|
(LATEST!
9th July 2010
)
(scroll
down to see full list;for international events
and news, click here.)
A
Home and Small Business Viewpoint by Len Tondel,
July 2010
Pretty
much like everyone else in the business world,
we have been keeping an eye on the new coalition
government's proposed changes and to see whether
or not the running chainsaw will actually be
applied to making some useful, surgical cuts.
(As in tree surgery.) There will obviously be
many squeals from established piggy-snouts-in-troughs
and no doubt, the business world may suffer
more than it will gain from the considerable
savings to be made in the public sector.
However,
it's a difficult juggling act and I do wonder
how much of it will be an exercise in purging
old, even suspected loyalties with a new order
picked by a new regime. The FSA thankfully,
is to be scrapped - but will be replaced by
'several' other authorities; Regional Development
Agencies will also be scrapped; their work will
be taken over by 'Local Enterprise Partnerships'
consisting of a mix of local councils and local
businesses - historically, a very dodgy formula,
indeed. Cuts in public spending are to be overseen
by a new 'Regional Growth Fund'; Business Links
are to lose their regional offices - to be replaced
by local offices; a simple issue such as the
efficiency of government websites will be reviewed
by the Cabinet, no less. IR35 tax rules - a
seriously old chestnut - are to be the subject
of yet another long review. And so it goes on
as we continue to see exactly the same genre
of problem or excess as always - except that
the talking heads will have changed.
Speaking
of talking heads, 'Who Needs Another Social
Network? Every day, it seems, there is a
new network being launched - hungry for our
time and connections. I recently came across
(on Twitter, no less) a new network that actually
is worth looking at.
Sprouter.com
is a relatively new network that focuses solely
on business start-ups. It doesn't have millions
of users, which is actually to its credit. Users
are all (almost all, anyway) company start-up
founders. They are on Sprouter to share information
- that's it.
By
the way, there is virtually no spam - hard to
imagine for a social community,'
wrote Bryan Haynes of the about.com community
last month.
His
interview with company Founder/CEO Sarah Prevette
in response to a Q&A can be found below.
Its an interesting read and gets an editorial
plug because it looks pretty genuine and independent
to us - unlike the nasty rash of advertorial
business websites whose principal objectives
are to spam and scam.
So
until the next time, we shall continue to see
what else we can find for you!
In
the meantime, HBA regular columnist Rachael
Ross, has just published her first book How
to make working from home work for you.
To purchase the book and receive a bonus report
10 mistakes make when working from
home, visit www.thesuccessguideto.com.
Once
again, our usual thanks to cobwebinfo.com
and
about.com
for much of the content for this issue. Until
the next time, go well.
Len
Tondel
eBOSS
July 2010 contents:
Introduction
AIMS
for HBA members:

Pick
of the News:
Established
firms shun trading with start ups;
Prisk hints at abolition of IR35; Self-employed
workers to gain maternity and pensions benefits;
Cabinet Office announces review of Government
websites; Regional Development Agencies
will be scrapped; Clegg
launches £1 billion Regional Growth Fund;
A million small firms unhappy with their
bank, says FSB; Small firms increasingly
seek "risky" alternative finance;
Retailers call for end to "unjustifiable"
bank charges on card payments; Bank break-up
recommendations get Cable's support; Post
Office diversification initiative should be
first of many, says Federation; FSA to
cease in current form; Co-operative sector
turnover up by £34 billion; Bar
and pub insolvencies double over past year;
Small travel agencies face closure due to
recession; Charity
shops profits increase year on year;
Compulsory organic logo comes
into force; Independent stores and manufacturers
hit by soaring business costs; Immigration
measures threaten skills shortage for ethnic
restaurants; Self-employed lorry drivers
to be included in Working Time Directive
Mike's
Media View:
WHEN ITS BEST FOR YOU TO HAVE NO SAY
IN A BUSINESS DECISION
Working from home and balance. Part 1
by Rachael Ross and the 'How To Work Successfully
From Home Guide'
Tax and VAT News
Get
Tax Insider for only £1 (normal price:
£9.97/month). Click here to join!
Sleeping with the enemy:
ASKING HM REVENUE & CUSTOMS
FOR ADVICE ON TAX
TaxationWeb welcomes HMRC
Tax Insider plus, HMRC help business cash flow;
'HMRC launch online tax help for small businesses';
Making money from a hobby;
TaxationWeb
community toolbar
COLIN'S COFFEE BREAK: How are you
on communications?
by Colin Edwards
Should You Run a Side Business From
Your Home?
by
Mitchell York, entrepreneurs. about.com
Guide
Sarah
Prevette Interview
Founder/CEO of Sprouter.com
- Online Community for Startup Founders
Things You Say:
Supply National SME Engagement Programme,
nationwide, various dates; Free guide
to identity fraud prevention; VAT change
guidance; Cooking Up Success, throughout
July, British Library, London; Lone working
guidance; The
Event & Exhibiting Show (including free
seminars); Wanted - SMEs with Big
Ideas on Climate Change; Don't let the
sun in; 3 months complimentary Music-on-Hold
services as an incentive for new customers;
Phone line, broadband and unlimited calls
from just £1.40 a day from BT; Sccope
- best-price shopping assistant; UK
to bring its standard rate of VAT in line with
EC median; new NFP Technology Exhibition;
Free guide to Email Marketing; CheapestRoomsLondon;
MLM Start-Up conference; HOME
BUSINESS ALLIANCE JULY THEATRE OFFERS
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Fund
Raising For Social Enterprises. BDC, 7-15, Greatorex
Street, London E1 5NF, July 13, 2010 at 05:00
to 9.00 PM
Sam
Onigbanjo International Presents FUNDRAISING
FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
This
Workshop is designed for organisations that
need to access £7-£100,000 of grant
funding in the next 90 to 180 days
Join us as we share:
What
you need to do to access grant funding
Who
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Why
you need to do this before September 2010
Bonuses
·
Learn how to work effectively as a social enterprise
team
·
Learn how to stay physically healthy in business
·
Hear live success case studies.
Tower
hamlets community development agency and Consulting4London
have funded the first 25 paid delegates up to
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HURRY and BOOK now before places run out by
contacting
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- mailto:solutions@consulting4london.com
or Call on 0203 3708926
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or Call 07988 978 563, Event Partners.
