Archived Press Releases to
Follow Shortly
|
8th February 2007
Two Million Businesses Risk Losses with Out of Date Equipment |
Nearly two million small businesses
(49%) are putting their data and productivity at
risk by using old technology to run their business.
A new survey by
BizHelp24 has found that 24.8% of small business
owners say they do not need to update or replace
their computers and other technology at all, while
12.4% only update them every three years, and 12.1%
every four years or more.
This is despite small business
employees saying that slow and unreliable computers
are the biggest cause of irritation in the office*.
Positively though, 34.7% of businesses do upgrade or
replace their equipment once a year or more;
ensuring their equipment remains productive and
reliable.
Here are five top reasons why
upgrading can benefit your business:
-
Faster computers help productivity, and
prevent staff irritation
-
Technology becomes more unreliable as
it gets older, putting your data at risk
-
New printers and faxes are cheaper to
run, and produce better results
-
Buying new equipment is usually more
cost effective than repairing old equipment
-
As technology gets smaller, you gain
more office space
Colin Duguid, Managing Director of
BizHelp24 said, “Whilst older computers may still do
the job, they can be slow and unreliable; and are
more likely to break down, disrupting your business.
Updating or replacing your equipment every couple of
years helps to ensure your staff can stay
productive, and minimises the risk of you losing
your data or needing to pay the cost of repairs.
“Businesses that have invested in
good technology may be justified in keeping it for
several years, but it is worrying that so many
businesses say they do not need to update their
technology at all.”
* BizHelp24 Survey Results from
September 2006
###
The survey of over 360 small business
owners/managers/employees was conducted on
www.bizhelp24.com
How Often do you Buy or Upgrade Your Business
Computers and Technology (E.g.: Printers, Faxes))
I don’t need to update them–24.8%
More than once a year–24.8%
Every Two Years–16%
Every Three Years-12.4%
Every Four Years or More-12.1%
Every Year-9.9%
Notes to Editors
1. BizHelp24 provides businesses with over 400 free
and comprehensive articles on a variety of important
business topics. Established in 1998, BizHelp24 is
one of the longest running independent business
information sites in the UK. The site is all about
helping small firms; with a range of information for
entrepreneurs, small businesses and those looking to
start their own business.
2. The free BizStart24 software (subject to
subscribing to our fortnightly newsletter) provides
more than 40 forms and letters to make running a
business easier. In addition, the free BizHelp24
Newsletter provides 15,000 entrepreneurs with the
latest information every fortnight.
3.
For more information please contact Robert
Mortimer. Email:
rob@bizhelp24.com Tel: 01246 299703
|
7th December 2006
Small Business Bosses - Spenders and Scrooges
This Christmas! |
Small business bosses are divided
into two main groups this Christmas; those who
splash out to provide their employees with
entertainment, and those who don’t pay anything or
whose employees are too busy working to have a
break!
The survey by small business
information site BizHelp24 has found that 24.9% of
small business owners will spend more than £200 per
employee on parties and entertainment this
Christmas. However, the Christmas spirit is not as
present in the 23.2% who say their employees are too
busy working to have a party, or the 14.3% whose
employees pay for their own party!
Some businesses will struggle for
cash flow, and therefore cannot afford to splash out
on their staff; but the results still show that a
surprising number of small businesses are taking
their staff somewhat for granted.
Colin Duguid, Managing Director of
BizHelp24 said, “Although you may genuinely be too
busy or short of cashflow to hold an office party,
it is still important to show your staff that they
are appreciated this holiday season. Remember that
entertainment costing less than £150 per employee
per year is usually tax deductible, making it easier
to afford than many other gestures.
“Appreciated employees are loyal and
work harder; if cashflow is a problem, giving them a
card and taking five minutes to thank them for their
effort is crucial. You could also consider allowing
staff to leave a bit early in the days before Xmas,
or give them a day off to go shopping.”
###
Full Results:
How much do you spend (per staff member) on
Christmas and Office Parties each year?
More than £200 Each – 24.9%
They are too busy working to have a party – 23.2%
Less than £50 – 18.7%
Nothing, the staff pay – 14.3%
£50-99 – 10.2%
£100-149 – 5.1%
£150-200 – 3.6%
The survey of 470 small business
owners/managers/employees was conducted on
www.bizhelp24.com during November 2006.
Notes to Editors
1. BizHelp24 provides businesses with hundreds of
free and comprehensive articles on a variety of
important business topics; including Business
Startup, Marketing, Employment and Personal
Development. Established in 1998, BizHelp24 is one
of the longest running independent business sites in
the UK. The site is all about helping small firms;
with information for entrepreneurs, small businesses
and those looking to start their own business.
2.
For more information please contact Robert
Mortimer. Email: rob@bizhelp24.com Tel:01246 299703
|
1st November 2006
2.5 Million Small Businesses Swamped by Late Payment - Top 5 Tips to Avoid It
|
Small businesses across the UK are
now so affected by late paying business customers
that over two and a half million* have to deal with it every single month.
A survey by small business
information site BizHelp24.com has found that 64.6%
of small businesses face one or more late payments
every month; with 42.9% facing at least two every
month. These figures show that the majority of small
businesses in the UK are significantly under-vetting
their credit customers.
Colin Duguid, Managing Director of
BizHelp24 said “As many small businesses do not have
the resources to employ dedicated credit staff,
knowing how to deal with credit and late payments is
vital. Setting and maintaining basic credit rules is
something we can all do. Happily these results do
show that businesses who spend time on their credit
management can avoid late payment.” Some businesses
only experienced late payment every three months
(5.7%), six months (4%), or twelve months (3.3%);
while the most effective credit managers experienced
late payment rarely (8.7%), or not at all (13.7%).
To help small businesses protect
their cashflow, BizHelp24.com has produced five top
tips to avoid late payment:
1. Put in place a credit policy and
gain credit management skills. Know who to give
credit to, and how to recover it.
2. Take time to understand the Late
Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998, and state in
your contract that you will enforce your rights if
necessary.
3. Chase up late payment quickly. If
your customers know you are quick to deal with late
payment they will be less likely to delay or
‘forget’ payment.
4. Reduce credit terms for businesses
that keep paying late.
5. Check out your customers before
you offer them credit. A company report will give
you information that helps you decide if a company
is reliable and trustworthy. The small cost is well
worth it against the costs of late payment. Find out
more about BizHelp24’s Company Reports Service here:
http://www.bizhelp24.com/static_company_reports.php
###
* Based on Small Business Service’s (SBS) estimated
number of UK business in the SME Statistics UK 2005
report.
The survey of 300 small business
owners/managers/employees was conducted on
www.bizhelp24.com during October 2006.
Notes to Editors
1. BizHelp24 provides businesses with over 400 free
and comprehensive articles on a variety of important
business topics; including Credit Management and
Debt Collection. Established in 1998, BizHelp24 is
one of the longest running independent business
information sites in the UK. The site is all about
helping small firms; with information for
entrepreneurs, small businesses and those looking to
start their own business.
2.
For more information please contact Robert
Mortimer. Email:
rob@bizhelp24.com Tel:01246 299703
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