We received this from Professional Passport this week, it may be "just another survey" but Contractors and their Accountants could be encouraged that there is so much interest in our sector and it should only do more to make the Government more aware of the business sector and what issues we face. Crawford Temple from Professional passport wrote and said:-
"With release of the AWD draft legislation and potential impacts this could have on the market, now seemed a highly appropriate time for Professional Passport to carry out a survey to obtain the views of contractors. We hope the information obtained from the survey will provide strong arguments across a number of areas including influencing the outcome of the AWD."
Please click the logo below to start the survey.
To mark National Freelancers Day events are taking place up and down the UK, organised by PCG, their members and a host of interested parties.
As well as providing some practical advice and support for freelancers, these events will let you contribute to and build upon the broader activities of National Freelancers Day and explore subjects such as:
* What freelancing means
* Support systems in place (and further support needed) for freelance
businesses
* How technology is evolving to support the freelance community
* How freelance businesses can evolve, develop and "raise their game"
* The opportunities and challenges for freelance businesses in the
current economic climate and beyond
* Why freelancing is vital to the UK economy and the potential for
freelancing in the evolving business world
* How businesses could better harness the UK freelance talent pool
Registration is simple, but pre-registration is essential in order for you to reserve a place (all events have limited capacity and
places will be allocated on a first come first served basis).
Full details and registration via:
http://www.nationalfreelancersday.org.uk/cms/local-events-on-the-day
Please help raise the profile of the day and this valuable and vital way of working by passing on this invite to all relevant contacts.
Even if you are able to get along to one of these events, we urge all members (and again your contacts) to register to view our special National Freelancers Day Webcast:
http://www.nationalfreelancersday.org.uk/cms/special-webcast
Don't forget to tweet, blog, update your profiles and generally let the world know that the 23rd November is National Freelancers Day.
I received this from Dave Chaplin at Contractor Calculator -
As you may know 23rd November 2009 is to be National Freelancers Day (NFD).
The aim of the day is to to gain wider recognition for the contribution that freelancers, consultants, interims and contractors make to the UK economy.
The PCG is partnering with ContractorCalculator and other key firms in the industry to conduct research among their members to help them maximise the impact and value of freelancing to highlight on National Freelancers Day.
To support this, PCG would like to invite you to share your views on the evolving profile of contractors, their achievements, their personal experiences and their relationship with business leaders and permanent employees.
They are very interested in hearing your views on the industry and your own experience of embarking upon and making a success of your career as a contractor.
It will be of great help to them in unlocking and promoting the full potential of contracting, with a specific focus on the role of this within such a challenging economic climate.
This survey is being conducted by leading research consultancy ComRes on behalf of PCG and partners. This survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and we would be very grateful for your valuable input.
The link below will take you directly to the survey.
http://lnktrack.co.uk/2023972/627252819/59932009/915660/33102/0/t2.aspx
ComRes, who are conducting this survey on behalf of PCG and partners, is a member of the Market Research Society. Your answers will be treated confidentially and all responses will remain completely anonymous, according to the Market Research Society's Code of Conduct.
Dave Chaplin at Contractor Calculator released his latest report:-
IR35 Special - 10 Years That Shook and Shaped the world of UK Contractors.
It is an excellent piece of work by Dave and his team and should be a great read for any contractor who wants to focus on their objective to manage IR35 successfully.
You can download your copy free of charge here.
Of particular importance in this 36 page e-book are the Contractors IR35 Defence Diary and the 10 point plan for staying outside IR35.
Dave said "In recognition of the fact that IR35 has helped shape modern contracting, for better or worse, ContractorCalculator has commissioned a special report to mark the 10th anniversary of IR35. It contains expert analysis, a historical perspective, essential guidance for contractors, and a look at what the future might hold."
He added ""The ContractorCalculator IR35 Special Report is designed to remind us of how damaging bad legislation can be and as a tool to educate current and future legislators about contractors' needs. IR35 is likely to remain with us in one form or another for some years. But contractors will always show their ability to overcome any obstacle, provide creative solutions and thrive against all odds!"
We agree with Dave, this report is well worth reading.
Recruitment International reports that APSCo will be holding an HR conference at the CBI in London on 26th March 2009.
"The half-day conference will present a unique opportunity forprofessionals to come together with clients and potential clients todiscuss some of the key issues and latest developments affecting theuse of temporary workers in the workplace. "
The event will be sponsored by Parasol and the speaker line up is as follows:-
- Key Note Address by Professor Patricia Leighton, Emeritus Professorof Employment Law at the University of Glamorgan and author of ‘Out ofthe Shadows- Managing Self-Employed, Agency and Outsourced Workers’ .
