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	<title>Small Business Cover &#187; Articles</title>
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	<link>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com</link>
	<description>Insurance for Small Business</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:57:49 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Cheapest Van insurance</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/cheapest-van-insurance/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/cheapest-van-insurance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:12:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/?p=432</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Getting the cheapest van insurance possible is a definite first step in reducing the budget for personal and business use of vehicles, which is something that everyone can use in this volatile and very uncertain economy, as they tighten their belts to make sure that they can make it next month. Making sure that you [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Getting the cheapest van insurance possible is a definite first step in  reducing the budget for personal and business use of vehicles, which is  something that everyone can use in this volatile and very uncertain economy, as  they tighten their belts to make sure that they can make it next month. Making  sure that you get the cheapest <a href="http://www.cheapervaninsurance.co.uk" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.cheapervaninsurance.co.uk');">Van insurance</a> as a way to absolutely ensure that  you can continue to provide service that you do to the people that you love in  a profitable way.</p>
<p>The website that can help you with this is Cheap Vans Insurance, as Cheap Vans  Insurance for everyone compare the market of more van insurance providers than  any other financial website in the UK. 50% of customers that use the site save  money, and you can quite easily compare the market of 1000&#8242;s of van insurance  prices and see how much you can save at the click of a mouse.</p>
<p>When it comes to the <a href="http://www.cheapvansinsurance.co.uk/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.cheapvansinsurance.co.uk');">cheapest  van insurance</a> quotes, you have enough to worry about when it comes to just  running your business. You should not have to worry about getting the right  insurance or wondering if your insurance company is giving you the slip because  you do not have the appropriate information for the market as it stands today.  With Cheap Vans Insurance, you can make sure to always have this information on  hand, up-to-date and accurate, from all of the car insurance companies that you  would consider buying insurance from, both nationally and locally.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that if you are looking to lower your budget and drive your  man with the cheapest van insurance possible without giving up any services,  then you would do well to check out the website Cheap Vans Insurance and take  note of the information that you find.</p>
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		<title>Facts about Professional Indemnity Insurance</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/facts-about-professional-indemnity-insurance/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/facts-about-professional-indemnity-insurance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:15:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/?p=426</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For those professionals engaged in various types of business Professional Indemnity Insurance is a must.  This specifically applies to businesses that sell either their skills or their knowledge.  Sometimes clients will make a claim against the professional for damage or loss. The business could be negligent in the services that it provide and can be [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For those professionals engaged in various types of business Professional Indemnity Insurance is a must.  This specifically applies to businesses that sell either their skills or their knowledge.  Sometimes clients will make a claim against the professional for damage or loss. The business could be negligent in the services that it provide and can be responsible for damages.  Having Professional Indemnity Insurance will help a business, both legally and financially, through this problem.</p>
<p>For some businesses Professional Indemnity Insurance can be required. Some professions such as accountants, brokers, solicitors, financial advisors and more should have this policy.  Even those professions that are not required to have Professional Indemnity Insurance still go ahead and take out a policy as extra protection for their businesses.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.markeluk.com/insurance/professional-indemnity-liability.aspx" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.markeluk.com');">Professional Indemnity</a> Insurance could also include another type of cover known as employer’s liability insurance. This type of insurance would help if they employee makes a claim against the business for injuries or property damage that occur while it work. In the United Kingdom this type of coverage is required by law.</p>
<p>Another part of a Professional Indemnity Insurance policy could include cover for third party liability.  This would cover any claims made against you by a third party individual that is on your business premises. This would cover them in the event that they sustain a loss of property or experience bodily harm.</p>
<p>Before an insurance company, such as <a href="http://www.markeluk.com/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.markeluk.com');">Markel Direct insurance</a>, decides to provide a professional indemnity policy they will do a thorough study.  They will want to see that the business has undertaken risk management procedures to help prevent claims are being filed.  The insurance adviser can even make suggestions what you can do to decrease your risk.  Implementation of these suggestions can often help lower insurance premiums. One thing that is suggested by insurance companies is to maintain clear records and good documentation to prevent claims from being successfully made against a business.</p>
