2011 -
May
SECURITY - PARENTAL CONTROL - 31.05.2011
Safe surfing for your children
Children on average spend more than ten hours a week on the Internet. Not surprisingly, new tools and services are launched regularly which claim to protect them against “unsuitable” information. Here’s an update…
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE OFFICE - 31.05.2011
Making better use of Dropbox
In less than a year, the number of Dropbox users has risen to 25 million. We’ve had a look at some useful tips for making even better use of this excellent online service.
PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEBSITE DESIGN - 31.05.2011
Guide your virtual visitors
It’s imperative that the visitors to your website should never get lost. So why not organise a short “guided tour” in which you can highlight the strengths of your site? AmberJack is an excellent online service for this purpose.
ENTERTAINMENT - MUSIC - 31.05.2011
Streaming music: an update
Google Music was launched a short while ago. How good is this online music service (already)? We’ve also looked at some alternatives you may not be familiar with yet.
SECURITY - BACKUP - 31.05.2011
Your webmail on your desktop
Do you want a local backup of your webmail with Gmail or Windows Live Hotmail? As well as two methods we’ve already described, here’s a new tool for making such a backup.
SOFTWARE - WINDOWS - 31.05.2011
Software integrated in Windows 7
Did you know that Windows 7 contains a large number of built-in programs? Some of them are well hidden, but they are so good that you don’t even need to install any other software. How do you get started?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE OFFICE - 31.05.2011
Flashy presentations
Slideshows are useful for presenting your products or services to customers. But perhaps you’d want your presentations to be a bit flashier? The new Present.me may help you.
E-MAIL - E-MAIL USE - 31.05.2011
E-mail reminders
In spite of the countless online calendars and to-do lists that are available, simple e-mail reminders remain a highly efficient method for remembering important events. What are good reminder services?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE BOOKMARKS - 31.05.2011
Your bookmarks online - still Delicious?
The well-known bookmark service Delicious was sold recently. What does this mean for its current users? Should they stick with Delicious or are they better off switching to another online bookmark service?
LEISURE - 31.05.2011
Preparing for your trip
The holidays are drawing near. You’ve probably checked out the familiar websites for finding hotel prices and flight tickets. We looked for some new and complementary sites which enable you to prepare your trip adequately.
CONSUMER - ONLINE SHOPPING - 31.05.2011
Which market is “super”?
The launch of Waitrose.com in its own right (previously it had operated via Ocado.com) sent us to the online aisles. Here’s what we found out.
PENALTIES - 31.05.2011
What counts as a “reasonable excuse”?
The Taxman is taking an increasingly tough line on late tax returns. Meanwhile, it’s taking ever longer to get a response out of him. But if his delays cause you to be late with your tax return, will he let you off a penalty?
CAPITAL ALLOWANCES - 31.05.2011
Enhanced tax deductions for green equipment
The government makes a lot of noise about the tax advantages of buying approved environmentally friendly equipment for your business. How do you go about identifying it and what are the tax advantages?
VAT - 31.05.2011
Claiming a VAT refund on investment property
Renting out residential property is an exempt supply, which usually means you can’t reclaim any of the VAT you’ve paid on running costs. But if you’re already VAT registered, might there be a way to get around this rule?
INHERITANCE TAX - 31.05.2011
Tax break for charitable gifts
In this year’s Budget the Chancellor announced a 10% reduction in the Inheritance Tax rate for those who leave money to charity in their will. But could you use this tax break to make your other beneficiaries better off?
BENEFITS - 31.05.2011
Higher rate tax relief for childcare costs
From April this year, the amount of tax-free childcare that higher rate taxpayers can receive was cut by up to half. But a loophole in the rules might allow you to claim the full amount. What’s the full story?
EXPENSES - 31.05.2011
Can green energy save you tax?
The chances are that, like most households, yours is bombarded with flyers promising cost savings and tax-free income by installing a renewable energy system. But are the promises all they are cracked up to be?
PAYE - 31.05.2011
Payroll software for free
The Taxman has recently launched his updated “Basic PAYE Tool”. It is vastly improved but is it worth using? Are there alternatives?
PAY - 31.05.2011
Paying over the odds for staff?
Almost weekly there’s news of one union or another threatening strike action. The reasons can vary but during the recession pay freezes and pay cuts have been prominent. But could you be paying staff over the odds already?
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT - 31.05.2011
Yield curve
As financial controller, your managing director will expect you to be the oracle on all things to do with money, even on what the future holds for interest rates. How can the yield curve help?
