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Useful advice, tips and business news.

November 11, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Affordable ways of marketing with events

Affordable marketing events can be a great way for smaller companies to take an interest in them and get people talking about their products and services.

Organising marketing events can be a great way for smaller companies to take an interest in them and get people talking about their products and services.As such, here are some ways to market effectively, that will not blow your budget:

Get a Partner

Venue costs can be prohibitive, especially if you use a premium locale in London (e.g., Soho, if your company is based on design). So having a partner on board that has available office space is a great way to eliminate this particular headache and sidestep long-term contracts, leaving you to pay the bill if things do not go as expected.

Meeting Room

There are many companies that now offer high quality meeting rooms at this type of event, and at prices that most SMEs can afford. Many of this type of place are actually based in London, which allows you to use the capital city, without using up all your capital.

Invite influential speakers

There are a few people who meet you for the opportunity to attend a business event as a speaker or VIP, so make a list of people that you think will help generate attention. Remember to include press contacts between them. You will not get everyone on the list, but make sure to arouse sufficient interest amongst influential people.

Go Online

If you want your event to be a success, you need to promote it, which can make social media an invaluable tool. Be sure to put the word out on social networking sites, newsletters and a website to generate interest.

November 11, 2014
May 5, 2021

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2 Tips to starting a new business

Starting a new business does not necessarily require large amounts of money, starting with a robust infrastructure or inventing the most innovative product.

The ability to open a new business is within your reach. Your Virtual Office London have helped advise many small start-ups on how to best run their new business operation. This topic is usually associated with greater well-being, freedom, fulfillment and many other attributes that reflect the desire of people to transcend professionally. However, starting a business is not really important, but to make it successful and to endure transcends and endures over time as "business".Starting a good business does not necessarily require large amounts of money, starting with a robust infrastructure or inventing the most innovative product. What it requires is that we know our business to find an opportunity, and seize this by preparing properly.Here we share some general considerations that are important to increase the chances of success in a new business:

1. Do something new or "the same", but different

First, you must already have an idea you want to do. That is, where to get a goal. Many businesses are formed and become successful because they know and detect important needs to develop effective ways of meeting them. This could be by developing a completely new product that identifies and solves a new "problem" or developing one that satisfies more "efficiently" a need that other products do.What`s important here is not to identify or solve a problem that is not a problem for those who would be your clients. Thus, validating your ideas and assumptions is necessary before opening any business. Finally, remember that the most important thing is to do something you like. If you do what you love and you persevere, you'll do well!

2. Confirm your potential customers

Related to the previous point, you need to confirm starting the business from the product or service that you have will eventually provide a solid base of customers. Many businesses that fail, start without properly assessing their customer base, spending most of the time in the development of the product or service and when they find those who they thought were their customers would not actually buy into the emerging market.Successful businesses base their development on the basis of verified, reliable and good paying customers. We also suggest that you take the time to develop a strategy for customers, which confirm that there really are people interested in what you're offering.Your Virtual Office London are a leading virtual office provider in London. We have helped many thousands of small business start up in business. Our services have been designed to help improve the image of your new business. A virtual office can really help increase consumer confidence in your operation and provides a good return on investment in most cases.

November 7, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Tips to create the right impressions for your SME

Tips to create the right impressions for your SME. There are several benefits of being in business, including the increased adaptability and flexibility.

There are several benefits of being in business, including the increased adaptability and flexibility than other larger companies may sometimes lack. However, customers will often associate SME`s with being ill-equipped to carry out a quality job.To help with this, these tips can make it appear your newly formed company appear more important:

Office: yes or no?

Having offices can certainly help clients see that you are clearly established, because there is real concrete evidence to this effect. However, if they are not likely to visit your offices, then hiring out a mailing address will have the same effect at a fraction of the cost, allowing you to continue using your home, office, services and other, more flexible alternatives that work out much more cheaply.

Having a tip-top website

Today, people expect from a well-designed website one that loads quickly and allows them to discover the products and contact details. Therefore, make sure that your site is certain to help convince them that they are dealing with a professional, reputable company. Why not write blogs about business achievements, using pictures of the front of the office or somewhere similar with an elegant look to make them keen to see more.

Get away from email failure

Having an e-mail which is overly personal or that has a Hotmail address for example, will not make you look significant enough. Contacting through e-mail is as important as the address of the office to create a professional impression, so make sure that the e-mail address says it's a good deal.

Logo or not

The company logo can do a lot to even the smallest businesses to exude professionalism, if you choose one that combines style and timelessness. Getting the right kind of logo takes time, but it will definitely be worth it in the end.

