Are you up to speed with Twitter, do you have thousands of fans on Facebook? If you thought you’d got social media sorted when it comes to promoting your business, things may be set to change with the introduction of Google Buzz.

Google Buzz is integrated into Gmail, so potentially has an audience of tens of millions of people. Buzz combines element of Twitter, Facebook and the quickly rising Foursquare, but with unique elements that may set it apart from its predecessors.

Gathering Customer Feedback: Like Twitter, Buzz lets you post a message to a group of “followers” that subscribe to your … Continue Reading

A recent survey has shown that many small businesses have a lack of awareness when it comes to the legalities of running their company. The study, by the Department for Business Innovations and Skills, shows that only 32% of small business owners feel confident in their understanding of employment law and their role as an employer.

Most worryingly, 34% of those asked think employment law obligations are ‘not relevant’ to their business, while 20% had concerns as to whether they were meeting these obligations- even if they understood them.

Employment relations minister Lord Young said: “We know that running a small business … Continue Reading

According to a review of ten research studies, involving more than 16,000 people, workers who have control over their working hours enjoy better health because they are less stressed and get more rest.

The review, conducted by researchers at the Wolfson Research Institute based at Durham University, and published by the Cochrane Library, found mental health, blood pressure, and sleep patterns were better among people who could determine their own working hours.

By contrast, fixed-term contracts and other situations were working conditions were determined by the employer had no benefits for health. One study even showed fixed working hours had a … Continue Reading

Following the collapse of the banking system and a period of economic uncertainty, the UK is in serious debt, some of which small businesses will be called upon to help pay back. An increase in National Insurance is one the way…

The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) has revealed today (15 February) that small firms in the UK believe that the planned National Insurance increase should be scrapped and replaced by a less damaging alternative.

In the BCC’s latest Monthly Business Survey, companies were asked what they thought were the Government’s most pressing issues. A considerable 41% answered that reducing the budget … Continue Reading

More worrying details have come to light regarding the HMRC’s tax code blunder.

In a report by the BBC, revenue employees stated that the new system, in numerous cases, cannot be relied upon to generate the correct tax codes and the general feeling is that this situation is getting worse, not better.

An employee, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the testing of the new system was inadequate – it stopped short of issuing new tax codes, the point at which the system has gone wrong.

The Revenue denied this claim. It said: “Annual coding was subjected to rigorous testing, with … Continue Reading

The tax-return deadline has been and gone and for many, getting everything in order for the dreaded day of reckoning, was a tedious ordeal. To avoid a headache in 2011, a belated New Year’s resolution should be to keep your books up-to-date for a stress free year-end.

For small businesses, keeping track of cash flow can be a struggle. With limited staff, or none at all, keeping on top of accounting often falls by the wayside in busy periods.

There are some simple steps you can take to make sure your business finances start, and end, 2010 in order.

• Set up a … Continue Reading

To launch my new ‘Twitter Tuesday’s’, starting next week (9th February), where I will be answering all accountancy related questions for one hour from 11am, today’s blog looks at the business benefits of this growing phenomenon.

Love it or loathe it, Twitter is becoming an irrepressible force that’s hard to ignore. While it started life as a place for celebrities to talk about themselves, increasingly, Twitter is becoming a useful marketing tool for businesses large and small, allowing for instant customer interaction and the potential for increased website traffic.

With current users at around the 5 million mark, Twitter presents an opportunity … Continue Reading

Today (2 February) sees the launch of the second National Apprenticeship Week, aimed at celebrating apprentices and promoting apprenticeships in Britain.

The apprenticeship scheme provides a real opportunity for employers to take on cost-effective labour who can be trained to meet the specific needs of their business. For apprentices, the scheme delivers paid, on-the-job experience at a time when University places are at a premium and tuition fees and the student loan means years of debt for graduates.

A recent survey on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council identified that the 76% of employers asked, stated that apprentices helped them … Continue Reading