http://www.smebusinessnews.co.uk UK SME Business & Invoice Finance News Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:10:43 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The internet is making it easier for small companies to compete with their larger rivals, according to new research conducted by Yell and the University of Southampton. Consumers were asked to compare the websites of large and small firms, without knowing the size of the businesses concerned. In many cases, the ... http://www.smebusinessnews.co.uk/internet-levels-playing-field/865/ 1. Make sure your Terms and Conditions are clearly stated and send them out with all confirmations and invoices.  Don’t be afraid to send a reminder as the payment date draws near and start chasing payment as soon as it is overdue. 2. Offer your customers an early payment discount. 3. Credit ... http://www.smebusinessnews.co.uk/10-tips-to-keep-your-cash-flowing-in-2012/863/ 2011 has seen a growing number of people starting new businesses, according to research by Creditsafe. Their figures suggest that 470,000 new companies will have been registered by the end of the year, an 18% increase on 2010 figures.  Even though insolvencies are predicted to rise by 4% over the ... http://www.smebusinessnews.co.uk/the-growth-of-the-enterprise-culture/860/ The UK Government should abandon proposals to simplify statutory reporting for the smallest businesses and instead encourage accountancy bodies, banks and software companies to collaborate to develop a more cohesive technology framework which helps Britain’s small businesses to prosper, according to online accounting software company Xero. Xero and the accountancy firms ... http://www.smebusinessnews.co.uk/better-not-simpler-reporting-needed-for-micro-businesses/856/ HMRC have issued a reminder that start-ups outside London, the south east and the east of England are exempt from paying employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for the first ten recruits they hire. The Regional Employer NICs Holiday for New Businesses, which was announced in the emergency Budget last year,  is ... http://www.smebusinessnews.co.uk/new-businesses-reminded-not-to-miss-out-on-nic-holiday/854/ More than 100,000 UK businesses could save a total of over £600 million in accountancy and administration costs every year, under proposals to reduce financial reporting requirements, published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The consultation on Audit Exemptions and Change of Accounting Framework sets out plans to allow ... http://www.smebusinessnews.co.uk/government-proposes-reduced-financial-reporting-requirements-for-smes/851/ Over 70% of SMEs are exposing themselves to increased risk of late or non-payment by failing to credit check their customers, according to new research by Experian. The survey of nearly 700 UK small businesses found that 71 % did not check their customers’ credit status, 39 % didn’t know ... http://www.smebusinessnews.co.uk/71-of-smes-fail-to-credit-check-their-customers/849/ Research by RSM Tenon has found that only just over half of UK entrepreneurs would consult an accountant or professional adviser when they are in need of financial guidance. The RSM Tenon Business Barometer, a quarterly survey of senior management in SMEs, found that of those surveyed 13% would turn to ... http://www.smebusinessnews.co.uk/financial-advisers-challenged-to-be-more-flexible/847/ The invoice finance industry is a jargon jungle. But don't let that put you off. Let SME Invoice Finance be your guide. Take a closer look at the SME Invoice Finance Jargon Buster – a glossary of most frequently used terms to help you understand more about the world of ... http://www.smebusinessnews.co.uk/invoice-finance-jargon-buster/843/ When times are hard, Cash is King.  Follow our Top 10 Tips to keep your cash flow healthy. 1. Credit check your customers before extending credit, or when increasing their credit limit.  If in doubt insist on payment up front or by credit card. 2. Charge a deposit at the time of ... http://www.smebusinessnews.co.uk/don%e2%80%99t-fall-victim-to-a-cash-crisis/840/