Survive and then Thrive – UK Business Advisors are ready to help

09/04/2020 By Gordon Carmichael

Other than the cruel personal impact of COVID-19, there is unequal pain and gain for UK businesses. Hospitality businesses are grounded and businesses with sought after services and products are struggling to cope with demand and managing their supply chain.

There is no one magic solution for all!

More than ever, business leaders need to keep a cool head and make the right short term decisions to enable their business to survive or operate differently. Supporting staff as far as possible is a defining characteristic of well-led businesses. The businesses that make the right decisions now and plan effectively for how to be prepared to thrive in the recovery should have a bright future post coronavirus.

You are no doubt being bombarded by emails and other communications offering advice, help and “seven steps to solving everything”. The UK government has announced an unprecedented range and magnitude of support for businesses and employees – you will have found that many of the offerings are work in progress. Make the most of what is on offer from the government to stabilise your cash flow and support your staff.

As premier business advisors to SMEs we have activated our nationwide network of experienced advisors to help businesses survive and then thrive. We can provide initial support, be a sounding board for decisions and share our experience, at no cost, over the phone or by video call.

You are encouraged to visit our support page at https://ukba.co.uk/coronavirus/

When will the recovery start to emerge? Clearly it is too soon to say. However, you should plan on sensible scenarios and refine these as the COVID-19 crisis develops. We really can help with this.

Fortunately, by using technology and digital tools many businesses have been able to have some or nearly all their staff working from home. For tech smart businesses this was a minor change, as they were already using conferencing, mobile technology and collaboration tools. They had tested their systems and contingency plans for mass home working. For others, this was a huge shock and a steep learning curve. Shortages of some IT equipment has not helped. IT support companies have had massive increases in demand while also moving staff to home working.

Forward-looking companies that have had to furlough employees to protect their business and jobs are investing in online training so that staff can upskill while at home.

A whole new lexicon has emerged into common usage, for example, Zoom, VPN, Slack, Webex, Zoho and Teams. Video call etiquette is still developing!

If you are one of the many businesses that need people in a work location or in the field providing key services, then you are dealing with significant challenges not least ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your workforce.

Some things will be different post coronavirus:

Businesses are likely to retain newly found remote working and collaborative practices.
New competitors will emerge as businesses pivot to change their offerings.
Some businesses will, unfortunately, cease to trade, but others will start up and flourish.
Suppliers and customers are likely to reward companies that treated them well. Employees that were fairly treated will be more loyal.
Companies that have acted in a mercenary way are likely to have damaged their future once the dust clears. Their staff, customers and suppliers will remember.

It will surely endure that businesses that take quick informed decisions, plan well and lead strategically will be the stars of tomorrow.

If you need guidance for your business and want to thrive please visit https://ukba.co.uk/contact-urgent-support/ and contact us. There is no charge for the initial conversation. We are ready to help and have an extensive network of experienced advisors across multiple disciplines.

Keep safe and plan well.

Gordon Carmichael

Chair UK Business Advisors

Urgent business support during Coronavirus/ COVID-19 Emergency. Nationwide network of Business Advisors available to support you

20/03/2020 By Gordon Carmichael

UK Business Advisors Emergency Business Support during the Coronavirus Emergency

Business Support – Coronavirus COVID-19

Businesses and individuals are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertain times due to the COVID-19 emergency. Our support page link is at the end of this newsflash.

Like you, we are feeling the impact to our work, families and friends. UK Business Advisors (UKBA) have contingency plans in place and are we already remote working and communicating via phone and video calls to support our clients.

As premier advisors to UK Small and Medium sized businesses, we are ready to play our part to help our clients and the wider business community during these difficult times. We remain confident that businesses that show decisive leadership can survive and bounce back.

