Business

Why is a PR Company Such an Important Part of the Success of a Small Business?

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If you have just started your own small business it can be difficult and stressful. With the difficult economic climate at the moment this makes it even harder for small businesses to get ahead. As a small business it is even more important at the moment to make the most of all the things that can help your company to not only survive but to thrive even in periods that are more difficult financially.

Something that helps many small businesses is PR. A professional PR company, like this Cheltenham PR company https://headonpr.co.uk is a hugely important part of the growth and success of a small business. A PR company knows all of the ways to get the word out about your business and create a positive feeling and awareness of your business and what it does.

PR companies do this in many ways – it might be helping to create awareness of your business online, for example by using social media. Or they will speak to journalists who can mention your business in things like lists of local businesses or with things like radio interviews.

A PR company will also be able to focus on the unique positive things about your business. For example, it may be that you are proudly environmentally friendly, provide products that are renowned for being high quality, or offer the best value for money. Whatever it is, a PR company can help to draw that to people’s attention so that they can connect with you, ultimately growing your customer base and therefore growing your company.

A PR company is a great choice for a smaller business as they will not only have the experience that is needed to help your business grow to that next level, but also an in-depth knowledge of the business world. They will also have local contacts and have the knowledge of who to go to in order to generate publicity for your business. A PR company will be able to design a tailor-made campaign that is unique to you, and get to know you and help you as your business grows, and things change.

Business

How to Make Your Exhibition Stand More Exciting

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You can make your exhibition stand more exciting by using a range of accessories to enhance its character. These can be inexpensive and add a unique twist to your stand design. Retractable banner stands are also a cheap option that will enhance the look of your exhibition stand. You can also make use of lighting and feature pieces of decor to draw attention to your business. For details on Exhibitions stand hire, visit a site such as Colour Studios who supply Exhibitions stand hire

Technology is now prevalent everywhere, so why not use it to enhance your exhibition stand? Adding some technology can make a big difference, and even simple additions like HD screens can have a huge impact. For example, you can install a video wall to show marketing material for your product. Humans are highly visual so be sure to focus on attention grabbing visuals.

Another idea to create excitement is to use virtual reality experiences. These will help create a buzz in your stand and engage your visitors. Other fun ideas include games and competitions. Make sure that your stand flows well so that visitors do not get blocked or lost. Keeping the meeting areas towards the back of your stand will also help you to retain visitors’ attention.

Trade show attendees are looking for entertainment, so try to attract them with fun features. Games are a great way to draw more attention to your stand and attract more visitors. You can even offer free samples for visitors.

Travel

Gloucester City, why it’s a great place to live.

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Living in the city of Gloucester has many blessings, the magnificent Cathedral for a start, let alone a thriving retail, shopping outlet at the Quays, as well as the town centre shops of course and all the wonderful cafe’s, bars and restaurants. From elite, boutique shopping in Quba & Co, Blue Inc and Inti, to cheap and cheerful at Primark. Buy beautiful bridal designs from By Design, Vivienne Stella and Taffeta & Lace or purchase sportswear at Sports Direct and the Adidas Outlet Store, plus there are several boutique and individual businesses, so it’s easy to find whatever it is you want to buy.  Plus, a great selection of all the major supermarkets, including, Tesco’s, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl and the Co-Op, Gloucester City really does have everything.

Digital Marketing is proving to be an area of great growth and many successful SEO companies have chosen Gloucester City as their headquarters. Smart, forward thinking businesses like http://www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/sewer-repairs-drain-lining-concrete-cutting/drain-repairs/drain-repairs-gloucester who provide professional Drain Lining Gloucester have used Digital Marketing to get themselves noticed on the Google search engine site. Thanks to their innovative thinking, professional work ethics and great customer service their company is attracting plenty of new customers and they are thriving.  Gloucester City has some outstanding Ofsted rated schools including, The King’s School, Crypt, Denmark Road, Sir Thomas Riches, and Barnwood Park.  Your children will excel studying at any of these prestigious schools and could well then go onto college or University.

