166,000 newly self employed in the UK

Click to enlarge

I noticed two articles in the paper on Wednesday
(28/12/11), one which highlighted the fact that
there were an extra 166,000 (according to the
Office for National Statistics) joining the ranks
of the self employed between August and
October 2011, taking the total in the UK to
4.1 million, and the second (see below)
covering the increase in unemployment.

There are suggestions though many have become self employed to avoid the stigma of claiming benefit, whilst others are earning lots less that they need to survive in our inflation ridden country.

I have been self employed since 1988, and admit at times it has been tough, especially working on commission only in 2001, when the company I was representing suffered its own financial downturn. I learnt my lesson and soon diversified, creating many income streams, the latest this year, when I joined with NABO Networking.

So what has been your experience of running your own  business, and what tips would you offer?

Conversely the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) forecasts that the unemployed will reach 2.85 million in 2012 as opposed to 2.65 milion in 2011. Eventually reaching 2.9 million in 2013 – this being the highest figure since 1991.

Certainly, I have seen many more out of work than previously amongst my contacts, and likewise, I have seen many more join one of my businesses on a self employed basis too and starting to build themselves a future with Utility Warehouse – information here: www.future-biz.co.uk

So what has been your experience, whether going self employed or being made redundant?

Epsom Festive Networking

Had a very pleasant evening with Surrey Chambers of Commerce at an event hosted by City Skyline at their Global House Business Centre in Epsom last evening (Tuesday 6/12/11). James Hale, MD of City Skyline was mine host together with Andy Willmott of the Chamber.

Saw a number of friends including the delovely Carolyne Taylor (Surrey Markets Ltd), soon to be married (this Saturday) and in fine form, plus made a number of new acquaintances too.

Picked up a number of leads, and was encouraged by the openess of the attendees.

Thank you to Andy and James, and I shall return soon.

Who has got my non geographic number?

Non Geographic numbers are hugely popular:

a great way of monitoring response to a campaign
a great way of controlling the number of calls received
a great way of distributing calls to multiple sites
a great way of making a one person business (or small company) look bigger

However, often the supplier of the number leaves the trade and at some point in the future the user is going to need to repoint that number ……… um, argh, how do I do that?

Quick check on Google – one million searches later, the business owner is still scratching their head and none the wiser.

Step in Combyne Group, since we have been providing the solution to this little challenge for many years.

Here’s the deal:

For single numbers the charge is £10

For up to four numbers the charge is £33.50

For five numbers and up to ten £40

More than ten numbers £50

If a result cannot be delivered, there is no charge.

Combyne Group is also able to supply new numbers in the range: 0800/0808/ 0844. 0845, 0870 and 0871 – please ask for details. Plus a number of other services too.

Combyne Group have become quite expert at tracking down these numbers.

You will be asked to pay on invoice and once payment has been received, the search will start.

Once successful you will receive an email with the details.

When contacting Combyne Group for this service, please supply the following:

Company or Individual Name
Address
Email Address
Contact Number (mobile or landline)
Non Geographic number(s) being searched for

So first port of call is to send an email to laurence.lowne@combyne.co.uk with the details above, please? You will then be sent full details about how this works, the charges and the timescale to be expected.

Thanks

Laurence

Free Utility and Telephony Audit

An example of how families are suffering

This has been a mainstay of Combyne Group now for over ten years and with family budgets being ever more squeezed as evidenced by the this article, now is the time to make decisions that will ease the pain.

Sitting down with a set of personal or business bills, has always delivered the right results for clients. We have the confidence to say, this is the best way forward or you already have a great deal, so stay where you are.

The starting point though is seeing a full set of 12 months bills, understanding the trends, the usage levels, plus taking on board changes in the future and then giving clear advice.

We can look at the following services, and provide alternatives, which are award winning:

Mobile Phones
Broadband
Landline
Electricity
Gas
Non Geographic numbers

We explain, we handhold and we support on an ongoing basis.

Email to info@combyne.co.uk  call to 0844 826 1730 or fax to 0871 900 1129.

Utility Warehouse – delivers again and again

Are you bored or broke? Has your wage hit a dead end?

Want to take control of your life?

I am looking for energetic and ambitious people who want to create a better life for themselves.

If that sounds like you, I’d like to introduce you to a fantastic business opportunity.

For a small start-up fee you could:

• own your own business
• build a growing monthly income without limits
• do all this alongside other commitments, like your current job or your children.

No stock to carry, no targets to meet (unless you wish to*), no set hours – just talk to people at home and/or business about saving money!

Collect your own customers and receive commission for each one – every single month!

Build a team, and receive commission on their customers too.

If you’re interested – get in touch via this website: http://www.future-biz.co.uk and I will explain the next step and show you how to make a lot of money.

By the way, please act now! For a limited period, the start-up fee is half price – just £100!

* Targets: If you are motivated by reward over and above money, then the company has just launched Go for Gold, which is a luxury trip for two people to the Olympics in London next year. There are a minimum of 33 pairs of tickets available to be won.

The prize includes:

Top Price tickets for athletics or diving finals on the 9 August
Five Hour exclusive tall ship cruise
Two nights’ luxury accommodation
Photo opportunity with a Gold Medal Olympian and MBE – this is the company CEO
Transfers to and from your hotel
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity

So a reminder, please visit: http://www.future-biz.co.uk watch the video and download the information by entering your name, email address and phone number (mobile or landline), and I will be in touch very soon. You can sign up online too.

Riots: Is it a question of hope or self motivation?