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		<title>Public Liability Insurance &#8211; why it is important for businesses</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/public-liability-insurance-why-it-is-important-for-businesses/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/public-liability-insurance-why-it-is-important-for-businesses/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:16:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/?p=423</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When you enter into business ownership you may be overwhelmed by the amount of requirements needed of you to sustain a creditable business. ‘Business Insurance’ can be a minefield of technical jargon and a good knowledge of exactly what is needed is vital. The list of claims you will be susceptible to is long and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When        you enter into business ownership you may be overwhelmed by the        amount of        requirements needed of you to sustain a creditable business.         ‘Business        Insurance’ can be a minefield of technical jargon and a good        knowledge of        exactly what is needed is vital.  The list of claims you will be        susceptible to is long and you need to be aware that your        business is a public        realm so unlike say Home Insurance, the responsibility isn’t        just to yourself        but also the wider public.  You must accept public liability.</p>
<p>There is a        keen compensation culture in our society sometimes justified        sometimes less so,        but you must be guarded against your own negligence.  When we        talk of        Business Insurance we are broadly speaking of 3 main policies:        Public Liability        Insurance, Professional Indemnity and Employer Liability.</p>
<p>Public        Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity are often        optional, whereas        Employer Liability is a legal requirement if you employ even a        sole        employee.  Under the Employer Liability Regulations Act,        Employer        Liability Insurance must cover up to £5m which shows the        importance of        comprehensive Business Insurance.</p>
<p>Professional        Indemnity cover can be taken in the region of £2m.  Public        Liability        Insurance generally ranges up to around £5m which highlights its        importance and        chances are this may be the policy that you use at some point or        another.</p>
<p>Trips and        falls aren’t uncommon and if they happen on your premises you        may be found        negligent.  You are also responsible for the property of others        and the        daily running of your business may infringe on somebody’s right        to protected        property. To find cover that is flexible and suits you, visit        <a href="http://www.endsleigh-business.co.uk/Pages/public-liability-insurance.aspx" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.endsleigh-business.co.uk');">http://www.endsleigh.co.uk</a>and        see what they have on offer. Physical injury to property or        person is easy        to understand.  If your business is more of Accountancy or Law,        you may        injure somebody’s livelihood through bad advice and you enter        the realms of        Professional Indemnity Insurance.</p>
<p>It is        essential to get comprehensive Business Insurance and look out        for the        different areas covered such as Public Liability Insurance as        this is vital to        your businesses wellbeing.</p>
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		<title>Questions to ask when choosing a website design company</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-website-design-company/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-website-design-company/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:30:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/?p=429</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Choosing a website design company may sometimes be quite tricky. After all, there are many companies to choose from, and sometimes distinguishing which is the most suitable for you is a challenge. That is why it may be a good idea to have a list of questions to ask potential design companies. Based on their [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Choosing a website design company may sometimes be quite tricky. After all, there are many companies to choose from, and sometimes distinguishing which is the most suitable for you is a challenge.</p>
<p>That is why it may be a good idea to have a list of questions to ask potential design companies. Based on their answers, you may find it easier to choose which is the most suitable one for you.</p>
<p>Here are some of the questions you may want to add to your list to ask website designers:</p>
<ul>
<li>one of the questions you may want to ask is how much they charge for their services. This may be a good question to ask because price is often one of the things which is the most important when choosing a designer. However, it may be worth remembering that you often get what you pay for, so if you just go for the cheapest without looking at the level of service then you may not get such a great deal as you thought;</li>
<li>you may also want to ask what other services they provide. Although many <a href="http://www.csimedia.net" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.csimedia.net');">website  designers</a> specialise in the actual web design, they may also offer SEO services and internet marketing services on top, which may be useful for you;</li>
<li>it may be a good idea to ask each website design company about their ongoing support and what they offer. You may experience problems with your website at a later date, and it may be good to know that you have some ongoing support to sort out any problems when they arise;</li>
<li>you may also want to ask them to show you examples of work they have carried out in the past. Sometimes this is a very effective way to see whether they create sites which are of the style that you are looking for, and it may be a good indicator of whether you may like to hire them for your own site;</li>
<li>you may also want to ask them how they intend to make your site user friendly. It may be important for you to have a site which is easy for your visitors to use, and you may want to ask your designer how they plan to make the navigation intuitive and which features they may include to encourage visitors to stay for longer and to become customers.</li>
</ul>
