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Company Formation Services

Useful advice, tips and business news.

January 23, 2015
May 5, 2021

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How to register a limited company online

Nowadays, it is very reasonably priced to form a limited company with the help of online support through an agent. How to register a limited company online.

Nowadays, it is very reasonably priced to form a limited company with the help of online support through an agent.UK Company formation is an uncomplicated and affordable process, especially when applications are completed online though an accepted company formation agent.While Companies House does provide its own services for online and post applications, there are other choices such as our professional company formation service.By having the services of an online mediator, applications can be done in just 5 minutes and then sent off electronically to Companies House through a protected software filing system. Companies House include a £13 filing fee, and the majority of applications are processed and accepted in less than 3 hours.To register a private company that is limited by shares or guarantee, you will need to submit an online application with the subsequent data:

  • Name of company
  • Registered office address
  • Directors` details
  • Shareholders` or guarantors` details
  • Memorandum and articles of association
  • Statement of capital
  • Security information to produce an exclusive online signature

You won`t have to sign anything in person, or even post any documents. The whole thing is done and delivered online. In the improbable event that your submission has any errors, you`ll be informed straight away by email, thus giving you lots of time to fix the required corrections and resend your application on that very day and at no extra charge.After your application is approved by Companies House, you can expect a verification email including digital copies of your certificate of incorporation. Alongside this is the memorandum and articles of association and also share certificates. Where appropriate, paper copies of incorporation files will be sent to you inside 24 hours of the formation of your company.If you enjoyed this company formation article, can you read more interesting and helpful posts in our company formation advice blog category.

January 13, 2015
May 5, 2021

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Communicate clearly and achieve your goals

Communication is one of the most important assets of companies, not only for the interaction with their customers but to fulfill organisational goals.

Comunication is one of the most important assets of companies, not only for purposes of attraction and interaction with their customers but to fulfill organisational goals.If communication in companies is poor, it is likely that the performance of its work force decreases and thus, makes it impossible to achieve their goals.According to recent data by Manpower and DDI, only 10% of managers are able to communicate clearly the direction of their company`s.To reverse this trend, we present some key rules for men and women in business, just like you, to communicate with colleagues successfully:- Be responsible. To communicate better you must first understand how they currently operate. From this, identify errors and change habits.- Evaluate the usefulness of meetings. You have to check if the meetings with your employees really meet their objectives and find out if there are other more effective mechanisms to confront results and present ideas.- Be clear. When you indicate your expectations and opinions, they should be understandable; otherwise your collaborators would have to read your mind, which is unlikely.- Listen and act. To settle any dispute or problem with your team or your clients, you must learn to listen and then expose your opinion, all for the sake of making good decisions. If you're doing something wrong and your employees identify it, it is not bad to receive feedback.- Rely on your instincts. As a business leader, the worst thing you can do is hide and avoid talking with others. Trust yourself and build a sense of trust in your partners. So you will be more influential.- Avoid arguments. Be open and honest when communicating with others. This doesn't mean you need to stay sat on the fence, but don`t overstep the limits of respect.- Look for solutions, not those who are guilty. The problems are not solved by finding those responsible, it is also essential to work on creating solutions to these conflicts.- Convert errors in progress. Failure helps you learn to identify your flaws, resolve and prevent them from happening again. This is a central key to success.- Specify. Remove generalisations from your language; personalise your message and avoid assumptions. The more clear you are, the more effectively your message will be received.Capital Office Your Virtual Office London are a leading business support provider. We provide business and administrative support services including call answering, mail forwarding and company formation.

January 7, 2015
May 5, 2021

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Company Name Rules to be simplified

It was back in February when the government began a consultation on eliminating the red tape around business and company name. Find more information.

It was back in February when the government began a consultation on eliminating the red tape around business and company name. The Department for Business has now released the results of this discussion along with the changes they are suggesting. A number of of these changes being planned are quite technical. The more noteworthy changes to be suggested are around a sensitive words`.At present there is a catalogue of more than a few hundred words and phrases which cannot be used in company names or may only be used with certain permission. So, for example, if you wanted to include the word ‘King` in your company name, you will need to write to the Cabinet Office for consent. The projected new rules would remove around one third of these sensitive words presently on the list and permit Companies House to choose whether companies can apply the left over words.So rather than having to write to the cabinet office or other qualified governing body for authorisation, the decision would lay with Companies House when the company formation is handed in. This will potentially greatly boost the speed of the process, as well as unlock a number of names that previously could not be used. The sensitive words which could be omitted are:• Abortion, Group, Registration, Banknote, Human Rights, Regulation, Data protection, National, United Kingdom, Discipline, Pregnancy termination, European, Register, Giro and Registered.At the moment there is no definite date when the new company and business name rulings will come into effect. The BIS consultation file simply says they will draft regulations over the coming months. Therefore, it will remain a case to watch for further details.Capital Office Your Virtual Office London are a leading virtual office provider in the UK. We have also helped form many thousands of companies for our clients and we have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can help your idea become a reality. If you would like to discuss any of the points rasied in this article or if you would prefer to discuss your business idea please don't hesitate to get in touch with us today.

