With the UKs roads, rail network and airports all struggling to compete with the persistent ice and snow, this December threatens to be a torrid time for British businesses. Despite the lesson taught by the prolonged cold snap which hit the country in January, it seems that preparations have been somewhat lacking with regard to the transport infrastructure and the chilly white flakes have had more of an impact than they need have. Whilst those countries who are accustomed to snow for a large proportion of the year appear to make us look foolish for our apparent collapse in the face of a few inches of snow- it is important to bear in mind that with the myriad governmental and council cuts, the country just can’t afford to invest in the equipment and labour to facilitate a seamless continuation of transport services when the ice and snow hit.

Supposing that this weather continues, many businesses face a series of problems, most notably high street retailers. Staff absences are likely to increase, whilst retailers will suffer a shortfall in footfall and increasing numbers of businesses will consequently experience plummeting revenue during the historically rich Christmas shopping period. In stark contrast to the potential pitfalls facing high street retailers, online commerce could well experience a noticeable upturn at the expense of their rivals who rely upon physical locations. With many consumers reluctant to brave the elements in order to purchase their Christmas gifts, online shopping is likely to build upon its already growing popularity and pick up the slack from the high street slump. This activity mirrors the year-round shift towards online purchase in areas such as office supplies, books and travel.

Many other businesses who do not operate in the retail sector are also finding ways around the transport problems posed by the current weather. Allowing staff to work from home (provided they can perform their role remotely) is a highly effective means of bypassing the absenteeism issue. Not only does it mean that staff members who would otherwise have been unable to make it into the office are still able to work, having staff work from home is also a great exercise in trust building. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that those who work from home are often more productive than their office based counterparts as they are able to create the work environment which best suits them, do not waste time commuting and often work extra hours. Through email, Skype and remote desktop function it is as though the remote worker is several desks away as opposed to many miles.

Although the snow may be wreaking havoc on commuters right now, if the business landscape changes to embrace the growth in online activity and the opportunities presented by allowing staff to work from home, then maybe next time there will be fewer commuters to affect.

Copyright © 2010 Jamie Lyons



Direct Debit is a payment form which has become integral to the banking of individuals and companies alike. The simplicity with which regular sums can be taken from a customer account and deposited into that of a company or organisation has resulted in a huge uptake in the service, particularly by larger organisations who charge monthly fees of varying denominations: such as telecoms providers, energy suppliers and council departments.



The extent to which Direct Debit has pervaded the banking activity of the majority is itself a compelling reason for companies currently without the facility to investigate implementing it. In order to outline precisely why it is indispensible to organisations who take regular payment however, it is worth considering the benefits it offers to both organisations who receive payment using it and individuals who pay with it:



Spreading Costs



Direct Debit allows individuals to purchase, or pay bills in monthly instalments as opposed to larger lump sums. As a consequence of this, the customer benefits from a more affordable means of payment and a higher level of control over their outgoings. The company benefits from this too, as the perception that an item or service is more affordable is more likely to induce a sale.



Regular Payment Dates and Automated Payments



With Direct Debit payment is automated and leaves the customer's account on pre-set dates. The advantage to the company here goes without saying. Having a steady, predictable stream of cash entering the company negates the need to involve debt recovery specialists (in the vast majority of cases) and also allows for more accurate forecasting. On the side of the consumer, the benefit of this attribute is that it allows them to either forget about the payment, as it will automatically be made on their behalf, or if money is tight, allow them to accurately budget, safe in the knowledge that a specified figure is due to be deducted on a specified date.



Security



Direct Debit rightly holds a solid reputation for it's security as a means of funds transfer. From the perspective of the customer it guarantees that their bank details are safely and securely stored and that only the agreed or owed figure will be taken. From the stand-point of the company or organisation taking payment, Direct Debit provides a considerably more reliable means of payment than cheque. In short Direct Debit serves as a by-word for secure payment.



As exemplified by the factors above, Direct Debit provides not only peace of mind to both parties, but also allows for more accurate budgeting and forecasting, whilst granting a greater level of control over personal and company finances for all involved. Access to Direct Debit as a means of payment for your company's products or services may also be more affordable and obtainable than you think.

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Written by Jamie Lyons- SEO Manchester on behalf of First Capital Cashflow Direct Debit.