For more information visit http://www.samonigbanjo.com
Sam Onigbanjo International
Sincerely,
Dana Williams (On Behalf of ) Sam
Onigbanjo
020 7247 1056
Cooking
Up Success, throughout July, British Library,
London
The
British Library is holding a series of events
throughout July, which are aimed at food and
drink businesses. The events cover trends, managing
staff, setting up a home-based business and
trends in food and drink.
Find
out more at: http://www.bl.uk/bipc/workevents/cooksuccess/events/cookingevents.html
YouTube
digital marketing masterclass at The Event and
Exhibiting Show / Technology For Events 2010
As
part of the all-new Technology For Events element
at this years Event and Exhibiting Show,
a superb collection of digital experts have
been assembled to provide must see
marketing content. When it comes to digital
marketing, the 21st century phenomenon that
is YouTube is always front-of-mind. Therefore,
the inclusion within the programme of the brands
own Bruce Daisley represents an incredibly exciting
coup for all events industry marketers!
A
major date for the diary: Bruce Daisley at 12:30
on Friday 16 July, in a session entitled YouTube
reach millions with a YouTube hit.
As
video sharing reaches biblical proportions,
finding out how to have a YouTube hit could
be the single most powerful marketing activity
you ever undertake, transforming your brand
into a household name overnight. Daisley will
provide the latest developments and opportunities
for video sharing and tell you how to achieve
a voice within this intensely competitive space.
Digital marketing stream to separate virtual
wheat from chaff!
In
2010, every marketer worth their salt knows
that embracing the power of digital is an essential
component to their armoury. However, despite
being universally agreed as a marketing must,
the subject is too often overwhelming when it
comes to the how. The plethora of
(readily available) bad advice can be a major
drain on resource and source of frustration.
In
response, the innovative digital marketing stream
at this years Event and Exhibiting Show
(on Friday 16 July only) will extract the golden
nuggets from the most important facets of the
medium, in order to ensure delegates leave the
event armed with practical and highly effective
marketing tools.
In
addition to Bruce Daisley, speaker highlights
include Guy Levine (CEO at Return On Digital
and Web Marketing Adviser) and subject highlights
include Site Engine Optimisation (SEO), social
media and pay per click advertising.
Register
for FREE to attend The Event and Exhibiting
Show 2010 now!
Taking
place on 15-16 July at The Business Design Centre,
London.
We
look forward to seeing you there!
The Event and Exhibiting Show / Technology For
Events team.
From
the SFEDI Enterprise Network Builders of the
Year 2010
Release Date: 3 June 2010
Contact/s: Duncan Cheatle 079 9057 0393
Andrew Ferguson 020 7473 5544
Two
very different Enterprise Networks have won
the first SFEDI* Awards for this category of
Business Support for 2010.
The
Supper Club, who won the top award, creates
connections between million pound businesses.
Founder Duncan Cheatle says 85% of
our members believe The Supper Club has helped
them grow their business, and 40% have found
strategic partners through our events.
www.BreakthroughNetwork.Net,
winner of the runner-up award, is an online
forum where professionals and enterprises of
any size meet, network and answer each others
questions. Founder Andrew Ferguson says We
have deliberately removed all the clutter which
plagues other networking websites; so www.BreakthroughNetwork.Net
is simple to use and puts connectivity first.
Presenting
the annual awards to recognise the stars of
enterprise support, Tony Robinson, Executive
Director/Founder of SFEDI
said With the new government gradually
taking shape, there is concern about what small
business support policy will look like. SFEDI
Award Winners Duncan Cheatle with the Supper
Club and Andrew Ferguson with the Breakthrough
Network show that in reality most small business
owners learn how to succeed, and support each
other, in their own brilliant networks. They
do it for themselves. Government agencies
and support personnel are not as credible -
you learn to survive, thrive and develop far
more from problem solving and talking to fellow
small business owners. Government should enable
rather than meddle in enterprise. They would
get far better bang for the business support
buck by enabling networks like Breakthrough
and The Supper Club to do more and reach more
new and existing enterprising people.
Duncan
and Andrew have put their heads together to
compile Ten Top Networking Tips. Andrew Ferguson
sums it up in one word Give. Put
your own agenda to one side, he says,
and give your full attention to being
useful to others ... unconditionally.
Andrew and Duncan both demonstrate this by giving
at least half their coaching time free of charge.
Duncan Cheatles Top Tip is Focus:
time is your most precious asset, so mixing
with the right people in the right way is crucial.
Released
by:
Andrew Ferguson, The Breakthrough Centre, 29
Adine Road, London E13 8LL t: 020 7473 5544
e: Andrew.Ferguson@LifeShift.co.uk
Duncan
Cheatle, The Supper Club, 19-20 Dufferin Street,
London EC1Y 8PD t: 084 5359 9888 e: Duncan@Supper-Club.Net
Notes:
* SFEDI originally stood for Small Firms Enterprise
Development Initiative. SFEDI describes the
skills and know-how required to survive and
thrive for those thinking about, preparing for
and starting their own business. These 'standards'
are used in training and support programmes
and all recognised enterprise qualifications
in the UK. SFEDI also sets standards,
accredits and recognises best practice for all
those supporting prospective and existing small
business owners.
Colour photos and digital images available
Andrew and Duncan are available for interview,
radio and television.
Try
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To see the full range of courses available please
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Use
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Word
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International Computer Driving Licence: Presentation.
CompTIA Essentials: Operating Systems.
Oracle9i: Managing Database Structure.
Cisco CCNA: Hardware and the OSI Reference Model.
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Dear
Leonard,
For
the next six weeks only we have an outstanding
limited time offer on Blackberry for business
users. A free Blackerry service and it's
not just an introductory offer - your Blackberry
service is free for two years. Already got a
Blackberry - it doesn't matter, switch it, you
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can you?
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FREE data subject to fair usage
LOW cost voice calls and texts
LOW minimum monthly call spend
We have a fabulous offer available to business
customers*: we are able to offer a SIM only
Blackberry service on O2 with no line rental
and free data calls in the UK subject to our
fair usage policy. There's a monthly minimum
call spend of just £10: low call costs
such as UK landlines 4p per minute and texts
for 5p. If you need a new Blackberry handset,
no problem, we can supply you with the latest
models at discounted prices for example a new
Blackberry 8520 for £64 if you take up
the offer.
