http://www.fpb.org Latest hot tips articles from the FPB en-gb info@fpb.org info@fpb.org http://feedvalidator.org/docs/ Word of mouth is one of the most powerful marketing tools available to small businesses. So why not let your happy customers speak for themselves by using their positive feedback to promote your business? Read our top 10 tips to collect and use testimonials.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/602/How_to_use_testimonials_to_promote_your_business.htm Tue, 7 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP602 The new Equality Act, due to come in force on 1 October 2010, harmonises and replaces previous anti-discrimination legislation. Although your responsibilities under the Act will stay largely the same, there are some changes that will affect both employers and business that provide goods and services to the public. These include the introduction of 'protected characteristics' and new forms of discrimination.

 

]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/601/The_Equality_Act_2010:_protected_characteristics_and_types_of_discrimination.htm Sat, 4 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP601 The cost of music in the workplace has long been a bone of contention for business owners and we've recently experienced an increase in calls to our member helpline about the PPL or Phonographic Performance Ltd. Many small businesses thought that by purchasing a licence from the PRS (Performing Right Society) they had fully complied with copyright legislation. However, this may not be the case.]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/599/Music_in_the_workplace___what_are_PRS_and_PPL?.htm Wed, 1 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP599 http://www.fpb.org/hottips/598/Time_off_for_dependants_and_flexible_working.htm Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP598 Referendum, we're taking a look at how new technology is impacting on smaller businesses. We want to understand how the various issues are affecting you so that we can represent your views to government.]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/597/How_does_technology_influence_your_business?.htm Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP597 http://www.fpb.org/hottips/596/Top_10_networking_tips_for_business_owners.htm Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP596 Most people find it hard to write about themselves in a fair and objective way – balancing megalomania-like tendencies to over-egg your successes with displaying a fair report of your capabilities and qualifications.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/595/Top_10_tips_to_boost_your_online_profile.htm Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP595 Good communication is key to good business, but what most people don't appreciate is that communication is something that we are all doing constantly, both verbally and non-verbally.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/477/5_top_tips_for_effective_business_communication.htm Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP477 http://www.fpb.org/hottips/592/Small_Business_Rate_Relief_set_to_increase.htm Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP592 The way you file returns and make payments to HMRC is changing. VAT businesses, Corporation Tax customers and employers all need to be aware of new online filing and electronic payment requirements.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/594/How_to_file_HMRC_returns_online.htm Mon, 9 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP594 As well as reversing the previous Government's plans to increase employers' National Insurance contributions (NICs) by 1% in the June Budget, the coalition Government also announced a new scheme through which new businesses can get a significant reduction in their employer National Insurance contributions.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/593/Regional_employer_NICs_holiday_for_new_businesses.htm Mon, 9 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP593 http://www.fpb.org/hottips/591/Change_to_due_date_for_tax_cheque_payments.htm Mon, 9 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP591 The Equality Act 2010 brings together existing legislation on discrimination and equality. The up side to this is that your responsibilities as an employer will mainly stay the same. However, there are a number of new provisions included in it which all employers should be aware of, including third party harassment, positive action provisions, pay secrecy and changes to disability discrimination.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/588/Key_employment_changes_in_the_Equality_Act_2010.htm Thu, 5 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP588 National Minimum Wage rates are to rise October 2010 with the minimum rate for workers aged 21 and over raising to £5.93 an hour. Plus a new minimum wage for apprentices has been introduced for the first time.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/590/National_Minimum_Wage_rates_announced_for_2010.htm Wed, 4 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP590 Summer may seem like a strange time to think about Christmas holidays – but this year's festivities may raise questions for some employers over staffing and pay.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/589/Christmas_bank_holidays.htm Wed, 4 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP589 To support the launch of our new business continuity service to our members, here are some top tips to keep your company open for business, no matter what happens.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/587/Top_10_business_continuity_tips_that_won’t_cost_the_earth.htm Tue, 3 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP587 ]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/586/Business_IT_security_tips.htm Mon, 2 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP586 Smaller businesses typically pay well over the odds on a host of common purchases. And, worse still, many know that they could cut their bills, but simply never take action. But, desist from your procrastination – by the end of this hot tip, you could be well on the way to slashing 35% off your current spending.

]]> http://www.fpb.org/hottips/107/Slashing_your_bills.htm Mon, 2 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP107 http://www.fpb.org/hottips/584/Small_firms_face_pensions_shake_up.htm Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP584 http://www.fpb.org/hottips/583/How_to_keep_the_cash_flowing.htm Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT HOTTIP583