Keeping things Tidy and Organised

You may have to take care of the cleaning of office space to give the best impressions, but what about your desk?If your office is a mess, it is likely to be much less efficient than it could be. An untidy or unorganised work surface hinders the member of staff`s ability to do their job as efficiently as possible, so you must bear in mind the following tips to keep your desk clean in action and create surroundings that make your company look great:

Place the bin close to your desktop

Having a bin a short distance from the workplace is one of the simplest steps you can take to keep your desk clean. Place all rubbish straight into the bin, and stop allowing it to build up on the desktop.

Incorporate a physical inbox

It could be something as simple as a paper tray that can hold all incoming documents. This way, you will know exactly where they are and when you need them.

Go paperless

It is a big ask to go paperless 100% in an office space, but there are many elements, such as notes, which can and should be transmitted digitally, if you want to keep a clean and tidy office environment.

Schedule Cleaning

You should try to regularly commit to a schedule of cleaning your desk. By assigning a specific period of time to sorting out your desk, it is more likely that it will actually do its job more effectively.

Remove excess

If something does not have to be on your desktop, just get rid of it and the saem applies around the office. For a start up business, these tips should set you on the right road to success.First impressions are so important, a virtual office can provide the same benefits as a real office. A virtual office gives a small business the same advantages but without the expensive overheads. A good virtual office provider can help your company with a prime mail forwarding address in areas such as London, a professional PA call answering service, and a registered office address for your company. Ultimately an established business will be able to give the right impression, for start ups and SME's getting off on the right footing can prove trickier.

November 7, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Three tips for working in a home office

If you run a home office, you have to consider everything from decorations to furniture to the floorplan. These tips will help to make the right decisions.

If you run your business from your home office, you have to consider everything from decorations to furniture to the floorplan.These tips will help you make the best use of what you have:

Basic business needs

Unless you are lucky enough to live in a mansion, it is likely that the room reserved for office space at home is not as big as you want. Therefore, to not feel suffocated by furnishings, you should only fulfil the basic requirements.These include having a desk the right size for the location and type of equipment (if you have a laptop, a smaller desktop will do) and a comfortable chair to work in for long periods.

Suitable Decoration

While you do not want to fill the office space with unnecessary frills, you will not have to opt for a pure functional look when it comes to design. Add some photos or paintings on the walls, and make subtle use of colours that you like and that make you feel more energised. Having the odd flourish will add comfort to your surroundings and make the effect less clinical.

Organisation is a priority

Even if you have worked hard to create a sense of space in your home office, you may be undermined very quickly after starting work there if you start drowning in clutter. The amounts of paper in particular can quickly start piling up, and if not properly organised and stored away in files, you will quickly start wasting lots of time and space. If you do not have enough room in your current filing cabinets, you can use any existing chest of drawers or cupboards as a place to store your business documents.This blog was brought to you by Your Virtual Office London the mail forwarding, registered office and virtual office experts.

November 7, 2014
May 5, 2021

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How to select the right premises for your business

Finding a suitable location and facilities for your business can sometimes be something of a minefield, as there are so many options and factors to consider.

Finding a suitable location, as well as facilities for your business can sometimes be something of a minefield, as there are so many options and factors to consider before making a final decision.Choosing the wrong area for your company could prove disastrous, especially if it affects the customers, employees and suppliers.Prior to looking at all the available locations, make a short list of some of the basic facts that affect the final choice. Particular attention should be given to the building type, for example, if you need office space or an industrial site for a factory or warehouse.Think of your employees and how they can make it to work, especially if they do not have their own transport – alongside this, factor in if it`s somewhere your customers will be able to reach. Do some research on local public transport to ensure that the location is not too difficult to approach.Space and design are also key considerations, because conditions that are too large or small for your business requirements will cost more in the long run. Could the location itself have an impact on the company and if so, is it necessary to go to a more premium type of location? If this is the case, you should consider a serviced office space. London and other large cities often have a higher demand for commercial properties, making serviced offices a more viable option.Spending time to decide what you need in a building before you commit to a local search can make life easier and a more effective approach to finding the location that best fits your business.If you don't necessarily need to operate in a rented office then a virtual office can provide a good alternative. A virtual office allows you to operate from home, this helps with keeping overheads to a minimum which is especially important if you are a new venture. However your clients are given the impression you are based in a prominent area, perfect for new start-ups and small businesses.Your Virtual Office London specialise in virtual office services, a virtual office can comprise of a mail forwarding address, a registered office address and a call answering service. If you would like to find out more do contact us.

November 5, 2014
May 5, 2021

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What insurance policy does my organisation need?

Every business is different, however, your company`s insurance policy will usually be determined by exactly what it does, its framework, and its staff members.

