Free Money!
November 12th, 2010
An excellent opportunity is currently available from Business Link in Leicester to help fund 60% of business purchases, both capital and revenue i.e. it can be used for equipment (laptops, machinery etc) or marketing materials (websites, business cards, letterheads etc).
Equally businesses could use this as a marketing tool to sell their products and services to clients in Leicester at a greatly reduced cost.
How does the funding work?
- Business Link in Leicester are providing funding on a 60/40 match funding basis – Business Link provide 60% of the cost the client 40%.
- The funding elements, whether capital or revenue, can be dependant on business type and industry sector and this is clarified with the client at the time of review.
- Financial services are excluded.
- Three quotes will be required for all items.
- The client will pay 100% of the invoice initially (prior to receiving a 60% refund from Business Link).
- Capital funding so far has included the likes of laptop equipment, cooking equipment in the catering trade and will cover all items considered assets in the business.
- Revenue funding to date has covered website creation/optimisation, event costs, business cards/leaflets and can also cover training.
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Eligibility Requirements
- The business must be trading – the client has registered their business/has done some paid work and is in the process of registering their business.
- The business is located in the city of Leicester (business address is within the city and they pay rates to Leicester City Council).
- The Business has had no previous intervention from Business Link i.e. no previous meetings with an adviser, haven’t attended a Business Link event in the last 2 years and are not subscribed to a regular email service from Business Link.
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Next Stepsspace
If you’re interested in finding out more please contact Abrahamson Foster Ltd or alternatively Avnesh Pandya from Business Link on 07825 426768.
Abrahamson Foster Chartered Accountants are based in Hinckley and Leicester offering a full range of accountancy and taxation services.
Posted November 12th, 2010 in
Clients,
General,
Site news,
Uncategorized
Networking in Leicestershire
August 10th, 2010
I’m often asked by clients, both with established businesses and new start ups, what networking events we go to, or how they can meet both potential clients and people they can refer to. Usually I end up writing a long email about all the network groups in Leicestershire, so I thought it would be a good idea to put an article on our website which I can refer people to.
This list is not comprehensive but includes all the events we have come across since we started our accountancy practice, please feel free to let me know of any others.
4Networking
www.4networking.biz
There are 4Networking goups all over the country. In Leicestershire there are currently three groups:
Leicester:
Meet fortnightly on Friday mornings at 8am at the Stage Hotel in Wigston, Leicester.
Oakham:
Meet fortnightly on Fridays (opposite to the Leicester meetings) at 8am at the Admiral Hornblower in Oakham.
Loughborough:
Meet fortnightly on Thursday mornings at 8am at the Charnwood Golf Range in Loughborough.
Additionally there are plans to launch a Market Harborough/Lutterworth Group in September 2010.
From personal experience I can highly recommend 4 Networking; it is relaxed, there are no “one person from each industry restrictions” and everyone is friendly and helpful. There is a set format to the meetings – networking/60 seconds to pitch your business/speaker/3 one to one’s.
One of the biggest advantages of 4N is when you join you can go to as many different group meetings as you like.
BNI
www.bni-europe.com
BNI is a global networking organisation, with groups (chapters) in thousands of locations. There are several groups in Leicestershire, all the chapters can be found on the website.
To join an established BNI chapter, you need to ensure that there is a vacancy for your profession as BNI only allow one per chapter i.e. you can only have one accountant. If your profession is taken you can’t join.
If your profession is taken it is worth speaking to the area assistant directors who may be able to point you to a chapter with a vacancy for your profession or a new start up chapter.
BNI is one of the more “rigid” networking groups, with attendance rules, and referral monitoring. As such it is very focused and many members give and receive substantial amounts of business.
Chapters meet weekly, usually starting at 6.45am, however there is one fledgling lunchtime chapter in Leicester. There are annual and weekly fees, however most chapters will be more than happy for you to visit several times as a guest to see if it is right for you.
Leicester Business Club
www.the-businessclub.org/Leicester
Held once a month at Leicester Tigers ground in the evening, this networking event includes a buffet, a high quality speaker and the chance to network with 40+ businesses.
There are annual fees and event fees, though you can attend several events before making a decision to join. There are no restrictions – more than one person from each industry can attend.
