Delighted to have been asked to speak at the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers annual conference http://ping.fm/I70G8

Invited to speak at the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers conference in November in London
http://ping.fm/5o2rz

week included marketing seminar, bookkeeping, Didcot Chamber event, Golf with members of Oxford Business Network

Week included management accounting, Pathfinder club event, first aid training, email marketing, Oxford business network

Minimum wage increases

Announcements have been made in relation to the minimum wage increases to take effect in October.

Many businesses are on a pay freeze, but allowances should be taken for these pay rights.

Analysing the numbers in your business

Chapman Robinson and Moore accountants have been running a series of seminars to help business owners understand the numbers in their business and how to make timely decisions from their financial information. We see many businesses focused on the turnover figure in their business, but with little awareness of the key financial ratios. Small changes in some of these measurement ratios can result in a large impact on profits. The latest seminar demonstrated the use of understanding your Gross and Net profit margins, liquidity ratios, stock turnover days, debtor days, return on investment, gearing and sales drivers. Contact CRM for more details.

week included first aid training, CPR refresher training, bookkeeping and big decisions

Our latest web project www.planetinteriors.co.uk

Please don't forget your offline marketing

As many think we have to be "modern" and "up to date" with our marketing, much advice is to do it online, with all the talk of special web sites, social media, digital copy, email communications, forum contributions etc. But as less businesses are doing 'offline', then activities such as direct mail could work for you?So what are our top 10 tips for a good direct mail campaign

1. Include a letter and not just a sample


2. Who you sent to is more important than what you send, so know your market, research the right contacts and find a decision makers name


3. Use the word 'you' not 'me' to better engage the reader


4. Use testimonials, as others saying you are great is much stronger than simply stating it yourself


5. Get it opened, so don't give away too much on your envelope and consider hand writing the address


6. Make an impact when it is opened, either the words, the offer or something different like a 3D mailing


7. Don't forget your call to action, what do you really want the reader to do next?


8. Follow up the mailing with a telephone call


9. Measure the response AND success rates, so not just who responds but who buys if that is your reason for the mailing


10. Test small, find your success model and role it out with a larger mail list, as the percentage response rate will be similar for the larger mail out

week included bookkeeping, Oxford Business Network, Video work for clients web site, Pathfinder club meeting,

Getting paid on time

Research statistics continue to show that small businesses struggle to be paid within their payment terms and the average amount of overdue days continues to grow. So what can you do to improve your credit control and get paid quicker?

Know your customer before and during the relationship, with credit checks and intelligence, but don't get too close as some lean on that level of relationship

Define and set your credit limits, ensuring they are respected by the finance AND sales team

Know your customers authorisation process and check your invoice is being processed as expected

Have timely and accurate management information showing your debtors position

Be assertive with your debt collection policy and do not miss one of the letters, telephone calls or warnings that you propose to send

Identify the early warning signs, such as knowing the payment excuses such as no one here to sign the cheque, need to discuss with ....

Make use of the Late payment of commercial debt act and apply interest to overdue payments

The Pathfinder club

June saw the launch of the Pathfinder business development club and from the interest in the first two meetings, we can see the club membership quickly growing.
The Pathfinders name comes from an RAF squadron that helped mark the targets for bomber planes during World War Two, so it seemed an appropriate name considering the fact we feel the content of our meetings will help you with the direction of your business.

You may know that Mike from A1 has been working with SMI UK for the last 12 months for his own business and personal development. Mike says "SMI have made a real difference to my business and personal life. I have received much theory from past corporate training, but SMI really have given me the tools to actually make the theory happen. So I spoke with John at SMI and we agreed to share the SMI methods in a group format, hence the formation of the club"

The Pathfinder club www.pathfinderclub.co.uk meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. To find out more please see the web site, speak to us or even visit a meeting to see for yourself.

week included bookkeeping, prospective franchisee meetings, new client meetings, Marketing for clients events,