<p>These are just a few of the questions you may want on your list when looking for a <a href="http://www.csimedia.net" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.csimedia.net');">website design company</a>. However, try to think of more which are specific to the type of website you are looking for, and it may help to make the search for a designer that little bit easier.</p>
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		<title>Some common myths associated with life insurance quotes</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/some-common-myths-associated-with-life-insurance-quotes/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/some-common-myths-associated-with-life-insurance-quotes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:57:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/?p=436</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The insurance industry, perhaps more than some others, is sometimes on the receiving end of myth creation &#8211; and that may apply to life insurance quotes: all life insurance is broadly similar  &#8211; no, it is not and there may be significant differences between both different types of life insurance cover and the insurance providers [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The insurance industry, perhaps more than some others, is sometimes on the receiving end of myth creation &#8211; and that may apply to life insurance quotes:</p>
<ul>
<li>all life insurance is broadly similar  &#8211; no, it is not and there may be significant differences between both different types of life insurance cover and the insurance providers making them available;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>shopping around is a waste of time &#8211; for the reasons indicated above, this is also typically incorrect and apart from anything else, you may not be able to be sure that you have suitable and cost-effective cover unless you have compared a number of options against each other;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>life insurance quotations do not offer <a title="serious illness insurance" href="http://www.criticalillness.org.uk" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.criticalillness.org.uk');"><strong>serious illness insurance</strong></a> &#8211; that is only partly incorrect because in terms of basic cover a life insurance policy may provide exactly that, however, it may be possible to find life policies that do include (through combination) serious illness cover;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>they have very lengthy lists of excluded medical conditions &#8211; it is typically not advisable to make assumptions about what an individual policy may or may not include or exclude, in practice, you may find that only a relatively modest number of circumstances are actually positively excluded from the policy’s cover (though do read it carefully to ensure that it meets your requirements);</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>you can&#8217;t get life cover above a certain age &#8211; that may prove to be a gross oversimplification and in many cases inaccurate, in fact, there are various forms of life cover and some of them are specifically designed for older policyholders although some policies may indeed have upper age limits;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>you don&#8217;t need life insurance because your employer covers you &#8211; it may be that you are fortunate enough to have a degree of life cover provided as part of your terms and conditions of employment, however, it may be wise to look carefully at the detail of the cover provided and perhaps compare it against your own <a title="life insurance quotes" href="http://www.termlifeinsurancequotes.co.uk" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.termlifeinsurancequotes.co.uk');"><strong>life insurance quotes</strong></a>, as you may wish to be sure that it is providing you with the totality of protection that you may feel you need for you and your family.</li>
</ul>
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		<title>Critical illness insurance for business owners</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/critical-illness-insurance-for-business-owners/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/critical-illness-insurance-for-business-owners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:54:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/?p=419</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Critical illness insurance can protect a business owner’s lifestyle, family and company in the event that they contract a serious illness that is covered under the policy. These policies provide financial assistance to cover re-training and repay loans offering peace of mind for everyone involved in the business. What is critical illness insurance? Critical illness [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Critical illness insurance can protect a business owner’s lifestyle, family and company in the event that they contract a serious illness that is covered under the policy. These policies provide financial assistance to cover re-training and repay loans offering peace of mind for everyone involved in the business. </em></p>
<p><strong>What is critical illness insurance?</strong></p>
<p>Critical illness insurance provides the insured with protection should he or she suffer from one of the specific medical conditions that are named on the plan. In the event of contracting one of the named illnesses, most insurance plans will either offer a lump sum to replace lost income, or financial protection for a loan or mortgage should repayments become difficult due to the illness.</p>
<p><strong>Which critical illnesses are covered?</strong></p>
<p>There are a wide range of plans, which relate to a variety of illnesses. Each plan is tailored to cover numerous illnesses and omissions vary widely between insurance companies. The majority of plans cover the insured for heart attacks, cancer and strokes.</p>
<p>The more <a href="http://www.robertsonlow.ie/critical-illness-insurance.html" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.robertsonlow.ie');">comprehensive critical illness insurance plans</a> on offer cover additional conditions including HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, blindness, deafness, kidney failure and  multiple sclerosis. In addition to the cover for an individual, several of the plans will cover the critical illness of a child or spouse. Therefore plans can be adjusted in order to meet the specific needs of an individual. However, you should always check your policy carefully to ensure you have the cover you want.</p>
