businesses use conveyors for ease of packaging and transporting products. Conveyors are extremely useful in companies that manufacture and produce products in diverse industries.

Unlike ordinary conveyors, industrial ones are built with heavy-duty materials to withstand the intense workload and ensure long-term use.

What to consider when buying a conveyor for your business.

Apart from costs, there are other important aspects of a conveyor.

Speed – how many products do you need to be moved in a minute or an hour will depend on the speed of the system.

Power – the size of the motor determines the power of the machine which determines speed and workload. There also those that can be moved manually.

Noise level – if you are in a residential area then you can’t buy a noisy system or else you will get a visit from environmental regulatory bodies.

Size of the conveyor – the size of the room where you plan to use is also crucial. It should be spacious enough to allow movement when a conveyor is installed.

Operational costs – you will need to maintain the conveyor regularly to prevent breakdown. A system may be cheap, but then the operational cost becomes too expensive. You would rather buy an expensive one that will cost less to maintain.

Types of Conveyors

There are many types of conveyors for a wide range of business uses available in the market today. Here are just some of the common ones:

  • Slat conveyors – They use wood or steel to convey products. They are most suitable for heavy and large items like drums, steel mills or pallets and crates. Built for industrial use, they can withstand constant wear and tear.
  • Belt conveyors – These are the most common of conveyors in most companies. They are utilizing a continuous belt to move the product. Just as the name, they come in different belt types, length, and width.
  • Beltless magnetic – These conveyors use magnets that are stationed below the tables to transport magnetic products. They come in different shapes and sizes.
  • Bucket conveyors – They used to deposit materials in a bucket-like container in the intended measurements during production. Most of them can be positioned at different levels when needed.
  • Overhead conveyors – specifically used to hang materials for cooling or drying purposes.
  • Other significant types of conveyors are; powered roller, screw, wheel, drag, chute etcetera

The Benefit of Identity Access Management to a Business

Elliot
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The Benefit of Identity Access Management to a Business

Identity access management (IAM) is an IT tool that enables authorized persons to access business resources when needed. It only allows the right people to use the enterprise premises and IT resources. Previously, companies used on-premise IAM, but with the continuous integration of cloud-based services, it is now possible to combine both frameworks.

Security within an organization cuts across diverse department within an organization; from finance to administration and even human resource management, it can become disastrous when confidential information falls into the wrong hands. Suitable IAM services should address security issues while at the same ensuring that the framework does not hinder the effectiveness of business activities. Here are some of the benefits of integrating IAM strategies into your business:

Enhance security

Large and small businesses experience both employee turnover and interdepartmental transfers. What happens when the employee leaves but they still have access to company’s confidential information such as sales, targets, strategies, legal issues? Well, former employees can share with competitors or use it in any way they feel like. IAM platforms enable the IT staff to delete or block such users when they leave the company or get transferred to another department.

Increase business value

It can also provide an opportunity for employees to share information across departments and branches located in different locations. Users working on the same projects can all be grouped under one IAM platform to share data and research results thus increasing collaboration with other companies.

It is actually cheaper in the long for a business to use Identity management services. The management does not have to worry who has access to what. Putting up IAM strategies makes it easy to run the business without security or reputation concerns.

Boost employee productivity

With businesses outsourcing their services to remote workers all over the world, it is no longer a necessity to report physically to an office. Even permanent employees can access company’s details when they are not in the office. A robust IAM service helps a business to allow such employees have access to only the required information. They can, therefore, finish assignments and submit them wherever they are in the world. This is just one example of the many ways that IAM can help to boost productivity!

Reduce IT workload

In the past, IT workforce had to go through each user in the organization to determine who has access to what and who doesn’t. But with IAM they can classify users according to roles, departments and even rank to determine accessibility to resources automatically. It is also much faster and easier to use IAM software that depends on humans for authorizing accessibility to resources.

Compliance with industry standards

Noncompliance with regulatory bodies such as FCA, GDPR, and the Data Protection Act can lead to fines and even closure of the business. An automated system helps companies to have access to detailed reports to show their compliance to set rules and regulations when needed. IT staff can also monitor and audit how users’ credentials are being operated. In case an employee credential is comprised then they can quickly identify when and who was affected and make the necessary changes.

Some advanced IAM solutions also restrict access based on user’s location and time of day. This a unique feature that helps business makes the process of identifying users easier.