To
start receiving your FREE Blackberry service
call or email.
Call 020 8601 700 or email chris.lewis@qubic.uk.com
Chris Lewis
mailto:chris.lewis@qubic.uk.com
www.qubicgroup.com
All costs exclude VAT which will be charged
at the prevailing rate. *All offers are subject
to status and subject to a twenty-four month
contract. Full terms and conditions apply. Fair
usage policy is available online www.qubicgroup.com/g_page.php?pageid=5733.
Service provided on the O2 network.
PAT
Testing discounted to just 96p+vat per item
Lectest
UK offers a nationwide electrical safety testing
service and is currently offering a 20% discount
on all orders until the end of 2009.
We
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Church, The Wildlife Trust, Glen Gorse Golf
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For
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We
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Fire
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Fire
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per extinguisher
Lectest
UK Ltd
Tel:
0800 622 6723
http://www.lectestuk.co.uk
Business
legislation seminars, various dates and locations
Business
advisory service Directors' Centre is hosting
a range of free seminars that cover the legal
obligations of business owners. The seminars
will give information, tips and advice on legislation
related to small businesses.
For
further information go to: http://www.directorscentre.com/peninsula-seminars.php
Twitter
launches guide for businesses
Micro-blogging
site Twitter has published a guide on how the
service can help businesses. The guide includes
a brief overview on what Twitter is and how
it works as well as how to get started on the
site and best practices for using the site to
reach customers.
To
read the guide go to: http://business.twitter.com/twitter101/
Guidance
videos available from HMRC
HMRC
has released a range of video guides for those
setting up a business. The videos feature advice
on starting up, guidance on tax issues, importing
and exporting, business allowances and employing
people.
The
videos can be viewed at: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=ONEOFFPAGE&itemId
=1082006987&r.s=e&r.lc=en&r.i=1081994865&r.t=ONEOFFPAGE
BCC
launches online business networking site The
British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has launched a new online business network.
The site is designed to be a social network where users can tender for work. For
further information go to: http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/6798219246063171410/business-networking-moves-up-a-gear.html And:
http://www.thebusinessnetworkonline.com Want
to improve your business?
VentureNavigator
is a free and impartial online business support service for start ups, small businesses
and entrepreneurs. If you have a new idea or an existing company ready for growth,
VentureNavigator can help you steer a course to success! With
VentureNavigator you can: Test
your business ideas and get tailored feedback Access a library of relevant
business resources Get advice from an online community of entrepreneurs
and business owners VentureNavigator is a free service funded by the UK Government
http://www.venturenavigator.co.uk www.schoolsales.co.uk Its
finally here and ready to use. The ONLY school website that allows you to communicate,
buy, sell and swap with other parents and kids at your school FOR FREE! This
site has more than 20,000 schools listed across the UK and we are adding more
everyday - yours is probably already there but if not tell us and we will list
it straight away. You
can use this site to sell off old school uniform or sportswear thats too small
- buy musical instruments, sportsgear, books and in fact anything at all you might
use at school. And the best bit is you can find stuff from your own school or
local schools so no hassle with deliveries etc - just collect and deliver at the
school gate!! Obviously
the site has only just gone live this week but is already listed on Google page
one (we have a clever team working for us!) so will soon be attracting a VERY
large audience from more than 14 million parents and 9 million schoolchildren
in the UK. Make sure you have your FREE account set up now - PLUS for a limited
time get a FREE £10 Bonus to spend on advertising upgrades. All standard
adverts are FREE for everyone!! Also
are you looking for a new part time income - think about becoming an agent - click
here for more information about this or visit the site. Below
are some ideas on what you can use the site for Buy
or sell secondhand school uniform, sportsgear, musical instruments books and much
much more Arrange car sharing Buy or sell party bags Private tuition
Promote school events like fetes or discos Communicating with all those other
parents and kids at your school has just become so much easier now that schoolsales.co.uk
has been launched. http://www.schoolsales.co.uk
22
Ways to Save Energy with Gadgets . . . and other things on the internet to avoid
HMRC
launch online tax help for small businesses HMRC
have launched a series of online, bite-sized video guides for new and small businesses. The
10 videos, fronted by TV presenter Dan Snow, provide a helpful overview on a range
of tax issues, including setting up in business, income tax for the self-employed,
corporation tax and VAT. The videos also provide handy links to further online
information and help. The
full list of web videos is as follows: setting
up in business; income tax for the self employed; National Insurance;
record keeping; employing other people; corporation tax; VAT;
importing and exporting; business allowances; and the Construction Industry
Scheme. Announcing the launch of the series, presenter Dan Snow said "We've
broken the information down into small video chunks, so that people can access
exactly what they need to know. Hopefully this makes the new videos really useful
for people and businesses." In
addition, HMRC is also following three people as they set up in business in a
new video diary series called "The Start-up Diaries". It will follow
three people - Ruth, Nick and Hannah - as they explain, in their own words, what
it's like to go it alone. An introduction to the series, plus episode one of the
diaries, is also available. A
free guide for new and small businesses has also been launched alongside the videos,
entitled "Giving your business the best start with tax". The
videos and guide are all available to download free from the Business Link website
at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/taxhelp.
Episode
2 of the "Start-up Diaries" is scheduled for April 2009. Articles
about "saving energy" -
http://frugalliving.about.com/lr/saving_energy/407738/2/ The
above link will take you to 105 pages of energy-saving articles; below are just
a few examples from the first page alone. Most of the articles originate from
America but the ideas they offer, can be applied almost universally. Ed.
