The proportion of UK small businesses predicting growth has almost doubled in just three months – from 14% to 27% – giving one of the first tangible indications that the Government’s easing of lockdown is having a positive impact on a key area of the UK economy. The quarterly tracking
THE number of project managers, contractors and stakeholders opting to carry out training in NEC contracts has sharply risen thanks to online training courses, NEC4 drafter Dr Stuart Kings reveals. Online training on how to best use and understand the NEC suite of contracts was launched in May via NEC
Planning, marketing, productivity and talent. Just some of the most important aspects of any business. Driving your business towards success will certainly be more achievable if you bear those things in mind. However, money and good financial planning is also a feature of business you need to focus your attention
If becoming a web developer needs an opportunity, then that opportunity is today. As the world has stepped into the world of the digital era, developers are needed for web developers. It is a flourishing business today. And with the blockchain technology coming in the picture, it has become one
While all businesses should focus on methods of saving, those in the construction sector need to be exceptionally vigilant in this regard. There are so many resources that need to go into projects to render even a low-profit margin. Therefore, while other types of businesses may opt for money-saving tactics
The employee-owned business has added standard insulated box liners to its thermal range. This range is ideal for getting goods from A to B in a temperature-controlled environment at cost-effective prices. Commonly used in food and drink and pharmaceutical industries. Insulated box liners help to maintain the inner temperature of
Most brands are using a business card to market their products to prospective clients. However, with the increase in the adoption of these cards, it is essential to ensure that yours stands out. The fashion industry is not immune to these requirements, and you need to strategize smart ideas to
There are times when you choose to post some items in the mail which need more protection than common paper envelopes. And this type of envelope is also the perfect thing when it comes to transferring items and packaging online that are flat yet sensitive. Being available in different sizes, these envelopes
The home building industry has warmly welcomed the First Minister’s announcement that construction can move to Phase 2 of its restart plan which will see sites begin to open up again with workers following strict social distancing and hygiene controls. Providing further confidence for both prospective customers and builders, the
The employee-owned business has an extensive offering of tapes and have in more recent times put a focus on their paper tape offering to support businesses looking for a more environmental option. The most recent addition to their range is their printed ‘FRAGILE’ paper tape. An environmental alternative to polypropylene
The proportion of UK small businesses predicting growth has almost doubled in just three months – from 14% to 27% – giving one of the first tangible indications that the Government’s easing of lockdown is having a positive impact on a key area of the UK economy. The quarterly tracking study by Hitachi Capital Business Finance goes beyond sentiment and confidence – it examines the percentage of small businesses that actually predict growth in the next three months. Following last quarter’s report, which saw the percentage of small business owners predicting growth plummeting from 39% to just 14%, the new findings show the highest quarter-on-quarter rise in five years. With 27% predicting growth overall, there were significant rises in the percentage of small businesses predicting moderate expansion the next three months (up from 10% to 23%) or no change (26% to 43%). This meant there has been a huge reduction in the percentage of businesses that fear contraction (down from 31% to 19%) or collapse in the next three months (down by almost two thirds from 29% to 11%). By sector, the IT/telecoms sector had the highest proportion of small businesses that predicted growth for the three months to 30th September (44%). The biggest rises in confidence since lockdown were evidenced in and transport and distribution (up from 8% to 34%) and manufacturing (9% to 30%), where the resurgence of growth forecasts was striking. There were also significant rises in sectors hardest hit by lockdown: In retail, the percentage of small businesses predicting growth rose from 21% to 27% – and in hospitality growth forecasts rose from 11% to 16% in the three months since April. The research also suggests that smaller, more agile enterprises will be the fastest to adapt to the UK’s re-emergence from lockdown: Small businesses that had been trading for less than five years (35%) and those that employed 10-49 employees (37%) were most likely to predict business growth for the next three months (to 30th September). Gavin Wraith-Carter, Managing Director at Hitachi Capital Business Finance commented: “The latest Hitachi Capital research findings are remarkable for both the scale and the speed of the revival in small business confidence. We knew last quarter that small business confidence would fall as lockdown started and the scale of the fall was a concern, particularly the steep rise in the number of business owners fearing for their survival. Our new research – just in – shows what an immediate and positive impact the easing of lockdown has had on the small business community. Whilst bigger businesses are having to adjust and adapt at a slower pace, small business confidence across the UK has bounced back and as the engine room of the British economy, today’s figures can give us confidence that small businesses will lead the nation’s effort to rebuild the economy and secure growth.”
