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The BGF (Business Growth Fund) has invested heavily into the sustainable energy producer and install Ecovision. The BGF backed Ecovision with over £3.6 million worth of funding.Ecovision is an installer of heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar panels. Founded in 2005 Ecovision has become one of the UK`s leading sustainable energy installers. The company has installed over 5,000 systems across the UK and it is now predicted to increase revenue to over £20 million in the current year.In May this year, Ecovision sold its Photovoltaic system to the well known insurer Aviva, which gave an excellent return for its investors.It has since decided to increase its interest in Hassle Free Boilers, this is an eco-friendly boiler which can greatly reduce energy costs with savings of over £300 per year. The advantage of the hassle free boiler is that there are no upfront costs, the consumer pays on a monthly basis for the service and maintenance.The BGF`s funding is designed to increase the scope and range of the services, helping the company to rely on increased contract revenues. There are also plans to increase the businesses Air Source Heat Pumps, which are designed to replace the energy from usual household heaters.Ecovision was founded by Peter Randall; Peter was one of the founders of Telco-ISP, which sold for $250m before the company merged with Tiscali. Peter said he is delighted to be working with the BGF who are providing the company with much needed with growth capital and access to expert networks.If you are thinking of forming a company Your Virtual Office London can help get your business up and running. We provide business start-up services, from company formation to mail forwarding addresses, whatever your need get in touch with us today.

When it comes to a new company forming, everything points towards a realistic and well thought out business plan. However, there is another factors that should have your more attention, such as knowing who your customers are.This is because all your services and products offered need to be placed into context with who and where there is a need in the market for them. After all, those who need and can purchase the products or services that you offer are our potential customers. Without these customers (market) your business literally can not exist: it is they who will give life and movement to your company; they who with their purchases will give you the financial support to pay rent, salaries, expenses and something extra which will be your utility (gain).For these reasons you must be careful and respect your customers to continue purchasing products or services. It is also very important to know who they are, where they are, what they do, why they need these services or products, etc., because without this knowledge you cannot be efficient in your processes and marketing plans.Now, you will wonder how you will get to know your clients if you`ve not yet start your company. The truth is, that it is a little difficult, but if you want to succeed in your new business, you`ll will have to investigate and try to know your market before starting your business. For example, if you wanted to start a bakery, you would want to know what the expected consumption would be and who the potential customers are. Therefore, visit all the supermarkets in the area, talk to employees, owners, and customers about their thoughts on the produce, the quality, prices and sales volume.You may not always get the required information, but by applying a little common sense, you could project the possible sales during the year. Also, market research and checking out the competition can serve to create a list of prospects.Another tool you can use is information and statistics regarding market trends for your business. These can be found on the Internet, the census in libraries, publications at chambers of commerce, and especially in publications of associations and journals in the industry you choose.If you found this blog helpful you can read more interesting and insightful articles within our business blog.

The UK's service sector has slowed in the last quarter leading up to August. The growth is the slowest in one year, however there is optimism from service provider firms. More companies are now upbeat about growth and the economy as a whole.More firms are also looking to take on employees as a result of the increased optimism. Also further to the optimism many businesses in the service sector, which includes bars, leisure companies and bars are looking to invest in more hardware such as vehicles and equipment.The service sector slowing is an early indication of how the economy as a whole will slow in the second half of the current year.The number of people employed in the service sector has reached its highest peak for over 7 years. However there is now a concern for a lack of skilled workers and professionals needed to meet the demands of a growing service sector.

Why use our Virtual Office services?

Your Virtual Office London can help your service business really take off. We provide professional services within the services sector. Our services are designed to help small and start-up businesses; we provide support for many companies who are often just starting up within the service sector.Our virtual office service combines a mail forwarding address in London, telephone answering service and registered office address. It can help improve the image of your business, which can in turn increase sign ups and sales. Whatever industry you work in please get in contact with our expert team who will be happy to discuss your individual requirements.Expectations for employment growth in the next quarter reached a record high. However, a shortage of professional and clerical staff is expected to act as a brake on growth.

Here we have listed the two key areas of a new start up business:

Location of your Business

If you think putting a retail business or service where your customers have to come to your premises, then this point of location becomes paramount and you should ask questions like:

• What businesses to rent will be close?
• What is the pedestrian and automobile traffic like?
• Is there enough parking?
• Are there are any restrictions or incentive by the city for that area?
• What future developments are expected in that place?
• What about competition in that place?

An important point to emphasise, is that before you sign any contract to purchase or rent a room, you should check with local authorities in that city if there are any restrictions for your business in that specific location. Sometimes, even if you are acquiring an existing business with all equipment installed and running, when they ask for your business license, it is denied, as the city has changed its development plans and no longer wants that kind of business there. So it is very important to research first to avoid problems in the future.