Although an IAM service can be seen as costly, the benefits outweigh the costs. It will only be an expensive project if it does not fulfill the security needs of the enterprise. Companies should, therefore, identify IAM strategy that is easy, fast and secure to use and revoke but still in compliance with regulatory bodies.

How to Close a Company in Italy

Elliot
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How to Close a Company in Italy

There are many reasons to close a company, from declining profits due to industry conditions or new competition to a change of opinion about the company’s direction as an investor, partner or business owner.

Closing a company in Italy is a relatively simple process, although there are several legal steps you’ll need to follow in order to legally dissolve the business and remove it from the register.

Italy has a civil legal system and is a member of both the EU and the EEC, meaning that many of its laws are similar to those of other European countries.

Below, we’ve listed and explained the various options available for closing an Italian company, which range from voluntary liquidation to compulsory liquidation at the request of a creditor or court.

Closing a Company Through Voluntary Liquidation

An Italian company can close and wind up voluntarily at the request of its shareholders. This form of liquidation is called a voluntary liquidation. As its name suggests, it’s used when the owners of a business wish to close it and liquidate the company voluntarily.

There are a variety of reasons to use the voluntary liquidation process. The business may no longer be as profitable as it once was, or the shareholders might simply no longer wish to run the business for personal reasons.

In order to close a company through voluntary liquidation, the company’s directors will call a shareholders’ meeting. The meeting must be attended by a public notary. During the meeting, the shareholders decide on and appoint a liquidator to close the company.

Once the liquidator has been appointed, they will begin the process of liquidating the company and paying any creditors.

Closing a Company Through Compulsory Liquidation

If an Italian company has excessive debts that it cannot pay due to cash flow issues or financial insolvency, it can be closed at the request of creditor through a legal process called compulsory liquidation.

Compulsory liquidation can also be launched by a prosecutor or court, such as when a company has been found to have engaged in illegal activity.

The compulsory liquidation process is more involved than the process of closing a company via voluntary liquidation. The company’s shareholders are legally required to provide three years of financial records to the court, in addition to a list of creditors and summary of activities.

During this process, the company is declared bankrupt by the court and enters into receivership, with the court-appointed receiver assessing the value of its assets. A liquidation calendar for the company is established and the company’s assets are used to repay creditors.

Other Italian Company Closure Information

Depending on the size and complexity of a company, both voluntary and compulsory liquidation can take some time. Often, it can take several months or years to finish the process of closing a company in Italy and striking it off from the Italian Commercial Register.

During this period, the company is considered to be “pending dissolution” and is not yet formally or legally closed.

There are also specific company closure cases in Italy classed as extraordinary liquidation, or “amministrazione straordinaria”. This process is typically reserved for large-scale bankruptcies, such as the failure of major companies considered to be of national importance.

How to Start a Business in the Netherlands

Elliot
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How to Start a Business in the Netherlands

As one of Europe’s most prosperous countries, the Netherlands is an excellent place to start a business. A strong legal system, diverse and robust economy and international culture all make the Netherlands a good “base” for entrepreneurs, investors and business owners.

Like most countries in Europe, the Netherlands offers several different company types. These each offer different benefits and are intended for different types of businesses — some suit two partners, while others are the Dutch equivalent of a limited liability company.

In this guide, we’ll explain how you can start a business in the Netherlands using one of these options, either independently or through the use of a company formation agent.

Business Types in the Netherlands

There are five primary types of businesses that can be formed in the Netherlands. Of these, the Dutch “BV” is the most commonly used option for foreign entrepreneurs. We’ve listed all five of these company formation options below.

Dutch BV

The BV, or “Besloten Vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid”, is the Dutch equivalent of a private, limited liability company. It shares many legal characteristics with an LLC in the USA, or an Ltd. company in the UK.

A Dutch BV has a minimum share capital of 1 EUR, making it inexpensive to open and ideal for small businesses. The company is owned by its shareholders, making it suitable for companies with multiple investors or founders.

By law, a Dutch BV must have a local company headquarters and meet certain regulations with regards to its Board of Directors. These two issues that can be managed by using a company formation agent.

Because of the legal benefits this company type offers and the relatively low cost of setting up a company, the BV is the most common company type in the Netherlands.

General Partnership

A General Partnership is a business with two or more partners operating via the same business name. The two partners share ownership of the business and its profits. A general partnership is not a limited liability company — instead, the partners have unlimited liability for its debts.

