Save your business thousands of pounds of National Insurance

Duncan Mitchell

Duncan Mitchell

Today we have a guest post from Duncan Mitchell, a director at CED Accountancy Services, based in Towcester. I wanted to get an expert in to make sure I share the correct and appropriate information with my readers, so here’s Duncan’s explanation of the government’s new reduced national insurance contributions scheme, giving relief to employers on Employers’ National Insurance Contributions. Read on to find out more …

In June 2012, according to the Office for National Statistics, growth in the UK economy slowed, partly because of the extra bank holiday in April that year. The Federation of Small Businesses called for a reduction in National Insurance contributions and company owners indicated to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) that they would take on more staff if National Insurance contributions were cut. Boris Johnson also applied his extensive economic knowledge to the problem and urged the government to “look at” lowering the cost of National Insurance in an effort to stimulate the economy.

And so, in the March 2013 budget, the Chancellor introduced relief for the first £2,000 of Employer’s National Insurance Contributions for ALL employers from April 2014. This means that the smallest businesses may not have to pay any Employers’ NIC at all.

We must not forget that in 2010 the Coalition government introduced a geographically targeted scheme to help new businesses in the UK. The dividing line as to whether a new business qualifies is very near here. For example, Towcester, Northampton and Brackley qualify for the scheme, while Stony Stratford and Banbury do not.  Under this scheme, for a limited period and subject to meeting certain conditions, new businesses may qualify for a deduction of up to £5,000 from the Employer’s NICs that would normally be due – for each of the first ten employees they take on. This scheme is still in operation and will be until September 2013.

So far, though, the scheme has proved to be a flop. Fewer than 20,000 businesses have applied for the relief, even though the Chancellor had targeted 400,000 over 3 years.

Possibly a reason that take up has been poor is because the reliefs have not been communicated adequately to business owners. At CEDAS we feel we feel it is very important that new businesses are aware of the tax breaks available to them, as for some early-stage businesses the availability and use of these reliefs could be ‘make or break issues’.

The views given in this blog are personal to the author, if you would like to discuss the contents of this post with CEDAS please contact them on 01327 358 866 or take a look at their website.

2013
04/18
CATEGORY
General
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Sage 50 Payroll V19 – Update 2

It is almost time for the new Real Time Information era of Payroll submissions, and as usual I am making sure I run everything in my own payroll first so that I can correctly advise my customers on how to follow the new process.  There is no better way to learn than to do!

So – first things first – have you downloaded your year end legislation pack?  You need to have Sage Cover for this – there is no way around it – if you don’t have cover, please get in touch and I can help you to get it in place.

If, like me, you installed your Sage Payroll Version 19 software back in November when it was released, it is easy to forget that you now need a new version to make sure that all the legislation is correct.  If you go to Help -> About in your software and your version number is 19.00.0016 this means that you have not yet installed the new version. However – if you click on ‘Check for Updates’, Sage will tell you there are no updates – but there are.

You need to download the software from your Payroll Sage Cover area on the Sage website at https://payroll.sage.co.uk – you will need to log in and click on Software Updates and then download your tax year software update.  You need to close all Sage products including Sage 50 and ACT before you do this – and you should also close Excel before installing this update.

Sage Payroll Website

Sage Payroll Website

Once this software is installed, you will find that your version has changed to 19.01.075.  If you go to Help -> Check for Updates now, you will find Update 2 available to download and install.  This MUST BE DONE before you start to do your first RTI submission.  It is a little confusing, as there is no Update 1 because it has been replaced by Update 2, which is not the usual way things are done.

The one thing I did find confusing is that once I had installed Update 2, the version number still said 19.01.075 – but the update had definitely installed.  I always go to the Company->Legislation area for my own peace of mind too and check the legislation matches the new HMRC legislation – you need to make sure that your processing date is 6th April or after otherwise the legislation displayed will still be last year’s.  An easy guide is to check the Emergency Tax Code – if is says 944L you are in the correct year.

2013 2014 Legislation Settings

2013 2014 Legislation Settings

The other confusing thing is that if you check the legislation before doing these two updates the message at the bottom of the screen says ‘The Legislation Settings shown are for the 2013/2014 Tax Year’, even though they are clearly incorrect.  Doing the two updates means that the legislation is now correct.