The last few days have seen the streets up and down England, fill with people looting and causing mayhem.

Many commentators have suggested it is down to the Tory cuts, but they have not really taken hold yet, so that is a bit of a red herring.

How about lack of hope?

What is hope? A belief for a better future, perhaps? Dreams and aspirations? A support structure through the family and community? Self motivation?

I feel that hope is an emotion, that is nurtured through the family and community; it is not necessarily financially based, but better opportunities do come within that.

I am sure that many youngsters and adults, who took to the streets felt disaffected, and took what they fancied by looting through a pack instinct and thus driven by a desire for material things, and that is a sorry reflection on society. Has that desire been caused by outside influences such as pop stars? The idea that material worth is good, although it fits with a capitalist society, misses the point of earning that material worth.

It is success through dreams and achievement, which appears to be lacking.

Is that caused by a shift in education, where it appears no-one can fail, they just succeed at a lower level.

Has society created a take attitude, rather than earn it through hard work and success?

If that is the case, then we have a lost generation, and the country will remain in the financial mire for many months or years to come.

How do you suggest we change attitudes for the better?

NABO Networking Croydon – who will be the 30th member?

Quite quickly, the group has grown to twenty-three 
members, and now people ask, when will we
get to 30?

Our present members, who are investing time on their business by learning together, include:

Andrew Adams – Adams Knowledge Network
Andrew Eade – Barclays Bank
Bill Smith – Reaching New Heights
Claire Scaramanga – Scaramanga Marketing Ltd
Dayo Badejo – AOB Estate Agents
Dee Bell – The Bell Group
Don Hooper – Butlers Wharf
Eddie Mir – ZBM Aviation Consultancy
Helen Ascott – Fly Design
Ian Marvin – Amalux
Ian Miller – Allen Barfields Solicitors
Jude Germain – Dynamic Transitions Ltd
Laurence Lowne – Combyne Group
Maria Mina – Albion HR
Mark Marcano – Alfa Communications
Martin Briggs – Hands on IT Services
Michael Omolegan – Pro Touch Group
Peter Burke – Cruse & Burke Accountants
Peter Hunter – Website Division
Steve Pinto – Access Self Storage
Tony Darlington – Innovative Web Media
Yinka Conde – Conde Consulting

The group are particularly looking for the following to join, add value and gain business for themselves:

Printer – Osteopath or Chiropractor – Florist – Events Organiser – Executive Car Hire – Insurance Broker – Stationery Supplier – Hairdresser – Copy Writer – Business Centre – Removals & Storage – Domestic Appliance Repairs – Electrician – Motor Mechanics – Translater – Van & Car Hire – Photographer.

Who do you who could be seeking additional business, and would like to visit our thriving group? Please ask them to visit this website and register to attend:

http://nabo-networking-croydon.eventbrite.com/

Updated 1 December 2011

Over 50s jobless rate soars to a 16 year record

The future is tied up with the youth, however, what
happens to those of a certain age, who have been made
redundant in the last few years?

Here, I am talking about the over 50s, which has soared in recent years. Many have found the doors are closed to full time work, thus taking just part time positions, well below their skill level, simply to have some income.

Whilst others have gone the whole hog and invested a lump sum in a franchise, using a system to create replacement income. However, anyone who has been in business for a number of years knows breaking into a market and creating a ready stream of new business in a competitive environment, needs deep pockets and a 100% positive belief.

For many this is simply too daunting, and with Business Link closing its support network, that becomes ever more difficult.

Thankfully for some, they become aware there is another way, and over the last three years there has been a massive surge in interest in alternative means of creating new income. One of the major success stories has been Utility Warehouse, which offers the only complete multi service solution for both home owners and business users in the UK.

Business presentations are packed out at venues up and down the country as more and more people realise this is the best way forward with full training, ongoing support and award winning services on offer, and a rather attractive compensation plan to boot and low start up investment.

To find out more, please visit: http://www.future-biz.co.uk/ watch the video and request the information pack by filling in your details.

NABO Networking – Success in Croydon

When we launched early in June at The Hilton in Croydon, simply put, it was unknown quite what the reaction would be from the many business people, who like me, had become a little cynical about ‘networking’. Was there anything different that could be offered apart from paying your money, having a meeting, doing your presentation, and passing referrals, and perhaps getting some business?

Well it seems that NABO Networking has captured the attention of many up and down the country. Croydon is the largest group so far, and each and every guest who has attended, has left with a smile on their face, more importantly they have contributed to the meeting in a positive way. I think that is fantastic. How often have you been to a meeting, and felt like a fish out of water, gasping for breath?

Is it the low joining fee? No, but it does help.
Is it the great food? No, but it does help.
Is it the venue? No, but it does help.

Is it the structure of the meeting and the focus on relationship building, whilst learning together in how to improve your business? I think it could well be, since the pressure to perform like a circus seal has been removed from the meeting. The whole meeting is supportive, and attendees are not in competition with each other, but there to share their knowledge for the benefit of all.

I am delighted that new friendships and collaboration has resulted from the first few meetings – it is the sign that the group is working together.

Would you like to sample the future of networking, or perhaps know a business person, who could benefit?

Then, please visit here to find out more and register to attend: http://nabo-networking-croydon.eventbrite.com/

Why do people hold back from success?

I work in an industry where it is common for people to join to create an additional income stream. What many of us do not understand is why people invest their hard earned and then fail to attend training, or even put in the minimal activity required to get started.

Any ideas people? http://amplify.com/u/a160a9