| Start-ups advised to always read the small print |
10/06/2005 |
| Hillyer McKeown, a North Wast law firm, is advising new and start-up businesses on how to ensure that they are paid in full and on time for their goods and services. The solution, the firm says, is in the fine print.
“Here the devil really is in the detail,” said Steve Harvey, partner and head of Hillyer McKeown’s commercial department. “It is absolutely critical that businesses draft, issue and enforce the right set of terms and conditions. “This involves covering every aspect of the supply process, including timings, pricings, minimum quality levels, quantities and when to expect the invoice.”
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| Small firms win over larger rivals with flexible working practices |
10/06/2005 |
| According to new research, 72% of small business decision makers said they would allow their staff to work remotely compared with 44% of those in larger firms.
The survey by business communications provider Mitel found that smaller firms have a more open attitude toward embracing new internet technology and IP telephony, allowing them to extend their talent pool nationally and internationally with remote staff.
Up to 83% of small business owners and managers said they would consider flexible working schemes, even for themselves, in order to ensure a better work-life balance, stating that new converged video, voice and data communications technology allows them to still work with customers consistently and efficiently. "Connecting home-based or remote staff with the central office is becoming more common as the UK is beginning to embrace newer technologies that bring solid business benefits," said Graham Bevington, managing director of Mitel.
"Remote staff can work from the company computer network and can take advantage of more advanced applications, such as online collaboration, video conferencing and online 'presence', which enables staff to identify where their colleagues are located and whether they are available," he added. "This is creating a more productive and happier workforce and is generating cost savings in return." |
| Financial downturn spreads to Services Industry |
10/06/2005 |
| According to a recent report from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), business volumes in consumer services firms, such as cinemas, travel operators and restaurants, failed to increase for the first time in 18 months in the last quarter. It was reported that profitability also failed to grow for the first time in nine months as Britons spent less on holidays, cut back on gym subscriptions and saw less movies.
Some 22% of firms saw volume fall while 22% saw it rise, leaving a flat balance of 0%. This contrasts with a positive balance of 26% in the survey. Following strong expectations for profitability in the previous survey, confidence fell for the first time since August 2004, reaching the depths of a negative 24% balance.
As a result, firms have scaled back predictions for the coming quarter and expect to cut their investment in land and buildings, vehicles and plant and machinery. Costs also outstripped increases in prices. The negative figures put even more pressure on the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to hold UK interest rates at 4.75% for yet another month. The MPC meets tomorrow to decide.
"The service sector has joined the unhappy ranks of retailers and manufacturers that are struggling in the face of softer demand," said Ian McCafferty, chief economic adviser of the CBI. "In this challenging economic environment, the Bank of England needs to maintain stability by leaving interest rates on hold."
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| Staff work £14.3 million holidays |
02/06/2005 |
| British employees fail to use 14.3 million days’ holiday each year, effectively providing companies with £1.2 billion worth of free labour, research carried out for the online travel firm Expedia suggests.
The survey of 2,000 adults found that one in eight only rarely take a holiday from work, while one in ten regularly work 50-hour weeks. One in three of those questioned blamed the failure to take a full holiday entitlement on a long hours culture and people being afraid to ask for the time off.
"With a £1.2 billion payout lining our employers' pockets, there's a long way to go before we take all the holiday we're entitled to,” said Expedia’s marketing director Elyas Chowdhury.
The poll also suggests that one in four workers pull sickies when they cannot face going into work. |
| Firms risk staff burn-out! |
02/06/2005 |
| Over half of Britain’s companies have no system in place to tackle staff burnout, despite evidence that more than one in two (52%) workers having suffered from overwork in the last six months, according to a survey by The Survey Shop.
The study, commissioned by human resources consultancy Hudson, discovered that three in ten workers (31%) questioned claim to have suffered exhaustion, with more than one in four (26%) having lost sleep or made themselves ill through worry about work. Nearly half of those polled said the problem had got worse over the past five years, blaming the increased pace of modern life, more competition and the growing burdens placed on fewer staff.
The research also suggested that 14% of HR managers have lost staff to burnout, with 36% witnessing a decline in productivity and 79% seeing a rise in the number of sick days taken due to overwork.
"It is worrying that business managers do not appear to be able to increase productivity and hold on to top talent at the same time," said Hudson chief executive John Rose. "For employers, an increase in absenteeism, premature career change and a decline in interest and productivity among employees can have a serious long-term effect on businesses success." |
| Small firms bending over backwards |
02/06/2005 |
| Smaller companies are leading the way in the adoption of flexible working practices and are starting to see it as a major advantage in the battle with competitors to attract and retain staff. Research suggests that 72% of small companies are now happy to allow staff to work remotely, compared with just 44% of larger British organisations.
The survey by telecommunications company Mitel also suggested that owners and managers of SMEs are more likely to lead by example, with 83% saying they would consider working flexibly themselves against just 63% of those in larger firms.
“Connecting home-based or remote staff with the central office is becoming more common as the UK is beginning to embrace new technologies that bring solid business benefits,” said Mitel’s EMEA managing director Graham Bevington.
“Remote staff can work from the company computer network and can take advantage of more advance applications such as online collaboration, video conferencing and online ‘presence’, which enables staff to identify where their colleagues are located and whether they are available. This is creating a more productive and happier workforce and is generating cost savings in return.” |
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