November 18, 2014
May 5, 2021

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9 tips for growing a business

One of the great mysteries of business is how to make a business thrive and grow in a healthy way. Here we list 9 helpful tips to grow a successful business.

One of the great mysteries of business is how to make a business thrive and grow in a healthy way. The key seems to be in organisation, planning and perseverance.It is very common that when a company born as a family business or at home, starts to grow and succeed, its founders are not prepared to adapt to the business needs that this expansion in the company generates.One of the many mysteries of successful businesses is how to get a firm to grow at a healthy pace that allows you to tailor your management needs when they unfold.The specialised site Investopedia states that plans must be flexible to allow the organisation to be more fluid and adaptable, and notes that for a business to be truly successful you need to plan all necessary steps to strengthen company growth measures.

Here we list nine helpful tips to grow a successful business.

1. Organise: the key to business success is the organisation, allowing complete control over tasks and needs that arise. A good way to maintain order is through daily task lists (to do lists) in which you mark as an essential action to business survival as reviewing inventories, the analysis of capital, the mood of the workforce, contact with suppliers, weekly meetings, and so on.2. Record: all successful companies keep detailed records where they can easily analyse their financial health. This also lets you know what challenges you can face in the future and is a key weapon that will be relevant when seeking shareholder access credit or to find partners. It also allows you to know if your company is spending more than necessary on the budget, and where you can inject more capital to boost business.3. Analyse the competition: it is important that you know who your competitors are, what distinguishes them (price, product, or square) and that what you have implemented have given good results.4. Understand the risks and benefits: the key to success is knowing how to take calculated risks that can drive the expansion of your company. When you have to make an important decision about the future of the company, ask yourself - what's the downside? What could go wrong? This allows you to know if the potential gain is greater than what you put at risk.5. Be creative: it is always good to ask what else you can do to boost the way your company is perceived and make it stand out from the competition. Be open to new approaches for your company and be willing to make the necessary changes in the business model to ensure the life of the company.6. Keep your concentration: i.e., remember that "Rome was not built in a day" and that the worst thing you can do for your business is to expect immediate success. Remember that consistency, experience and continuous contact in your industry are the best means to build a real name.7. Be prepared to make sacrifices when a company starts. It can take great efforts but the real work begins when you start to find success. In many cases, the founder or manager has to work even harder than it did when working for someone else; it is important to be aware that things will be sacrificed for the good of the company, either time, rest, and even people and projects that may affect short-term business growth. It is important to have an open mind about the cuts that might be needed to encourage success.8. Provide an excellent service: the best way to distinguish yourself from the rest of your competition is advertising through word of mouth and that is only achieved positively through great customer service. This is essential to making a consumer know your brand and be willing to speak well of you with your acquaintances.9. Be consistent: this means not to stop fighting to achieve a business producing a higher yield. Maintain an ongoing dialogue with your customers and suppliers to find out what they expect from you, regularly analyse the needs of your market and drive continuous innovation in your business, because with this you can assure longer life.

November 7, 2014
May 5, 2021

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How to select the right premises for your business

Finding a suitable location and facilities for your business can sometimes be something of a minefield, as there are so many options and factors to consider.

Finding a suitable location, as well as facilities for your business can sometimes be something of a minefield, as there are so many options and factors to consider before making a final decision.Choosing the wrong area for your company could prove disastrous, especially if it affects the customers, employees and suppliers.Prior to looking at all the available locations, make a short list of some of the basic facts that affect the final choice. Particular attention should be given to the building type, for example, if you need office space or an industrial site for a factory or warehouse.Think of your employees and how they can make it to work, especially if they do not have their own transport – alongside this, factor in if it`s somewhere your customers will be able to reach. Do some research on local public transport to ensure that the location is not too difficult to approach.Space and design are also key considerations, because conditions that are too large or small for your business requirements will cost more in the long run. Could the location itself have an impact on the company and if so, is it necessary to go to a more premium type of location? If this is the case, you should consider a serviced office space. London and other large cities often have a higher demand for commercial properties, making serviced offices a more viable option.Spending time to decide what you need in a building before you commit to a local search can make life easier and a more effective approach to finding the location that best fits your business.If you don't necessarily need to operate in a rented office then a virtual office can provide a good alternative. A virtual office allows you to operate from home, this helps with keeping overheads to a minimum which is especially important if you are a new venture. However your clients are given the impression you are based in a prominent area, perfect for new start-ups and small businesses.Your Virtual Office London specialise in virtual office services, a virtual office can comprise of a mail forwarding address, a registered office address and a call answering service. If you would like to find out more do contact us.