Summary: Updating Sage 50 Payroll V19 Update 2

  1. Check your version number (Help – About) – if it’s 19.00.0016 you need to do an update
  2. Close Sage, ACT and Excel
  3. Log in to https://payroll.sage.co.uk click on Software Updates and then download and install your tax year software update
  4. In Sage, Help – About shows version has changed to 19.01.075
  5. Help – Check for Updates – download and install Update 2
  6. Check Company->Legislation area for the legislation matching the new HMRC legislation (processing date must be after 6 April, Emergency Tax Code says 944L)

I hope that this article has helped you if you are having problems with your payroll – and good luck with your first RTI submission – although don’t try to do them until after  6am on Saturday 6th April as HMRC are carrying out scheduled maintenance on the Gateway before then – no doubt preparing the decks for all of our new submissions!

**Update as of 23rd April**

Update 3 for Sage 50 Payroll has now also been rolled out.  Following download and installation of this third update your version number should read 19.01.079 .

2013
04/05
CATEGORY
Sage
Sage Payroll
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6 top tips for runing a stall at a fete

I have now been a distributor with Forever Living since June last year, and have had a steep learning curve with many aspects of running my own network marketing business. It is such a complete change from my day job as a Sage Bookkeeping trainer. The wonderful thing about being part of Forever Living is that those who have been in the business longer than you are always happy to help and offer advice.

So, in that vein, I thought I would offer my top 6 tips for running a stall at a fete or event – the tips of course can apply to craft stalls, other network marketing companies or any stall you might host.

1) Make sure if at all possible that you are the only stall doing Forever Living / your type of craft / insert other stall here – inform the organisers that is a condition of your attendance. I can understand there being other stalls offering similar products, but two from the same company just confuses the customers.

2) Don’t pay more than £10 – £20 for the stall – the best for you is a % of you takings (15% works well) but many have fixed fees. You are often asked to donate a raffle prize, too – this can be a voucher for money off for someone to choose something from your stall and doesn’t have to be a product or item.  Often you don’t sell much at the actual event but you are getting your products noticed.

3) Take along prize draw forms . I have a tick box on mine asking if people mind being emailed about special offers, as if you want to build up an email list of potential customers, the Data Protection Act says that people have to opt in to receive emails. Some consider them giving you the email address enough permission, but I like to make sure. Also, if you are keeping data about customers you really should register with the Information Commissioners Office for Data Protection.

4) Promote the event as much as you can yourself – ask for a poster and put it on your Facebook page and on other social media – the more people you can tell about the event the more customers you may have yourself.

5) Arrive at the event nice and early to set up, and try to get round to look at and exchange details with other stall holders. Sometimes I have been to badly promoted events where the only sales and contacts I have had are the other stall holders – make sure you hand out the prize draw forms to them too.  It is also useful to ask the other stall holders if you can join forces and let each other know about future events.

6) If you are new to your business, borrow stock from your upline (if relevent) for the event which you can then order and replenish if you sell it. Popular items at fetes for me are low value items such as  Aloe Lips, Deodorant, Propolis Creme and Aloe Gelly. Make sure where possible you have open tubes of the creams and other products and pick them up and encourage people to try them at the event. People often have limited money to spend at these events – but you can hand out literature about higher value products to follow up later.

And most of all – enjoy yourself – smile and be enthusiastic about your wonderful products.

I am recruiting in my business at the moment, so if you would like to find out more or share my success then please email me at alison.mead@siliconbullet.com.

Alison at Come and Try Aloe Event

Alison at Come and Try Aloe Event

2013
03/26
CATEGORY
Forever Living
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Clean 9 Detox Top Tips

When you decide to do a detox it is often quite a hard decision. You need to make sure that you choose the right product, then decide where to buy it from, then when it arrives you are often keen to get started before you change your mind.

STOP !

STOP !

But stop – wait – think a little – if you want your detox to be a positive and rewarding experience and not end up in disaster then you should follow these tips and preparation guidelines in order to make the most out of the experience, and to achieve the best results possible.

1. Have a clear goal as to why you want to do the detox.

Do you have a target weight – do you want to fit into a particular pair of jeans or want to reduce your dress or waist size? Maybe stick a picture of yourself at your ideal weight on the fridge door or somewhere you will see it regularly. Do you just want more energy? Your goal will motivate you to continue when the going gets tough. Share your goal with others, as saying it out loud will make it more real.

2. If you’re doing Clean 9, start taking the Aloe Gel 1 weeks in advance of your planned detox if you have never tried the Gel before.