Every business is different, however, your company`s insurance policy requirements will usually be determined by exactly what it does, its framework, area and if you have staff members. A specialized insurance agent can assist you in choosing the kind and level of protection plans that best fits your organization`s needs, however in this content we have a quick look at the primary types of company insurance policy you could possibly consider. We have several in depth articles on various types of insurance cover should you require additional information.Initially we`ll examine the actual property that your organization has to secure and then proceed to other attainable types of insurance coverage you`ll require for your company.

Properties insurance

In the event you own an freehold building, you should cover it against natural risks such as flooding as well as other water destruction, fire, explosion etc. If you`re making use of your residence for business functions, verify that you`re protected for the company use – many insurance providers provide combined insurance policies such as either home or home office insurance cover.When you hire a business property, it`s better to look at the conditions of the lease contract to establish who has liability for covering them – you or the property owner.

Contents, company resources and tools insurance

Consider covering any company resources and tools, PCs and other products. Similar to your home items insurance, be careful never to undervalue the worth of anything you require to manage your company – the value covered should reveal the substitute cost. Pay specific interest to highly-priced tools that your company cannot operate without. You should think about if you only have to protect on company property or if you would like broader coverage. For instance, if notebooks are taken out from the workplace and utilized off site.In case your business is work at home, you`ll have to look into the terms of your residence insurance plan. It`s likely that the current insurance will have to be modified or changed to cover tools utilized in the course of company.Your Virtual Office London help small businesses increase their productivity through the use of our prestigious virtual office services. If you would like to discuss how we can help you, don't hesitate to get in touch.

November 4, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Making the most of team meetings

Team meetings are a great way to increase employee productivity, report problems and improve employee development individually in your company.

How often do you have organised team meetings to see participants where they walk through the door of the conference room, sit down and talk with their neighbour or read the program, but have no eye contact you? For a constructive meeting, and to run events in an energetic and positive note, it`s best to encourage people to participate in the meeting.Before people enter the conference room, you want the vibe to be optimistic, energetic and ready for action, and the participants will naturally imitate your actions and mood. However, if only one person shows negative body language, it can have a negative effect on mood, so you need to be careful.Open the meeting with an icebreaker before informing people why the meeting was called and what your goals are. You can open proceedings with a game, and can ask people to write on a piece of paper something others do not know about them and put them in a bowl on the table. The group may then try to guess who it belongs to, which relaxes the members of the congregation.Thank people for their contributions and acknowledge any successes, no matter how small they are. You can also ask people to remind their team of the actions that they are responsible for, so it can be controlled if people aren't invested in the topic of the meeting. Before the end of the meeting, relate the conversation back to non-compliance or concerns.

How to improve one-on-one meetings

Individual meetings with your team are a great way to increase employee productivity, report problems and improve employee development individually. This is why it is so important that manager`s monitor the time for regular meetings with employees individually.If you do not already have one on a regular basis, you should think from now on, and if not, consider implementing the following:

Make it every day

Celebrating a casual meet is a great way for employees to feel comfortable. The meeting could be a cafe or bar, not an office or conference room space, for a more relaxed feeling to get the most out of their employees.

Lunch

Organised meetings for lunch are perfect for those times when you want to link to an employee and get to know them a little better. They will be less self conscious and more likely to open on the table in the office table.

Input from the employee

Prior to the meeting, let the employee in on the schedule and points of discussion. By including them in the build-up, you can help them feel more valued and empowered in their work.

It should be concise

Meetings are usually long and boring and can become unproductive. Keep meetings short and to the point, and interesting to keep employees on board and committed throughout.

Keep track

It is always good practice to follow up on ideas and suggestions transferred in one-on-one discussions, if you're going to take full advantage of the time spent.Your Virtual Office London provides virtual offices and meeting rooms in London, if you are looking to hold a meeting we provide modern meeting rooms for your clients.

November 2, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Partly paid shares explained

On the issue of partly paid shares, the company has to collect the unpaid amount. To do this, managers requests notice to shareholders to pay the amounts.

On the issue of partly paid shares, the company has the obligation to collect the unpaid amount. To do this, managers may request a notice to the holders of the shares that asks them to pay the amounts. Here we look at the process of using this process, but will have to confirm with articles of association, as they may give you a different route to take. We will also see the process of how to make a call on shares of company`s plc; this is because there are more topics for these businesses to consider.1.The directors shall adopt a resolution to call on shares partly paid or unpaid. The needs identified for the resolution must be detailed within the meeting. The resolution, however, usually will have details of the cost of the call and the due date for the payment required.2. After this, you need to send a notice to shareholders who want to make a call. This will be the people who were originally issued shares. However, if the shares have been transferred, the last owner will usually have to pay all of the calls.3. When the due date comes, check all payments received against the expected. You should have received most or all of the payment due, and send reminders to those who have not paid if necessary.