Farmers'
markets and where to find them
Super-cheap
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financial help for business owners Business
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You
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Sneak
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HOUSE BUILDERS LOOKING FOR HELP TO SURVIVE Small,
medium and some large house builders are finding things increasing difficult due
to reduced sales and land banks purchased at boom prices. Roger
Humber, strategic policy consultant at the House Builders Association, part of
the National Federation of Builders said: "It is very serious indeed. It
is tough times for everybody and the worst we have seen for 15 years. If
any of these companies have made unfortunate land purchases in the last year,
and then have found sales dip, as many have, then it is highly likely they will
be finding it difficult to keep up with interest payments". Several
house builders in England have gone into administration within the last month
with one owing £36m. fightyourcorner.com reports an increased number
of enquiries from it's Business Recovery page. "We get calls from visitors
to our website: www.fightyourcorner.com
literally saying "I want to put my business into liquidation. Can you help?"
says Robin Carlyle, MD. "On
the other hand, we do get calls from business people at an earlier stage asking
for a revue of their business with a view to setting in place a business recovery
strategy involving rescheduling of debts, finance, stock and sales, and an appraisal
of the existing market and competition, prior to possible changes of emphasis.
This can be very satisfying and much more rewarding" says Robin. Company
Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) seem to be becoming more common, which provide a
genuine opportunity of business owners and creditors to get more out of a business
that is in serious difficulties and can lead to recovery. Individual
Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), (Trust Deeds in Scotland), provide a similar situation
for individuals in financial difficulties. These are growing in demand too. www.fightyourcorner.com
was launched in Scotland at the end of 2006 with the assistance of Business Gateway
and with the "blessing" of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and the
Federation of Small Businesses. Since then, the team of advisors on a number of
services including Business Recovery has developed through out most of the UK. For
further information, visit: www.fightyourcorner.com
or call 0800 130 0473
Dear
Sir / Madam I would like to introduce you to a new business that could
save you and your customers time and money, whilst helping your organisation and
those you communicate with reduce the effects of your carbon footprint by providing
the facilities to reduce the number of business journeys and phone calls you make.
You
can hold meetings with existing contacts by getting them 'in the loop' and network
with other like minded businesses and organisations without cost or time restraints
or even geographical boundaries to hold you back. And
it all takes place wherever you want to be, which is ideal for the busy executive
juggling their work-life balance - and perfect for home based workers.
The Loop Online is a simple, extremely cost effective, environmentally conscious,
time-saving way of conducting business communications. It
is an ideal option for businesses and organisations ranging from sole traders,
owner managers, small to medium sized businesses and organisations where resources
are limited, right up to multi-site national and international organisations communicating
with colleagues, customers and suppliers worldwide. Come visit us at
www.thelooponline.co.uk where it's
easy to register online and start benefiting from a host of easy to use enhanced
business communication tools that facilitate meetings and networking capabilities
from wherever there is a computer. It's
simple to register with us online and then you too can enjoy the benefots of time
and money saving enhanced business communications that are environmentally conscious.
To find out more about The Loop, who we are and what our aims are, I have
attached some literature that will give you further information and help you make
up your mind about 'getting in the loop'. We
welcome your feedback and look forward to hearing from you. Regards,
Pete Peter Gosling Director The Loop Online Limited
Company Registration No: 6362179 Email: petergosling@thelooponline.co.uk
Tel: 07968 104542 Website: www.thelooponline.co.uk
Hello, Ive
just come across the homebusiness.org.uk site and was wondering if I might make
a suggestion? We
have recently launched a UK focused Wiki-style business directory Bizwiki - http://www.bizwiki.co.uk/
The information on Bizwiki is a combination of user contributed content and hand-edited
articles, data spidered by our in-house webcrawler, information from chamber of
commerce and industry sources and licensed data. I
thought that Bizwiki UK might be a good fit for your Links page http://www.homebusiness.org.uk/links.htm I
would be happy to answer any queries you may have. Thank
you for your time. Kind
regards, Jurga
Galvan Communications
Manager Bizwiki
UK - User editable business directory web: http://www.bizwiki.co.uk/
mail: comments@bizwiki.co.uk
Free
telecomms service for homeworkers, small businesses and charities I'm
currently marketing a completely free service to small businesses, home workers
and charities. The service doesn't cost them a single penny and can save them
hundreds/thousands of £'s on expensive call management systems for their
workplace/home. Would it be possible for you to review my website and
if possible reccomend it to the visitors of your website if you are impressed
with it. I've listed all the information below and please give it a try
it won't cost you a penny. As an added feature it is also great security for ladies
who work from home, my call management system provides them with a free 0844 local
rate number directed to their home number, which means that they never have to
use their home number when advertising their business. The website is
http://www.instantswitchboard.co.uk.
If you have any questions please email me at sales@blueboxtelecom.co.uk
Kind Regards Rob Douthwaite Blue Box Telecom
The
Pipeline card This
website will be of interest to anyone who needs to drive for their business or
has to use their car to reach their premises. It is aiming to sign up sufficient
people so it can negotiate cut-price petrol for members with a major retailer.
The group currently has more than 500,000 members. The
website is at: http://www.pipelinecard.org British
Shops and Stores Association website The
British Shops and Stores Association (BSSA) website is a resource for non-food
shops, particularly focusing on smaller businesses. The website has a membership
area, as well as areas accessible to all, including news and legislation affecting
shops.
Visit
the website at: http://www.british-shops.co.uk/
Thank
you for the time you have taken to read this email. We
are seeking Affiliates to promote our product - a 3 CD set containing every possible
document, letter or template required to run a business. It
costs nothing at all to sign up as an affiliate and we pay a massive 40% commission.
It's a product that everyone needs no matter what business they are in so substantial
earnings are easily achieveable. To
learn more about the product please click here: http://www.borderpublications.com/documents To
get links for your web site or email signature please click here: http://www.borderpublications.com/documents/affiliate.htm Kind
regards The
Border Publications Team Horsesmouth
e-mentoring website This
website puts experienced businesspeople in touch with new start ups that are looking
for advice. Horsesmouth is seeking mentors from all walks of life, to give advice
on business, life and learning. It hopes those who sign up to the site looking
for help will also be able to give advice to others. Visit
the website at: http://www.horsesmouth.co.uk
Hello, I
was simply wondering if you could take one minute out of your busy schedule to
take a look at this small home business marketing site: http://smallbusiness.logoworks.com
and, if you find it interesting enough, link to it from the links page of homebusiness.org.uk. The
blog features articles geared towards small business marketing, and provides a
few resources that would be valuable to small business or home business owners.
