http://www.makeitcheaper.com/rss.aspxFri, 03 Sep 2010 00:56:05 GMTumbracoMake It Cheaper RSS news feedenhttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/sme-advice/800049313-bcc-upgrades-short-term-economic-prospects-in-uk.aspx Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:00:00 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/september/2/800049313-bccplusupgradesplusshort-termpluseconomicplusprospectsplusinplusuk.aspxBCC upgrades short-term economic prospects in UK
In it, the organisation has raised its expectations for UK growth domestic product growth to 1.7 per cent in 2010, and to 2.2 per cent next year.

Despite the optimistic long-term outlook from the BCC, the group expects the budget deficit reduction measures to affect growth in the medium term.

In June this year, the BCC Economic Forecast predicted growth of 1.3 per cent this year and two per cent growth next year.

Commenting on the forecast, the BCC's director general David Frost said: "There must be a relentless focus on ensuring that business is able to deliver growth and create employment. We need policies that rebalance the economy towards wealth-creating businesses, and enable the private sector to invest, export and create new jobs. Failure to get this right poses the biggest risk to recovery."

The BCC is the national body which represents chambers of commerce across the UK, offering services, information and advice to its members.

Posted by Richard Smart

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/sme-advice/800048963-increased-trust-where-flexible-working-is-offered.aspx Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/september/2/800048963-increasedplustrustplus'whereplusflexibleplusworkingplusisplusoffered'.aspxIncreased trust 'where flexible working is offered'
There was a sharp drop in CEO trust in companies which responded with brutal cuts during the recession, according to the 5,000 employees surveyed for the second annual Index of Leadership Trust from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).

Firms which took a more measured approach to the downturn, by cutting budgets and allowing employees to work more flexibly, saw trust index scores of 68, compared to 51 in the others.

"It is clear that the actions of senior managers are scrutinised to a far greater extent during times of crisis, and major cuts are often seen as the direct result of poor management – even when this might be beyond their control," said Penny de Valk from the ILM.

The ILM exists to support, develop and inform managers at every stage of their careers.

Posted by Emma Noble

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/business-electricity-news/800048807-crc-deadline-is-5-weeks-away.aspx Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:48:41 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/september/2/800048807-crcplusdeadlineplusisplus5plusweeksplusaway.aspxCRC deadline is 5 weeks awaybusiness energy efficiency.

According to the Environment Agency, the majority of organisations which need to be included in the scheme have already signed up to it, reports Business Green.

So far, 1,698 firms have registered to participate in the scheme, and they account for more than half the business electricity consumption expected to be covered under the initiative.

"We are still encouraging organisations to register now and not leave it to the last moment," a spokeswoman for the agency was quoted by the news provider as saying.

"But we are encouraged by the number of organisations calling our helpline and the current rate of registrations is in line with what we would expect in the run-up to the deadline."

The CRC scheme is seen as central to the UK's drive to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency.

Posted by Tom Barnett

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/sme-advice/800046983-increase-in-sme-insolvencies-still-to-come.aspx Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:56:55 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/september/1/800046983-increaseplusinplussmeplusinsolvenciesplus'stillplustopluscome'.aspxIncrease in SME insolvencies 'still to come'
This is according to the results of the annual Credit Check survey which is conducted by Venture Finance and the Accountancy Magazine.

Some 60 per cent of accountants believe there will be more SME insolvencies in the coming months.

A third of the 250 accountants surveyed said UK business strength is weak or very weak.

Peter Ewen, managing director at Venture Finance said: "SMEs are the engine of economic recovery but the research suggests that they are still struggling to access the finance needed to move from a survival mentality to one of growth."

"Accountants are telling us that traditional financing methods are not meeting today’s business needs and it is essential SMEs understand the full repertoire of funding they can access," he added.

Recent data from the Bank of England showed that lending to SMEs fell in June, demonstrating how credit conditions are remaining difficult for small businesses.