A letter like this should state that:

  • Payment must be made immediately
  • If necessary, interest on the outstanding balance will be charged
  • The shareholder may lose fees if they do not pay the call

It is good practice to post another reminder if payment is not received within a reasonable time - say a week or two.4. Once payment is received, you will need to update your membership records. This is to show that the call is paid. If this is one of a series of payments, you may also want to have an updated schedule of additional payment.

You will have to modify and update the share certificates, including the following:

  • Cancellation of certificates of old shares;
  • Submission of updated shares certificates showing the amount paid for the shares
  • Updated registration certificates of shares of the company assets

5. Companies House have the updates to the status of capital of the company, and this can be found in the annual declaration.After a call to action, many companies make the decision to submit the next annual return early. This means that any data recovery from Companies House will quickly realise the position of the shared capital. This can make the end of the calling process seem more "official", although there is no specific legal reason to do so.If you enjoyed this blog brought to you by Your Virtual Office London you can read more business articles in our business blog here.

October 27, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Higher rate taxation and your dividend

When you start a business it is important to think about the type of company you will be and its consequences on your taxation and dividend liabilities.

When you start a business it is important to think about the type of company you will be and what consequences this will subsequently have on your taxation and personal liabilities. Your Virtual Office London provide free expert advice on this matter to all clients, more often than not it makes a lot of sense to become a Limited company and trade under this legal status. If you do own a Limited company you would often take your profit as a dividend. A dividend is taken by a shareholder, only a shareholder in the company can take a dividend, staff or employees are unable to do this if they do not own a share. A shareholder can take a salary and a dividend, depending your personal circumstance we would advise you to talk to us about your situation and how a dividend can help reduce your tax overheads.Dividends are subject to the highest tax bracket in which income is between £31,865 and £150,000. This is after taking into account the personal allowance that is taxed at 32.5%.Part of that obligation is represented by the dividend tax credit of 10%, but an additional 22.5% tax on the gross dividend is paid by the shareholder. In some cases, the dividend does not belong to any of the basic rate or higher rate tax bands, but rather include both. In this case, dividends will be taxed at the basic rate, and the remainder to a higher rate.Dividends, which are located in the additional rate tax band, will have a taxable income of over £150,000 and are taxed at 37.5%. Some of them have a tax credit of 10% of the dividend. This means that there is no tax of more than 27.5% of the gross dividend payable. This is equal to 30.56% of net dividend received.The shareholder must always be prepared to pay additional tax. This happens when the dividend income falls in the highest rate, or as additional rate tax bands. This means that the dividend will have to be set aside to meet tax obligations.This additional tax paid to HMRC, has a deadline of 31 January following the tax year in which the dividends are received.Persons are subject to its own declared dividends received under the tax refund.Due to the effect of a dividend on the overall fiscal position of the individual, tax advice from an accountant should be sought prior to the payment of dividends to your firm. This can also determine the optimal combination of wages and dividends. Shareholders may elect to waive dividends, but these exceptions should be made before the announcement of the dividend.

October 27, 2014
May 5, 2021

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How to properly greet people

Always greet people in a positive way, as it creates the right impression. You must special care to people who you have not seen or met before.

It is always important to greet people in a positive way to create the right impression. Of course, you should take special care to people who you have not seen or met before. Wether you have a virtual office or a mailing address you will still need to ensure when you meet a client for the first time you properly engage. First impressions are everything and something as simple as a greeting can have a lasting impression on your client.You want to get people in the mood to attend the meeting. For this to happen, it is important to make everyone feel at ease. Some participants may have had a stressful journey. Keep this in mind and be as careful as possible, and be sure to comply with professional standards. The following tips may be helpful to you:

Warm smile

A smile can go a long way to get a first meet just right. Shy people can fully appreciate a smile, even if they are about to enter the room for a family reunion. What's more, you can give them the confidence to perform well in the session. If you're a little unsure, practice your smile alone.

Eye contact

Eye contact is essential when welcoming someone new. However, it is important to not stare - you do not want anyone to feel embarrassed. If people feel inhibited before the start of the meeting, their nervousness may limit their participation to the detriment of the results of the meeting.

Shake hands firmly if necessary

A firm handshake may be a reasonable way to greet someone. However, not everyone likes this kind of contact; therefore adapt your behaviour to the situation that is before you. Also, see how to approach the person; do not feel tempted to sneak up on them, as this may have an effect that was not intended.

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