UK Business Advisors have activated our nationwide network of experienced advisors to help business owners and directors plan what is needed. Even with government grants, business rates relief or emergency loan support there will be difficult decisions to be made quickly. We can provide initial support and share our experience for free over the phone or by video call – please click on the link below for more information, actions you should consider now and how to contact us for urgent support.

It is important not to make panic decisions and make sure that you give your business and employees the best outcome.

Gordon Carmichael

Chair UK Business Advisors

Click here – Urgent Support Page during the Coronavirus emergency.

A Simple GDPR Audit for most small companies

04/05/2018 By Bob Lewis-Basson

To be ready for May25th and the need to conform to GDPR

This does not include DPO, as you won’t need one.

Information you hold You should document what personal data you hold, where it came from and who you share it with. You may need to organise an information audit.

Communicating privacy information You should review your current privacy notices and put a plan in place for making any necessary changes in time for GDPR implementation.

Individuals’ rights You should check your procedures to ensure they cover all the rights individuals have, including how you would delete personal data or provide data electronically and in a commonly used format.

Subject access requests You should update your procedures and plan how you will handle requests within the new timescales and provide any additional information.

Lawful basis for processing personal data You should identify the lawful basis for your processing activity in the GDPR, document it and update your privacy notice to explain it.

Consent You should review how you seek, record and manage consent and whether you need to make any changes. Refresh existing consents now if they don’t meet the GDPR standard.

Children You should start thinking now about whether you need to put systems in place to verify individuals’ ages and to obtain parental or guardian consent for any data processing activity.

Data breaches You should make sure you have the right procedures in place to detect, report and investigate a personal data breach.

Data Protection by Design and Data Protection Impact Assessments You should familiarise yourself now with the ICO’s code of practice on Privacy Impact Assessments as well as the latest guidance from the Article 29 Working Party, and work out how and when to implement them in your organisation.

International If your organisation operates in more than one EU member state (ie you carry out cross-border processing), you should determine your lead data protection supervisory authority. Article 29 Working Party guidelines will help you do this.

IT Support Business Fundamentals

10/10/2017 By Bob Lewis-Basson

IT Support, Fundamental Policies for Your IT Department

As an expert in IT support for small business, I routinely work with clients looking to fully establish an IT department after previously relying for years on the collective efforts of multiple employees from other departments. Establishing a dedicated IT department is certainly no small undertaking. But it is necessary for a small business with IT tasks that have evolved into full-time work.

Whether establishing the IT department for the first time or looking to improve an existing department, I encourage my clients to look at the policies they have in place. Every small business IT department should have a least six fundamental policies that govern how the department accomplishes its mission. Those six policies are explained below.

1. Acceptable Use of Technology

Workers in the IT department have access to all sorts of technology during working hours. A policy outlining the acceptable use of said technology is critical. This policy defines how computers, mobile phones, fax machines, the internet, e-mail, and other technologies are used, along with penalties for misuse.

2. IT Services

In order for the IT department to effectively do its job, staff need to know the full scope of their mission. A comprehensive IT services policy establishes this. It outlines a supervisory structure and addresses the various tasks the IT department will be responsible for.

3. General IT Security

A general security policy outlines how networks and data is protected. It covers things like the proper use of data, the need for confidentiality, and so on. It also creates various levels of access and establishes guidelines for user names and passwords.

4. Networks

Creating a policy that includes guidelines for all in-house networks makes it easier for IT workers to know how those networks are configured, how employees are added and removed, how software is licenced, etc. A good networks policy can answer many of the questions not covered in the other five fundamental
policies.

5. Technology Standards

This policy outlines how software and hardware is purchased and used within the company. It also includes policies regarding any technologies that are banned in the workplace.

6. Disaster Recovery

Every IT department should have a solid disaster recovery policy in place. This policy dictates how the IT department will recover in the event any kind of disaster threatens network integrity or stored data.