Posted by Emma Noble 

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/sme-advice/800045463-how-to-market-an-sme.aspx Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:00:00 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/31/800045463-howplustoplusmarketplusanplussme.aspxHow to market an SME
According to George Derbyshire, the chief executive of the National Federation of Enterprise Agency, writing for the BBC, the first thing firms need to do is address their potential customers.

They need to be able to identify a prospective consumer in order to tailor marketing to attract them and get their message across.

"The cost of servicing existing customers is much less than marketing to new ones," Mr Derbyshire wrote.

"So have a loyalty strategy. Reward repeat business."

He advises that it is important to encourage happy customers to boost business by introducing their friends and promoting the company via word-of-mouth.

"Charging less than your competitors is the worst marketing strategy of all, unless you have a brilliant competitive advantage, and let's be honest, that's unlikely," Mr Derbyshire warned SMEs.


Recently, research from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and Grant Thornton accountants revealed that almost a fifth of firms are now feeling less confident about the coming year than they did during the first quarter.

Posted by Nicola Richards

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/business-electricity-news/800044737-sustainability-strategies-can-lead-to-massive-savings.aspx Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:03:12 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/31/800044737-sustainabilityplusstrategiesplus'canplusleadplustoplusmassiveplussavings'.aspxSustainability strategies 'can lead to massive savings'business energy usage if they employ sustainability strategies.

According to Paul Anderson, programme director for infrastructure outsourcing at IT services and business consultancy firm Capgemini, environmentally-friendly practices will "be high on the agenda [for companies] because of everyone becoming more aware of the requirement".

"[With] regards to business, for elements of sustainability and greening there can be massive savings, and it will bring down the scale of their overall carbon footprint," he added.

His comments came as Computing.co.uk reported that the Environment Agency will be using the "world's greenest data centre" - the Capgemini Merlin Tier 3 data centre.

The 30,000 sq ft, Tier 3 facility, aims to set a new standard for business energy efficiency, with the best Power Usage Effectiveness rating of any data centre in the world.

Recently, Business Green reported that firms will soon be able to calculate their business energy using an online modelling tool from Microsoft's Windows 7.

Posted by Dan Morris

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/business-electricity-news/800043486-govt-must-get-on-with-the-shift-to-a-low-carbon-economy.aspx Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:00:00 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/27/800043486-govtplus'mustplusgetplusonpluswithplustheplusshiftplustoplusapluslow-carbonpluseconomy'.aspxGovt 'must get on with the shift to a low-carbon economy'
The government needs to create new green industries and jobs, secure energy supplies in the UK, and end fuel poverty, according to Mike Childs, head of climate at Friends of the Earth.

Business energy costs could be reduced significantly if more green and renewable sources of energy receive investment in the UK.

"There are simple things that businesses can do to cut their carbon impact and save money - from minimising energy waste to generating their own green power.

"Switching off appliances and lights that are not being used can bring instant financial savings and installing solar panels or wind turbines will generate extra profit in the long run," said Mr Childs.

Recently, Euan Murray, general manager of the Carbon Trust Footprinting Company, said firms should invest more in business energy-efficient equipment in order to reap the "real environmental and economic benefits".

Posted by Tom Barnett 

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/business-electricity-news/800043479-business-energy-could-be-calculated-with-windows-7.aspx Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:00:00 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/27/800043479-businessplusenergyplus'couldplusbepluscalculatedpluswithpluswindowsplus7'.aspxBusiness energy 'could be calculated with Windows 7'business energy using an online modelling tool from Microsoft's Windows 7.

Microsoft is working with Reading University to highlight the business energy companies can save if they switch to the latest Windows 7 operating system, reports Business Green.

The software giant claims Windows 7 operates using 30 per cent less energy than the previous system, Windows XP.

This could lead to significant carbon emissions reductions globally, according to Microsoft.

"IT accounts for somewhere between three and five per cent of global carbon emissions and when you consider that there are a billion Windows PCs around the world, we have the ability to deliver substantial carbon savings," Darren Strange, head of environmental sustainability at the company, told the news provider.