We offer a lot of small business marketing content that your site visitors would
find useful. Other
than benefiting your website visitors, we would also like to perminently add a
link to your website from our resources site, with your permission. Let
me know what you think, and thank you very much for your time. I
really appreciate it, Tanner
Christensen http://smallbusiness.logoworks.com
iTrade
website This
website has been set up by the Government's UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) department
to help firms in the East of England network with their international counterparts,
exchanging knowledge and ideas. There is also information on worldwide business
trends, news, events and courses. Members can discuss ideas in the forums. It
is currently free to join. Visit
the website at: http://www.itrade.org.uk
Hi there
I
run Platinax (http://www.platinax.co.uk/)
which is a free resource run by entrepreneurs to help other entrepreneurs and
start-ups get the most from using the internet. It does this by providing helpful
articles, a business forum for Q&A, as well as news and a business directory.
Id just
like to find out whether its possible to work with homebusiness.org.uk in
order to help raise awareness of Platinax among your visitors. For example, do
you provide any advertising opportunities? In
the meantime, any questions, feel free to ask. Best
regards, Brian http://www.platinax.co.uk/
Platinax Internet
Ltd is registered in Scotland: SC291750 Phone:
07963 808470 Email:
brian@platinax.co.uk Business
book free to download A
book helping people to improve their creative businesses has been made freely
available on the Internet. 'T-Shirts and Suits, A Guide to the Business of Creativity',
by business guru David Parrish, aims to help people make the most of their creative
abilities, and to combine them with best business practice. It has been transformed
into an e-book, which can be freely downloaded.
You
can download the e-book at: http://www.davidparrish.com/page.asp?pgid=125&pgsid=33
The
Search Engine Guide website This
is a useful website for small businesses that have an online presence. This frequently
updated site has hints and tips to help businesses get the best search engine
rankings they can, in a blog-style format. It seeks out relevant articles, tutorials,
hints and tips on search engine optimisation (SEO) and brings them together in
one place. Visit
the site at: http://www.searchengineguide.com Setting
up an IT system from Businesslink Start-up
businesses that are unsure of what kind of IT system they need can now use an
online tool to let them know what their businesses requires. Business-links
Setting up an IT system offers advice for small firms and start-ups
on what the most appropriate equipment for their organisation would be. The interactive
tool uses a short questionnaire to identify the main use for IT within the business.
Business owners enter details on which members of staff need to use the system
and an assessment is then made on how simple or sophisticated a system is required.
The
tool can be found at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/ITbasics. Business
Plan software Hello,
Home Business Alliance, I am the Director of a organisation called Company
Partners. I've just visited homebusiness.org.uk and I think that our web sites
have similar audiences. We are very careful who we link to ourselves, so I've
given you some information about Company Partners below and I wonder if you would
like to exchange links. This should help both our Internet endeavours.
Company Partners is seen as an authoritative site with number one rankings in
Google.com (all sites worldwide) for Business Partners. We have been featured
on BBC's Working Lunch and in National Newspapers. I have already placed
a link to your site along with a description at http://www.companypartners.com/links.php?subcat=19
. If you want the description of your site modified, or if you have any other
cross-promotion ideas, let me know. I would appreciate if you would place a link
back to my site and below is the details you should need: URL:
http://www.companypartners.com/business-plan.php
Description:
An independent review of the best business plan software applications. Online
business skills assessor Provided
by the East Midlands Incubation Network, this online tool comprises nine elements
for enterprises in the region to complete to assess the level of their business
skills. It aims to highlight where there are skills deficiencies, and help businesses
put together a development plan to overcome any problems. The
tool is available at: http://www.emincubation.co.uk/main/DOC/935
(Registration, which is free, is required to use the assessor) Business4Brunch
website This
website was set up to help smaller firms to network and publicise their businesses.
It was put together by marketing firm Business Feet after it found that few networking
events were aimed at smaller enterprises. The site, which is free to join and
use, allows firms to showcase their businesses online and to link up with other
small enterprises at networking events. Visit
the website at: http://www.business4brunch.com Announcing
the LifeShift Online Download! Claim your free session with The Wise Old Owl!
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customised to you (Your LifeShift Manual and Workbook: Books 3 & 4) -
revealing the lowdown on money (Creating Abundance: Book 5) You can download
them at www.lifeshift.co.uk as a package
or individually Buy the full set (£59) and claim a 90 minute session
with me (also worth £59!) - first 250 orders only. Earn 40% commission:
become a clickbank affiliate and sell the books yourself. http://www.clickbank.com/info/jmap.htm?vendor=lifeshift
takes you to the Affiliate Sign-Up page for LifeShift Books, or go to Marketplace
on the www.clickbank.com site and enter the keyword LifeShift. There
is a best time to 'Relaunch Your Life' ... it's RIGHT NOW! Check out www.lifeshift.co.uk
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Tax
rules relaxed for self-employed homeworkers The
tax rules for self-employed homeworkers are being relaxed by HM Revenue &
Customs (HMRC). Since
6 April, self-employed people who work from home on a limited basis, as well as
full-time homeworkers making a claim for the 2006/7 tax year do not have to provide
records of every business expense when they make a tax claim. Self-employed homeworkers
are also allowed to reclaim tax on part of their domestic bills for business purposes.
View
HMRC's guidance at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/bim47815.htm
Own-it
IP protection website This
is an online resource for small creative businesses and freelancers to find out
more about protecting their intellectual property (IP). It contains free legal
contract templates, fact sheets, podcasts, and articles, as well as legal advice
and an FAQ section. The website is a collaboration between Creative London, the
London College of Communication and the University of the Arts London. Visit
the site at: http://www.own-it.org/ Save
up to 87% on Toner TonerTopUp.co.uk supplies bottled toner powder refills
for laser printer, fax, copier and MFP cartridges. For many models you just unplug
and pour! Otherwise we supply tools for simple refilling. For a 5% discount
enter sourcecode HBA1 online at tonertopup.co.uk.