We can’t talk about all the great places to shop, eat and visit in Gloucester City without saying more about the Cathedral.  This stunning, Romanesque & Gothic style building began life back in the year 1089 and was only completed in 1499!  The Cathedral clock that was installed in 1898 was made by Dent and Co, the same company who built Big Ben’s clock. Two of the Bells situated in the tower date back to 1420, the largest bell weighing in at just under three tons is named Great Peter and rings faithfully on the hour and just before a main service. This historical and beautiful building has been used several times as film set locations, including some of The Harry Potter movies, a couple of Doctor Who episodes and a Sherlock Holmes special.

 

Business

Why a Website is so Important for your Business

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In days gone by, a shop window, or a newspaper advert would be two ways that you got the attention of potential customers and enticed them to look at your business. However, nowadays the main way that people look for the products and services that they want has changed, and the internet is the main source for everything when it comes to searching for what we want.

This is why, if you run a business, one of the most important things to have is a website. Getting a professional like this web design Cheltenham based company https://www.absolutecreativemarketing.co.uk/ to create your site for you is a much better way of doing this than attempting to create it yourself. It not only saves you the time of trying to do it yourself, it will also be better as professional web developers know what is required from a website.

Something that is also a big part of the site is the fact that it can be found on a Google search. After all, what is the point of the website if nobody can see it? Search engine optimisation helps to drive traffic to your site and get it seen. For example, if you are a builder in Peterborough, you want someone to type in builders Peterborough when looking for a builder and to find you! This is what search engine optimisation does, and a professional web developer will be able to build you a website that works with this and gives you a boost.

The site itself also needs to be something that people can use easily. Making sure that the site is easy for people to navigate, as well as being able to get the information that they want is important. If people are not able to easily get the information that they want, they are likely to move on quickly and then you have lost an opportunity.

Make your website engaging and people are likely to want to spend more time browsing it. An engaging website will be able to help you gain new customers, and this then builds you a better reputation, helping your business to grow in the future.

Business

Equity release: the pros and cons

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Releasing money from your property can seem like the ideal solution as you get older and find yourself wanting extra income. It has proven particularly popular with retirees over the past few years with pensions declining in value in real terms. This is a major decision and one that should never be taken lightly, however, and this article aims to look at some of the pros and cons.

What is it?

Equity release involves selecting a product which enables you to release some funds from the value of your property. The equity is the amount left when you take away any mortgage still owed from your property’s market value. In simple terms, it is how much you would end up with if you sold up for cash.

You may be eligible to release a large proportion of this money if you have little or no mortgage left. One of the major benefits of this is releasing a large sum to spend whilst enabling you to still live in your property.

Different types

There are different ways to release equity. The two most popular methods are through a lifetime mortgage or home reversion. The former is the most commonly chosen method and means that you take out a mortgage that will be repaid when your home is sold, either because you move into a care facility or you die.

The ‘pro’ of this is that you can normally borrow between 18 per cent and half of your property’s overall value. In general, the amount goes up the older you are.

It must be remembered, however, that the amount you will owe will go up as interest is added, although you can sometimes pay off the interest to prevent it compounding. This is particularly important if you wish to leave some capital in the form of an inheritance.

The majority of equity release providers will not offer you a guarantee of no negative equity but you may still end up with nothing left of your property’s value after the mortgage is paid off.

With home reversion, your whole property or part of it is sold but you have the right to live there until you are no longer able to. The downside of this is that you will not get the full market value of your property and you may not be eligible unless you’re over 60.

Benefits and downsides

The major benefit is clearly the fact that you can release funds that would otherwise be tied up in your property without you having to move. The primary downside, however, is that you will not get the true market value for the property. This means you may not realise the full value of your investment and you will reduce any amount going to beneficiaries. If you’re in any doubt at all about any deals you are offered, make sure you get professional advice from a specialist such as https://www.parachutelaw.co.uk/equity-release Parachute Law.

Particular types of release schemes also have specific pitfalls. For example, with a lifetime mortgage, you could end up using up the whole value of your home to repay the loan as you end up paying interest on interest throughout the loan period. The practical effect of this is that if you were paying interest of around five percent and never paid any off, you would see your loan double every 15 years.

If you are worried about repaying any loan, help is available from organisations such as Citizens Advice

Is releasing equity a good idea?

The answer is very much a personal one and depends on your individual needs and circumstances.