A normal recommended daily dose of Aloe Gel is 60mls – you can start with 15mls for two days, then 30mls – then build up to 60mls on Day 5. Aloe is a natural cleanser and improves your absorption of nutrients, but you drink the Gel in large quantities on the first 2 days of the Clean 9 detox, and some people’s digestive systems need to get accustomed to the Gel first. Some people who rush into the detox feel sick if they have not allowed their body to get used to the Gel first.

3. Start to reduce your caffeine and sugar intake gradually in the week before you start.

Doing the detox is the start of a new healthier you. This means changes which you will hopefully be able to continue after you have finished the detox. Taking gradual steps to improve your diet is much easier than a sudden cease of all caffeine and sugar all on one day – those who suddenly reduce intake often have headaches and feel sick as a result, but gradually weaning your body off these unhealthy foods will help your body cope much better. Reducing your cigarettes will also help.

4. Weigh yourself and take measurements as you start to follow these top tips.

You will often find if you follow the steps above you may well start to lose lbs or inches before you even start the detox. Seeing your weight or size start to decrease is an excellent motivator.

5. Make a shopping list of  600 calorie meal ideas and practise some of the meals.

Planning your meals before you start the detox will  mean you will be more likely to eat healthy meals and less likely to snack or grab convenience foods.  Our nutrilean website has menu ideas to get you started. I used to calorie count using an app called My Fitness Pal on my phone, so when I did the Clean 9 I was able to look through my favourite meals and see which would fit in with the 600 calorie meals.  Try not to include too much processed food and empty calories in your meals.Although the shakes you take as part of the Clean 9 provide you with all the nutrition you need, you are on the steps to a healthier lifestyle, so start as you mean to go on.

6. Don’t stop taking your normal supplements.

If you are already taking health supplements, don’t stop these when you are doing your detox. Also, if you are prone to getting an upset tummy or constipated when you make diet changes then we recommend you add the Forever Active Probiotic to your daily routine.  Aloe Gel is a prebiotic –  it fosters the growth of and provides the ideal environment for a probiotic to function.  If your goal for doing the Clean 9 is to have a healthier digestive system, taking the probiotic will enhance your nutrient absorption and immune system. Our Probiotic comes in a layered capsule for slow release and so does not need refrigerating.

7. Start doing 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Fitting exercise into your daily routine can become a habit, even if it is taking the stairs instead of the lift, or getting off the bus one stop earlier than usual.  It doesn’t need to be going to the gym – a brisk walk can also be good exercise.

8. Increase your water intake.

Many people who do the detox do not drink enough water, which can cause headaches as the body gets dehydrated. I know drinking 2 litres of water per day can be difficult, so this is another habit you need to try to get into before you start. Coffee and wine do not count: in fact, you should add one extra glass of water to your daily intake for each cup of coffee or glass of wine you drink. Water also helps you to feel less hungry by filling you up.

Clean 9

Clean 9

So – now you have read the top tips – you know how to make the most out of your Clean 9 detox. Please contact Alison at Silicon Bullet to find out how to buy your Clean 9 detox via the links to Twitter, Facebook or our Website at the top of the page, or take a look at out Clean 9 and Nutri-Lean website , you can purchase both products, or try the individual supplements and gels, from the on line shop using the Order Forever Nutri-Lean button on the bottom right of the site.

2013
03/16
CATEGORY
Forever Living
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Networking in Milton Keynes

As I said in my previous post, Making Networking Work, I am a keen networker and get an awful lot from attending the meetings. I am quite choosy about where I go, though, as I could have breakfast, lunch and dinner every day at a networking meeting if I didn’t actually need to do some normal work too!

The previous post focused on networking in Northampton, but I also attend a few meetings in Milton Keynes …

WIBN Milton Keynes – Women only - Meet at Abbet Hill Hotel, Two Mile Ash on the first Tuesday of the month from 12-2pm.

This meeting has the same format as the WIBN Northampton meeting I mentioned in my previous post.  Also members at both meetings get to take it in turns to make a longer 10 minute presentation to the group, and one of the members also runs a ‘training’ slot which usually covers some aspect of business development or ways of making the most of your networking. The Milton Keynes group has recently moved from Stony Stratford and been re-launched, and as such is growing fast.  The meetings are informative and fun and also include a buffet lunch in the hotel. I find WIBN a great mix between being more formal and business like compared to the groups which do not demand a membership fee, but also relaxing enough that you feel you can be yourself. You need to commit to come every month to get the most out of these meetings, and bringing guests is encouraged as long as their sector is not already covered. See a list of members and contact details at the WIBN website.WIBN

Business Biscotti – Meet at The Living Room, The Hub Milton Keynes, on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9.30 – 1130am.