(Otherwise contact 01732 750364 - martin@TonerTopUp.co.uk) Directory
of waste and recycling facilities for small firms NetRegs,
the Government website that provides guidance on environmental regulations, has
launched a Waste Directory to show small businesses in England and Wales where
they can find licensed sites for recycling or disposing of waste. The directory
is free to use and can be searched by postcode or town, as well as by type of
waste. Similar directories are available for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Read
more at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1728977/1728990/1729116
Access
the directory, plus the Scottish and Northern Irish equivalents, at: http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/1724261/
Welsh
enterprise organisation launched A
new enterprise organisation has been launched in Wales, with the backing of a
number of the principality's Chambers of Commerce and the Wales Trades' Union
Congress (TUC). The key objective of the Business Dragons-eChamber Wales initiative
will be to tackle economic inactivity. It hopes to promote an enterprise sector
that "thrives and enriches" the Welsh economy. There
is more on this story at: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0300business/0100news/tm_headline=%2Ddragons%2D-tackle-economic-inactivity%26method=full%26objectid=18613478%26siteid=50082-name_page.html
IT
advice in plain English Lifehacker.com
is a website that features IT tips in plain English for both novices and professionals.
The frequently updated blog is full of useful shortcuts to help users save time
and make the most of their software and IT equipment. The information is fully
searchable and users also have the option of leaving comments on the tips. Access
the website at: http://www.lifehacker.com
The
Weekly Gripe The
Weekly Gripe is a website where contributors can complain about issues upsetting
them, which are then open to feedback from other users. The site covers a number
of different subject areas of relevance to small businesses, including business/finance,
industry/jobs and politics/law. There is also a list of tips for writing a good
gripe. Visit
the website at: http://www.weeklygripe.co.uk
New
team targeting cowboy traders A
new scambusters team is being put together to deal with cowboy tradespeople
and cold callers targeting vulnerable people in London and the south east. The
team, made up of Trading Standards officers, follows the success of similar initiatives
in north east England and the Midlands. The new scheme is receiving £1.8
million of funding from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
There
is more information at: http://www.tsi.org.uk/
The
Retail Enterprise Network The
Retail Enterprise Network (REN) has been set up to protect local shops in town
centres and rural areas. It is backed by the European Unions (EU) EQUAL
Community Programme and around 40 organisations, and aims to protect and promote
diversity in the small retail sector. It works in partnership with shop owners
and those who support independent retailers. Visit
the website at: http://www.retail-network.org/index.asp?s=section Campaign
to promote East of England food The
East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has launched a new campaign to support
local producers by promoting regional food and drink. The campaign aims to foster
links between food and tourism businesses, and will feature events to promote
local fare, awareness drives on regional specialities, and links with national
food events. The project is called 'Eat East - Nearer, Fresher, Better'. There
are more details at: http://www.eeda.org.uk/press_pub_1105.asp New
website for craft-based businesses This
site has been set up to promote artisan-made British giftware to an international
audience. The website is dedicated to handmade items, ranging from jewellery to
glassware and homeware. The site sells many of its products in the US and Canada,
where there is strong demand for British heritage goods. Visit
the website at: http://www.uniquebritishgifts.com Authentic
Business website This
is a website dedicated to doing business with purpose as well as profit.
Authentic Business is the brainchild of Neil Crofts, who has written extensively
on the subject. The website includes a detailed explanation of what authenticity
in business really means, a directory of 'authentic' suppliers, and the opportunity
to submit articles about authentic business. Visit
the website at the following link, clicking on 'discover authenticity' to view
the definition: http://www.authenticbusiness.co.uk
Natural
England website This
is the website for the new Natural England body, which brings together English
Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service. It has a wide-ranging
brief and a budget of £500 million. The website is divided into regions
and has information sections for different groups, including farmers and land
managers. It will also produce publications and leaflets. Visit
the website at: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/default.htm Online
shopping without a card A
system has been launched to help e-commerce retailers sell their goods to the
six million Britons who don't have bank accounts or credit cards. Financial services
firm Allpay.net is encouraging businesses to include the 'go&pay' system as
an additional payment option on their websites. This enables the customer to print
a bar-coded invoice, and they can then pay for their goods at one of the 24,500
'payzone' machines carried by many local shops. The payzone device also allows
people to pay their electricity bills or mobile phone top-ups over the counter.
Find
out more about the system at: http://www.allpay.net/home
The
Freecycle Network Freecycle
is a web-based recycling service, for all those who want to recycle
that special something, rather than throw it away. Items posted range from plant
pots to doors to washing machines and pianos. Non-profit groups are also welcome
to participate. Theres just one main rule: everything posted must
be free. The Freecycle Network is a non-profit organisation and a movement
of people interested in keeping good stuff out of landfills. For info on groups
in your area, go to http://www.freecycle.org ViRSA
- the website of the Village Retail Services Association
This website was set up to promote and support rural, community-run shops.
It includes a nationwide directory of community shops as well as downloadable
advice sheets for people considering starting such a venture. The website
also provides a range of case studies and a frequently updated news page.
Access the site at: http://www.virsa.org
BizFizz
website BizFizz
is a joint initiative between the Civic Trust and the New Economics Foundation
(NEF), which aims to promote regeneration through enterprise in local communities.
It is running in ten English locations, providing coaches and putting together
a panel of experts to help local entrepreneurs. Find
out more at: http://www.bizfizz.org.uk Consultant
finding tool
Skillfair
is search tool to help businesses find consultants, including general services
such as business advisers and web designers, as well as more specialist or niche
experts in areas like technical translation. The service runs a quality checking
service to ensure that the consultants listed are genuine operators with appropriate
qualifications. The
website is at: http://www.skillfair.co.uk Market
research portal The
List is a website pulling together market research on a variety of topics. Users
can search by subject or browse reports by subject heading. The site offers free
executive summaries of reports and has the option to buy the full report if required. Visit
the site at: http://www.the-list.co.uk Free
guide to web accessibility A
guide for businesses on how to commission a website that is accessible for users
with disabilities has been made available for download free of charge by the British
Standards Institution (BSi). The guide is aimed at readers without technical knowledge
who would commission a web designer to build a site, and was originally priced
at £30 + VAT.