Travel

The changes to Gloucester’s Kings Square

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Space and how it is used is an essential part of human existence. Our town and city centres have been places that have been used for so many things, including celebration, commemoration, mourning, commerce, social protest and just a place to socialise and meet friends in. One of these is Gloucester’s Kings square. It’s been the site of many different changes down through the centuries. Gloucester has been a place that has seen people live within its boundaries since the Iron Age. It’s still a place where people come to live. You just have to look at Gloucestershire Park Homes to see a modern example. www.parkhomelife.com/our-parks/orchard-park-homes-gloucester-gloucestershire is where you can go to see the new and contemporary Gloucester.

Kings square is in the centre of the City. The site’s history can be traced back many hundreds of years. It was initially the site of the Forum when the city was known as Glevum. This was a significant part of the Roman Empires’ presence in Britain. Glevum began life as a Fort to protect the area from parts of Wales and to support Corinium, now modern Cirencester, up the road. However, it became a Colonia when Wales was subdued and put under the Roman yoke. In other words, it was a place where legionnaires could retire with a pension, land and a townhouse. This influx of money and influence was further enhanced by the trade that came to the city from the Severn Sea, as the Bristol Channel was known back then. This money meant that the residents of Glevum could afford to add additions to the town. Large walls and gatehouses were added to the city and reinforced it. This wasn’t greatly needed but was created more to show off. The most impressive addition was a Forum. This was where the decisions of the city and local area were made and debated.

As Kings square developed through the centuries, it remained a place where people would meet. It was a medieval market place then a Bus station. With the coming of the car it became a car park for the city centre shops and then an open meeting place with decorative fountains. It has just undergone another transformation to become a meeting place and focal point, just as it has always been.

Reviews

No Sale No Fee Conveyancing: The Pros and Cons

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When searching for a conveyancer to deal with the sale or purchase of your home, you may come across some offering ‘no sale, no fee’ deals. Is this the best option for you? We look at the advantages and disadvantages of no sale, no fee conveyancers to help you decide.

What does no sale no fee really mean?

In no sale no fee conveyancing, you are only charged for a solicitor’s services once the transaction is complete. Usually, you will pay an initial deposit to secure the no sale no fee deal but will then not pay any more to your solicitor until the sale is completed. This can be particularly beneficial in cases where a house sale falls through, whether this is through gazumping, gazundering, a break in the chain, poor surveys or because someone simply changes their mind. However, you may still have to pay for searches carried out by third parties such as Land Registry.

What are the advantages of no sale no fee deals?

The main benefit is that you only pay for the solicitor’s services when the sale is successfully completed. This can be particularly beneficial if your sale has fallen through because of gazumping or some other factor beyond your own control. Many may find it an attractive option in times when the housing market is slow or if they are selling the property themselves.

Instructing a conveyancer in a no sale no fee deal will usually mean paying a deposit. According to the HomeOwners Alliance failed attempts to buy and sell property sees more than £500 million a year go to waste. A small fee upfront could save you as much as £1,500 further down the line.

In some cases, some conveyancing firms, such as Sam Conveyancing, will move your deposit to another property transaction if the first falls through. However, it is important to check if this is an option with your conveyancer first. Some may let you carry out searches on a different property for free, but this is a goodwill gesture for staying with them and is by no means offered by all no sale no fee conveyancers. You must check the fine print first to see whether this is included and whether new property purchases must be within a certain time frame.

No win no fee conveyancers may also be an attractive option for those who are undecided on whether they want to progress with a purchase but need to show they have appointed a conveyancer.

What are the disadvantages of no sale no fee deals?

While the conveyancer is not paid in full until the transaction is complete, you still have to pay for searches and other disbursements. They are usually non-refundable, and so you will be out of pocket on these if the sale does fall through. In most cases, you have to pay an initial deposit which is also non-refundable.

No sale no fee offers are not universally available. They cannot be used in certain transactions such as a property being sold at auction or subject to a chain.

Another downfall of a no sale no fee deal is that you may end up paying more overall. Some firms may charge a success fee in addition to their standard fees, while some may require a monthly retainer whether or not the sale progresses. You may also incur some hidden costs, such as administration fees. Always be sure to check out the fine print and be fully aware of all implications before signing up to a no sale no fee offer.

