It’s August, schools are well and truly out and the holiday exodus is in full flow. As a result normal commuter routes have quietened noticeably whilst the regular Friday/Saturday getaway is blocking motorways and other…
As a business your phone number is as much part of your brand image as your name, your publications or your website. The business number you choose can tell callers that you are a part…
How easy is it to switch your phone provider? Well if you have a mobile phone then new Ofcom rules have come into force which should make switching far easier. Out goes the need…
In 2018/19 more than 100,000 telephone scams were reported to HMRC. That contrasts with just under 8,000 reports in the previous year; an indication of just how prevalent telephone fraud had become. And it’s a…
Even in the age of the web, email, and instant messaging, the phone is a vital tool for many businesses large and small.
Choosing the right business phone system is therefore important to make…
When it comes to our health, the humble telephone has proved to be a lifesaver in more ways than one. Now we’re not simply talking here about the 999 service which has been helping to…
How long could your business cope without telephone access? Depending on the nature of your business the first hour or so of being without a phone might see beneficial. As you get your head down…
“Clear and honest information before you buy broadband.” That headline comes from the Ofcom website as it introduced its new broadband code of practice which came into force on 1 March 2019. This new…
When you are trying to grow your SME business, looking to build good relationships with suppliers and customers and deliver products and services which will resonate in the marketplace, the last thing you need is…
The phone rings and an automated voice starts to inform you that either your internet connection has been sending out fake signals or your tax return has been flagged up as faulty and you are…
What’s in a number? In the past we have written about the importance of choosing your business telephone number wisely; promoting local numbers for local businesses, whilst suggesting that those who look to trade over…
Raw materials, key components, vital infrastructure; whatever your business, the decision to change suppliers is never an easy one. No matter how much research you carry out there is always the worry in the back…
What infrastructure do you need in place in order to support your business? Do you rely on a good catchment area and the wide availability of parking in order to bring employees and customers to…
As a SME business where do you find your main customer base? Now I appreciate that your answers will be many and varied depending on your business size and market place. After all, with SMEs…
As Storm Callum roars onward into the history books leaving flooding and devastation in its wake there is little doubt that autumn has arrived in force. Will it finish up as a season of mists…
New telephone regulations have come into force which aim to strengthen consumer protection. The regulations, brought in by the communications watchdog Ofcom, came into force on 1 October and follow a review of the…
When the subject of SMEs comes up in the news or in conversation what springs to mind? Perhaps your local corner shop or independent garage, a one man band or just a handful of people…
It doesn’t matter whether you are a small, medium, or large business; customers are key to your success. So why is it that all too often we look at product or pricing rather than people?…
What’s your projected growth rate this year? Perhaps you are a start-up company in a fast growth phase, or are you more likely to be predicting a period of stability, holding your own in a…
The aim of a charity is clear; delivering that aim can be complex. Why do we say that? Well, when a charity is set up it is generally with the aim of providing some measure…
For football and rugby union supporters the month of May is a bittersweet time. Whether it’s relief at your team’s survival for another year, elation at a promotion gained or facing the sad reality of…
After a long hot weekend which saw May bank holiday temperature records broken in the UK, it seems almost indecent to talk about planning for a rainy day. And we do have to admit that…
Back to work after the Easter break and it’s time to check if your phone security stood up to the test of a long double bank holiday weekend. And this poses a problem. With potential…
On 10 March 1876 Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call, summoning his assistant from the next room. Admittedly, he would probably have got the same response had he merely called out loud; but…
In 2017 London’s Oxford Street saw 291 instances of ‘theft by moped.’ And Oxford Street isn’t alone. According to the Metropolitan Police, drive by thefts across London’s main shopping streets increased sixfold in the two…
UK SMEs plan to go back to basics in order to support their growth plans for 2018. So says a report commissioned by American Express and Oxford Economics which also revealed that the UK SME…
It may have its origins in a travel company initiative but Blue Monday now seems to be firmly established in the business calendar. In 2018 this allegedly most depressing of days falls on 15th January,…
If you are basking in the glow of superfast broadband connections spare a thought for the 1.1 million UK homes and businesses which, according to Ofcom, still cannot get a decent broadband connection. Admittedly this…
What is the UK’s highest mountain peak? Hands up all those who said Ben Nevis? Sorry but you are wrong; the answer is Mount Hope which at 3,239m is more than twice the…
December: a time for reflection and a time for planning. No we aren’t talking here about arranging the Christmas party or organising the secret Santa although undoubtedly they are looming large in the calendars of…