E-Newsletter April 2004

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the April edition of our quarterly newsletter. In this edition we talk a great deal about banks – how to get the best out of your relationship and how to get the best deal. Also, find out about:

• A free support programme for entrepreneurs that are building innovative businesses – see Ready4growth;
• How to get money back for research and development carried out within your company – see Get Money Back From The Taxman; and,
• How to reduce the pain involved in VAT returns – see VAT a pain?

We are also delighted to launch a new service for our clients – the Virtual Finance Director. Targeted at our fastest growing clients, we believe this service will take the burden off (just a little) and allow you to grow even faster!

As always, do feel free to respond with feedback, questions, and/or requests for specific information in future editions.

Briefing Paper: Working with your bank
Too many business owners find they get limited support from their bank – the crunch usually comes at a critical time for the business – leading to missed opportunities and soured relations. Our briefing paper looks at how to work effectively with your bank. Click here for more detail.

Useful Information:

• Comparing banks: Banks want your business Click here to find out which one would offer the most cost effective service (do read the briefing paper about working with your bank and ask some searching questions before making the move).
  
• Ready4growth: is a 3 Million Euro initiative to fast track SMEs that have significant growth potential. This is done by: providing intensive workshops, the opportunity to interact with investors and on-going support; thus enabling such businesses raise the funding they require. Click here for full details.
  
• Get Money Back From The Taxman: Has your business carried out research and development activity recently? Did you know you could claim tax credits (or even cash) back from the inland revenue based on what you spent? Click here for details.
  
• VAT a pain? Click here to find out how recent changes can reduce the amount of time spent preparing VAT returns and the amount you pay.
  
• Recommended Reading: Congratulations to Mr R Wilding and Ms B Campbell both of whom won copies of “Execution – The Discipline of Getting Things Done” – our previous book of the month. This quarter our recommended book is “Developing the Leaders Around You – how to help others reach their full potential” – The author, John Maxwell provides practical assistance for leaders that are committed to helping others reach their leadership potential. If you are keen to develop your team, the reader-friendly features like assessment tests, charts, cartoons, sports analogies; make the book friendly and easy to digest. As usual, we are giving two copies away to the first two people to respond to this newsletter with a request for further information about the issues discussed and/or suggestions as to what they would like to see in future editions. Alternatively, you can buy the book by clicking on the link on our home page.

Platinum News

New Service: Fast growing businesses need flexible support to manage their finances – ensuring good cash control and access to external funds at the best rates when needed. We are therefore delighted to announce our new service – Virtual Finance Director – targeted specifically at our fastest growing clients. If this service is of interest, please email or telephone on 0845 054 5061.

New Faces: Marketing Assistant – Sarah Prempeh joins us from Morley Fund Management. Sarah will help us deliver improved service to our growing client base; and she is looking forward to speaking with / meeting many of you in the near future.

Subsidies: We help many of our clients access subsidies – for training, consultancy, mentoring, etc. Click here for more details.

Events:

• The Black MBA Association will be running a workshop on Accessing Finance on Wednesday 5th May 2004, 2pm. The workshop will focus on raising venture capital funds for large projects. For more information go to www.blackmbauk.org or telephone 020 7226 8080.
  
• Platinum's managing director will be chairing the Institute of Management Consultancy’s Women In Consulting event entitled "Mentoring – Making it Work" on Wednesday 12th May 2004 6pm. For more information or to register, go to: http://www.imc.co.uk/news/events/events.php.

Joke corner

Local police are being handicapped in a search for a stolen van, because they cannot issue a description. It's a special branch vehicle and they don't want the public to know what it looks like. (The Guardian)

Commenting on a complaint from a Mr. Arthur Purdey about a large gas bill, a spokesman for North West Gas said "We agree it was rather high for the time of year. It's possible that Mr. Purdey has been charged for the gas used up during the explosion that blew his house to pieces." (Bangkok Post)

After being charged £20 for a £10 overdraft, 30 year old Michael Howard of Leeds changed his name by deed poll to Yorkshire Bank PLC are Fascist Ba*tards. The bank has now asked him to close his account, and Mr. Ba*tards has asked them to repay the 69p balance by cheque made out in his new name.
(The Guardian)

Would the congregation please note that the bowl at the back of the church labelled "for the sick" is for monetary donations only. (Churchtown Parish Magazine)

At the height of the gale, the harbourmaster radioed a coastguard on the spot and asked him to estimate the wind speed. He replied that he was sorry, but he didn't have a gauge. However, if it was any help, the wind had just blown his Landrover off the cliff. (Aberdeen Evening Express)

And finally,
We hope you have enjoyed this newsletter. Do please forward it on to any colleagues you feel may be interested.

If you have received this newsletter through a colleague and wish to register for future editions, or, if you would like additional information on any of the topics above, please click here and complete the form provided.

You are receiving this newsletter because you had previously enquired about or used our services. If you no longer wish to receive further editions of this newsletter, please click here and we will ensure that you are not bothered again.

With best wishes,

Bambo Onigbanjo
Managing Director
Platinum Business Services
0845 054 5061

News

"London MAS Business Development Workshops - can you afford not to attend?"

***We are delighted to announce that Platinum has won the 2nd contract for Access to Finance- 2007/08***

***Can we make your accounts and business finance one less thing to worry about?***

Briefing Papers

Helping Business Owners Deliver Revenue
Green Money
Working with your Bank

Case Studies

Securing Grant for Shop-fitting Company "New"
Regional Telco
Marketing Company
National Telco

Services

For Start Ups
For Small Businesses
Medium-size Business