Making the IT Department Work

Every small business IT department should have at least these six policies in place. It is fine to include additional policies as-needed, but these six are non-negotiable. They provide the foundation for making the IT department work efficiently and securely.If you are in need of IT support in Reading, please contact me at your earliest convenience.
I would be more than willing to discuss all your IT support needs, including developing comprehensive policies to govern your IT department. Remember that the success of any small business IT department depends heavily on the policies in place and how strictly those policies are followed.

Why Remote Network IT Support For Small Business Is Critical?

07/08/2017 By Bob Lewis-Basson

In the digital age in which we now conduct business, having a reliable and robust IT system is not an option. Everything from internal computer systems to local and wide area networks have to be up and running at all times. To lose access to computer systems is to lose access to one of the most important tools for doing business in the modern era. To that end, IT support for small business should always include remote network support.

Remote network support is that support offered by consultants and technicians not located on the client’s physical premises. It can be offered over the phone, via video conferencing, or through logging on to an actual network for troubleshooting and repair. More importantly, remote network support is now considered mission-critical. It is as important to business as computer systems and networks themselves. Below are three reasons that make the case for having remote network support in place at all times.

3 Reasons for Remote Network IT Support For Small Business

1. Problems Cannot Be Scheduled

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if management could schedule when IT problems would occur? They could then make sure they had support specialists on-site to have those problems dealt with. Unfortunately, problems cannot be scheduled. They come and go on their own time irrespective of whether their appearance is convenient or not.

Remote network support gives companies access to support specialists regardless of when problems occur. Indeed, support is just a phone call or text message away when companies contract with a competent support provider.

2. Response Times Are Faster

What is the main advantage of doing things online? Speed. Staff use e-mail to communicate in-house because it’s faster than running around the building looking for the person you want to speak with. Customers interact with businesses online because it is much faster than waiting in queue on the telephone. Network support works the same way.

Remote network support is, by its nature, heavily focused on doing things online as much as possible. That means faster response times from consultants and technicians. It means faster solutions more often than not. If anything, IT support for small business needs to be fast.

3. Remote Support Is More Flexible

Lastly, remote network support is generally provided by individual contractors or small companies supporting multiple clients simultaneously. In this regard, IT support for small business is a lot more flexible in that companies can utilise the services of support specialists only when they need them, rather than having to maintain their own staff of support specialists. This increases the flexibility of support without straining the company budget.

IT support for small business is the new normal in the digital age. If that support is to be utilised by small business to its fullest potential, it must include remote network support, which is now mission-critical. Remote support is available 24 hours a day, it is faster and more responsive, and it is flexible enough to meet the needs of clients regardless of their size and annual turnover.

Utilising a Fleet Effectively to Expand Your Business

08/05/2017 By Bob Lewis-Basson

(image: Pixabay)

Operating a fleet is a great way to make your business grow. For SME owners, it’s one of the best methods to get your business recognised especially if you’re relatively new in the industry. A fleet can be used to build your brand and The Telegraph showed various ways to do it such as heightening your business’s presence through visual impact and making a statement.

More importantly, however, a fleet’s functionality is unparalleled especially in terms of logistics and service efficiency for SMEs that require mobility. Company cars are even enticers or retainers of top talent considering that they may be provided as incentives for your employees.

But although the benefits of utilising a fleet are easily understood, the same can’t be said for fleet management. According to Small Biz Daily, a fleet may also be the biggest expense for any SME so if you’re unprepared, it can significantly damage your business instead of being an asset for growth. Thus, here are some guidelines to help you manage your fleet effectively.

Evaluate the pros and cons of both leasing and ownership for your business

There are many things to consider when managing a fleet, and at the top of the list is the choice of either ownership or leasing. In most cases, the latter is the better option; more so if you’re business is constantly shifting, i.e. project-based field services. Unless your business is directly related or largely linked to automobiles and any other similar industry, leasing outweighs ownership.