Opening a general partnership has certain advantages, such as the fact that no share capital is required. However, it also has significant downsides, such as the risk of the partners’ personal assets potentially being used to repay creditors if the partnership becomes insolvent.

Limited Partnership

A limited partnership is a different type of partnership in which one partner is responsible for the partnership’s management and liabilities, while a second “silent partner” provides the business’s finances.

Limited partnerships are called ‘commanditaire vennootschap” in Dutch. In this partnership, the managing partner is personally liable for the partnership’s debts, while the limited partner is only liable for their investment in the partnership, provided they do not act in a management role.

Professional Partnership

A professional partnership is an alternatively form of partnership in which several partners work alongside each other under one name. This type of business is called a “(maatschap)” in Dutch and is typically used by self-employed service providers such as lawyers or accountants.

Public Liability Company

As in other countries, a public liability company is a company that has shares freely available for the public to purchase and trade. This company structure is typically used by large companies in the Netherlands with significant investments.

How to Open a Business in the Netherlands

Starting a business in the Netherlands is a very transparent process. The Dutch government operates a complete online guide for would-be business owners, covering everything from the residency status requirements to selecting a trade name, paying taxes and more.

However, the easiest way to open a business in the Netherlands is to work with a Netherlands company formation agent. These agencies specialize in helping non-local entrepreneurs open and operate Dutch companies and can provide expert advice on the best options for you.

Crucial reasons you should consider investing in coloured diamonds in 2018

Sam Allcock
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Crucial reasons you should consider investing in coloured diamonds in 2018

In the current global economy where market prices can suddenly dip or surge, and investments can either soar or go sour, it is best to find investment options that offer better stability and peace of mind. With such an investment, you can rest easy knowing your profit margin is safe regardless economic woes. One particular investment that offers more stability than most is the diamond market, especially the coloured diamond market.

Coloured diamonds possess investment characteristics that other commodities or even other classes of diamonds can’t offer. And if you aren’t convinced, below are some of the reasons why you should consider trying your hand on the 100% legal coloured diamond trade;

  1. Global recognition

Diamonds are recognised worldwide for their value, and fancy coloured diamonds are even more so. Everyone from entrepreneurs to royalty want coloured diamonds same as they’ve wanted them for years and you can cash in on this high and unwavering demand.

  1. Portability

Because of their small size, you can transport diamonds at small cost and with ease to practically anywhere in the world. The low shipping fee equals maximised profits.

  1. Long term growth

According to Rav Dhillion of Argyle Bonds, “investing in coloured diamonds can be far more profitable than investing in regular colourless diamonds.”

The monetary value of coloured diamonds has witnessed a steady rise over the past three decades. This makes these little gems a great investment today whose value will likely only appreciate as the years pass.

  1. Value retention

Unlike colourless diamonds, fancy coloured diamonds do not have a fixed price. This is because their market value is more often than not determined by the selling prices at auction houses. The value of coloured diamonds are also determined by the rarity of their colours and because the sources of naturally coloured diamonds are limited, their scarcity is only likely to drive their value further upwards.

  1. Durability

Same as with all diamonds, coloured diamonds are exceedingly durable which means you don’t have to worry about them bruising, breaking, tarnishing, rusting, or expiring. This is an advantage very few commodities that are investment worthy can offer. Being one of the hardest elements available on earth, a single coloured diamond can withstand the harshest environmental situations and roughest treatment which means you need worry very little about the integrity of your stock during shipment.

  1. Rarity

Coloured diamonds are even rarer than regular diamonds. They can only be sourced for in a handful of mines around the world and most of said mines are already running out. Certain diamond colours such as Fancy Intense Violet are exceedingly rare and its value is such that you can practically name your price for it.

  1. Privacy

Because of their size and portability, you can safely store diamonds anywhere with no one being the wiser. They also require no reporting for tax purposes in most countries.

  1. They are simply beautiful to behold

The beauty of a coloured diamond, especially certain shades, is indisputable. And because that beauty can literally last forever and is recognised worldwide, coloured diamonds are a highly beneficial investment option which can be marketed and traded in any country to a variety of individuals.

Conclusion

Fancy coloured diamonds will not be around forever which means the sooner you get in on the ground floor the more you can profit from the commodity. If you are extremely shrewd, you could acquire a load of coloured diamonds today and hoard them till their rarity is at its height. This would be a long term investment tactic that could fetch you not just great wealth but also fame.