THE number of project managers, contractors and stakeholders opting to carry out training in NEC contracts has sharply risen thanks to online training courses, NEC4 drafter Dr Stuart Kings reveals. Online training on how to best use and understand the NEC suite of contracts was launched in May via NEC and national framework provider Pagabo. As with courses across the board, this training was converted into an online format and a huge response has seen all online training completely fully booked and future courses all reaching maximum numbers already. Dr Stuart Kings, technical director and in-house NEC expert at Pagabo, said: “It’s been really important to ensure that training can still be maintained during a time when organisations need NEC guidance the most, and we’re thrilled to report that the response to these online courses has been phenomenal. “People want the accreditation – and the online format has made the courses far more accessible at a time when individuals and organisations alike have adapted quickly to technology. “With the NEC, there are multiple contracts – a bit like a ‘box set’ of all contracts which includes consultancy, sub-contractors, major works and design, and build and operate. NEC covers every procurement exercise under the sub and embodies the principles of good project management – which is why it is now the dominant contract in the construction industry.” Stuart was one of the drafters of the NEC4 suite of contractors, which are used by Pagabo in its procurement processes. He reports that many organisations are currently wanting to gain a deeper understanding of how NEC contractors works, and to ensure that they are up to speed with the way it can be of benefit to them in terms of project management. As well as giving training to Pagabo’s contractors, supply chain and clients, Stuart has also been giving advice to organisations such as Pick Everard. Stuart continued: “While the NEC contract covers major projects such as Hinckley Point C, CrossRail and HS2, it is also suitable for smaller projects too. The training courses have taken people through the contract in close detail, from start to end. They have provided a checklist of actions taking you from day one of the project, right through to completion.” Simon Toplass, chief executive at Pagabo, said: “The NEC contract itself has been around since 1991, and when it launched it was seen as radically rewriting the rulebook. Instead of focusing purely on contractual procedures, the contract became more about project management principles and modern practice. “NEC is now so central to procurement particularly within the construction industry, so it’s really crucial for framework providers like us to offer real expertise in order to advise clients and suppliers and give the best possible support. We’re thrilled to have an in-house expert in Stuart and to be able to offer this expertise and training to others in the sector.” For more information, please visit www.pagabo.co.uk
Planning, marketing, productivity and talent. Just some of the most important aspects of any business. Driving your business towards success will certainly be more achievable if you bear those things in mind. However, money and good financial planning is also a feature of business you need to focus your attention on. Keeping an eye on that bottom line and keeping your business in the black is what it’s all about. You want both business and financial success. As well as something to pass onto your children and of course something left over for your retirement – looking for info on a personal pension plan? Click the link to find out more. So, if you’re looking to keep those coffers full you might want to look at how you save your business as much money as possible. Read on for how you start saving money on your business, today. Reduce the cost of equipment Laptops, office chairs, file cabinets, printing equipment, monitors, printer cartridges – whatever you and your team need in the office, avoid buying brand new and choose gently used instead. You can still look professional, kit out your workspace and get the job done without spending a fortune. Always be as green as possible Going green isn’t just good for the environment, it’s great for your bank balance too. In addition, being environmentally conscious is also a great USP, which many people look for when choosing small businesses. Make sure everything is switched off when it’s not in use, encourage employees to carpool, use renewable energies and save as much paper as you can! Go freelance or home-based More people than ever are working from home. With many employees working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic and continuing to do so for the foreseeable future, if you don’t need to spend huge amounts on rental fees and office utilities, then why should you? Opting for home-based or freelance workers can free up huge amounts of money that could be better spent elsewhere. Cut back on meetings Meetings are great for checking in with your employees, sharing ideas and updates. However, in terms of productivity, they’re incredibly expensive. How many hours a week are you spending on meetings? The amount might surprise you. If what needs to be said can be put into an email, do it. Hire those with less experience If you need in-house staff, then consider opting for candidates who are fairly new to their career. Choosing a graduate or entry-level employee to complete tasks that they’ll be capable of is a simple yet effective way to save your business money. Not only do enthusiastic and recently qualified people get to work with you, but you won’t have to pay the larger salary of someone who has over ten years of experience. You still get the work done, but for much cheaper. And finally, cut back on expenses Buying the team their lunch every week? Or providing endless tea, coffee and biscuits? All of these expenses don’t sound like much but over a year? It’s money that could certainly be better spent elsewhere.