I have only managed to go to this meeting once, but it is another good meeting for dipping your toe into networking for the first time, as the cost is low but the meeting I went to was fairly busy.  You can just turn up, and tea and coffee is included – but it is up to you to choose who to chat to and if you want to swap cards, as there is no formal part to the meeting. You can find contact details of the Ambassadors who normally attend the meetings on the website.

Coffee and Cake – Meet at Dobbies Garden Centre, Fenny Stratford, every other Thursday from 9.30 to 11.30am.

Run by local IFA Jennifer Nicholls, who is also a Business Biscotti ambassador, this is a great meeting with a mix of the formal and the relaxed. We gather in the conservatory of the garden centre and when everyone has had a chance to enjoy a drink (the cake is optional!) then Jennifer calls us to order and we all give our 1 minute pitch about our business – you will see from my posts that quite a few groups have a 1 minute slot so it is best to have one prepared if you don’t like talking off the cuff.  Once we have handed round cards, people break into smaller groups to chat, which is made easier by the fact that you will have had the chance to decide who you want to connect with during the 1 minute talks. Coffee and Cake has a Linked In group page, or you can email Jennifer for more information on jnicholls@tamarifa.co.uk.

Nova Networking – Meet at Odell House, Newport Pagnell, on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12 – 2pm.

Chaired by Jules White of The Last Hurdle, this is probably one of the most relaxed networking meetings I have been to, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t professional. This is another group which when you join your sector is ‘locked out’ so you need to book in to check if you are able to attend. You need your ’1 minute’ prepared and we also have a testimonials slot which always shows how much business is being done in the room. It’s a great group to join, as the members are incredibly supportive and there is a vibrant Twitter community which stems from the meetings – look for @NovaNetworkOrg on twitter and check out the website.

I hope that these two posts about local meetings prove useful, and I would love to hear about the networking groups you would recommend, too.

Nova Networking

Nova Networking

2013
03/04
CATEGORY
General
Networking
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Making Networking Work

I am a keen networker, and have been for three years. It serves more than one purpose for me. Apart from the obvious advantage of finding new business leads, I have met and got to know other excellent local business people, I have made good  friends, and it gets me out of the office and gives me the social element that running your own business often lacks. In fact, most of our new customers over the last three years can be traced directly back to someone I originally got to know through a networking meeting.

Once you have met someone through networking, the best way to get to know them better is to have a follow-up meeting or a one-to-one, where you find out about each other’s business. I tend to meet people in a local coffee shop or for lunch. It is quite often a revelation how much you have in common, or how business ideas or possible partnerships can come from these meetings, even when you thought your business was nothing to do with the business of the person you are meeting. I also find it useful to meet people who are in the same business as myself, as we can often refer business to each other, or have extra niches of expertise that can prove very useful.

I find I am regularly asked at these one-to-one meetings which other networking meetings I go to – and what I get out of them – this gave me the idea for a couple of blog posts about the local networking meetings I do attend – to save me copying and pasting the information into countless emails!

Networking in Northampton

Synergy Networking Group – Meet at Yeoman of England, Wootton Village, Northampton 9.30am to 11.30 – usually on a Monday once a month – contact Mandy (mandy@forever-yourfuture.co.uk) for details of the next meeting.

This is a low-cost  meeting (£6 including drinks) which varies in size for 3-4 people up to 15 in the most popular months. It is an excellent first networking meeting for nervous new networkers. We sit around a table in the pub and chat and catch up – and even when the meetings are small they are excellent for getting to know other local business people.Synergy

WIBN Northampton – Women only networking – Meet at The Old White Hart, Far Cotton on the 3rd Thursday of the month – this is a ‘lock out’ group, so you can only attend if your type of business is not already represented – take a look at the website for members and contact details to book.

WIBN Northampton was my first ‘serious’ networking group – and by that I mean the first one I joined for which you need to pay an annual membership fee, although visitors are welcome.  It is more formal in format and members get to present a 1-minute talk about their business to the room, pass business cards and flyers round, and also give testimonials about work done by other members. It is a great place to take a prospective client, as if you are established in the group other members will most likely say great things about you!  You need to commit to attending every month if you join, but it is well worth it, as the connections you make can go far.WIBN

Northampton Business Breakfast (FSB) – Meet at Westone Manor Hotel, Weston Favell on the  2nd Friday of the Month from 7.15am to 9am. Visitors are welcome and pay a little more than members. email jo@office-octopus.co.uk who is the branch secretary.