The Best Dressed Women

ABC Staff
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The Best Dressed Women

When it is about fashion, some famous and smartly dressed women often come to mind. They are celebrities, singers, stylists, journalists or entrepreneurs who have an impeccable style. It is definitely a plus to their popularity and success. Let us take a look at some of the best dressed women in the fashion world.

Cate Blanchett

Known for her excellent red carpet looks, Cate Blanchett likes to innovate with her outfits. The award-winning actress does not like to limit her style to any typecast, but she seems to have a preference for bold details and structural silhouettes. She is said to be a fan of Alexander McQueen, Armani and many great high-end fashion labels like Valentino. She also entertains a good relationship with the Australian fashion house, Romance Was Born.

Eva Rinaldi – Cate Blanchett
AACTA Awards Sydney, Australia. Released under CC licence via Flickr

Elle Macpherson

With jeans and simple t-shirts, who would believe that it is in fact the 53 year-old Elle Macpherson? She is one of the world’s biggest models whose life is mostly spent jet setting from one location to another. So, her wardrobe is designed to suit her busy schedule. For example, when she is on the road, she wears jeans created by Isabel Marant with t-shirts and high sandals. Since she has a great silhouette, she can easily fit in lovely gowns with boho detailing when she is on the red carpet.

By Manfred Werner – Tsui (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
Emma Watson

Meet the English actress, model and activist, Emma Watson. Starting her career as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, she is known as one of the most stylish stars these days. As a fashion icon, she began her modelling career in 2005 for Teen Vogue. When she poses on the red carpet, she looks stunning in lovely gowns from famous designers like Dior, and SUSI Studio Hey Simone sandals. Despite her simplicity, she still looks very stylish and feminine.

Georges Biard [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Victoria Beckham

Revisit the Spice Girls with Victoria Beckham. A successful businesswoman, fashion designer, singer and model, she is known for her classic and posh style. She is often seen in powder blue pants and a white tee when she hit the streets of New York. She always looks stylish even if she wears gowns, pants or casual dresses.

Once, Victoria Beckham even surprised everyone by wearing a pair of pink plaid pyjamas while shopping, and this outfit still rocked! Meet other posh style icons and powerful women on fashion themed slots at Ruby Riches online casino, such as Cleopatra Slot. Ruby Riches is an original online casino launched in 2017, which offers a variety of games for all tastes. With ruby and gems in the background, this site also has a posh feel to it.

By Darkness Blackheart from Mystery Babylon, Infinita (IMG_0354) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

Duchess of Cambridge and wife of Prince William, Catherine Middleton is also known for her distinguished and sophisticated look. She is part of various “best dressed” lists. While she loves outfits by various designers, she also wears dresses by Catherine Walker who designed Lady Diana’s favourite evening gowns and day suits. Recently in 2016, she participated in her first magazine shoot for Vogue’s centenary issue, on the cover of the magazine.

By Duchess_of_Cambridge,_16_June_2012.JPG: Carfax2 derivative work: Surtsicna [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Thus, these famous women are not only known for their unique and posh styles, but also for their successful careers and charity works. In the celebrity world, there are many women who are always stylishly dressed.

How to improve your finances?

ABC Staff
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How to improve your finances?

At one time or another, everyone has probably struggled with money. It can be complicated to know how to start monitoring and managing your spending. However, there are easy steps you can consider getting on the road to financial success and independence.

Here are some elements which you can consider right now, to improve your situation:

Outline your Financial Targets

The first thing to do is to set financial targets, to be able to efficiently manage your finances. Do you want to visit your dream place? Pay off your debts? Or start saving for a house?

Setting objectives can help you stay attentive and encourage you to minimise excess spending. Adding limits to your ambitions also give you a timeline to work with, forcing you to stick to it and prompting you there’s an end in view.

You will also need to create a visual, that will help you stay updated on your success. For example, a progress bar taped to your fridge. You will be more motivated to spend cleverly as you will see for yourself moving forward on the way to the finish line.

Organisation

Being organised is a vital step you need to consider, for a better financial life. First of all, set any bills you can to autopay. Sometimes, when someone misses a payment, this could be detrimental to your financial future and credit. You need to make sure all the bills are paid on time.

Plus, you need to be vigilant of how much money you currently have in your accounts, including savings. In life, everyone gets emergencies. In fact, they are part of life which no one can ignore. On top of that, they happen so often when you least expect them. It is therefore very important to be prepared. According to several experts, an individual need to save for at least six months of living expenses. This is to make sure of the financial stability, without depending too much on credit cards.

