Newsletter #185 - NI increase will cost 57,000 small business jobs, How to write a business plan for you, not the bank, Brilliant or bankrupt? How to work out if your business idea is viable, How to revolutionise your marketing for free...
In this week's Newsletter:
1. National Insurance increase will cost 57,000 jobs
2. How to write a business plan for you, not the bank
3. Brilliant or bankrupt? How to work out if your business idea is viable
4. How to revolutionise your marketing for free
5. 5 classic branding mistakes to avoid
6. Can anyone become a limited company director?
7. Limited companies - what is a registered office?
8. 10 golden rules for successfully moving office
9. Top business tips for surviving the recession and riding the upturn
10. 7 Reasons to Consider Franchising
Small Business News
11. Tax deadlines 2009/10 - download for small businesses
12. Firms should ensure they keep the cash flowing in the festive build up
13. The Pitch 2009 - 16th November Grand Final - Register to attend
14. Self assessment paper deadline looms - October 31
15. Firms predict return to economic growth in Summer 2010
16. Legal firm warns against employing agency workers to break strikes
National Insurance increase will cost 57,000 small business jobs
At a time when the government is spending £1bn of taxpayers' money trying to create 150,000 new jobs, it's also doing its level best to slash 57,000 existing jobs.
What? That can't be right, it doesn't make any sense, I hear you say...
But, as mad as it may seem, that is the ridiculous scenario this government will put us in.
In April 2011 the government plans to increase national insurance contributions (NICs) by 0.5p. That might seem like a good idea for the expense-fiddling crew in Whitehall, but the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has calculated that this tax rise will result in small companies cutting 57,000 staff.
The job losses would cost the Treasury around £900m in jobseekers allowance and other benefits alone. Consequently, the cost of these job losses would mean the net gain, to the Treasury, from the increase in NICs would be minimal.
Ben Read, an economist at the CEBR, said taxing "economically beneficial activity" was "inconsistent" with policies designed to help the economy recover. "The potential benefits to the public purse from increasing taxes on small business are at best minimal, and in the long term may actually damage public finances," he said.
Or in layman's terms, it doesn't make any financial sense to tax jobs when you are desperate for the economy to recover.
We all know that taxes are going to have to rise, so we can start repaying the £800bn of public debt this government has piled up. But it makes no sense whatsoever to do so by taxing proper jobs out of the market.
You can read more about the CEBR report and the effects of raising NICs;
Raising small business tax burden would be very costly
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How to write a business plan for you, not the bank
When you decide it's time to get your business started, you'll find the first piece of advice given by most experts is to, "get a business plan written". And they're right; that is the first step to turn your business dream into a reality, but many people find it the hardest step to make.
However, if you are writing a business plan for yourself, not to help you raise money, there are essentially only four key things you need in your business plan.
Brilliant or bankrupt? How to work out if your business idea is viable
Those people who make a big success of their business are the ones who understand how to analyse an idea for its potential, and then execute it in a way to generate maximum profit. To work out if your idea is brilliant, or will bankrupt you, there are four key questions to ask before you get started.
How to revolutionise your marketing for free
You can get ahead of the competition without spending any money - all you need is to think smart, and embrace two simple tools - blogging and podcasting.
5 classic branding mistakes to avoid
Over time a brand becomes one of the most valuable things a business can own. It stands for something and makes promises to customers. With a valuable asset such as this you need to look after it, nurture it, and ensure that you never do anything to damage it. Here are the 5 classic branding mistakes to avoid.
Can anyone become a limited company director?
All private companies must have at least one company director - but are there any legal restrictions on who can fill this position?
Limited companies - what is a registered office?
By law, every company in the UK must have a registered office - this is a physical address in the UK where the company can receive documents from Companies House and other organisations.
10 golden rules for successfully moving office
For many businesses, the prospect of moving office is daunting. But like any process it can be broken down into a series of simple tasks and checks. By following these golden rules you can ensure your office move runs on time, to budget and hassle free.
Top business tips for surviving the recession and riding the upturn
Here are some top tips to help business owners successfully manage their businesses in this difficult economical climate, and be ready for the post-downturn.
7 Reasons to Consider Franchising
Buying a franchise is a little like buying the rights to distribute a particular product or service from an established provider. Franchising is a rapidly growing industry and its popularity is because of several distinct advantages.
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SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
Tax deadlines 2009/10 - download for small businesses
HMRC have released a downloadable tax calendar for small companies, which includes details of all the key tax deadlines, as well as how to work out your variable deadlines depending on your personal circumstances.
Firms should ensure they keep the cash flowing in the festive build up
Small companies are being advised to get their finances in order, and ensure they have the systems in place to get paid promptly, and above all - keep the cash flowing in the run up to Christmas.
The Pitch 2009 - 16th November Grand Final - Register to attend
The winner of The Pitch 2009, the UK's comprehensive search for new business talent, will be decided on 16th November in London.
Self assessment paper deadline looms - October 31
The Self Assessment paper deadline is coming up - if you're going to file your Tax Return on paper you need to do so by 31st October. File online and gain three extra months.
Firms predict return to economic growth in Summer 2010
A major survey of 11,000 companies across 15 countries concludes that a strong return to economic growth is not expected to start until summer 2010. The UK firms included in the study are less optimistic than the average.
Legal firm warns against employing agency workers to break strikes
A leading North West law firm is warning the UK's 4 million small firms not to draft in agency workers to cover for striking staff, since this could breach employment regulations and result in a high fine.
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Posted October 30, 2009