"We are currently working on modelling the savings that Windows 7 can deliver with a team at Reading University."

Recently, research from the Carbon Trust revealed almost three-quarters (74 per cent) of finance decision makers admit their business does not currently measure its carbon footprint.

Posted by Nicola Richards 

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/business-electricity-news/800043410-govt-needs-to-channel-investment-into-green-energy.aspx Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:00:00 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/27/800043410-govtplusneedsplustoplus'channelplusinvestment'plusintoplusgreenplusenergy.aspxGovt needs to 'channel investment' into green energy
If there is more green investment, it could result in lower business energy costs for firms because they will be able to use renewable sources in the future, reducing bills for business electricity and gas.

Increased funding could help "pull us out of recession and give us a competitive advantage in the low-carbon economy", according to Louise Hutchins, solutions campaigner for Greenpeace.

"So long as we subsidise fossil fuels more than clean energy, we're anchored to the dying industries [of] the past," she said.

Recently, Euan Murray, general manager of the Carbon Trust Footprinting Company, said more organisations are starting to "think and act on their carbon footprint and energy emissions".

He added that firms should invest more in business energy-efficient equipment in order to reap the "real environmental and economic benefits".

Posted by Nicola Richards

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/sme-advice/800043403-police-forces-failing-smes.aspx Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:49:54 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/27/800043403-policeplusforcesplus'failingplussmes'.aspxPolice forces 'failing SMEs'
Despite repeated government directives to urge public bodies to pay promptly for services, only some police forces are managing to pay for invoices within days of receipt.

Some police forces paid over 75 per cent of their invoices within ten days and almost 100 per cent within 30 days.

However, others paid less than one per cent of their bills within ten days, and more than 30 days to pay half of them, according to data from the Freedom of Information Act obtained by the FPB.

"We found that some police forces appear to be excellent at paying businesses promptly," said Chris Gorman, spokesperson for the FPB.

"However, many others appear to be making little or no effort to pay their suppliers and contractors quickly. This means that the companies they deal with may well find their finances under serious pressure while they are waiting to be paid."

The FPB is a not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting and protecting SMEs throughout their business lifecycle.

Posted by Sam Williams

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/sme-advice/800041034-smes-urged-to-tell-of-banking-experiences.aspx Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:30:39 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/26/800041034-smesplusurgedplustoplustellplusofplusbankingplusexperiences-(1).aspxSMEs urged to tell of banking experiences lenders.

It is hoped SMEs will share their experiences online to help the Office of Fair Trading find out about banking after figures from the British Bankers' Association revealed lending to SMEs dropped again last month.

The FPB's research manager, Thomas Parry, said: "Clearly, the issue of the way banks treat small firms has received an enormous amount of attention recently and sparked a lot of debate.

"One the one hand, groups like the forum have been arguing that viable smaller firms are being unjustifiably denied credit, or offered it at an extortionate cost, by risk-averse banks which often don't understand their needs."

Recently, it was suggested that if the government were to introduce targets for lending to SMEs it would not be helpful.

Chris Gorman, spokesperson for the FPB, was speaking as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales revealed SMEs are finding it hard to borrow from banks due to them using restrictive criteria.

Posted by Nicola Richards

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/sme-advice/800040351-more-than-1-in-5-brits-hope-for-sme-success.aspx Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:07:26 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/25/800040351-moreplusthanplus1plusinplus5plusbritsplushopeplusforplussmeplussuccess.aspxMore than 1 in 5 Brits hope for SME success
Some 54 per cent of 18 to 25-year-olds think they have a business plan which could be turned into the creation of a small firm which could make them a large amount of money, according to research from MyVoucherCodes.

The majority (74 per cent) of those intent on making their dream business plan become a reality were women.

Mark Pearson, managing director of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, said: "Creating your own business may seem daunting but if you honestly believe you have a great idea then it is worth pursuing. Success doesn’t come overnight and it takes hard work, but it can pay off in the end."