If becoming a web developer needs an opportunity, then that opportunity is today. As the world has stepped into the world of the digital era, developers are needed for web developers. It is a flourishing business today. And with the blockchain technology coming in the picture, it has become one of the most pursued career paths. There are several companies that working on multiple platforms and are looking for web developers that can implement the blockchain technology in their system for digital transactions. But integrating the blockchain technology into an existing system can really be a laborious job. Hence, it has become mandatory for the blockchain developers to use tools for developing blockchain-based operating system. What do people expect from Blockchain developers? Blockchain is an open-source network, and people expect the blockchain web developer to follow the same principle while developing a project. The open-source even help the inexperienced web developer to develop a good quality system. It is not always necessary to build your own blockchain network, you can always use existing blockchain network for your web development projects. Some of the famous blockchain networks are the Bitcoin and Ethereum. Even the website https://profit-revolution.com uses the existing Blockchain of the Bitcoin. Tools used for Blockchain-based Web Development While developing blockchain web development, it become necessary to use the following tools to make your web development more efficient and accurate. Mist Mist is a tool that helps you store Ether cryptocurrencies. In addition, it also helps you with the smart contracts and crypto exchanges. This app is one of the products of the ether developers that you can use to create your own network. To start with, you first have to download the mist app and start working on the app on the browser. However, to initiate smart contracts, you will be asked to have an initial investment in ether. This initial investment will act as fuel to boost your ether contracts. Solc Solc is a programming language that is used by the programmer to write codes for the Ethereum blockchain network. If you are one of the Ethereum traders, there might be a chance that you are using the Ethereum node coded with the Solc programming language. With the help of the Solc, you can input codes in Ethereum network while being offline. Blockchain test net Being a web developer means that you need to keep tabs on the performance of the app you are developing. However, being on the original network can be a hassle at times. You will keep getting notification that will be not required for web development. Hence, most of the developer use the copy of the same blockchain network to test their app. This network can be created by a blockchain test net. This app helps you to be on the network without any additional distractions. Ether scripter You all know what smart contracts are. But do you know how the smart contracts are made? Well, the answer is right in front of you. Ether scripter is behind the encryption of smart contracts. It just like other ordinary compilers. The only difference between Ether scripter and other compiler is that Ether compiler can use only the Serpent programming language. Baas Baas is the product of the Microsoft Azure and stands for Blockchain As A Service. It was built to help the developer to build app in a secure and less costly environment. Baas was created solely for a single purpose to launch the blockchain network with just a few clicks. Conclusion If you have gone through the above content then you must have noticed that in this article, we have talked about the tools that developers use for the blockchain web development. If you can really use these tools to their full potential, you will be able to develop projects with more efficiency.
While all businesses should focus on methods of saving, those in the construction sector need to be exceptionally vigilant in this regard. There are so many resources that need to go into projects to render even a low-profit margin. Therefore, while other types of businesses may opt for money-saving tactics to boost profits, construction businesses need to implement cost savings to survive in a competitive market. If you are wondering how you can kickstart your construction business while saving as much as possible, you should consider the following. Renting Equipment And Specialty Vehicles It’s no secret that specialist vehicles and construction equipment come with extremely high price tags, which often leaves entrepreneurs feeling as though they will not be able to see profits within the near future. Rather than spending a fortune to purchase new or even used items, it would be best if you considered the option of renting. There are options available to finance a dump truck and several other types of speciality vehicles. The solution means you will be able to spread your capital more carefully while starting your business. Renting speciality equipment will also remove the costly issue of maintenance and potential repair costs on the vehicles as this is usually included in the rental price. Invest In Quality Tools Once you have your speciality vehicles and equipment, you will also need a few tools to get projects done. While many consider cheap tools a saving, quite the opposite couldn’t be more accurate as cheap tools won’t last. Therefore, you will end up having to replace tools quite often, which will end up costing you a fortune in expenses. In addition to opting for quality tools, you should also create an inventory of all tools and equipment to ensure these essential items are not being misplaced. You can have your employees sign tools in and out to keep track of the whereabouts of every item. Reduce Waste Enhancing measuring systems to reduce waste will benefit your business as well as the environment. Rather than buying extra materials that will merely end up filling landfills, even more, you should prioritize accuracy when it comes to measuring to ensure you are saving on materials instead of allowing excess waste. It is also a great idea to evaluate your total waste after each project and determine methods of reducing the overall total. You can revisit your waste after each project to streamline the effort of reducing waste materials. Outsource Departments Many aspiring entrepreneurs make the common mistake of employing entire departments that do not assist core business functions. These departments include sales, marketing, human resources, and several others. Instead of attempting to fit massive employee costs into your businesses expense budget, you may find that outsourcing these departments will implement incredible savings. What’s more, you will also be able to access industry experts when outsourcing, which you may not otherwise be able to afford. Therefore, your business can function with core employees and enjoy massive cost savings.