Read
more about the guide at: http://www.out-law.com/page-7124
Campaign
to boost local shops A
campaign to encourage people to use their local shops in Norfolk is set to go
national. A private member's bill is picking up the message of the 'Use It or
Lose It' initiative, which is running in the Norfolk Broads. Liberal Democrat
MP Julia Goldsworthy has put forward the Sustainable Communities Bill, which would
require councils and communities to promote local shops. The Use It or Lose It
campaign is run by Councillor Barbara McGoun, who previously ran a shop that was
forced to close when the Post Office pulled out. There
is more on this story at: http://business.edp24.co.uk/story.aspx?brand=BIZOnline&category=Business&tBrand=BIZOnline&tCategory
=homepage&itemid=NOED25%20Jul%202006%2021%3A41%3A08%3A013 Read
more about the Bill at: http://www.localworks.org Directory
of women in business Women
at Work is a business directory that brings together a comprehensive database
of self-employed women working across a range of different sectors. Users can
register and network with each other via the site. The site is also a searchable
resource for clients seeking services. Access
the directory at: http://www.womenatwork.co.uk/links.asp Internet
Businesses For Sale.co.uk specialises in all types of online business sales. To
view our internet business for sale please click on our link. http://www.internetbusinessesforsale.co.uk Government
public sector contracts website reaches 7,000
More
than 7,000 public sector contracts are now available
on the Government's Supply2gov website. The
portal aims to simplify the system for small
businesses bidding for central or local Government
contracts worth less than £100,000. More
than 10,000 suppliers have now registered to
use the site. The DTI said the website was a
"major step forward" in the Government's
commitment to help and support small businesses.
The
website is at: http://www.supply2.gov.uk
Website
offering fair funding for businesses Firms
in the West Midlands are being offered help from a website that has been set up
to help them find finance to expand their businesses. The Fair Finance Consortium
(FFC) was set up by 11 independent commercial lenders, to offer loans of between
£500 and £50,000. It is aimed at start ups and firms such as ethical
and social organisations which have found it difficult to secure funding from
the banks.
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/business/tm_objectid=17292276%26method=full%26siteid=50002%26headline=
alternative%2dway%2dto%2dboost%2dyour%2dbusiness-name_page.html
The
FFC is located at: http://www.fair-finance.net/home.asp Discount
for your members. Hi.
I visited your website and was very impressed by the resources and suport you
are giving to small businesses. I run a webhosting business and would like to
offer your members a 20% discount on all our hosting packages which come free
with an online webbuilder. This enables small and meduim sized businesses create
and run a website with no technical knowhow. We also try and provide as much help
as is possible. We
have a demo of our webbulder on our website http://www.d30web.com
.If you wish to take us up on our offer please get intouch and we will work
out the details . Looking
forward to hearing from you Lois
Edwards, Proprietor
Hosts
being sought for farmers' markets.
Farmers' markets could be a regular fixture
in public and private sector organisations,
if an innovative idea from Government Office
East (GO-East) takes off. GO-East has already
hosted three events in Cambridge featuring local
food producers, and hopes its idea will help
to reinforce the current interest in fruit and
vegetable box schemes, farm shops and farmers'
markets. Fo more information about GO-East's
support for the rural economy, go to: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/
Specialist
business support for creative industries based in Merseyside. 'Expo' for a
music-based business seeking to increase your export sales; and 'Impetus' for
developing new products and services for creative businesses and helping them
to develop new marketplaces. Tel: 0151 330 4192 (ask for Creative Bias); Email:
office@creativebias.org Website:
http://www.creativebias.org JOIN
2,000 EXPERTS NOW ON LINE To:
Administration Office Home Business Alliance Well
over 1,200 journalists are now regularly using http://www.expertsources.co.uk
to source and find UK experts to comment and provide background information on
news; current affairs and topical features. www.expertsources.co.uk is
the only site with a comprehensive directory of experts on all subjects in all
regions of the UK. If you want the opportunity to increase or extend your
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found subscribing with www.expertsources.co.uk to be the quickest and most economical
way of alerting the media to who they are and their particular areas of expertise.
But dont just take our word for it: heres what the experts and
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Experts: I
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know that I have made a contribution to a magazine and Sky contacted me to go
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Expertsources expertsources.co.uk
New
Skills Council launched Creative
& Cultural Skills has become an official UK Sector Skills Council for the
advertising, crafts, cultural heritage, design, music, performing arts, literary
and visual arts sectors. Phil Hope, Minister for Adult Skills, said: "The
2012 Olympics will be a huge opportunity for the arts, for designers, for advertising
and for our cultural heritage. We want to welcome the world in style. Building
capacity and making sure people have the right skills will help us to do just
that."
More
about the launch is at: http://www.ccskills.org.uk/
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Increased
profits available to every photographer Spear
Solutions have developed an easy-to-use Online Album which includes
a wide variety of functionality as standard. By adopting this new technology photographers
can now display their photographs to prospective customers who were previously
unable to see the photos. With the Online Album every photographer has the opportunity
to increase the number of orders they receive for each set of photographs, which
will translate directly into higher profits.
Market-leading functionality as standard The market-leading Spear
Solutions Online Album offers photographers a comprehensive package of functionality
as standard. This includes a rapid upload process, simple album management, online
ordering facility, password protected albums and more.
The Online Album also
provides the opportunity to provide associated products such as frames, sell merchandise
and generate publicity.
Implementation Implementation is straightforward and the Online Album
may be as simple or as advanced as required. For those who dont already
have a website Spear Solutions can provide a cost-effective solution that includes
the Online Album, from day one. Alternatively, they can integrate the Online Album
into an existing site. The
Online Album offers an extremely high return on investment. At the click of a
mouse, the difficulties of distribution are resolved, and the process of presenting
images to customers made substantially more economical.
Special Offer
To accompany the launch of this product, and for a limited time only, Spear Solutions
are offering 3 months FREE hosting* on any Online Album solution purchased.
For more information
on the product, a copy of images for publication, or to arrange a free demo, please
contact Phil Citrone on 01844 260033 or philip.citrone@spearsolutions.com
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Modern Sunclocks. Human sundials
using a person's own shadow to tell the correct time!
Make
them, install them or just provide DIY layout
plans - unique to evry individual customer.
Each one automatically becomes its own advertoisement
and is dieal for designers/landscapers looking
for novel, interactive features.
Have a chat with Douglas Hunt at Modern Sunclocks,
tel/fax 01294 552250 or go to: www.sunclocks.com
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Feature-packed hosting Special Deals for HBA Members. Exclusive!
Due to recent developments
1st Choice promotions are pleased to announce the launch of their sister company,
1stChoiceWebHost.co.uk.