Recently, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills launched a consultation paper looking at ways in which an industry-led recovery could be encouraged by addressing the problems small businesses face accessing finance.

Posted by Dan Morris

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/business-electricity-news/800039051-tidal-power-has-very-little-eco-impact.aspx Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:01:28 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/25/800039051-tidalpluspowerplus'hasplusverypluslittlepluseco-impact'.aspxTidal power 'has very little eco-impact'business energy costs, is one of the least obtrusive forms of sustainable energy compared to wind, it has been suggested.

However, "unless you actually live by the beach you are very unlikely to see tidal power generation", said Adam Bell, national campaigns coordinator at Renewable Energy UK.

His comments came after plans to develop one of the first commercial-scale tidal stream projects in the world, off the coast of Anglesey in north Wales, were revealed.

RWE npower renewables will be creating a tidal farm project which would be capable of generating 10.5 MW of clean, green power from the sea's major tidal currents.

Mr Bell said that from an environmental point of view, tidal power only has a "very small ecological impact".

"Of course, every one put in the sea has to go through an environmental assessment in order to make sure it doesn't have an adverse impact on local marine life," he added.

Posted by Tom Barnett

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/sme-advice/800038310-fpb-criticises-tax-on-staff-parking.aspx Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:49:04 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/24/800038310-fpbpluscriticisesplustaxplusonplusstaffplusparking.aspxFPB criticises tax on staff parking
It has been reported that councils across the UK are considering introducing a workplace parking levy (WPL) on firms, leading to them being taxed on the parking provisions they provide for their staff.

FPB spokesperson Chris Gorman said: "In our view, and in the view of our members, it's simply a stealth tax which will have a disproportionate impact on small businesses. It's the equivalent of charging homeowners to park on their own driveways and will increase parking problems in town centres and cities."

He added: "This proposal comes as small businesses are battling with economic uncertainty, public spending cuts and worrying levels of inflation."

Oxfordshire County Council has said it has no plans to charge people to park at work despite considering the idea in the past, reports the Oxford Mail.

Posted by Dan Morris

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/sme-advice/800037563-drop-in-business-confidence.aspx Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:23:27 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/24/800037563-dropplusinplusbusinessplusconfidence.aspxDrop in business confidence
Almost a fifth of firms are now feeling less confident about the coming year than they did during the first quarter, according to the research from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and Grant Thornton accountants.

It appears that the emergency Budget tax rise announcements, coupled with the impending spending review, could have contributed to the fall in confidence among businesses.

Michael Izza, chief executive of the ICAEW, said: "UK businesses that came through the recession are now facing the challenge of surviving the recovery.

"They still don't know what the future holds and are uncertain about how the mood of fiscal austerity will impact the economic recovery.

"Government needs to deliver on its commitment to ensure Britain is open for business while taking the tough decisions required to tackle the deficit."

This week, the ICAEW claimed small firms are finding it difficult to borrow finance from banks due to the restrictive lending criteria in place.

Posted by Nicola Richards

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/sme-advice/800037053-govt-targets-for-sme-lending-would-not-be-helpful.aspx Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:54:47 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/24/800037053-govtplustargetsplusforplussmepluslendingplus'wouldplusnotplusbeplushelpful'.aspxGovt targets for SME lending 'would not be helpful'
Chris Gorman, spokesperson for the Forum of Private Business (FPB), was speaking as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) revealed SMEs are finding it hard to borrow from banks due to them using restrictive criteria.

Commenting on government-set targets, he said: "We don't think it would really work. If the banks really don't want to lend they will find ways of getting around the targets and massaging the figures to make it look like they have done."

"Banks have been very restrictive in their lending, and when they have been giving loans it has often been at a very high interest rate with excessive demands for security," he added.

Instead, Mr Gorman said the best way would be to "secure economic recovery and put pressure on the banks via scrutiny of figures". He added this would hopefully "get credit flowing again".