<p><strong>The benefits for business owners </strong></p>
<p>If a business owner chooses not to have critical illness cover, his or her company and way of life is under threat in the event of a serious illness. Those who survive a critical illness can find a second hurdle is preserving their previous way of life during the recovery period.</p>
<p>Medical advances mean that the survival rate for a number of serious illnesses has increased dramatically in recent decades. However, those with debilitating illnesses may require home care, daily nursing care and assistance with retraining to continue with a career. Recovery can take many years and become a drain on the financial resources of a business and a family.</p>
<p>Although many business owners take out life insurance to provide financial protection for family and employees in the event of their death, fewer owners consider the importance of critical illness insurance. The risks are particularly high for smaller and medium-sized businesses, which are reliant on a small number of key individuals for the daily running of operations.</p>
<p><strong>Uses of critical illness insurance payouts</strong></p>
<p>If the owner has taken out critical illness insurance the company can benefit from a lump sum to reduce the impact of the illness. This lump sum can be used in a variety of ways to alleviate the immediate pressure on the business, including training a replacement, paying off business debts or offsetting expenses caused by the illness.</p>
<p>Protecting the business and the individual’s family members, critical illness insurance can be very beneficial in a time of need. Aside from covering mortgage repayments and other living expenses in the event of the policyholder contracting a critical illness, insurers may help with funding to sell a business, tax cover and money for retirement.</p>
<p>Holding a critical illness policy offers peace of mind to a business owner and the employees of the business. The owner has the option of taking out a group critical illness, which covers employees. A business owner who employs more than 50 employees can choose to take out such cover.  Group critical illness insurance allows an employer to pay a tax-free lump sum directly to an employee in the event of an illness. This reduces pressure on the employee, alleviating stress and ideally facilitating a return to work.</p>
<p><strong>Cost effective cover</strong></p>
<p>Often the most cost effective critical illness insurance is included as a package with life insurance. It offers comprehensive cover for business owners in the event of critical illness or loss of life.</p>
<p>This article was supplied by the leading firm of Irish insurance brokers, Robertson Low, established in 1995 and the only Irish incorporated ‘<a href="http://www.lloyds.com/The-Market/I-am-a/Lloyds-Broker" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.lloyds.com');">Lloyd’s broker</a>’.</p>
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		<title>Top ten things you may need to know about public liability insurance</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/top-ten-things-you-may-need-to-know-about-public-liability-insurance/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/top-ten-things-you-may-need-to-know-about-public-liability-insurance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:40:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/?p=417</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[While public liability insurance is not generally a legal requirement (though there are some exceptions), doing without it as part of your business insurance protection portfolio may not be a sensible idea. Here are ten things you may need to bear in mind when considering public liability cover: if you do not have public liability [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While public liability insurance is not generally a legal requirement (though there are some exceptions), doing without it as part of your business insurance protection portfolio may not be a sensible idea.</p>
<p>Here are ten things you may need to bear in mind when considering public liability cover:</p>
<ol>
<li>if you do not have public liability insurance, you may find that certain organisations may not wish to use your services (for example, local authorities);</li>
<li> those that do require you to have public liability cover may have minimum set limits which you need to be covered for;</li>
<li> some customers make take comfort from the fact that you have some form of liability insurance in place;</li>
<li> if someone makes a claim against you, the cost of expenses and legal fees may typically be included for both defending you and paying out compensation if you are found to be at fault – with court awards sometimes running in to thousands, this type of claim could wipe out a small business if they don’t have insurance in place;</li>
<li> public liability typically only covers third party damages – it does not include injuries to employees;</li>
<li> damages claimed by employees are dealt with through employers’ liability insurance, which is a legal requirement for most businesses (exceptions apply);</li>
<li> if a claim is made against your business, the only costs you may typically have to find, will be the liability insurance excess amount &#8211; this will be outlined in your policy documentation;</li>
<li> public liability insurance can be purchased from a number of business insurance providers such as <a href="http://www.endsleigh-business.co.uk/Pages/public-liability-insurance.aspx" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.endsleigh-business.co.uk');">http://endsleigh.co.uk</a>, offering typical upper claim limits up to £1, £2m or £5m depending on your needs;</li>
<li> public liability cover can cover a variety of businesses from small shops and specialised trades people to language schools and websites designers to large corporations and supermarkets – just about any business whether small or large;</li>
<li> with some policies, you can extend the public liability cover to include things such as tools and equipment, personal accident cover, employers’ liability insurance and legal expenses.</li>
</ol>
<p>While the above may have given you food for thought, do note that the most common public liability claims are for falls, trips and slips. All it could take may be a customer to fall over a misplaced box on your shop floor, or you accidentally damage something valuable while working for a client, and potentially your business could face a huge claim against it. In circumstances such as these, public liability insurance is designed to help.</p>