Your business competition

As mentioned in the previous part, competition can be a source of information to determine the size of the market. You should study it and follow it closely, because it will serve you to know your strengths and weaknesses relative to the competition. This will help win a competitive advantage that differentiates you from them and plan your promotions and advertising.How can you go about investigating the competition to learn from them though? There are several techniques that can be employed: You may review their ads on TV, radio, newspapers, flyers, directories, the Internet, etc. You can go about their business and talk to their employees. You can also ask their customers or send someone to buy or purchase their services; and sometimes, through chambers of commerce, associations or journals you can get information.After this analysis, you should have enough information to know where they are located, size of their business, product lines or services, prices, number of employees , marketing media they use and get an idea of how much they invest in advertising and promotions, and know who their key suppliers are, etc. This will help your own business hugely in the long run.

Why use Your Virtual Office London?

Your Virtual Office London can help your new start up business. We provide a wide range of services aimed at supporting new start up companies. One service we provide is very popular, our mail forwarding service in London is an excellent way of obtaining a prestigious London image without having to use too much precious capital on actual physical property.

There are many reasons for beginning a start-up. Some believe that their only alternative is to start afresh after previous failure, or if the economic situation or state of unemployment leaves them no alternative; some people have a great idea or product and would like to start their business; and there are those who are not satisfied with their current job or boss and think they could do a better job for themselves.But whatever your reason or motivation to start a business, there are certain steps you should follow: First and most important is to understand and learn what a company is with all its components as well as the advantages and disadvantages of being a business owner and paperwork it entails.It is also important to investigate and learn everything you can about the business you want to start, starting with defining your market. In other words, who are the potential customers and why would they buy from you?Other areas to look into are the goods or services, the competition, all procedures, licenses and requirements for establishing your business. This is because sometimes poor research can cause big problems.There are two case studies to highlight this. The first was an owner who opened her salon in a small shopping centre, had invested and worked hard to modify and decorate the rental location. A few days after opening the doors, the pavement her salon stood on was broken up completely to make some changes to the pipes and drains underneath. As you can imagine, without car traffic or many people walking past, it became a very difficult start to build a business from.Another case is of someone else who made very large investments to install special equipment for their business. When they wanted to get their business licensed, the city denied it until they fulfilled certain requirements that had not been considered or that he did not considered necessary. These changes and plans he had to submit, cost money, which was no longer there. The man had to painstakingly borrow money for pay plans and make modifications which took many months.These examples reiterate the importance of research before even signing or investing in something for your business. Of course, not all cases are like this, but the emphasis should be on asking and planning their businesses first, to avoid headaches and loss of money by having poor planning on initiation.Your Virtual Office London has helped thousands of small business make the move from idea to reality. Starting a business can be a difficult and testing time, however our expert team are equipped with the right knowledge to ensure you are able to give your business the best possible chance of success.

Sometimes the question is asked: can anyone start a business? Well, the truth is that yes, anyone can start a business, but if the question is "can anyone succeed in business?" the answer is no. This may sound a bit negative, but it`s a fact that many people start their business and fail before the end of the first year.Indeed, statistics will tell you that eight out of ten people who start a business, will fail in the first year. There are many reasons why people fail and here are mentioned some of them.

Among the most common causes are:

• They do not have enough experience in the field of business when they start or that sometimes they fall into a line of business because an uncle or friend is doing well.
• They are advised by people that have knowledge and experience, or rather "bad advice".
• People rush to start because they panic about leasing premises the selling of their equipment or franchise.
• They have not calculated the money needed to start and sustain the business.
• They have no money to live personally.
• Do not create or have the money for an advertising budget.
• They don`t trust certain sales tactic or are scared of trying them at all, such as door-to-door selling.
• Overestimate sales and underestimate or miscalculate expenses.
• Do not do a real research.
• Do not want to pay accountants, lawyers, business consultants, real tax experts and then end up in trouble.
• No matter if it's from family or friends, if they have the same values and beliefs, have drawn up a contract between partners, this sooner or later (almost always earlier) starting problems and differences and then comes the "divorce".

These are some of the reasons why people should NOT start a business. But do not worry, the solution is simple, makes a good business plan. Because someone can make a bad business plan and it will all go wrong nearly every time.If you are looking to start a business Your Virtual Office London can help you get started. If you are looking to form a Limited company please do get in touch with our team, we have a great deal of experience in handling new clients with starting a company for the first time. What are you waiting for? make the first move.

When you incorporate a company for the first time many different addresses are required by Companies House, many of our customers do come to us for clarification. In this article we describe the differences between the registered office address, directors service address, and shareholders address.

What is a registered office address?

