I am loving Google Chrome

week included Didcot Play Centre build, Bookkeeping, Franchisee meetings, Oxford Business Network event, Visit to LIW exhibition,

Off to the NEC in Birmingham for the Leisure Industry Week event to see what new play equipment is available for the new Didcot play centre

Consider all the costs of taking a premises lease

If you are thinking of taking on a lease for your business premises, then please make sure that you consider all the related costs.

Many business owners see the rent details, but do not consider the additional upfront costs such as Stamp Duty Land Tax, searches, land registry fee, legal fees, change of use planning fees, survey costs and rent deposits.

Marketing Plans

A good marketing plan will help to keep you ahead of the competition and transform your objectives into a strategy that will benefit your company and customers.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing offers a range of advice, guidance and free documents to help you plan your next effective marketing activity.

Their Marketing Planning Toolkit is a great example of the free support available.

At A1 we help business owners implement and project manage their marketing plans. If we can help, then please call us on 01865 378559.

Didcot's new Play Centre will be called 'The Treehouse' and 2 winners of the naming competition will enjoy a years free entry

Five ways to ensure success for your small business in 2010

Mark Dixon, CEO of Regus, the world’s leading global provider of innovative workspace solutions has put together five essential tips for any budding entrepreneur and small business owner on how to maximize their long-term success, stand out from the crowd and minimise potential financial risks in 2010.

1. Focus on what you do best and outsource the rest
2. Project a professional image on par with your services
3. Spend wisely
4. Grow wisely
5. Network, Network, Network

To see the full article go to the bytestart web site

week included Bookkeeping, Institute of Certified Bookkeepers event in Oxford, Cufflink golf, First aid training, Didcot Play centre naming

Increase set for national minimum wage

The national minimum wage is to rise by 2.2 per cent.
As from 1 October 2010, the hourly adult rate will go up from £5.80 to £5.93.
There are new rates for workers aged 21, for 18-20 year olds and for 16-17 year olds. An apprentice minimum wage of £2.50 per hour is also to be introduced.

Compulsory retirement age is under review

The government is proposing to scrap the default retirement age of 65 by October 2011. The plan has been set out in a new consultation paper.

At the moment employers can force employees to retire once they reach the age of 65 whatever their circumstances and without paying any compensation

week included First aid training, an appearence in the Oxford Mail re Didcot Play Centre, Tourism South East event, Bookkeeping, Franchise

Apprenticeships

Following the Governments initiative and publicity of recent times, more employers are considering Apprenticeships for their workforce. Apprenticeships are the proven way to train your workforce and can make your organisation more effective, productive and competitive by addressing your skills gaps directly, even in uncertain economic times.
There are real business benefits to taking on apprentices, whilst funding exists to support your investment. For more details why not take a look at the web site

http://ping.fm/SrTNJ

Help to refresh your First Aid knowledge

Our new DVD is ideal for enhancing new skills or providing a revision of your existing skills.
It is the HSE’s "strong" recommendation that first aiders are to refresh their first aid knowledge on an annual basis. So this comprehensive guide to First Aid DVD can easily support this requirement.

The introductory price is only £49.99.For more information, a trailer and to buy now, please see www.firstaiddvd.co.uk

Evaluation copies and free prize draws are now available on the web site.

week included completion of Didcot Play Centre lease, Paediatric First aid training, more First aid DVD, golf day, sponsor Didcot Town match