Working from home? Things to consider.

UPDATE Thursday 2 April 2020
This was first written in June 2014, and now here we are almost six years later being enforced to work from home.

Today though it is vital whether in business or simply as a residential customer to look at what you are spending on essential services, and seek a value for money offering. We can look at broadband, landline, mobile and energy, plus some insurance. We also have CashBack on shopping for good measure, whether in store or online.

Here at Combyne Group, we have carried out a free utility and telephony audit for over 18 years – in the days, when we could meet there would be coffee too. Today, it can be done virtually.

Please give us a shout as long as you are United Kingdom based, please?
Initially by email is the best way forward: hello@combyne.co.uk 

Now back to the original article as still as relevant today as 2014. 

There are two elements of working from home:

1) working under flexi rules for the company that employs you, or

2) running your own business from home.

If the former, please agree with your boss what they are going to cover expense wise, and how they will agree the hours you work. You should also seek a bonus, since you are reducing company costs.

If you are renting, then you are obliged to inform the landlord and if you have clients visit, please have your insurance revised to cover that.

If you are buying then please inform the mortgage company. Insurance has to be amended too.

Such as contents and also public liability cover.

In most cases, flexi working does not see clients visiting.

So onto number two and running your own business from home – link to follow.

2) running you own business from home.

All the above apply and more so – I would seriously discourage having people visit – suggesting a coffee shop or hotel as better, especially for people who work alone. You really do not want a nutter in your house or flat.

Create a routine in your life and build in social, me time, otherwise you will become stale and very quickly. In an office there is interaction, on your own at home, there is not.

A daily To Do list done the night before is now vital. Too many distractions otherwise.

Go out for a coffee/tea or a walk at some point – I have made friends with all the independent businesses locally and often pop in for a chat.
Also look for support such as here in this group, where you can share your success and seek guidance.

Keep an accurate record of all expenses – they are tax deductible.
Don’t forget energy a percentage of your council tax charge.

If your profit is less than £10,000 then claim working tax credits – these apply to the self employed too.

Create a phone line for business use only – it is 100% tax deductible. My link will explain more. And of course good broadband, go fiber if your area supports it, especially if you have family too.

Check you can use your home address for correspondence purposes. If not, seek an alternative, such as MailBoxes Etc. or your accountant.

Don’t be afraid to seek help and see what grants may be available as a start up or small business.

Networking groups have already been mentioned – there are also others less formal that meet as a coffee morning and some Chambers of Commerce run lunch time events, plus offer training in skills you need.

That covers most of it and my link is here:

http://www.combyne.wordpress.com/small-business-offers/

New Mobile Phone tariffs – the real deal ….

No, I am not writing about Mr. Dickenson’s TV Programme of the same name, but highlighting yet again Utility Warehouse have come up with a stunning range of mobile phone tariffs, which went live this week.

How do these SIM only deals grab you for personal users?

Value 500 Sim only
500 minutes and unlimited texts
£10 per month including Vat

or

Value 800 Sim only
800 minutes and unlimited texts
£15 per month including Vat

or

Value Max Sim only
Unlimited minutes and unlimited texts
£20 per month including Vat

Who do you know who would like such a deal or for that matter, many?

You can sign up here: http://www.go-fast.co.uk/ and click on Mobile and Value Tariff. A word of warning, signups through the website will attract a £50 deposit, so to avoid that, please contact me direct and arrange for one to be done on paper.

The mobile deals mentioned above are also available to business users, on slightly different tariffs, and all users can also add data bundles too. And for slightly more per month could also have a brand new handset as well.

This is just one of many great deals on offer to residential and business customers, since the company also provide electricity, gas, mobile broadband, broadband, plus the fantastic CashBack card and lots, lots more.

Testimonials for Combyne Group & Laurence Lowne

Testimonials are the life blood of any business, and down the years, Combyne Group have been fortunate to receive a few, and here are a selection.

                                                                                                                                                            

Laurence is extremely credible and generous with his experience and knowledge. Business is all about relationships and it is refreshing to collaborate with someone who is genuinely accessible, open and willing to help. I can see why this mentality has resulted in so much busines success.

Lucinda Carney of Actus Performance Managment Systems – 12 August 2012

Laurence epitomises the concept of giving before you receive. He has offered unconditional support to my business and myself out of the pure nature of who he is. I feel privileged to have met Laurence, to share in his energy and have an insight into his vast network of contacts and those who value his contribution. Thank you Laurence and all the best to those who will benefit from meeting Laurence or continuing associations with him in the future.

Peter Urquhart Monge Tout 14 November 2007

                                                                                                                                                           

Laurence is a pleasure to work with. He is extremely committed and focused. He is a rare networker who really will deliver on what he promises. Highly recommended.

David Bosley BosComms 22 October 2007

                                                                                                                                                           

Laurence is one of the REAL networkers. Never a day goes by without him actively referring or recommending – and I would like to THANK him so much for having given thought to my business on so many occasions. Thank you Laurence – one in a million

Caroline Slater Inspired Seasons 14 July 2007

                                                                                                                                                            

What a great guy! Laurence came to my rescue by responding to my blog and spent his own precious time sourcing some information, which in turn resolved my predicament with my telecoms. Thank you very much Laurence.

Kate Packer 25 July 2006

                                                                                                                                                           

Laurence has a quietly powerful presence. Obviously expert in many areas yet with a self-assured humility, and happy to give advice and information freely. An efficient networker, who showed me how to “do networking” in a connecting and effective way. Direct, honest, giving. Thanks Laurence.