LEGAL COMPLIANCE - 31.05.2011
Do I need to print that?
You’re looking to cut down on the amount of paper your business uses. Your current practice is to always keep hard copies of signed contracts with customers and suppliers - would an electronic copy still be legally binding?
CREDIT CONTROL - 31.05.2011
Synchronising payment runs
Most invoices from suppliers proclaim settlement terms of “30 days from date of invoice”. The problem is that this gives you a random pattern for supplier payments throughout the month. How can you easily rationalise this?
ENERGY - 31.05.2011
Make a saving with low-energy plugs
It’s well documented that leaving office appliances on standby wastes a considerable amount of energy and increased bills. However a simple new device claims to be able to cut electricity consumption by up to 93%. What’s to know?
TELECOMS - 31.05.2011
Who’s answering the phone?
The requirement for members of staff to always be “on call” for out of hours support can place a heavy burden on company resources. Can an out of hours answering service save your business money as well as improve efficiency?
CARS - 31.05.2011
Shop around for petrol?
Although the Chancellor announced a 1p drop in fuel duty during his Budget speech, reports suggest that some petrol stations are not passing the cuts on. Does it pay to shop around for fuel?
ADVISORS - 31.05.2011
Choosing an accounting firm
Your accountants should be one of your most important advisors and closest business partners. There are so many, from those on the high street to city centre mega-partnerships. How do you choose the right one for your business?
REPORTING - 31.05.2011
Spotting the chart cheats
You’ve been asked to look at some promotional material from a new supplier. Their market share claims set out in charts look too good to be true. How can you spot the cheats?
BUDGETING - 31.05.2011
Financial planning for a new venture
85% of small businesses fail in their first 18 months, according to City University. They put this down to inadequate resources and bad financial planning. If you’re involved in a new venture, how can you avoid it becoming another statistic?
PAYROLL - 31.05.2011
Easing the P11D pain
Completing P11Ds to report employees’ benefits is a tedious job. Is there a (simple) way you can speed up the process?
PROPERTY - 31.05.2011
Ending the business lease properly
The company has some new, cheaper premises lined up. So it wants to get out of its current lease by exercising the break clause in its favour. How can the directors avoid any nasty traps during this legal process?
DIRECTORS’ FINANCE - 31.05.2011
Banks lose £4.5 billion battle over PPI
In a recent judicial review the judge said that banks have been guilty of mis-selling Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) with loans. If you took out this type of policy could you be in for a slice of the multi-billion pound compensation on offer?
CONTRACTS - 31.05.2011
Pay up - there’s a “no set-off” clause!
The directors want to put a “no set-off” clause in the company’s commercial contracts, so that in the event of a dispute, third parties would still have to pay up. What’s the Court of Appeal’s current thinking on this type of approach?
COMPANY CARS - 31.05.2011
Company runabout for the family
Your daughter has been hinting that as she turns 17 soon she’ll be old enough to drive, if only she had a car. You know you’ll have to give in and buy her one eventually, but would it be cheaper if your company paid for it?
PERSONNEL - 31.05.2011
The (un)enforcable restrictive covenant
Restrictive covenants are often placed in directors’ contracts to limit their post-employment activities. But there’s a danger - if they’re deemed “unreasonable”, the court will strike them out. What’s the solution to this problem?
DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY - 31.05.2011
New EU rules on your cookies
All business websites must now get clear consent from visitors before they can store cookies on their PCs to retrieve data. What should you do now?
H&S MANAGEMENT - 24.05.2011
The “Red Tape Challenge”
The aim of the “Red Tape Challenge” is to force significant changes to health and safety legislation. How does it work and is it likely to succeed?
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT - 24.05.2011
Who’s responsible for the fire risk assessment?
One of our subscribers recently had a visit from a fire officer who said that they needed to carry out a fire risk assessment. They thought they were covered by their landlord’s risk assessment. Who’s right?
PPE - 24.05.2011
Sued because a plumber got wet
In a recent landmark ruling an appeal judge upheld a compensation award to a plumber. He had slipped on wet bin bags which he put on the floor himself. What, if anything, can be learned from the case?
WORKPLACE - 24.05.2011
The fire that closed a motorway
In April, a fire at a scrapyard situated just off the M1 caused significant damage to the road and major traffic delays for a number of days. What caused the fire to be so destructive and how can you avoid a similar problem?
TRANSPORT - 24.05.2011
Mixed messages contributed to road death
A waste company has received a massive fine as a result of failings which caused the death of a member of the public. What happened and what can be learned from this case?