- Kevin Barrow – Blake Lapthorn will talk on managing the legal risks of using temporary workers
- Dawn Marriott-Sims - Capita Group PLC’s Head of Internal Resourcing- will discuss some of the best tactics for managing a large temporaryworkforce
- John Brazier – the MD of The Professional Contractor’s Group – willgive his view on the contractor’s perspective of working alongsidepermanent employees
For futher details , please contact APSCo.
By Phil Richards
Scottish Widows have intoduced three new bank accounts with increased interest rates all effective from the 16th September 2009:
1 Year Fixed Term Deposit Account
£10,000 to £5,000,000 2.5%
1 Year Fixed Term Business Deposit Account
£10,000 to £5,000,000 2.5%
1 Year Fixed Term Pension Fund Deposit Account -SIPP SSAS money
£10,000 to £5,000,000 2.5%
No one likes changing banks or current accounts but luckily you cannow access high rates of interest and not have to change your currentaccount or your bank. These accounts are in addition to your currentaccount.
How it works
Director completes and application form and a direct debit authority from the Company Current Account.
On confirmation that the account is open the Director can transfermoney between the Current Account and the Business Fund Account.
The Business Fund Account can only receive money from and pay money to the nominated Company Current Account.
Keep your excess funds in the Business Fund Account and start earning interest.
Please email service@bfca.eu for an application form.
I received the recent Contractor Calculator newsletter and feltmoved to recommend any Professional Contractors and Freelancer to signup to receive this good quality independent advice and comment.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Dave Chaplin and some members ofhis team and admire their writing style and focus on ProfessionalContractors and Freelancers, but this latest newsletter really struckme as the top 4 stories were all very solid comment and advice onmatters that seriously affect anyone in this business sector.
Well worth a read, here is a link to the online version
I had the pleasure of attending a Linked In workshop with Mark Williams this week in London.
Within a few minutes it was very clear to me how much I did not knowabout Linked In, how to use it effectively and how ProfessionalContractors and Freelancers could use it to find work and marketthemselves as a professional, all for free.
The small investment for the workshop was very good value, it was asmall enough group and Mark's style of training is very likeable.
I have a new Linked In profile and welcome connection invites from anyone who is reading this.
Since the course I have updated the information page on Twitter and Online Networking and I now describe my experience with Twitter, Face*book and Linked In , all of which I have found valuable for our business.
Professional Contractors and Freelancers may be very interested in abusiness bank account that pays interest on your money; without havingto have large amounts deposited.
We act as introducers for Scottish Widows who are currently offeringsome very strong interest rates from 1.25% for instant access BusinessFund Accounts which you bolt onto a current account with your existingbankers.
As a comparison, Cater Allen's Reserve business account does not payany interest on balances under £100,000 and for balances of£100,000-£499,999 they pay 0.25% and £500,000 + pays 0.50%. The CaterAllen account is a good Current Account for use for your normal day today banking activities; and when introduced through us offers youInternet Banking and no monthly fees.
Opening a Scottish Widows bank account is very straightforward, andyou can keep all your existing banking arrangements in place, this isan additional account to your portfolio to enable you to earn highinterest rates.
The New Accounts
From the 1st July Scottish Widows also launched two new interest paying business deposit accounts.
- A 7 day notice Business Fund Account
- 1 Year Fixed Term Business Fund Account
Both products can be used for corporate, trust, clubs and charities.
Business 7-Day Notice Account
The key features of the account are:
- Available to new and existing business customers.
- Minimum investment of £500 and maximum of £5 million.
- 7 days notice will be required for withdrawals. Any withdrawalswhere 7 days notice is not given will be subject to a penaltyequivalent to 7 days interest on the withdrawal amount.
- Managed rates of interest guaranteed to be no less than 0.25% below Bank of England Base Rate until 31 December 2012.
- Customer rates of 1.75% Gross / AER for balances of £500-£49,999 and 2.00% Gross / AER for balances of £50,000 and above.
- All other features are as per our existing no-notice Business Fund Deposit Account.
1-Year Fixed Term Business Deposit Account
The key features of the account are:
- Fixed interest rate of 3.00% for the 1 year term.
- Available to new and existing business customers, both Direct and Introduced
- Minimum investment of £10,000 and maximum of £5 million.
- Start date of 20 July 2009 with fixed rate interest credited to the customer's account on 20 July 2010.
- Funds received in advance of the start date will earn interest atBank of England base rate (currently 0.50%) up to the start date, withapplication on the start date prior to transfer of the balance plusinterest to the fixed term deposit product interest rate.