Fergus MacLelland 24 July 2006

                                                                                                                                                           

An all round good guy, and just the person to sort out your telephony problems. One of the very few who will actually tailor make a solution for you, and give you advice based on your needs. He can also do this for non-telephony problems – and might just save you money there as well!

Angus Whitton 3 July 2005

                                                                                                                                                           

For a good tariff deal for you or your SME business on many items from a nice guy, who has his heart in the right place, especially where football is concerned – speak to Laurence!

Ian McAllister 9 May 2005

                                                                                                                                                           

Laurence is knowledgeable, helpful and saved us £££s as he promised. He is that rare person who always does what he says he’ll do. Oh, and people really do take him much too seriously!

Jackie Barrie Comms Plus 26 January 2005

                                                                                                                                                          

I’ve known Laurence for a few years and have always found him to be very helpful and a great networker.

I recently referred Laurence to someone who had a load of problems with a telephone system and number and he was very prompt in taking on the task, even making a call on a Sunday. He has conducted the business in a most professional manner and although it looks like a remedy can’t be sorted that’s no reflection on Laurence.

I have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone.

Roger Vanstone Recruit 12 – February 2009

                                                                                                                                                           

(Hope this doesn’t embarrass him too much, modest as he is)

I first met Laurence about two years ago and found him to be extremely helpful with introductions across a whole host of industries, businesses, government and not-for-profits. A true professional, very friendly, excellent to spend time with and, on top of all that, he has some really great products that, if you want to save money, are definitely worth checking out.

An entrepreneur and networker par excellence! One of the very best. No surprise to see him so high in the Ecademy rankings in the UK and Globally; a true reflection of him as an individual of integrity and as a successful business man who is very much to be admired.

Phil Shepherd January 2009

                                                                                                                                                          

Laurence’s help seems so natural and effortless it would be easy to take him for granted . . . which is why I thought I must get around to posting a testimonial after all this time! He has just switched our personal energy, telephone & broadband over making an instant saving on standing charges not to mention the reduction in on-going costs that we have to look forward to. We enjoy the clear, concise and economic bills from Utility Warehouse. On top of this he has passed a number of referrals to CCLeasing for vehicle sourcing & finance – whilst we might not have tied down a deal yet, I know with Laurence’s patience and contacts it is only a matter of time. Thank you Laurence.

Sally Hull Nutrimetrics October 2008

                                                                                                                                                          

I can’t believe I haven’t posted a testimonial for Laurence before now.
I was prompted to do so as I’ve just had a call from a potentially useful contact who called because Laurence suggested that he do so. Many thanks for keeping me in mind Laurence.

Embarrassingly I have a feeling that it isn’t the first time that’s happened but I don’t think I’ve recorded my thanks here before.
That’s the sort of guy he is. Friendly, supportive and that inscrutable ‘smile’.

I should also note that Laurence was very patient with me almost two years ago when he helped me make the move across from BT and Bulldog to Utility Warehouse for our telephone and broadband services. I reckon that’s saving me over £300 a year. He’s also been on hand to help smooth out a couple of little problems when they’ve arisen. Quietly, efficiently and professionally. Thanks again Laurence.

Mark Lee August 2008

                                                                                                                                                            

Gosh, I did not realise that I have not posted a praiseworthy testimonial for Laurence. I like his holistic and professional manner and how he deals with people. He puts people’s feelings first.

in fact he came to my work place last year, to help me join Utility House, he was very patient, down to earth and very helpful. He saved me time, money and everything else when I needed a broadband service. If you are looking for cheaper Broadband, a man you can trust, then go no further, call Laurence, he will fix it.
Many Thanks Laurence

Andre Zizi July 2008

                                                                                                                                                          

Definitely worth talking to – knows a huge amount about telecoms and will always go the extra mile to give you prompt responses.

An excellent business person.

Pip Martin January 2007

                                                                                                                                                         

Thank you Laurence, for your time and valued input regarding the telecoms industry and our business in general. You have helped me focus.

All the best, Vincent

Vince Polding August 2006

                                                                                                                                                         

Fantastic guy!

When I was looking to attend a breakfast meeting in Croydon, not only did he recommend one and let me have directions, but he even talked to me about attendees and arranged for someone to pick me up fom the train station!

For someone attending from out of the area (Manchester) that was extremely helpful.

Now that’s what I call outstanding!

Andy Preston October 2005

Extra Income Update

In the last few months there has been a massive influx of new distributors to the team, fuelled no doubt by the credit crunch, but also by the realisation that full time work is becoming less prevelant.

Quite simply more and more people are taking two or three jobs or opportunities to make ends meet.

With the likelihood that there is no immediate end to the downturn, Utility Warehouse is best placed to help people ride out the storm with record numbers both taking the services http://www.great-value.co.uk and joining the business http://www.future-biz.co.uk

With now over 40 presentation venues around the UK and more than 30 training centres, the company is geared up for success.

To discuss your prospects and have any questions, why not call 020 296 1846, once you have viewed the above links. Alternatively an information is open on 020 8955 5678.

Also worth clicking the tab above on Extra Income here https://combyne.wordpress.com/taking-that-second-or-third-job/

Surrey based

The challenge:

Multi-site located company with mixed suppliers and no overall control within the organisation at Board level.

Brief to re-organise suppliers (reduce and improve upon), handle new location set-up, plus improve communication between the four sites and create a reporting structure. Examine ways of breaking ties on mobile phones to one network.

Solution: Create a register of all expiry dates of contracts, remove all phone lines that were not required, reduce call costs, where contracts provided for same, provide new higher speed broadband connectivity, replace old phone system and install VoIP to remove charges for intra-site communication. Ongoing call charges have been reduced by 30%.

Ongoing: Constant review across all site with reports to the Board of Directors as and when requested.