HSE - 24.05.2011
RIDDOR and HSE Infoline changes
The HSE has announced a shake up of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) reporting system and its Infoline service. What’s happening and when?
VIBRATION - 24.05.2011
Workers injured by vibrating tools
Land Rover has been accused of causing ten workers to develop hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). How did it happen and what can you do to avoid finding yourself in the same position?
ENERGY MANAGEMENT - 24.05.2011
Smart meters
The government has claimed that the introduction of smart meters will bring a variety of benefits to consumers, both in terms of cost savings and energy efficiency. So should you get one yet?
GREEN INITIATIVES - MARKETING - 24.05.2011
Green your business for growth
The Carbon Trust has produced a new guide offering practical advice to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to unlock their potential for green growth. Is there anything in it worth following?
LEGISLATION - 24.05.2011
Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) deadlines
If you’re involved in the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, you could see your energy bill increase if you fail to submit your carbon report correctly first time. What do you need to do ahead of the scheme’s first deadline?
WASTE - RECYCLING - 24.05.2011
Using council recycling services can be cheaper
According to new information from the government, the number of local councils collecting recycling from businesses is on the rise. So is it worth using these services and, if so, what sort of savings are achievable?
ENERGY MANAGEMENT - 24.05.2011
Demands for backdated bills
According to government figures, almost 2,000 small businesses have been charged additional fees on their electricity and gas bills. Why has this happened and what, if anything, can you do to prevent a similar experience?
GREEN INITIATIVES - CARBON - 24.05.2011
Mandatory carbon reporting update
Forcing companies to disclose their carbon emissions by law is back on the table as the government launches a new consultation on the subject. Is it likely to happen this time and, if so, will it affect small and medium-sized businesses?
ENERGY MANAGEMENT - 24.05.2011
Do you need an energy certificate?
You may have heard that it’s become a legal requirement for all commercial premises to have a Display Energy Certificate (DEC). Is this the case?
HARASSMENT - 18.05.2011
Harassing employees in writing
Verbal bullying can be caught by harassment laws. But suppose employees do it in writing? What does the Court of Appeal say about this type of behaviour?
HEALTH AND SAFETY - 18.05.2011
Occupational health advisors in a nutshell
There are many ways an occupational health advisor can assist your business, such as helping you reduce short-term sickness absence levels. But what else can they do and how much might their services cost?
FIXED-TERM CONTRACTS - 18.05.2011
Fixed-term contracts: how long should they last?
When you need extra staff, but don’t want anyone permanent, a fixed-term contract can offer the ideal solution. But get the duration wrong and you could face some nasty legal liabilities. So how can you protect yourself?
RETIREMENT - 18.05.2011
How to approach retirement discussions
Even though the default retirement age of 65 has been abolished, employees can still opt to retire voluntarily. But how do you bring this sensitive subject up without giving any hint of “age discrimination”?
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES - 18.05.2011
“Too stressed” to attend a disciplinary hearing
An employee has failed to show up at a disciplinary hearing. They claim this is because the proceedings are “stressing them out”. As this gem of an excuse could be wheeled out indefinitely, what could you do instead?
RECRUITMENT - 18.05.2011
Hired (un)specifically for maternity cover
When you hire someone to cover a period of maternity leave, they can be dismissed immediately when the woman returns to work. But, as a recent case shows, it’s easy to trip up over this. So how do you avoid any problems?
PATERNITY LEAVE - 18.05.2011
Requesting proof of APL rights
Over the next few months employers will start receiving requests for additional paternity leave. Should you get one, you have the right to demand proof of eligibility. But what information can an employee be asked to produce?
VAT - 17.05.2011
Does owning a field entitle you to a VAT refund?
One of our subscribers revamped the fencing around the field adjoining his property, which cost him a tidy sum. He isn’t VAT registered but his company is. Can he put the invoices through the company to reclaim the VAT?
CARS - 17.05.2011
Company car or mileage allowances?
In April, the Taxman’s Approved Mileage Allowance Payment rates (AMAPs) increased for the first time in years. Might you now be better off providing employees with a company car instead of paying them the increased amount?
INVESTMENTS - 17.05.2011
How to convert an empty flat into a tax break
Buy-to-let property was “the” investment to get into until a few years ago; these days the market is less buoyant. However, if you want to start small, the Taxman has a tax break to give you a boost. What’s involved?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 17.05.2011
Selling your shares back to the company
You’ve decided to retire and sell your shares in the family company, but neither the family nor the company can afford to buy you out all at once. Yet if you sell in stages you’ll pay more tax. How can you sell and keep your tax bill down?