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		<title>Who makes the best small business telephones?</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/who-makes-the-best-small-business-telephones/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/who-makes-the-best-small-business-telephones/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:08:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business telephones systems]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/?p=412</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Who makes the best small business telephones is never an easy question to answer, as the best solution for one company or organisation may not be the best for another. There are, however, a few general points that may be applicable: remember that choosing the best small business telephones may be more than just a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Who makes the best <a title="small business telephones" href="http://www.telcare.co.uk" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.telcare.co.uk');">small business telephones</a> is never an easy question to answer, as the best solution for one company or organisation may not be the best for another.</p>
<p>There are, however, a few general points that may be applicable:</p>
<ul>
<li>remember that choosing the best small business telephones may be more than just a question of who produces what appears to be the most technically sophisticated system &#8211; there are many other factors, including things such as price and reliability (etc) that may be important to take into account, as part of your deliberations;</li>
<li>there is an old adage amongst technologists, to the effect that it sometimes pays to avoid being at the cutting edge of technology, as this may have certain connotations of being a guinea pig in a test (i.e. high risk) &#8211; purchasing modern but nevertheless established technology, may be the lower risk approach;</li>
<li>although the best small business telephones need to offer a cost-effective solution, this is not the same thing as saying that rock-bottom priced systems are the way to go &#8211; very low-cost systems, particularly when sourced from unknown and unproven suppliers, may involve you in performance or compatibility problems;</li>
<li>choosing business telephone systems from companies such as Siemens, typically reduces the risk of you ending up with a non-standard solution that is difficult to integrate with other areas of your technology;</li>
<li>although some organisations start off as a small concern with a correspondingly small business telecoms infrastructure, both they and their systems may need to grow rapidly &#8211; selecting a solution that is capable of fast and more importantly, easy upgrading, may be highly advisable;</li>
<li>equally, needing to purchase a system that is vastly over complicated and over sophisticated for your initial requirements, may be unlikely to offer you a cost-effective approach &#8211; systems that are capable of organic growth in line with your development, may be preferable;</li>
<li>however sophisticated the technology or reliable the supplier, there is always the possibility of technical problems arising, therefore, it may be important to purchase your <a title="business telephones systems" href="http://www.telcare.co.uk" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.telcare.co.uk');">business telephones systems</a> from someone who is also able to guarantee you phone maintenance and crisis support;</li>
<li>it is sometimes overlooked that modern telephone systems need to be capable of servicing the needs of your clients and suppliers and not just your own requirements in terms of being able to contact the outside world, therefore, before deciding what are the best small business telephones for you, you may need to be sure that you understand your customers’ requirements for things such as video and audio conferencing etc.</li>
</ul>
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		<title>Website designers and your business</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/website-designers-and-your-business/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/website-designers-and-your-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:24:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/?p=410</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you have ever asked yourself why you should use professional website designers rather than do things yourself, you may find the following points interesting: of course, if you use professional website designers you will have to pay for their services and products, however, this may prove to be rather more cost-effective than trying to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you have ever asked yourself why you should use professional website designers rather than do things yourself, you may find the following points interesting:</p>
<ul>
<li>of course, if you use professional website designers  you will have to pay for their services and products, however, this may prove to be rather more cost-effective than trying to do it in-house yourself, for the reasons outlined below;</li>
<li>if you have ever tried to build a complicated website, you may be surprised at how long it can take if you do not have considerable experience &#8211; it may be worth trying to objectively ask yourself the question, as to whether your core business is in the running of your operations and making money or learning how to build websites;</li>
<li>whatever potential you or one of your colleagues may have, if you lack the extensive training and experience available in some <a href="http://www.csimedia.net" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.csimedia.net');">website design company</a> operations, to put it bluntly, you may be unlikely to achieve the same quality of result as a professional will;</li>
<li>in difficult market conditions, your potential customers have a surplus of choice available to them and the difference between securing their business or losing it to one of your competitors, may be simply attributable to the initial impression your site makes on its home page &#8211; you may need to ask yourself whether this is something you would like to gamble with by trying to do it yourself;</li>