Posted by Dan Morris

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/business-electricity-news/800035886-welsh-smes-to-receive-support-from-new-scheme.aspx Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:00:00 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/23/800035886-welshplussmesplustoplusreceiveplussupportplusfromplusnewplusscheme.aspxWelsh SMEs to receive support from new scheme
Called the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), it is designed to help Welsh SMEs receive the right accreditation to help them install renewable technologies, such as solar panels and heat pumps.

The scheme launched last week and it will allow SMEs to access interest-free loans in order to cover the costs of achieving MCS accreditation.

Under the scheme, Welsh SMEs will stand to benefit from the increased growth in the renewables industry, which has been stimulated by initiatives such as the Feed-in Tariff scheme in the UK.

Environment minister for the Welsh Assembly Government Jane Davidson said: "I believe that Wales should be at the forefront of the transition to a low-carbon economy and want to make it as easy as possible for Welsh businesses to make the most of the opportunities associated with renewable energy."

Recently, the Federation of Small Businesses suggested that the UK government should extend the current loan scheme for SMEs in order to help them benefit from the eco-friendly initiatives on offer.

Posted by Richard Smart

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/business-electricity-news/800035870-business-energy-efficient-equipment-of-real-benefit-to-firms.aspx Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:34:25 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/23/800035870-businessplusenergy-efficientplusequipmentplus'ofplusrealplusbenefit'plustoplusfirms.aspxBusiness energy-efficient equipment 'of real benefit' to firmsbusiness energy-efficient equipment in order to reap the "real environmental and economic benefits", it has been suggested.

Euan Murray, general manager of the Carbon Trust Footprinting Company, said more organisations are starting to "think and act on their carbon footprint and energy emissions".

"If a business wants to reduce either its overall emissions, or the emissions produced through making a specific product, it is important that it works with experts to get a clear picture of where emissions emanate from," he said.

This helps them meet the standards for environmental best practice, as well as helping them save on costs for business electricity and gas, according to Mr Murray.

A recent survey by the Carbon Trust found that, at present, nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of firms do not measure their carbon footprint, which, if they did, would help them save on business energy usage.

Posted by Emma Noble

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/business-electricity-news/800035220-most-companies-dont-measure-carbon-footprint.aspx Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:00:00 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/23/800035220-mostpluscompaniesplus'don'tplusmeasurepluscarbonplusfootprint'.aspxMost companies 'don't measure carbon footprint'business energy usage.

The Carbon Trust surveyed 200 UK finance heads, finding that 48 per cent do not have a clear corporate target for carbon reduction, while a further 16 per cent are unsure whether their company even has a target.

Despite this, 72 per cent expect to have to measure their own carbon footprint soon and 76 per cent think they will be forced to pay for the carbon they emit.

Harry Morrison, general manager of the Carbon Trust, said: "The debate about whether or not carbon footprinting and payment will become mandatory for business appears to be over as far as finance heads are concerned. Yet only a minority have taken action so far and these early movers have a clear advantage."

Recently, the Federation of Small Businesses said the government needed to do more to help small and medium-sized firms in the UK become greener.

Posted by Tom Barnett

]]>http://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/sme-advice/800033415-smes-suffering-from-tight-lending-conditions.aspx Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:04:57 GMThttp://www.makeitcheaper.com/business-energy-news/2010/august/20/800033415-smesplus'sufferingplusfromplustightpluslendingplusconditions'.aspxSMEs 'suffering from tight lending conditions'
Loans to SMEs dropped by two per cent compared to the same month last year, the Bank's Trends in Lending report revealed.

"Contacts of the Bank's network of agents noted that credit conditions for smaller businesses remained tighter than for large corporates," the report said.

"Some major UK lenders expected demand from SMEs to remain muted in the coming months."

The new repayment figure for June was £3.5 billion, which was higher than the £2.2 billion in May, but still below last year's average.

Recent data from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, showed that lending through the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme fell from £254 million in the first quarter of 2009 to £186 million in the same period in 2010.

Posted by Sam Williams 

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