CAPITAL GAINS TAX - 17.05.2011
Dodging Capital Gains Tax using exempt investments
Following last year’s hike in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to a maximum rate of 28%, investors are looking at ways to mitigate the effects. How can you use the tax-exempt status of certain investments to do the job?
TAX RETURNS - 17.05.2011
2011 tax returns - the question you should ignore
Your 2010/11 self-assessment tax form asks whether your company provides services. To the untrained eye it might seem a harmless question but answering it could target you for a tax enquiry. So can you simply ignore it?
NATIONAL INSURANCE - 17.05.2011
NI refund for property owners
The Taxman is offering refunds going back years to companies that paid NI linked to residential property ownership. What’s the full story?
TRAINING - 17.05.2011
Apprenticeships - will they work for your company?
Official statistics show that one-in-four apprentices fail to complete their training: this is three times better than a decade ago. But does this improvement warrant committing your company to taking on and training an apprentice?
DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY - 17.05.2011
Directors’ response to workplace accidents
Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency and police have a wide range of powers to investigate workplace accidents. So in this worst case scenario, how should the directors react to a formal investigation?
DIRECTORS’ EXPENSES - 17.05.2011
Tax deduction for your household bills
In a recent case the tax tribunal considered an employee’s claim for a deduction from his tax bill in respect of household expenses. It was a mixed result but had the employee been a director could he have claimed more?
COMPANY LAW - 17.05.2011
Choosing the right company name
The directors recently purchased an off-the-shelf company; they’re now busy brainstorming for a suitable name. Are there any legal restrictions on what they can select? What are the rules on this subject?
PERSONNEL - 17.05.2011
Direct(or) clash of personalities
Unfortunately, one director doesn’t get along with another member of the board. Nothing’s wrong work-wise - this is just a serious clash of personalities. But as there’s no misconduct to speak of, are there any grounds for dismissal?
DIRECTORS’ TAX - 17.05.2011
Taxman’s false start on investigations
The Taxman has started his new “business records checks” ahead of schedule. What steps, if any, should you take if your company is on his hit list?
SOFTWARE - MISCELLANEOUS - 12.05.2011
Stress tests for your computer
If you’re an intensive computer user, you will want to know how your computer is performing. To measure this, use benchmarking software. Here are some of the best known tools.
WEB SERVICES - MISCELLANEOUS - 12.05.2011
Need a good floor planner?
Do you wish to organise a party or company do? Or are you planning to redesign your living room, study or shop? Online floor planners can help you. We put three of them to the test.
INTERNET CONNECTION - ROUTERS - 12.05.2011
Your home network… ready for the future
Have you just bought a new house or are you renovating an old one? It’s best to think of all network facilities you’ll need such as cables, routers, etc. in advance. What should you know?
SOFTWARE - MONITOR - 12.05.2011
Customise your computer desktop
It’s something that you probably look at for hours each day: your Windows desktop wallpaper. Maybe it’s time to look for some really good pictures for your desktop?
SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 12.05.2011
Working more efficiently in Office using Quick Access
Office 2007 and 2010 show the Quick Access Toolbar at the top left in every window. By default this toolbar is quite empty, but if you configure it properly it will make your work a great deal more efficient.
SOFTWARE - WINDOWS - 12.05.2011
Reinstall Windows? Hold on a minute!
Has Windows become sluggish; do programs take a long time to start and peripherals fail to work? Reinstalling Windows may resolve this, but a less drastic solution is often possible. How?
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 12.05.2011
In the spotlights
Wouldn’t it be convenient for your customers and business contacts if you collected all the data relating to yourself or your business in one central spot? Perhaps the recently launched About.me can help?
SOFTWARE - WEBMAIL - 12.05.2011
Working safely with webmail
Webmail offers a raft of advantages, so it’s only logical that it should also become popular in business environments. How do you make your webmail safe so that you can use your webmail address for business purposes too?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE OFFICE - 12.05.2011
Office 365: worthwhile?
Microsoft recently launched a public beta version of Office 365, the online variant of the popular office suite Microsoft Office. What exactly is Office 365 and how useful is it?
ENTERTAINMENT - TRAVEL - 12.05.2011
Photo and video travel journals
The days when you made a travelogue by pasting some photos in a diary and adding comments are long gone. People now want to update their travel reports online and share them with all their social contacts.
ENTERTAINMENT - TRAVEL - 12.05.2011
Summer holidays
Two new travel sites got us thinking about summer holidays. Here are sites that can help you choose and research a destination; plus some top tips.