There are many breakfast networking meetings in the area, but as a busy Mum with school runs to do I cannot often free my time to go. I visited this group first, though, and really enjoyed the format, the people and the food – so I have now joined the FSB and make the effort to go every month.  While breakfast is being served you have the opportunity to present your business in 1 minute to everyone on your table – so selecting where you sit is important if you want to make new connections. Business cards and flyers can be displayed and handed out round your table too.  There is a talk each month which usually proves interesting and informative. If you wish to visit as a guest, please let me know, as we both get a discount compared to if you just book for yourself! FSB - ogo

I hope my small insight into these three different meetings proves useful. I will follow up this post with a similar Networking in Milton Keynes post soon, as we live directly between the two towns, so I am ideally placed to network in both places.

2013
02/27
CATEGORY
General
Networking
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Learning to Run Step One – Get the right tools for the job

As I said in my previous post How life changes – looking back and going forward, I have decided that in 2013, having mastered walking, I am now going to learn to run. I thought I would share the tools I have used to get me started – as having the right tools for the job definitely makes things easier.

My Smartphone

I have a Galaxy S2 smartphone – and I use it for EVERYTHING, so it was the first place I turned to when I was looking for help with my challenge.  I already used the sports tracking app Endomondo to track all of my walks and other exercise last year.  Endomondo has great challenges you can join, and that was how I logged my 100 miles every month – no messy spreadsheets to manage – just turn on your GPS – set Endomondo running – and the app does the rest.

Runkeeper

So I searched for an app which provides an easy-to-follow programme to get you running, and I settled on Runkeeper.  I was able to set my target as being able to run a 5k in early March – and then the app gave me a programme of walks and runs to follow leading up to this goal.  It suggests one workout every other day , which as I used to try and walk every day, seemed quite manageable.

However, Runkeeper did suggest I did short runs from quite early on, before I was really ready to – so I used it alongside my Endomondo, where I set up an interval training programme which would beep every minute or so, and I used this to do my burst of exercise with alternating walking and running segments.  This has really helped me to keep focused and spurred me on to run a little more than I would have done without these apps to tell me what to do.

Heart Monitor

For my birthday I was given a Zephyr heart monitor.  If you are exercising to lose weight, using a heart monitor makes the calorie burn estimates in Endomondo much more accurate – and you can see your fitness levels improving too by seeing how quickly your heart rate comes down after exercise.  This monitor attaches to a strap you wear round your chest, and links via Bluetooth to the Endomondo app on my phone.  I was very interested to see how my heart rate fluctuates during a Zumba class – we do a very high impact routine to a Rhianna song and that gives me my peak reading!

Supplements

I take several supplements which help keep my energy levels up.  For a start, I take Bee Pollen tablets each morning which helps with energy and stamina,  I take Arctic Sea  for the fish oils and Omega 3 and 6 which has really helped control my inherited high Cholesterol levels and also I take a vitamin C supplement called Absorbant C which helps maintain healthy connective tissues, skin joints and respiratory functions.

Products for Fitness

Products for Fitness

The new supplement I have been trying is a drink you make up from powder called ARGI + which maintains healthy blood pressure and cardiovascular health.  ARGI+ contains L-Argenine and vitamins and I take the drink just before I go out running – and I have noticed that I can catch my breath more easily  when I remember to take it just before my run. I have seen some excellent testimonials from Iron Man competitors about the Forever Living supplements I am taking and how they have helped others – I am not quite up to their activity levels, but every little helps!  You can learn more about these products on my website – clicking on the Order Forever Nutri-Lean button at the bottom right to get access to the web shop.

Progress So Far

So how am I doing with my challenge?  Well, on Sunday 27th January I took part in my first Just Racing 5k Cross country race.  I managed a time of 38:28 and although I walked up some of the hills, I am very proud of my achievement.   Weather and work have now meant I have missed out on a couple of weeks of running – but you may see me at a Park Run in Northamptonshire soon trying to improve my time!

Myself and Jo with our medals.

Myself and Jo with our medals.

2013
02/12
CATEGORY
Forever Living
General
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