Make a Budget

The basic of budgeting is to know exactly where all your money goes. You have to track every cent for a month such as, food, utilities, rent etc. Even counting your breakfast or favourite happy hour drinks. You should try using one of the many spending trackers to ensure this process is as smooth as possible.

Depending on your spending, make a budget by deducting all your bills and purchases from your earned income. If it happens that you are earning more than spending, congratulations! The extra money can be put away towards your other financial targets or savings.

Even when you play online, at sites like Bingo Extra you get to control how much you spend. The site offers limits that you can set daily, weekly or even monthly. That’s up to you to decide after planning your budgets.

Capitalise on your Money

Whether you are having excess income or overspending, it’s always a good idea to capitalise your money and reduce extravagant spending. Adding little things up can impact finances in a big way. You should get rid of the magazine that you never read or gym membership you never use. By trimming spending and excess waste, you will be surprised by the additional money you never knew you had. And that too, the money which can put towards your financial aims.

Everyone has perhaps fallen on tough times, and it probably won’t be the last. With a lot of discipline and a little planning, you can enhance your financial situation. The best tip is to always set up a proper planning and tally up your budget as it stands!

Guide to Budget Issues and Comprehensive Planning for SMEs

Elliot
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Guide to Budget Issues and Comprehensive Planning for SMEs

In today’s business world, SMEs face many issues – including producing a comprehensive budget. Financial management is crucial to the success of your company, and you must have great knowledge of your company cash flow and the specific industry of your SME. Without this detailed information, it could spell failure and even the severe consequences of company insolvency. Business Rescue Expert, leading insolvency practitioners in the UK, are sharing their tips to budget planning for SMEs.

According to the Insolvency Statistics – October to December 2017, the number of companies entering insolvency increased by 4.2%, compared to that of 2016. An estimated 17,243 UK companies faced the insolvency process, with even more businesses expected to enter the formal proceedings next year. For many, this will be the result of poor financial management. Managing growth, change and funding are said to be a primary issue for SMEs, stated in recent reports. Without a realistic and adaptable budget in place, you cannot plan for a healthy and profitable future.

Sales Estimate

For businesses that are already established, a comprehensive look back at previous sales is essential for your budget plan. Take a look over the past several years to produce an in-depth forecast, including specific times of the year – peak periods, seasonal periods etc. This data will provide an extensive insight into where you succeed in revenue, and where you need to improve financial planning.

As a startup SME, existing consumer data will not be readily available. However, you can analyse your competitor’s accounts and successes, filed at Companies House. In turn, this will allow you to understand the market and enable you to make any necessary changes to your budget. You should also look into purchasing an industry analysis from a data research tool. There are plenty offering free services, and you could look into the likes of Plimsoll to provide a basis for your sales estimate and, subsequently, company budget.

Expenses

It may seem like we are stating the obvious, but all expenses need to be taken into account. This also includes one-off purchases, such as licensing or software, that may seem insignificant. All financial information available will create an accurate budget.

Again, if you are a startup, this information can be found online. Research your competitors and their online accounts to analyse the time before your company is expected to make a profit. Industry standards and marketing trends will also work as a guide as you produce the budget. A specialist accountant within the industry will have expert knowledge of your specific market, so it may be worthwhile looking into their services.

Peer Groups

Connecting with peer groups within your industry provides endless benefits. You can build your network and relevant connections to aid with the growth of your business. Staying active in these peer groups will ensure you collect vital information for trends in the market, while identifying any changes that impact your sales and budget.

Match your Headings

You can work to create a realistic budget with the costs and insider industry information available. However you find this information, whether from your existing consumer database or research accounts from competitors filed at Companies House, you must ensure your budget income and expenditure subheadings match up exactly with the layout of your company’s management accounts. To do so, you can use the services of cloud based systems, such as Xero and Quickbooks, boasting excellent facilities to help prepare the initial budget draft. Once these are in order and aligned, you can regularly compare costs with your budget and amend efficiently in response to any market changes that could affect your cash flow.

Seek Advice

Advice is essential to getting your SME budget off the ground and into a realistic plan. Established companies boast the benefit of staff members with financial responsibilities, meaning you can gain insights into their day-to-day knowledge of the cash flow, as well as information on targets, costs and production. These additional insights will only strive to strengthen your budget and, most importantly, make it achievable.

