Newsletter #137 - More bank holidays, How to keep your business bank charges low, Registering for VAT, How to gain a business advantage on your competitors, 50 Bootstrap Marketing ideas, Best broadband suppliers

In this week's Business121:

1. More bank holidays
2. How to keep your business bank charges low
3. VAT Registration - When should I register?
4. How to gain a business advantage on your competitors
5. 50 Bootstrap Marketing ideas for small businesses and startups

Small Business News

6. Which broadband suppliers are doing the best?
7. Small businesses need to be more savvy with their cashflow management
8. New 31st October deadline for paper self assessment returns
9. eBay cuts charges to attract more fixed-price sales
10. Reclaiming VAT from 1973-1997 - deadline looming for applicants
11. Olympic benefit for small businesses?

More bank holidays

I see that the TUC have used the August bank holiday as an opportunity to campaign for another bank holiday!

According to a new TUC report nearly one million UK businesses could benefit from a new bank holiday, so they are calling for a 'Community Day' bank holiday in late October.

The TUC reckons that many businesses, such as those in the retail, hospitality, leisure, tourism and transport sectors, have stronger trading days on bank holidays and would therefore benefit from a new public holiday. Consumer spending in these sectors has grown from 31% of household income in 1971 to 39% in 2005 so the TUC believes that an extra bank holiday will help to continue this spending boom.

But that's not all! On top of the revenue benefits, the TUC argues that all employers would benefit from the improved productivity, morale, health and well-being that it would give staff.

So if, bank holidays can boost the economy, and improve the productivity and well-being of the entire nation why are the economic alchemists at the TUC only calling for one extra bank holiday every year?

If bank holidays really do bring all these benefits, all the government has to do to turnaround our sinking economy is create twenty new bank holidays!

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How to keep your business bank charges low
During the economic downturn, the last thing you want to do is pay for unnecessary bank charges on your account. We look at some of the simplest steps you can take to reduce the cost of your business banking.

VAT Registration - When should I register?
When should you register your business for VAT, why you might want to voluntarily register, and where to find out more about the registration process.

How to gain a business advantage on your competitors
Understanding the market place and your competitors will help you to target your own products and services more effectively. Looking at your rivals' strength and weaknesses can help you to improve the way you run your business and can also uncover gaps in the market that you can exploit. Here's how to review your competitors and get one step ahead of them.

In the current climate it's even more important that your marketing activities are bringing in new customers. If you're marketing budget doesn't stretch very far our guide to 50 Bootstrap Marketing Ideas will give you plenty of low-cost ways you can promote your business.

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RECLAIM UNFAIR BUSINESS BANK FEES AND CHARGES

If you run a business you probably pay overdraft or bank charges. However, many of these charges are unfair.

If you have paid bank charges in the last 6 years, you will be able to reclaim the fees that were charged unfairly. You might well be able to reclaim thousands of pounds.

We specialise in helping businesses to reclaim unfair bank fees and we're happy to work with you on a 'No Win No Fee basis'. Our average claim is £5,400, so contact us NOW for some expert and friendly advice; http://snipurl.com/Reclaim_Bank_Charges
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SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Which broadband suppliers are doing the best?
As the market for personal and business broadband gets ever more competitive, a leading UK broadband comparison site has announced the results of its first annual broadband awards

Small businesses need to be more savvy with their cashflow management
New research from HSBC shows that the UK's small companies are being hit by the double threat of suppliers billing quicker and clients paying late. This means that forward planning with finances is even more important to avoid cashflow problems.

New 31st October deadline for paper self assessment returns
In previous years, the self-assessment deadline for both paper and online returns was 31st January. The online deadline remains the same, but in an effort to wean taxpayers off paper returns, the deadline for submitting a paper return is being brought forward to October 31st.

eBay cuts charges to attract more fixed-price sales
Online auction giant eBay has announced a cut in the cost of listing products to sell online. The charges for upfront listings will be reduced, with additional fees only applicable when a product has actually been sold.

Reclaiming VAT from 1973-1997 - deadline looming for applicants
It's not often that companies can claim anything back from the taxman, but many businesses could be missing out on claiming VAT rebates over a 24 period from 1973 to 1997.

Olympic benefit for small businesses?
As the Olympic torch is handed over to London following the excellent Beijing games, new research suggests that entrepreneurs are unsure whether the 2012 event will benefit smaller companies.

** For the latest Small Business News, visit http://www.Bytestart.co.uk **

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