The employee-owned business has added standard insulated box liners to its thermal range. This range is ideal for getting goods from A to B in a temperature-controlled environment at cost-effective prices. Commonly used in food and drink and pharmaceutical industries. Insulated box liners help to maintain the inner temperature of goods throughout their transit periods and when used in conjunction with our gel packs or ice sheets, the products inside will maintain the desired temperature for between 12 and 24 hours. Offering an adequate amount of thermal protection and compromised from BOPP (biaxially-oriented polypropylene) outer foil layer, to reflect heat away from the products and laminated 70-micron double-lined bubble wrap inner, providing an interval of insulation and cushioning your chilled goods will be protected in transit. For more information on Kite Packaging and its range of products and services, please visit kitepackaging.co.uk.
Most brands are using a business card to market their products to prospective clients. However, with the increase in the adoption of these cards, it is essential to ensure that yours stands out. The fashion industry is not immune to these requirements, and you need to strategize smart ideas to be competitive. Fashion business card intention is to promote your fashion business and encourage more buyers to buy your products and services. The Printing house creates innovative, useful business cards for your fashion business. The following are the important things you should know about your business card if you are in the fashion industry: Personalization of the business card Personalization is the addition of your images, contacts, and email address on the fashion business card. The information is useful in giving your prospective consumers a detailed report of your location and the products you sell. Additionally, images displayed on the business card can provide them with a glance into your business dealings in an effective manner. The inclusion of your photo is incredible to create an image in the mind of the consumers. They will remember the conversation you had and the place of meeting. Customization according to the events It is crucial to showcase your products in various events if you want to remain relevant in the fashion industry. While attending different functions, it is essential to incorporate the theme of the event to your card. It is an appropriate manner to connect with the customers in the events. If your business card has space, you can handwrite it to make it memorable to the customer. It will act as a perfect reminder of the encounter, and the prospective customer might be encouraged to approach your business in the future. Inclusion of your social presence Instagram and Facebook are the most widely used social media platforms to market fashion products. Thus inclusion of your social presence is an effective way to connect with the prospective buyers. The buyers will have an extraordinary chance to view your products without visiting your physical store through social media platforms. Also, if you have e-commerce stores, including your store availability, it is a conducive way to increase your sales. Create something unique The fashion industry is flooded, and to gain popularity, you need to create something unique that captures the attention of the customers. The Printing house can innovate something that will stand out in the competitive market. The uniqueness is measured in terms of color coordination, extraordinary style, and rare paper designs. Inclusion of testimonials Testimonials act as evidence of the effectiveness of your service delivery. You can briefly list some credible testimonials to build trust with the clients. Additionally, the inclusion of people you do business with is an incredible way to boost your confidence with the clients. Reputable brands will significantly assure the customers of the reputation of your fashion business. What are the merits of incorporating such changes in your fashion business card? It’s a cheap marketing strategy. By allowing the business cards to advertise your fashion products, you save a considerable amount of money on other forms of advertising. Consumers’ target is often regulated, and it is possible to reach the demographic you feel needs your products. It boosts credibility in your business. Business cards prove your credibility in the fashion industry. The inclusion of your business information and physical and virtual presence is a clear indication that you are a reputable dealer in the industry. Also, it plays as a perfect reminder to the customers of your presence in the industry, and the chances of being forgotten are narrowed. The business card is a proof of the existence of a reputable business in the market. It is unreasonable to ignore the impact a business card has on the reputation of your brand. They are useful in events. The perfect way of marketing your products in public gatherings is the use of business cards. It is an ideal way to boost your client base and connect with new contacts in the event. The cards will be useful to communicate to the persons attending the event. Business cards are more visible. Compared to other methods of advertising, business cards are visible due to their physical characteristics. The visibility of the cards will act as a perfect reminder to the customer of your presence in the market. Bottom Line Using business cards in the fashion industry is essential to remain relevant in the industry. However, not just any business card will be valuable to increase sales in your business. It is crucial to incorporate the above things into your card to make it useful. You can also hire The Printing house to design attractive and unique business cards that will capture the attention of your customers.