If you are struggling to put together a comprehensive budget, financial advisors, accountants and even business mentors can share vital knowledge and review the draft of your budget. Again, these services will not be free, but can mean the difference between a successful future and, possibly, insolvency.

Ultimately, creating a budget taking into account all factors will help improve your chances of making a profit.

What a corporate office design can say about your business

Elliot
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What a corporate office design can say about your business

An important element of a business organisation is the design and appearance of its corporate offices. The working environment defines the nature of the work that takes place inside the building and the way your company operates and also indicates company standards. Each space will have a unique purpose and the best designers take that into account.

The office design you opt for should factor in what you do and the personalities of the people who work in that space to enhance their productivity. Let your office space stand as a representation of your business brand and what you offer to your customers. Do not underestimate the influence that the design of your office can have, not only on how your staff will work but also how the public will react to your business.

There are office designs that have become popular for what they say to clients and the public about a business. By choosing one of those, many companies benefit by being able to use a design to promote their brand image to the world. If you are just beginning to work with graphic design and want to save your money on programs, the best choice for you will be to use free graphics software.

Modern office design

A contemporary corporate office design is increasingly popular with businesses. It will typically include high-end finishes to the building itself as well as the furniture used by staff. Classic materials used in such designs include quality, toughened glass for aesthetic appeal and security. The Wholesale Glass Company is just one organisation that provides this type of outstanding glass to businesses wanting the modern look.

Space is left uncluttered and stripped back to allow for work to progress with no interruptions. It also creates a very fresh look that inspires the staff inside and impresses the outside world.

This type of design is very prevalent in financial institutions where the many private offices and meeting rooms perfectly suit the confidential nature of the business that is conducted there. Regarding what it says about your business – the overriding impression conveyed is that of honesty, professionalism and dedication to work.

Open-plan design

At the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the open-plan office design. That is more popular in collaborative sectors such as marketing where colleagues benefit from easy interaction with one another. These spaces see traditional offices or cubicles replaced with large, open spaces. Hot-desking can also be a factor here as it allows workers to move around to where they need to be that day.

This type of office will be light and bright due to the larger, open spaces involved. There will often be bright colours involved too as this helps to stimulate creativity. Big communal spaces to meet and exchange ideas in are also heavily featured in this design. By opting for this look, you are signalling to all that you are a creative, energetic place that values the exchange of ideas to produce new things.

Scandi design

One of the significant trends in all design sectors at the moment is the Scandi look. Such an office can be a very pleasant environment in which to work. The main principles here are a clean look with natural elements, such as the use of wood and sympathetic lighting. Subtle bursts of colour are also well worth using although not too much. The real goal is to create a sense of intimate space and a serene working atmosphere. If members of the public come onto your premises, it will also give them that impression.

This design is perfect for sending out a message to people that you are a business that can be trusted and is reliable. Many commercial units will, therefore, go for this look as will other work sectors such as call centres. If you want to demonstrate that you are a company to be trusted, this is a great office environment to try out.

Eccentric office design

Quirky detailing and bold, bright furniture are the hallmarks of this office design. It will give your premises an eclectic look and mix of styles that make it stand out. This design is great for any business involved in the arts as it is showy and full of creativity. This is one of the best designs for being able to show off a fun, irreverent business brand, if that is what you want to do.

With this is mind, it is beloved across the artistic sector from graphic design agencies to fashion designers. It says that you are a business that is different, unique and not afraid to make an impression! This will help you attract clients who are looking for a business that offers just these qualities.

Industrial office design

More companies are now embracing the Industrial look when designing their offices. This has challenged the traditional conventions around office design by using exposed brickwork and pipes. Industrial metal fixtures and exposed floorboards are also a feature of this office look.

Not surprisingly, many companies involved in the design and construction sector have begun to utilise this approach for their office environment. Other organisations in different sectors have also incorporated elements into their offices too as it gives a bold, urban look. By using this design for your office, you will be signalling a company that is connected to their environment but is also energetic and ready to do things differently.

Creating the right office environment is vital

Taking the time to consider the office environment within your business premises is essential. Not only will it allow you to set the tone you wish your staff to follow but also tell the public what to expect from your brand. Get it wrong, and the messages that you will be sending out could be in contradiction to what you are communicating in other ways. The above designs offer a wide range of use for any business and will be able to effectively convey what you are about.

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