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Your EnterQuest Bulletin - Issue 271
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| Thought for the week: "Money frees you from doing things you dislike. Since I dislike doing nearly everything, money is handy." Groucho Marx |
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In this week's issue:
The benefits of serviced workspace
Finding suitable and affordable workspace has always been a major hurdle for people deciding to start their own business. In fact, many individuals who initially go down the freelance route often continue to use their home well into their third or fourth year because of the obstacles in taking on permanent premises.
Business owners are faced with a dilemma because location and the working environment can be the difference between success and failure. Yet property management is not something you'll want to worry about, let alone a long-term lease.
Serviced offices enable businesses to have accommodation that suits their needs without the hassle of leasing and managing a place of their own.
One of the main reasons why many businesses choose to take space in a serviced office is the flexibility it gives them. Conventional leases, which typically last for 10 years or more, tie businesses in to their offices. This means that if during the life of a lease, a business's space requirements change, they are unable to adjust without incurring significant costs, administrative issues or delays.
In a serviced office, tenants are able to expand and contract as they wish, usually at very short notice. This can be beneficial to a business when times are good and you need more space quickly, or equally when times are bad and you need to contract.
As well as flexibility, serviced offices allow businesses to enjoy an all-inclusive service. For a fixed price, tenants can expect to receive everything they will need to run their business, from desks, chairs and telephones to staffed reception desks, cleaning services and refreshment facilities.
The costs involved will vary depending on location, how many desks are taken and the length of stay, but serviced offices should not be thought of as an expensive option once all the associated costs involved in leasing or buying an office are taken into account.
Small businesses can benefit greatly from serviced offices, with the ability to set up quickly (within days) and enjoy facilities they would otherwise not be able to afford.
While serviced offices will never be a solution for every business, the flexibility and convenience of serviced offices can offer a great stepping stone on the road to expansion.
This tip is an extract of an article from EnterQuest's sister publication, BETTER business magazine. Subscribers to the magazine can read even more articles to help them run a better business, including:
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Three mistakes that could kill your business. The best-laid plans can go badly wrong, whatever the size of your business. Make sure you set clear objectives and avoid misunderstandings, says Richard Jones. (Issue 153)
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To receive a free copy of BETTER business magazine simply send us your name and address to enterquest@cobwebinfo.com, putting 'EQ magazine offer' in the subject box.
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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Clothing rental for dieters. Transitional Sizes is a clothing rental business for dieters who are between sizes and who want to rent, rather than buy, clothes while they try to reach their target weight.
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Customisable M&Ms®. We mentioned customisable peanuts a couple of weeks back, and customisable tissue boxes before that - customisation seems to be a trend that just grows and grows. Now M&Ms® are getting in on the act. The popular sweets can be customised with photos and text, which could appeal to businesses and consumers alike.
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 'tenet'?
a) a sub-lease on a property
b) an outburst
c) a principle or strong belief
d) an offer of guaranteed employment
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) Over half of publicans have reported a drop in trade, according to figures from trade magazine The Publican. But which of the following gets the blame for the dip?
a) the smoking ban
b) the credit crunch
c) increased taxes on alcohol
d) the world food crisis
2) The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed European Commission proposals which would allow VAT cuts on labour-intensive and locally provided services. Which of the following services is not part of the proposals?
a) renovation and maintenance of housing
b) hairdressing and beauty services
c) gardening services
d) supply of alcoholic drinks
3) A survey by Fortify Software has revealed that some 81% of businesses surveyed know their businesses are vulnerable to which security breach?
a) hacking
b) trojan worms
c) viruses
d) spyware
Answers at the end of the Bulletin.
Create and publish your own website
Website creation is getting easier thanks to a number of online tools designed for beginners. Webon helps you create and publish a site through your browser, free of charge, and is useful even if you don't have a great deal of web programming or design knowledge.
Online calculators to ease financial headaches
Accountancy firm the Robert James Partnership offers a set of online calculators which are useful for all sorts of financial topics. They're straightforward to use and include calculators for company car fuel benefit-in-kind, standard rated VAT, loan repayments and APR.
Patent checking for budding Einsteins
Esp@cenet is a database of patents useful for inventors and high-tech businesses. It's not comprehensive, so only the most recent patents are available, but it's fast and free to search.
New social network for social entrepreneurs
UnLtdWorld is a social networking site for social entrepreneurs, designed to provide news and facilitate the sharing of resources. Entrepreneurs operating in this area can also find and list products and services. Above all, it facilitates contact with other social entrepreneurs.
Win e-commerce web programme worth £400
EnterQuest has teamed up with Actinic to give a lucky reader the chance to win a copy of one of the top e-commerce web programmes.
Actinic Catalog is ideal for small businesses looking to provide an e-commerce option. It provides a range of e-commerce features and design flexibility needed to build and manage an individual and highly functional e-commerce operation.
The programme enables you to handle customer account management, taxation and shipping options, stock monitoring, content management, mailing list production and digital delivery for products. It also integrates with a wide range of online payment services.
Actinic is offering one lucky reader the change to win a copy of Actinic Catalog. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question:
Q. In a survey by Fortify software, which percentage of businesses have reported they know their business is vulnerable to hacking?
E-mail your answer, together with your name, address and daytime telephone number, using "Actinic Competition" as the e-mail subject line, to enterquest@cobwebinfo.com.
All entries must be received by 31 August. EnterQuest and Actinic will use the information you provide for their own marketing purposes only and your details will never be shared with any third parties (except to arrange delivery of the prize). Competition rules are available on request.
No doubt some of you reading this bulletin will have baulked at the thought of having to deliver an effective presentation - perhaps to your investors or to prospective buyers. This book, through its five-point check list, helps you to hone your presentation skills and present with confidence. Check out:
Just one word answer
The answer is c).
Tenet means strong belief or principle.
It is a tenet of our business to put our customers first. |
How's your business radar? The answers
1) The answer is b) - the credit crunch is to blame for a drop in trade, and not the smoking ban. The figures, from trade magazine The Publican, came as England saw in the first anniversary of the smoking ban.
2) The answer is d) - the supply of alcoholic drinks is an activity not named in the EC's proposal to enable governments to introduce VAT cuts. The cuts would apply to labour-intensive and locally provided services.
3) The answer is a) - some 81% of firms surveyed know their business is vulnerable to hacking. A further third admit they are very worried about the security of their applications. |
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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. |