There are times when you choose to post some items in the mail which need more protection than common paper envelopes. And this type of envelope is also the perfect thing when it comes to transferring items and packaging online that are flat yet sensitive. Being available in different sizes, these envelopes are available in plastic or paper covered outer layer and these also feature bubble wrap layers inside the envelopes. One of the best things about this type of envelope is that you can easily get this from different reputable sources in the UK like Bestbuyenvelopes. Why do businesses prefer bubble envelopes? Businesses often have to send mails or some other delicate items through posts. And the padded envelopes work as the safest bet in these cases. These envelopes come with stronger paper made outer layer and an additional protective lining made of recycled fibers or plastic bubble wraps, which protect the items placed inside the envelopes during handling and transition. Some of the reasons why businesses bubble envelopes are: These envelopes are puncture resistant and strong mailbags that can protect the items against all the hazards of shipping. Apart from being highly cost-effective, these mailers are also lightweight and therefore these require less postage cost than shipping boxes. Some of these envelopes also come with self-sealing abilities, which save the time of insertion and fastening. Besides, there is no chance of tampering security. These envelopes can be used numerous times and can also be recycled when needed. Different use of bubble envelopes: Bubble envelopes are used to carry different products. Here is a list of items for which these envelopes are the best packaging option: Small gifts: There are times when companies have to send some gift items to the clients or employees. In these cases, the use of padded envelopes ensures the safe arrival of the gifts at the desired destinations. CD and DVD: These are one of the items, which need some additional protection when these are sent through the mail. Here the bubble wraps in the padded envelopes protect CDs and DVDs from the heavy pressure of other items. Besides, using this kind of envelope also eliminates the requirement of using cardboard boxes, which are heavy and result in additional postal charges. Photographs and documents: When it comes to sending photographs from one place to another, it is important to choose the safest delivery option. It is because if the photographs are folded or pressed hard while handling or during transit, then the quality of the image can suffer a lot. Besides, this type of packaging solution plays an important role when it comes to transferring important official documents in a good and safe condition. Using bubble envelopes ensure that the documents are transferred in undamaged, unfolded, properly packed, and clean condition. Promotional items: This is especially true for the eCommerce businesses where companies need to send some promotional goods, company leaflets, magazines etc. to the existing customers, potential buyers or clients, resellers, and employees to allure them. Sending these items through bubble envelopes ensure that these things reach the recipient’s address in intact condition.
The home building industry has warmly welcomed the First Minister’s announcement that construction can move to Phase 2 of its restart plan which will see sites begin to open up again with workers following strict social distancing and hygiene controls. Providing further confidence for both prospective customers and builders, the First Minister also confirmed the extension of the highly successful Help to Buy scheme for a further year until March 2022. Chief Executive of industry body Homes for Scotland Nicola Barclay said: “To get confirmation that home builders can now commence the re-opening of their sites is great news that hasn’t come a moment too soon given the robust safety plans that the industry has developed and put in place. With pent-up housing demand having increased with every day that has passed, we look forward to finishing off the many homes that are already largely complete and that families are desperate to move into as well as starting to get the new homes that are so desperately needed out of the ground. “Having the extension of the Help to Buy scheme announced at the same time is also a much required confidence booster for the housing market that will help ensure even more younger Scots can benefit from this hugely successful initiative and realise their aspirations of owning their own home. “The First Minister paid tribute to the very responsible approach that has been adopted by the industry during the lockdown, and this is a sentiment I wish to echo loudly. Home builders have stepped up to the plate supporting their customers, employees and local communities, and this will continue as we look forward to working closely with government and other stakeholders to rebuild Scotland’s economy.”
The employee-owned business has an extensive offering of tapes and have in more recent times put a focus on their paper tape offering to support businesses looking for a more environmental option. The most recent addition to their range is their printed ‘FRAGILE’ paper tape. An environmental alternative to polypropylene and PVC tape, the clear stand out message offers the exact same message as their existing range, however, on paper kraft, making it a more economical solution. Its solvent adhesive is long-lasting and durable and requires minimal pressure when applied. Suited to a wide range of applications it can be torn by hand and the clear message in red ensures the handler is aware of any packages that need to be handled with caution. For more information on Kite Packaging and their range of products and services, please visit kitepackaging.co.uk.