The registered office address is a legal requirement from companies house. The address is used by Companies House and HMRC to send official statutory post and documents. The address appears on public record, anyone can search and find this address. The address for many new companies is usually the home residential address as they company has not yet started trading in a commercial property.

What is our registered office address service?

Our service allows you to register an official business address in a prestigious central London location, based in the heart of finance and business district. This will be your companies registered office address. Of course this has many benefits when compared to using your registered office address. One is that the address is private, you do not have to disclose your residential address. Many people prefer to keep their home address of public record for obvious reasons, one mainly is that is prevents unwanted callers turning up un announced when you least expect them.

What is a director`s service address?

The director`s service address is the official address of the director. Again similar to the registered office it`s the address is used by HMRC and Companies House to send official statutory post and documents. Again similar to the registered office, the address is on public record and is searchable. Unlike the registered office address the address can be an address situated in any country across the globe. The address can be the same as the registered office address; however it must not be a PO Box address.

What is our director service address?

Our director`s service address allows you to use our prominent London address in City Road as the director`s service address. Using our address service can help protect your residential address, again like the registered office service, removing your home address from public records can prevent unwanted callers and junk mail. It also helps you look more professional, creating a corporate image that can help increase your businesses profitability.

What is the shareholders correspondence address?

A shareholder is legally required to provide a correspondence address for each of the shareholders, each shareholders address will appear on the public record. The address can be the same as the registered office address and it doesn`t have to be the residential address of the shareholder.You will need to provide a correspondence address for each of the first shareholders (often called subscribers) in a newly formed company. For each shareholder correspondence address, it`s worth noting that:

Why choose Your Virtual Office London?

Your Virtual Office London have been providing professional business services for over 30 years. From company formation to supplementary services such as the mentioned address services, we really do understand the need of the modern business. Enhancing your business image whilst retaining privacy is key to the modern business owner, we have developed packages at an affordable price which is obtainable on any level of earnings. If you would like to discuss your businesses circumstances we will be able to help provide a tailored solution, we have an experienced expert team ready to take your call.

London was named the most influential city by the media outlet Forbes.London beats New York, by a modest margin, the decision was based on 8 key factors which included the following criteria: How many business headquarters are based there, the amount of investment from foreign investors, how many business sectors are the main players, how easy it is to travel, the strength of the financial sectors, technological and media power and finally racial diversity.London is ranked top for finance and is Europe`s main technological powerhouse, according to the research that was conducted.However this didn't come without criticism from Forbes, they suggested that the country was punching above its weight considering it has faced a century of imperial decline.They also went on to say that it was a second rate power; however the City`s legacy as the global financial capital underpins its power post empire.Your Virtual Office London can help your business start up in the worlds most influential city. We provide a range of business services, if you are looking to form a Limited company we can help you start up in the power house of central London. We also provide services such as registered office address, a London mail forwarding address, directors service address in a prominent London location and business accounting.

The UK economic growth has elevated by 3.2% in the second quarter compared to the same time in the previous year. This is actually higher than the 3.1% original estimate.The growth was helped by the construction sector performing better than previously predicted.The figures show the best economic performance the UK has seen for over 6 years. The service sector which equates to 78% of the total economic activity grew by one percent in the second quarter. This was also the best performance this sector has seen for over 6 years.Also manufacturing output grew by 0. 3% however the agriculture industry actually shrank by 0.2%.The service sector was the overall winner, with widespread growth. Increases were seen in business services, transportation, hotels, food services, communication and storage.The service sector is now officially above the previous high by 3%, the last previous peak was in 2008. The latest figures are showing that the economy recovery is will underway and it is being led by consumer spending.However the UK manufacturing sector is still below by 7.5% below its peak in 2008.The Bank of England is not expected to raise the interest rates soon, interest rates were expected to rise in 2015.Your Virtual Office London provides professional business services, if you would like to discuss how we can help your company, dont hesitate to get in touch with us.

The EU economic recovery is looking more and more bleak now. It's unfortunate, as the UK's largest trading partner has become stagnant. One Bank of England policymaker has said the exports to the UK are dead in the water.The same policy maker explained it was looking more and more difficult to see any exports grow because of the ongoing economic issues in the Eurozone. He went on to say the UK`s economic growth was no longer being led by consumer spending.UK exports figures have been very low, growth has been slow over the past 2 or 3 years, according to one professor. He suggested the main reason for the slow growth was due to the Eurozone and the economic issues the member countries are facing. He added that it is hard to see exports growing in the near future.The UK government has place a target for UK exports, it wants UK exports to reach the £1trn mark by the year 2020 and 100,000 more UK companies are needed to start exporting if the UK is to meet this target.If you found this blog interesting you can find more posts in our economy blog section.