Business121 Small Business Newsletter #46

In this week's Business121:

1. A timely example of how easy it will be to discriminate by age
2. 10 Secrets to improving your website's conversion ratio
3. 3 Ways to optimise your website navigation
4. Do you use bespoke software? What to look out for
5. Look for exit as soon as you get started
6. New scheme offers businesses help and advice on hazardous waste
7. Self Assessment Tips - Get your tax return in early
8. Most UK Business people change their accents when doing business
9. SME exports grow for first time in a decade
10. Warning over 'excessive' HMRC powers to investigate tax payers
11. British businesses support influx of immigrants

A timely example of how easy it will be to discriminate by age

Shortly after sending the August 15 issue of Business121, I got an email from Ken Foy of Accore Ltd;

"I noted in Duncan Bannatyne's article 'Look locally to recruit the best workers' mention of "age" as one of the secondary criteria he looks at when recruiting - his readers should be aware that from 1st October this becomes in most circumstances a no-no."

Here's the statement in DB's article that Ken is referring to;

"Only then would I start to look at qualifications, where they live, their age and how well written the CV is."

Of course, Ken is absolutely spot-on. In just a month's time, when the new age discrimination legislation becomes law, Duncan Bannatyne, along with all employers will be breaking the law if he uses age to decide who he employs.

As Ken goes on to point out, there can be no more, "newly qualified graduate", "10 years experience" etc.

For many companies, the new legislation will require a change in recruitment policies, procedures and attitudes if they are to avoid breaking the rules come October 1.

You can find out more about how the new age discrimination laws apply to employers, and download the ACAS Advice Leaflet - 'Age and the workplace' from the ACAS website.

Thanks to Ken for highlighting just how easy it will be to fall foul of this impending legislation. Ken provides support for businesses and advice agencies;
http://www.accore.co.uk

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10 Secrets to improving your website's conversion ratio
According to the so-called experts, a decent conversion ratio is right around one percent. In other words, one out of every one hundred visitors to your website converts to a sale. Here are 10 tips to do much better;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=117

3 Ways to optimise your website navigation
If making more website sales is a priority, you should also read this article to help you to improve your website navigation. Studies show that well-planned navigation can help boost your sales by more than 50%! So it can make a big difference to your bottom line;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=118

Do you use bespoke software? What to look out for
How to protect your business if you purchase bespoke software. How an escrow agreement works in such a situation;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=110

Look for exit as soon as you get started
In the latest in Duncan Bannatyne's series of columns in The Times, the Dragons' Den judge, deals with devising an exit strategy.

"A SURPRISING number of people start businesses without having any real idea why they are doing it or where they are hoping to end up. In other words, they do not have an exit strategy. In my experience this is a big mistake" he cautions;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=115

New scheme offers businesses help and advice on hazardous waste
Small and medium sized businesses are being invited to take part in a new EU-funded project, established to help companies reduce the amount of hazardous waste they produce - and save money.

The HAZRED project aims to demonstrate the benefits of setting waste reduction targets and developing waste reduction plans in partnership with industry sectors that have a large proportion of small businesses;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=109

Self Assessment Tips - Get your tax return in early
Last year, 4.8 million people missed the 30 September tax return cut off date. And while the tax return deadline for this year - 31 January 2007 - may seem some way off, individual taxpayers should remember that there are incentives for filing it early;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=111

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SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
===================

Most UK Business people change their accents when doing business
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The UK is a nation of ‘Accent Chameleons’ with two thirds of us consciously changing our accent when doing business, according to the findings of a nationwide study.

The research found that the London and South East accent was seen by most of the UK business community as the ideal professional accent for financial, sales and customer service careers. Bad news for me then!;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=113

SME exports grow for first time in a decade
-------------------------------------------------------
Export orders for small and medium sized (SME) manufacturers have grown for the first time in over a decade, and are expected to continue rising, according to CBI research published last week;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=112

Warning over 'excessive' HMRC powers to investigate tax payers
-------------------------------------------------------
HMRC wants to be granted new criminal investigation powers, such as the right to make arrests and take fingerprints without police officers being present! HMRC should not be given powers that exceed those of the police when investigating tax crime, says PKF Accountants & business advisers;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=114

British businesses support influx of immigrants
-------------------------------------------------------
British businesses employing immigrant workers benefit from an improved company culture and the strong work ethos that many East Europeans bring;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=116

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

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