Eat, Talk and Connect – ETC
Run by 5 small business owners, this excellent networking event is held once a month in Leicester and is well attended (40+ people). This month it is at the Peepul centre. The format of the evening is a buffet curry and a drink, networking and a speaker, all for the bargain price of £10.
The event is usually well attended, there are no joining or annual membership fees and there are no restrictions – more than one person from each industry can attend.
To get on the invite list, email Kiran Munde – Kiran@SKMDesign.co.uk
Federation of Small Businesses
www.fsb.org.uk
Very friendly organisation that run numerous events throughout the county every month/quarter.
There is an annual membership cost (includes lots of worthwhile benefits) and event fees, though they are more than happy for non members to turn up at several events before joining. There are no restrictions at events – more than one person from each industry can attend.
Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce
www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk/
The Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce hold numerous networking events throughout the year and have a separate women’s networking group “Integra”. All the events are listed on the website and you don’t have to be a member to attend.
The Chamber events often attract some larger businesses. Events typically cost £20 -£25.
Hinckley Business Association
www.hinckleybusiness.co.uk
Less of a networking group, more a social and developmental group, the Hinckley Business Association meet quarterly for dinner at the Sketchley Grange Hotel in Burbage. The invited speakers are excellent and thought provoking.
There are annual membership fees and event fees, however you can attend several events before deciding to sign up.
Business Networking South Leicestershire
www.businessnetworkingleicestershire.co.uk
An independent network group, who meet weekly at 7am for breakfast and networking at the Mill on the Soar, near Broughton Astley. There are annual and weekly fees.
Network Midlands
www.network-midlands.co.uk
Run by serial networker Trevor Wood, these well attended and well organised events typically cost £15-£25 plus VAT each including lunch or dinner. The location is different every event. There are no joining or annual membership fees.
Other
There are various other events to look out for which the main purpose is not networking, but they certainly help to meet other businesses:
ebusiness club
www.ebusinessclub.biz/
Part of the Chamber of Commerce, the e business club run some excellent FREE courses on e business i.e. planning a website, SEO, Google Adwords, Email marketing etc. The courses are run by professionals, the training would cost hundreds if you organised it yourself.
The courses last a day and you get to learn about your chosen subject and to meet other small business owners. Places go quickly so book early.
Business Link East Midlands
www.businesslink.gov.uk
Business link run a variety of courses in the area covering many different topics. Courses are generally free and are well attended.
Barclays Lets’s Talk – free Seminars
www.business.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/jsp/brccontrol?site=bbb&task=articleFWvi2&value=8441&target=_self
I attended a Barclays “lets talk more profit” seminar in Leicester in June which was excellent. Free to attend there were over 100 businesses there, with a professional thought provoking speaker.
Posted August 10th, 2010 in
Clients,
General,
Site news
9 tips to reduce your accountancy fees!
June 28th, 2010
Maybe I shouldn’t add this post, but here are some tips!
1) Be nice to your accountant. Believe me, rude or obnoxious clients always get charged more!!!
2) Ask your accountant how they would like you to keep your books records so that you take up less of their time. Even if you do not have the time yourself, it is better to get a bookkeeper to tidy up your books at £15per hour than an accountant at £40 -£150 per hour.
3) Refer clients to your accountant, give them a testimonial. Most accountants will reflect this help in your invoice!
4) Get several quotes, competition should help keep your fees down. Price isn’t everything, but is should keep your fees competitive.
5) Tell the accountant you will bring your books in at their quieter times. Depending on how busy they are you may receive a discount.
6) Ask to pay by standing order with some payment in advance in exchange for a discount. The accountant then does not have to worry about debt collection.
7) Ask for a first year discount – if you were a recommendation to the practice they have not had to incur any marketing costs.
8) Ask for any quote to be broken down between the different services, so you can see what they charge for each and whether there may be room for manoeuvre.
9) Don’t ask you accountants to do things at the last minute. You may be charged extra, particularly leading up to the self assessment deadline (January 31st).
Abrahamson Foster Chartered Accountants are based in Hinckley and Leicester offering a full range of accountancy and taxation services.