1stChoiceWebHost offer Feature Packed Web Site Hosting solutions at a price to
suit your pocket. Included with ALL our hosting packages are FREE Shopping Carts
with many advanced features and FREE Web Site Design Systems. Many other hosting
companies will charge for these extras but we won't. We also offer FREE full start
up advice and on going support.
One of our clients said the best part of the
hosting package was how easy it was to set up
Outlook Express for the new email account. He
simply logged onto his Control Panel and within
a few clicks of the mouse everything was set
up to enable him to send and receive email to
his new domain. No more tearing his hair out
trying to set up the account.
Other advanced features that are provided with 1stchoicewebhost.co.uk
FREE include:
File Manger The file manager enables you to handle your site through
HTML rather than FTP or other third party applications (although FTP can still
be used).
Customised Error Pages 404 Error pages are served to Internet users
when they enter an incorrect URL or are not authorised to access that part of
the site. These can be customised
Search Engine Submission Submit your site to the major search engines
with just one click.
SMTP Access Unlike other hosts SMTP allows you to send email through
our servers rather than go through your ISP which is usually not allowed and quite
often Port 25 is blocked to prevent what they call relaying.
Web Mail
You can read your email online using Horde. This is ideal if you go away on holiday
or on business trips as you can still access your email online.
Pop3 accounts
Receive email to any address at your domain which can either be stored in a POP3
mail box on our server until you read it with something like Outlook Express or
forwarded to another account elsewhere The above are just some of the
features that you get with our hosting plans making us very competitive. 1stChoiceWebHost
will also do all the work required with the authorities / name servers and transfers
tec with regards to Domain names. Both .co.uk and .com are just £10
with NO HIDDEN CHARGES 1stChoiceWebHost servers are set up so
they generate revenue and still run at peak performance. Unlike other webhosts
who pack their servers full we concentrate more on maintaining performance and
less on maximising the revenue per server
Packages Our packages range from 30mb web space with 2gb of transfer
rate, 3 email accounts and 3 autoresponders for just £35 per year or £4
Per Month to 100mb of webspace with 6gb of data transfer, unlimited email accounts,
unlimited forwarders, unlimited sub domains plus much, much more for just £85
per year or £8 Per Month.. Please note: hosting accounts
do NOT include registration fees for domain names.
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We have two services that might be of interest to your members.
1/. Same day company
formation for £ 42.50. http://www.ukplc.net/companyformation/?source=homebusiness.org
The allows those members that are not already limited companies to quickly,
cheaply and easily form limited companies. The fee includes a 3 page website
that can be upgraded to eCommerce for £ 24.
2/. Websites or Ecommerce websites http://www.ecommerce.plc.uk/?source=homebusiness.org
These are easy to maintain and can be customised to any look and feel. The
following site is one of our standard templates.
http://websites.uk-plc.net
and gives an idea of the range.
The
starting cost is £24 for SiteGenerator
Alpha a 3 page site and £48 for
the eCommerce edition. The sites include hosting and an easy to use
editor along with complete visitor tracking and statistics.
Regards -- Ronald
Are you a non-UK resident? A UK 0871 Number is the perfect solution if you
are a foreign-based company looking to set up a virtual office in the UK.
Would you like to give your UK customers a Local Telephone Access Number,
so they DON'T have to dial and pay for an international call? About
Businesses trading from outside the UK can now allow their UK customers to call
them for the price of a UK National Rate call. At present many businesses that
are based abroad, but trade in the UK require their customers to dial their international
landline number. This can cost the caller a lot of money and at the same time
can put off those that would of called them had they of been based in the UK.
Through one of our
carriers we can now provide businesses abroad with UK national rate telephone
numbers that are connected directly to international landline numbers. No prefixs,
no least cost routing to think about - your customers simply dial a UK telephone
number as usual and get connected directly in the same way as you would in the
UK. Whats more you dont pay a single penny for the calls received!
The
Benefits are Obvious! -
If your business is advertised on the internet, having a UK 0871 number increases
your potential clients by 55 million people. -
Statistics prove that in the UK more people purchase products and services online
than virtually any other country in the world! Having a UK 0871 number will put
you in this market! -
People in the UK are more inclined to call a company that has a UK telephone number
than an international one. More clients will call!
- Put the UK 0871
number on your website and advertising brochures as well as your own numbers and
you immediately give yourself UK Presence. -
If you have existing clients in the UK they will pay only 10 pence per minute
for the call and not expensive international rates. It is cheaper for them to
call you! You will have happier customers!
Whether you are running
a news organisation in Paris, a mail-order company in the United States, a call
centre in Spain or a tourist venture in New Zealand, if you are receiving calls
from the UK, then make it easy for your customers to reach you by giving them
a UK number that they can call. For
ONLY £79.95 we can connect a UK 0871 Number DIRECTLY TO ANY LANDLINE in
Europe, North America, Australia/New Zealand and 60 other countries!
SPECIAL OFFER Buy ONE get ONE Free! Money
Back Guarantee If you are not entirely satisfied with the service within 7
days of purchase, we will refund your money Guaranteed! There is nothing to lose!
(terms and conditions apply) Setup
Costs - Overview 0871
International Connect Setup
and Rental Costs per Number One-off Setup Fee: £79.95 Line Rental:
FREE Call costs to you: FREE Costs
to Caller for this Number Daytime: 10 pence per minute Evening: 10 pence
per minute Weekend: 10 pence per minute * Calls made to 0871 numbers
from BT, NTL and Telewest landlines cost 8.51p per minute + VAT at all times (including
evenings and weekends). Calls from payphones and mobiles may cost more, so please
check with your telephone provider first. To
ORDER our service or for more information simply call our SALES TEAM
+44 (0) 8700-111740 or +44 (0) 7951-058807 Lines are open between 10:00am
and 5:30pm GMT We can take your order over the phone, you can download an
application form or we can direct you to our company website where you can
place your order online! (www.just-tel.com/0871int)
JustTel
Communications - The UK's First Choice for Telecom Solutions for Business
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 Hello
Len, Anyone in the UK interested in purchasing property (flats, houses
etc.) in this neck of the woods of Spain? (Galicia, north-west). I have reputable
agents willing to help. Regards James Skinner, P.O. Box 900,
36201 Vigo, Spain. e-mail: jamesgeorge@cemiga.es |