If you’re still not convinced, a report from Fleet News mentioned the additional drawbacks of ownership as compared to leasing. Currently, more than 50% of fleet vehicles in the UK are operated by SMEs and it was found through analysis that managing owned vehicles take up a huge chunk of daily business hours. Majority of SME owners seek assistance on relevant tasks, which can otherwise be reduced through vehicle leases thereby allowing them to concentrate on other facets of growing their businesses. To put it simply, leasing requires less time and costs.

Take advantage of technology and other similar tools

A fleet can be considered a technological investment. In our previous post titled ‘6 Important Technological Considerations for a Start-Up’, we discussed the numerous factors that can affect your business including flexibility and integration. Many of these elements apply to fleet management as well.

Additionally, creating a fleet management system will allow you to gather data which can then be compiled and analysed regularly. This information is crucial for you to know how your fleet is affecting your business.

Acquire knowledge on vehicles or get someone who can help

Another major component for effective fleet management is to know which type of vehicles to get, the advantages of each make and model, what features are available, etc. With all the automobiles out there, it can be overwhelming to decide on which vehicles to take for your fleet.

Furthermore, sustainability is important for SMEs like we’ve mentioned in a past UKBA post so elements like emissions should be taken into account. In fact, it plays a role in reducing costs as you can be charged with higher taxes if your fleet has high CO2 emissions, hence, be sure to consider green cars. This may even work in your favour in terms of your reputation, as it shows that your company is adhering to ecological standards.

Getting someone you trust who is knowledgeable on vehicles that can double up as an insurance broker is also a good option. This person may be tasked to handle fuel and maintenance costs, repair bills, injury claims and other related matters.

Invest in the people who will be using your vehicles

Last but not the least, the people who will be using your vehicles should be considered just as important, if not more important that any other variable. Invest in driver training so as to improve their road behaviour and focus on safety. It will equip them with useful knowledge as well such as improving fuel efficiency and proper vehicle handling.

The use of fleet tracking has also been proved to be beneficial. In the Telogis blog post‘Combat Distracted Driving with Fleet Tracking’, it was explained how distracted drivers are costing lives and damaging property including businesses. Through fleet tracking, issues in factors like safety, cost-savings, and efficiency are addressed.

To sum it all up, you can grow your business exponentially through utilising a fleet, but just like your business operations, a fleet also comes with the responsibility of effective management. Thankfully, information that aids its implementation is easily accessible.

For more personalised support in handling your business, you can proceed to our Contact Page to get in touch with an advisor directly.

Written by Alicia Venus
Exclusive for ukba.co.uk

Employment Allowance reduces NICs for Employers

10/04/2014 By Mushroom Internet

From 6th April 2014 employers are able to claim Employment Allowance. This Allowance reduces the NIC Class 1 payable by employers by up to £2000 per year. The aim of this allowance is to make it easier and less of a financial burden on small businesses to employ staff.

Employment Allowance

Not all businesses can claim the Employment Allowance however. Employers that cannot claim this allowance are those that:

employ someone for personal, household or domestic work, such as a nanny, au pair, chauffeur, gardener, care support worker
already claim the allowance through a connected company or charity
are a public authority, this includes; local, district, town and parish councils
carry out functions either wholly or mainly of a public nature (unless you have charitable status), for example:
- NHS services
- General Practitioner services
- the managing of housing stock owned by or for a local council
- providing a meals on wheels service for a local council
- refuse collection for a local council
- prison services
- collecting debt for a government department

The allowance can be claimed through your payroll software by automatically reducing the Employer NICs payable up to £2000. HRMC will automatically carry the claim forward for succeeding tax years.

Further information is available from the Government website at Employment Allowance.

Our experienced business advisors are available to help with any aspect of business and many of them are registered Growth Coaches. For a no obligation discussion contact us or call 0333 444 8522

Growth Vouchers – A New Scheme Offering Subsidised Advice to SMEs

10/02/2014 By Mushroom Internet

Growth Voucher business advice scheme This new scheme launched by the Government at the end of January is a £30 million fund that will enable qualifying small businesses to access expert business advice through an online Marketplace. Suitably qualified Business Advisors are registered on the Marketplace and you can choose one that is local to you, has the right expertise and has the experience.