<li>even once you have persuaded a potential customer to go past your home page and deeper into your website, there is still a challenge to convert their initial interest into firm commitment and business &#8211; of course, the underlying strength and attractiveness of your basic business proposition will play a huge part in making that happen but also the delivery of your business ideas to the client, through your website, is critical and not an area that it may be advisable to put at risk;</li>
<li>professional <a href="http://www.csimedia.net" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.csimedia.net');">website designers</a> typically also have skills in what is called process workflow management, which although a complicated term, simply means that your potential customers are not frustrated in their attempts to use your site by poorly thought-through logical flows from one stage of the order process to the next (a surprising number of orders are actually abandoned as late as the checkout stage simply due to poor workflow design resulting in significant  associated customer irritation);</li>
<li>all things considered, the sums invested in professional website designers  may prove to be well spent.</li>
</ul>
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		<title>How to prepare a business plan for a financial adviser</title>
		<link>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/how-to-prepare-a-business-plan-for-a-financial-adviser/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/how-to-prepare-a-business-plan-for-a-financial-adviser/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:22:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smallbusinesscover.com/?p=407</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A business plan is a vital document when you are starting a new business. It serves a number of purposes, including being the basis of your discussion with a financial adviser about how to move forwards. Your financial adviser will be one of several people who want to see your business plan, since this is [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>A business plan is a vital document when you are starting a new business. It serves a number of purposes, including being the basis of your discussion with a financial adviser about how to move forwards.</em></p>
<p>Your financial adviser will be one of several people who want to see your business plan, since this is a document that details the objectives and market for your business, and financial projections over its opening years. It will also be something you return to in the future to ensure that you are meeting your goals.</p>
<p><strong>Who will be interested in your business plan?</strong></p>
<p>It is important to write your plan with the relevant audiences in mind. Sometimes, business plans are just for use in-house, and need go no further than your accountant and financial adviser. But they are also necessary when looking for bank loans outside investment from partners or other parties. Hence this should be a straightforward and realistic assessment of what you can achieve. Even if it is for use in-house, make sure it is written as if for a broader audience.</p>
<p><strong>What to include</strong></p>
<p>There are plenty of websites dedicated to writing a business plan, and a financial adviser will also be able to help you decide what to put in it. At the least, there should be an executive summary; a description of the opportunity your business is targeting; your marketing strategy, including competitor analysis; a description of your management team and key personnel; your facilities (buildings, equipment, IT and so on); and your financial projections.</p>
<p>The section in which your financial advisers and other investors may be most interested is the forecasts. The purpose of these is to state what the preceding sections mean in terms of money. These numbers should feature prominently in your executive summary. Although this goes at the beginning of the business plan, you should write it last, when you are most familiar with all of the information. The summary may be all that investors and other interested parties read, so it is important to make it comprehensive and objective, but as brief as possible.</p>
<p><strong>Financial projections</strong></p>
<p>This is one section for which you may require <a href="http://www.sgwealthmanagement.co.uk/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.sgwealthmanagement.co.uk');">specialist financial advice</a>. The purpose of this part of the business plan is to translate the rest of it into numbers. It will include any capital you will need and how you plan to repay it, as well as your future revenue stream and other income.</p>
<p>Talk to your financial adviser about the collateral you may need to offer in order to secure the loan you need, as well as other details such as sales forecasts, cash flow and profit/loss forecasts, since these will determine the likelihood of financing your business. You will also need to include a section on risk analysis: potential problems caused by competitors, changes in the market, staff turnover and equipment failure, amongst other things.</p>
<p><strong>Finishing your business plan</strong></p>
<p>Make sure that your plan is polished before you publish it, whether to investors or internally. Run it past a financial adviser and other experts to make sure the key sections are comprehensible, and have at least one person check it for spelling and presentation errors. As well as being succinct and realistic, it needs to be readable and well-presented. Make sure the font is large enough, headings are clear and text is well spaced. There are templates available online if you need some guidance, including on the government’s Business Link site, http://www.businesslink.gov.uk.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>
<p>An accountant, financial adviser or other expert will be able to help you craft a strong business plan. Ultimately, though, remember that this is a tool that should help you. The idea is that it crystallises your business intentions into a single document that you can use to make sure your venture has a realistic chance of success. If there is something in the business plan that doesn’t add up or convince you, it won’t convince third parties either.</p>
<p>This article was supplied by <a href="http://www.fsa.gov.uk/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outbound/article/www.fsa.gov.uk');">FSA</a> regulated investment management and financial advice specialists, SGWealthManagement.co.uk who serve individuals and organisations throughout Norfolk, East Anglia and the south-east.</p>
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