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Your EnterQuest Bulletin - Issue 236
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| Thought for the week: "I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours." Hunter S. Thompson |
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In this week's issue:
Why dark nights may be bad for business
You may have appreciated the extra hour in bed last Sunday but the darker nights heralded by the end of British Summer Time (BST) may actually be bad for business.
So says Hilary Burrage, a self-employed consultant in strategic policy, who passionately opposes putting the clocks back an hour at the end of October.
As well as having a positive economic impact, she says lighter winter evenings would have benefits for safety, health and the environment. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) shares Hilary's view, because statistically, more accidents happen during the dark evenings. Hilary says people are more likely to exercise after work or school, so lighter evenings are better for health. She also points to the energy that would be saved when electric lights are not switched on so early in the day.
Hilary says business would be a big winner, because people are more prepared to go out and spend money after work when it's light, rather than tuck themselves away in front of the TV.
She said: "The economy is boosted by more evening activity and it's geared to the local economy.
"What's so special about nine-to-five? If you were in commerce and you happen to live near a leisure facility then maybe it would be better to adjust your times to fit in with theirs."
She also points to the advantage other countries in Europe have over Britain, because they are running on the same time. Apart from the UK, Portugal is the only other European Union (EU) nation that changes the clocks twice a year.
"Look and see what your competitors elsewhere are doing," she said.
From 1968-71, the UK experimented with year-round BST. At the end of the trial, there were complaints that children had to go to school in the dark. Because the sun rises later (and sets later) in the north, Scottish farmers also protested about the gloomy mornings.
Hilary, who is based in Liverpool, said: "I think the Scottish question is an impediment."
But she reckons it shouldn't really make a difference, because farmers can get up whenever they want to.
"Most farmers are businessmen and they're completely autonomous. What does it matter to them? Cows can't actually tell the time, they won't mind."
Earlier this year, MP Tim Yeo introduced a private Members Bill which went one step further than demanding year-round BST. It suggested staying in BST during the winter months, then putting the clocks forward another hour for the summer. Although the non-partisan Bill received a majority, it didn't progress to the next stage because there were fewer than 100 votes in favour.
"He didn't lose the argument, he just didn't round up enough people," said Hilary, who is a member of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and sits on advisory panels for a number of public bodies.
There hasn't been an in-depth analysis of the effects of staying in BST for around 20 years.
"It may be the time has come to do a serious assessment," Hilary said.
Hints and tips for hair and beauty businesses
The UK's hair and beauty industry is very closely regulated, and there are many statutory regulations and strict guidelines in place concerning safety and quality.
The types of businesses affected include:
Legal obligations depend on the types of treatments provided. Invasive treatments, such as semi-permanent make-up application and electrolysis, and any treatments involving lasers, are subject to very specific laws.
The Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2004 apply if you produce your own hairdressing or beauty products. The Regulations cover product safety, ingredients and labelling. Cosmetic products can also include aromatherapy products that are applied to the skin.
The Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Nickel) (Safety) Regulations 2000 place a strict limit on the amount of nickel that can be contained in earrings and other body piercing jewellery.
The Care Standards Act 2000 contains provisions for the safe use of laser and intense pulsed light equipment for beauty therapy purposes.
If you plan to play music in your salon you will need a licence to play pre-recorded music under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. You may require two licences, one from the Performing Rights Society, which represents the writers and publishers of the music, and one from Phonographic Performance Ltd, which represents the performers and record companies.
The Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia) produces various guidance leaflets on the legislation that applies to hair and beauty businesses. You can download a leaflet on hygiene in beauty therapy from Habia's website.
For more information see our practical legal guide for hair and beauty businesses.
Each week we provide you with summaries of some popular or emerging business ideas in the UK and elsewhere around the world.
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Recycling consultant. As businesses strive to meet their environmental and social responsibility targets, recycling consultants are on hand to help them devise suitable policies.
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Pop-up hair salons. HairPODs are portable pop-up salons that can be installed almost anywhere, as long as there's an electricity supply. The pods have innovative features such as suction units to get rid of hair clippings.
Regularly improving your vocabulary is not just about learning a new word and its meaning. It will improve your general knowledge and make you feel and act smarter in all sorts of personal and business situations.
Do you know the meaning of the word 'beholden'?
a) being on a higher level
b) obliged or indebted
c) to hold one's own
d) looking at intently
Answer at the end of the Bulletin.
The following topical business issues have been recently reported in the media. Did your radar pick them up?
1) Start up firms should be given help to deal with what issue, according to an influential committee of MPs?
a) the tax regime
b) employment law
c) health and safety regulations
d) bank debt
2) Christmas and Easter are the first and second most lucrative events of the year for retailers. Which event now takes third place, according to a new study?
a) Valentine's Day
b) Mother's Day
c) Bonfire Night
d) Hallowe'en
3) A new survey has found that market stalls and independent shops are much better than supermarkets when it comes to doing what?
a) selling cheap alcohol
b) providing the personal touch
c) offering multi-buys
d) producing recyclable packaging
Answers at the end of the Bulletin.
Health and safety guidelines for company directors
This guide has been written by directors for directors, and serves as a reminder that owners of small firms have to take the lead when it comes to staying on top of health and safety legislation. The guide is available to view from the Health and Safety Executive's website.
ExcelTip website
This ExcelTip website lists hints, tips and tricks to help you get the most out of Excel programs. It lists tips by category and by version, and includes hints for the latest version, Excel 2007.
Keepmoving website
This is a really useful resource for people who have to drive as part of their business. The Keepmoving website features live traffic bulletins and eyewitness reports as well as a chart showing typical congestion times. There is an interactive section where you can check out your planned route and you can order updates to be sent to your mobile phone.
Workplace Health Connect website
This website has been funded by the Government and provides free, confidential and practical advice to small businesses on health and safety, managing sickness and other related issues. It has an advice line that's open to employers and employees. The website can be translated into Welsh. If you're in Scotland, check out the Healthy Working Lives website.
This book is all about vision and your ability to turn it into a reality. The author takes the example "Let's put a man on the moon in ten years" and uses it as a platform to help business owners formulate their visions and make them actionable. The author claims that by the time you've read the book, you'll have a three-page written summary about where your business is headed. Check out:
Just one word answer
The answer is b).
Beholden means obliged or indebted.
Sarah refused her cousin's offer of financial help to start her hairdressing business because she didn't want to feel beholden to him. |
How's your business radar? The answers
1) The answer is a) - The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says new enterprises should receive advice on dealing with tax issues, to help them survive their difficult first few years.
2) The answer is d) - Researchers say Britons are now spending £120 million annually celebrating the Hallowe'en festival.
3) The answer is d) - Not only did markets and independent shops produce less packaging, the wrappings they did provide were more likely to be recyclable, the Local Government Association (LGA) said. |
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Good luck
The EnterQuest Team
This information is meant as a starting point only. Whilst all reasonable efforts have been made, the publisher makes no warranties that the information is accurate and up-to-date and will not be responsible for any errors or omissions in the information nor any consequences of any errors or omissions. Professional advice should be sought where appropriate. |