Copyright © 2010 Jamie Lyons



PRINCE2 is amongst the most highly regarded and respected qualifications in the area of project management. Standing for 'Projects in Controlled Environments', it is an improved and updated version of the PRINCE qualification but which still keeps the same ideals and principles at it's core. With focus on not only project management, but also organisation, management and project control, PRINCE2 is used extensively in the public and private sectors. The popularity of the initiative has resulted in it gaining status as the UK standard in generic project management.



The Stand-out Features of PRINCE2:



- Rigid structure for organisation of the project management team



- Planning approach based on products



- Defined but flexible structure of splitting the project into manageable stages.



- Emphasis on business justification



The overwhelming majority of organisations which implement PRINCE2 actively encourage their employees to gain the qualification. In fact in order to officially announce that a company operates in accordance with PRINCE2, it is essential that employees are certificate holders. This has particular advantages for companies who hope to supply to the NHS, police authorities or any other public sector department.



The PRINCE2 qualification has two levels: foundation and practitioner. Both courses culminate in an examination which appraises the extent to which the individual has retained the information imparted over the duration of the course. Attainment of the Foundation level qualification proves that the individual has a full understanding of what PRINCE2 is, it's uses, methodology and it's ideology. This level of education is particularly suited to employees who work in a supporting role within the company's project management function. The Practitioner level qualification is aimed at individuals who head up projects: providing a full working knowledge of PRINCE2 and how it can be implemented. The APMG run an online register showing candidates who have been certified for either level of the PRINCE2 qualification on the official website.



PRINCE2 is an invaluable tool for both the extension of an individual's career and increased credibility and operational efficiency for companies involved in project management at any level. The qualification maintains credibility and relevance with consistent revisions and updates based on a combination of feedback and critical review. Due the nature of the PRINCE2 framework, it's core principles can be flexibly applied to a wide range of different tasks and projects across disparate sectors. Courses are available across the country and commence at frequent intervals. It is always advisable to use an established training company when looking to undertake the qualification.

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Written by Jamie Lyons- SEO Manchester on behalf of Total Training Solutions PRINCE2 Training

Even if you can afford to buy business IT equipment outright, offsetting the cost by employing the benefits of leasing over purchasing is very likely to be a more sensible route. The major argument for leasing as opposed to buying is widely regarded to be the fact that it allows the company to retain capital rather than spending in an upfront lump sum, by shifting to monthly or weekly increments, the acquisition of usually costly equipment has a minimised impact on company cash-flow.

Despite this obvious upside, many decision makers in small businesses still opt to dent their capital by buying computers and the like outright, there is a good chance they hadn't considered the other major reasons for choosing to lease:

Simplicity

IT leasing does not require a deposit, nor reams of paperwork or a lengthy wait for contract approval. The whole process can be carried out quickly and efficiently - applications for leasing can easily be made online, over the phone or in person, and although subject to a credit check, tend to offer a faster answer on approval than other finance options. Unlike the compound interest associated with loan financing, with leasing all payments are for the same amount.

Affordability

Aside from the obvious fact that the cost of any equipment is spread over a long period of time, there is also the fact that leasing is not subject to interest or any hidden and escalating fees. The leaser has control of the length of the lease contract and very often, also the regularity of payments: whether weekely or monthly. There is no risk of paying over the odds and absolute clarity of price from the outset, so whatever a business's requirements, they will never find themselves going over budget.

Tax Benefits

As the equipment is used for business purposes: in the majority of cases, rental payments will be 100% tax deductable. There are exceptions, so a quick consultation with a qualified accountant in consideration of specific circumstances is advised, but more than likely the actual rental can be entirely offset as an expense and essentially cost you nothing.

Upgrades and Buyouts

A top quality leasing company will incorporate both the option to upgrade leased hardware part way through the lease agreement and the option to purchase the equipment for a nominal fee at the end of the term. These options provide the flexibility to change computer hardware to reflect the changes the business has gone through since taking out the lease, and side-steps the issue of being stuck with unnecessary equipment which was expensive but now has a low re-sale value.

Copyright (c) 2010 Jamie Lyons

Written by Jamie Lyons of Web Vitality SEO Manchester working on behalf of SmartPlan.info - Laptop leasing and business computer leasing in conjunction with PC World.