- Interest paid gross for funds where the appropriate confirmation oftax status has been provided, or where the deposit is over £50,000.
- One-off deposits only, with no additional deposits permitted.
- Early access by exception, and for full closure only i.e. nopartial withdrawals permitted. In the event of early closure thecapital balance will be returned in full but no interest will becredited.
- No internet access.
- Annual statements only.
- Customers will be advised of their options on maturity 30 daysbefore the maturity date. If no customer instructions are received thefunds will be invested into the prevailing Business Fixed Term Depositaccount available at that time.
If you would like an application form you can download it from our online service portal or email us at service@bfca.eu to request one.
Additional Accounts
Personal Direct Transfer Account - for personal savings - internet banking - minimum opening balance £1000
£1000 and over - 3.01 Gross % (2.51% AER) including a 1% bonus for the first 6 months
Business Fund Account - used for Business,Trusts, Sipp, Ssas, Charities, Clubs and associations - telephone orpostal account linked to a current account
£500 - £49,999 1.25% (Gross & AER)
£50,000 plus 1.5% (Gross & AER)
This account is instant access.
Pension Fund Account - used for Sipp and Ssas money - Telephone or Postal account linked to the pension/Sipp's current account.
Up to £49,999 1.75% (Gross & AER)
£50,000 + 2% (Gross & AER)
This account is instant access.
Fixed Rate Term Deposit Accounts
1 year Fixed Term for Pension Fund rate 3% Gross - Invested on the 20th July 2009 - Minimum £10,000
1 year Fixed Term for Business Fund Money 3% Gross- Invested on the 20th July 2009 - Minimum £10,000
Are you getting the best out of this amazing free tool? Do you knowhow to use LinkedIn effectively ? Now you can find out from aspecialist seminar being run in London on July 14th.
Can you relate to any of these questions?
• I am on LinkedIn, I can see it has potential but where do I start?
• How can I use LinkedIn to find potential customers?
• How can LinkedIn help me research new markets?
• What happens when I ‘connect’ with someone?
• Who should I connect with?
• What is a LION?
• How many connections should I have?
• What are groups for, should I get involved?
• How should I be using LinkedIn applications?
• Do I need to pay for an upgraded account?
If so you should consider attending this workshop;
LinkedIn for Professional Contractors And Freelancers
July 14th 1.30-5.00pm London (nr Bank tube)
By arrangement with BFCA Limited Chartered Accountants there is aSpecial price for this event only £80+vat, which saves £39 on the usualprice.
Mark’s LinkedIn workshop was highly informative &very well presented. Before the workshop my profile was fairly standard– brief details of current & past positions, as well as myeducation. However, Mark demonstrated how to use LinkedIn to itsfullest potential & how it can be used as a tremendous businessacquisition tool. If you want to learn more about LinkedIn and what youneed to do in order to gain business from it, I would highly recommendattending one of Mark’s training sessions.
This is what LinkedIn can do for you
• Business development - find and be found by new customers
• Business networking - find and be found by new partners who can assist your business
• Brand awareness - how to spread your message and build your personal and professional brand
• Research – analyse new markets, understand more about your competitors and find out more about your customers.
This course covers the following;
• An overview of the On-Line Business and Social Networking.
• The basics of How LinkedIn works.
• How to develop a highly effective LinkedIn profile.
• Building your LinkedIn network - who to invite and the 'Netiquette' of how to.
• Communications methods - groups, answers, polls, status updates and Inmail.
• Searching - how to find those contacts that are important to you.
• Combining your face-to-face event networking with your LinkedIn on-line network.
LinkedIn now has over 41 million users worldwide and is growing at a rate of 1 new user every second!
In the UK there are nearly 2.4 million users and it is growing at a rate of 75,000 a month!
There are 926,000 users in the London area – 30,000 of which signed up in the last month!
The average LinkedIn user is 41 yrs of age, with 15 years experience and a decision maker in their business.
Is this a community you can afford to ignore?
“Mark found me through LinkedIn, invited me through LinkedIn and Iaccepted through LinkedIn... kind of appropriate that the trainingcourse I attended was all about ... using LinkedIn! The session wasterrific value for money, and covered the all of the areas I wanted toknow about in a thorough but relaxed way. Mark is a really personableand knowledgeable presenter, and I would have no hesitationrecommending him or his course to anyone!�
Book your place now at www.etn-training.co.uk(Training is delivered in a small group ( 1o to 15 people ) so placesare limited and allocated on a first come first served basis)
Usual price is £119+vat - you will need to use the code "PR80" in order to get the £80+vat offer.