Tips and Ideas

How to spot the best security guard for the job

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Shop security is an issue to be taken seriously, from the physical measures to the practical means of ensuring your business does not suffer from the effects or deliberate damage such as using a Security Seal , like the ones you can see at https://acmeseals.co.uk on your high ticket products. There are a number of different ways you can try to secure your products and business premises. You may be thinking about employing a shop security guard to protect your assets but what are your options and how can you get the right person for the job?

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The job of a security guard may seem like an easy one when, in fact, it can be anything but. Human beings are complex creatures and security guards have to be prepared for almost anything – and capable of dealingl with much more than getting a shoplifter back into the store. Just think about the security guard who was accused of ripping a breastfeeding baby from its mother.

The mum has now appeared in court accused of perverting the course of justice. Read all about it at http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-who-falsely-accused-primark-6310759 or http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3208695/Mother-claimed-assaulted-Primark-security-guard-forced-stop-breastfeeding-appears-court.html.

To be sure that you employ trustworthy guards you might prefer to use the services of specialist agencies, but wherever in the country you are looking for security guards for, here are five important qualities you should look for:

Honesty

Your guard is likely to have free-access to all of your work space and may be faced with situations where their loyalty is tested. You need to be as sure as possible that they will resist temptation and make your business their priority.

Alertness

You need someone who can stay alert and has a good eye for detail. You want to know that they will not be distracted easily and can maintain focus without constant supervision.

Common sense

Your security guard will have to make many decisions as they go about their job and you need to be sure that they have the common sense and reasoning power to make the right choices and take appropriate action.

A good temperament

You don’t want someone who will lose their temper if their authority is questioned or put your business in jeopardy with rash judgements and actions. The guard is working for you so it is your name that is on the line.

Physical fitness

You will benefit from having a security guard who is fit and healthy enough to deal with all potential situations.

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Splendid, Slough in the County of Buckinghamshire

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The large town of Slough is situated in the county of Buckinghamshire, approximately twenty miles west of London.  A great commuter town for the (approximate) 164,000 residents, many of whom work in the busy City but want the beauty of a more rural community. This thriving, multicultural town attracts potential residents and workers from all over the country and has the highest concentration of company headquarters that have set up base in its trading estates, outside London itself. The power station there has been steadily supplying power to the massive trading estate it is based on since 1920.

There is also a huge retail outlet for the residents to enjoy alongside several splendid primary and secondary schools for the children to attend. The hard-working students who attend the schools are amongst the top ten best academic achievers in the country.

The residential areas are growing quickly, in order to house all the families that want to set up home in this thriving community. The army of builders are working hard to clear any derelict buildings in order to erect new homes, doctors’ surgeries, dentists, veterinary practices and hospitals. The team operating the diggers are very careful not to damage any electrical cables, phone lines, gas pipes or sewers.  If they find any pipes that are cracked they may well decide that a Drain Lining Slough  company could repair them and contact a professional company such as http://www.drainpower.co.uk/drainage-services/drain-lining/drain-lining-slough/ to sort out the problems.

Reviews

The Old Firm derby that ignites a city

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Glasgow is renowned as being a tough place. Its hard streets belie a city of cultural status. It has the largest population in Scotland and is the fourth largest in the UK. It is a proud city full of prouder people, and rightly so, due to its heritage as a great ship building area. Whilst this has fallen away with time, the city has maintained its populus and is now know for its financial sectors. It also has a prosperous tech industry with companies like Web Design Glasgow based organisation https://www.design-hero.com/web-design/local-web-agency/glasgow/ for example.

To show how proud the city is it comes together, or more correctly divides, for four very important games in the year. They are usually the defining games of the Scottish premier league. It’s the match between Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic. To say that it is played with passion is a very big understatement.

It is reckoned to be one of the oldest derby matches (where 2 teams from the same city or town play against each other) in the world. So far, it is Rangers that have won the most matches with 168 to Celtics 161. 101 of them have resulted in a draw. The game is played under the shadow of sectarianism. The Protestants favour Rangers and the Catholics support Celtic. This has led to many unfortunate clashes off the field as well as on it.