Growth Vouchers are worth up to £2000 but you will need to match fund this. You can of course spend more if required but the maximum provided by Government will be £2000. The funding is aimed at SMEs obtaining advice in five categories: managing cashflow, late payments, and negotiating finance; developing skills and taking on staff; improving leadership and management; marketing, attracting, and keeping customers; and making the most of digital technology.

Vouchers can be obtained through a Government website and will be randomly issued to eligible companies. For further information and to see if you are eligible go to Growth Vouchers or email us. Alternatively call us for a no obligation discussion on your requirements on 0333 444 8522

Yet Another War on 'Red Tape'

07/02/2014 By Mushroom Internet

David Cameron recently announced that he was going to cut 3000 items of red tape as a way of helping small businesses. For instance out goes that riveting read “Cattle Movement Guidance” – all 640 pages of it! Also 286 pages of hedgerow regulations will disappear! I am not quite sure how that will benefit the majority of companies that operate from an office or in an industrial estate in the heart of some of our cities. He also mentioned that over 600 rules had already been swept away but have small businesses benefited from it? Are they even aware that these rules have gone? But he also said that it would take nearly 2 years to get rid of the rest! A slow motion war indeed.

When senior politicians start to talk about the war on red tape, I start to worry. I worry that such a major announcement (it was in all the media including online, print and broadcast) is because the Government is bereft of ideas on how to help small business develop and grow. They always seem to revert to the ‘war on red tape’ as if that is the panacea for all the problems that business owners have. Their theory goes that if they get rid of all the red tape (they won’t, they never do!) then businesses will save a lot of money, be more profitable and do more business. In theory they are right. Superfluous bureaucracy is indeed a drain on the resources of small business. But some red tape is a necessary evil and needs to be in place.

As James Hurley said in his piece in The Telegraph “….. it’s actually a rather lazy assumption about what entrepreneurs believe is holding them back…..”

Business owners by their very nature learn to overcome or get round obstacles that are put in their way. That is why they do what they do. I believe they have many other more important issues that hold them back rather than red tape. Late payment by large organisations, lack of sensible lending by banks, the cost of hiring staff are but three common issues faced by all small businesses

So as a new front opens up in the war on red tape what do you consider are the three most important issues your business faces in 2014? Use the comment facility on this blog to list them and we will publish the top three concerns of SMEs.

And if you want practical help and advice from experienced business people contact us or call us on 0333 444 8522 for a no obligation discussion.

Yet Another War on ‘Red Tape’

07/02/2014 By Mushroom Internet

As James Hurley said in his piece in The Telegraph “….. it’s actually a rather lazy assumption about what entrepreneurs believe is holding them back…..”

And if you want practical help and advice from experienced business people contact us or call us on 0333 444 8522 for a no obligation discussion.

Navigation

Businesses and individuals are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertain times due to the COVID-19 emergency. Our support page link is at the end of this newsflash.

Like you, we are feeling the impact to our work, families and friends. UK Business Advisors (UKBA) have contingency plans in place and are we already remote working and communicating via phone and video calls to support our clients.

As premier advisors to UK Small and Medium sized businesses, we are ready to play our part to help our clients and the wider business community during these difficult times. We remain confident that businesses that show decisive leadership can survive and bounce back.

It is important not to make panic decisions and make sure that you give your business and employees the best outcome.

Gordon Carmichael

Chair UK Business Advisors

IT Support, Fundamental Policies for Your IT Department

Making the IT Department Work

3 Reasons for Remote Network IT Support For Small Business

1. Problems Cannot Be Scheduled

2. Response Times Are Faster

3. Remote Support Is More Flexible