E-Newsletter January 2004

Dear Reader,

A belated Happy New Year!

Last year businesses had all sorts of bug-bears to deal with – not least the war; transport problems/charges; changes in bank attitudes; etc.

In 2004 we are looking forward to an improved business climate – however we are also expecting higher interest rates and possibly more/different taxes. It is our aim to continue to support your business throughout this year and beyond; therefore (in keeping with the seasonal spirit), we have compiled a bumper pack of useful information we hope will help you start 2004 as you mean to go on – ranging from: getting money from the tax man; to recognising the warning signs of a business in trouble.

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

Briefing Paper: Business failure and how to recognise it before it is too late!
In many cases actions or omissions by a business’s suppliers and/or customers can lead to business failure just as quickly as actions or inaction of its owners/directors. In this briefing paper we have identified some of the warning signs. Click here to find out what these are so you can take pre-emptive action before your suppliers/customers drag you down with them!

Useful Information

• Training Funds: Are you keen to develop your staff but balk at the cost? Click here for two options that subsidise the expense incurred.
• Get Money Back From The Taxman: From April 2005 small employers can get up to £825 tax-free if they send their employer end –of-year tax returns on-line. From April 2005, large employers must start paying tax and other deductions on-line. While small employers do not have to start on-line filing till later, those who begin early can get up to £825 tax free from the Revenue over five years starting with 2004-5 end of year returns. For more information please visit www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk
• Unhappy With Your Bank, or just considering changing banks? Click here to find out how the process of changing banks is to become much easier for small and medium sized businesses.
• Getting Government Contracts: Have you ever wondered how your business would benefit is you were able to sell your products and services to some of London’s largest organisations? The main barrier for many businesses is usually an inability to demonstrate that they can meet the necessary requirements. Supply London is a free programme delivered by Business Link for London, funded by the London Development Agency and the Cross River Partnership. The package includes a free five day programme of workshops; development of your business action plan; and much more. Through Supply London, you can ensure that your business is in shape to meet the procurement requirements of this demanding but potentially rewarding sector. To find out more, please go to http://www.businesslink4london.com/services/theme.cfm?editorialID=85.
• Cheaper Telephone Calls: Is your business phone bill ridiculous? Click here for details of an alternative that could save you money.
• Book Of The Month: Congratulations to Mr N Amiaka and Ms D Analoue both of whom won copies of “The Ecology of Money” – our previous book of the month. This month our book of the month is “Execution – The Discipline of Getting Things Done” - great for business owners/directors that want to achieve step change. We are again 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

Subsidies
•	Subsidising Access to Advice: Would you like the benefit of expert advice but are not sure you can afford it? We recognise that paying for expert advice can be difficult for many businesses – we have therefore continued to develop alliances with several government agencies and funds – allowing us subsidise some of the cost of getting the advice and help your business needs – please telephone on 0845 054 5061 for more details.
•	Access To Finance: is your business considering raising money to expand? One of the main obstacles for businesses considering raising funds is an inability to take the time out to develop a watertight case for borrowing / investment – too busy running “business as usual”. The government is helping businesses based in “objective two”* areas by significantly subsidising the cost of getting the support needed to make the business “investment ready” through the Access To Finance programme. So far we have helped four businesses through this route and this is what they had to say:

To find out whether Access To Finance is right for you, please call 0845 054 5061.
* To see whether your business is in an objective two area please click here.

Events
•	Platinum's managing director will be chairing the Institute of Management Consultancy’s Women In Consulting event entitled "Learn From The Best" on Wednesday 4th February 2004 6pm. For more information or to register, go to: http://www.imc.co.uk/news/events/events.php.
•	Platinum’s managing director will be running a session as part of the “Women Entrepreneurs – Business Start-Up” training in March 2004 – covering “Cash Flow for New and Growing Businesses”. This is a new programme of courses for women entrepreneurs providing a mix of core training and professional coaching for women wanting to set up in business. For more information or to register, go to: http://www.harrowinbusiness.co.uk/womenentrepreneurcourse.htm

Joke corner

2004 EMPLOYEE MANUAL DRESS CODE It is advised that you come to work dressed according to your salary. If we see you wearing £350.00 Prada sneakers and carrying a £600.00 Gucci bag, we will assume you are doing well financially and therefore you do not need a raise. SICK DAYS We will no longer accept a doctor's statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor you are able to come to work. SURGERY Operations are now banned. As long as you are an employee here you need all your organs. You should not consider removing anything. We hired you intact. To have something removed constitutes a breech of contract. PERSONAL DAYS Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturdays &Sundays. VACATION DAYS All employees will take their vacation at the same time every year. The vacation days are as follows: January 1 & December 25. BEREAVEMENT LEAVE This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can do for dead friends, relatives or co-workers. Every effort should be made to have non-employees attend to the arrangements. In rare cases where employee involvement is necessary, the funeral should be scheduled in the late afternoon. We will be glad to allow you to work through your lunch hour and subsequently leave one hour early, provided your share of the work is done. OUT FROM YOUR OWN DEATH This will be accepted as an excuse. However, we require at least two weeks notice as it is your duty to train your own replacement. BATHROOM USE Entirely too much time is being spent in the bathroom. In the future, we will follow the practice of going in alphabetical order. For instance, all employees whose names begin with "A" will go from 8:00 to 8:20, employees whose names begin with "B" will go from 8:20 to 8:40 and so on. If you are unable to go at your allotted time, it will be necessary to wait until the next day when your turn comes again. In extreme emergencies employees may swap their time with a co-worker. This exchange must be submitted in writing to your supervisor for approval. In addition there is a strict 3 minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of 3 Minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract and the stall door will open. LUNCH BREAK Skinny people will get an hour for lunch as they need to eat more so that they can look healthy. Normal size people will get 30 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure. Fat people will get 5 minutes for lunch because that is all the time needed to drink a Slim Fast and take a diet pill. Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternations or input should be directed elsewhere.

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.

Wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2004.

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