November 7, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Tips to create the right impressions for your SME

Tips to create the right impressions for your SME. There are several benefits of being in business, including the increased adaptability and flexibility.

There are several benefits of being in business, including the increased adaptability and flexibility than other larger companies may sometimes lack. However, customers will often associate SME`s with being ill-equipped to carry out a quality job.To help with this, these tips can make it appear your newly formed company appear more important:

Office: yes or no?

Having offices can certainly help clients see that you are clearly established, because there is real concrete evidence to this effect. However, if they are not likely to visit your offices, then hiring out a mailing address will have the same effect at a fraction of the cost, allowing you to continue using your home, office, services and other, more flexible alternatives that work out much more cheaply.

Having a tip-top website

Today, people expect from a well-designed website one that loads quickly and allows them to discover the products and contact details. Therefore, make sure that your site is certain to help convince them that they are dealing with a professional, reputable company. Why not write blogs about business achievements, using pictures of the front of the office or somewhere similar with an elegant look to make them keen to see more.

Get away from email failure

Having an e-mail which is overly personal or that has a Hotmail address for example, will not make you look significant enough. Contacting through e-mail is as important as the address of the office to create a professional impression, so make sure that the e-mail address says it's a good deal.

Logo or not

The company logo can do a lot to even the smallest businesses to exude professionalism, if you choose one that combines style and timelessness. Getting the right kind of logo takes time, but it will definitely be worth it in the end.

Keeping things Tidy and Organised

You may have to take care of the cleaning of office space to give the best impressions, but what about your desk?If your office is a mess, it is likely to be much less efficient than it could be. An untidy or unorganised work surface hinders the member of staff`s ability to do their job as efficiently as possible, so you must bear in mind the following tips to keep your desk clean in action and create surroundings that make your company look great:

Place the bin close to your desktop

Having a bin a short distance from the workplace is one of the simplest steps you can take to keep your desk clean. Place all rubbish straight into the bin, and stop allowing it to build up on the desktop.

Incorporate a physical inbox

It could be something as simple as a paper tray that can hold all incoming documents. This way, you will know exactly where they are and when you need them.

Go paperless

It is a big ask to go paperless 100% in an office space, but there are many elements, such as notes, which can and should be transmitted digitally, if you want to keep a clean and tidy office environment.

Schedule Cleaning

You should try to regularly commit to a schedule of cleaning your desk. By assigning a specific period of time to sorting out your desk, it is more likely that it will actually do its job more effectively.

Remove excess

If something does not have to be on your desktop, just get rid of it and the saem applies around the office. For a start up business, these tips should set you on the right road to success.First impressions are so important, a virtual office can provide the same benefits as a real office. A virtual office gives a small business the same advantages but without the expensive overheads. A good virtual office provider can help your company with a prime mail forwarding address in areas such as London, a professional PA call answering service, and a registered office address for your company. Ultimately an established business will be able to give the right impression, for start ups and SME's getting off on the right footing can prove trickier.

November 2, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Partly paid shares explained

On the issue of partly paid shares, the company has to collect the unpaid amount. To do this, managers requests notice to shareholders to pay the amounts.

On the issue of partly paid shares, the company has the obligation to collect the unpaid amount. To do this, managers may request a notice to the holders of the shares that asks them to pay the amounts. Here we look at the process of using this process, but will have to confirm with articles of association, as they may give you a different route to take. We will also see the process of how to make a call on shares of company`s plc; this is because there are more topics for these businesses to consider.1.The directors shall adopt a resolution to call on shares partly paid or unpaid. The needs identified for the resolution must be detailed within the meeting. The resolution, however, usually will have details of the cost of the call and the due date for the payment required.2. After this, you need to send a notice to shareholders who want to make a call. This will be the people who were originally issued shares. However, if the shares have been transferred, the last owner will usually have to pay all of the calls.3. When the due date comes, check all payments received against the expected. You should have received most or all of the payment due, and send reminders to those who have not paid if necessary.

A letter like this should state that:

  • Payment must be made immediately
  • If necessary, interest on the outstanding balance will be charged
  • The shareholder may lose fees if they do not pay the call

It is good practice to post another reminder if payment is not received within a reasonable time - say a week or two.4. Once payment is received, you will need to update your membership records. This is to show that the call is paid. If this is one of a series of payments, you may also want to have an updated schedule of additional payment.

You will have to modify and update the share certificates, including the following:

  • Cancellation of certificates of old shares;
  • Submission of updated shares certificates showing the amount paid for the shares
  • Updated registration certificates of shares of the company assets

5. Companies House have the updates to the status of capital of the company, and this can be found in the annual declaration.After a call to action, many companies make the decision to submit the next annual return early. This means that any data recovery from Companies House will quickly realise the position of the shared capital. This can make the end of the calling process seem more "official", although there is no specific legal reason to do so.If you enjoyed this blog brought to you by Your Virtual Office London you can read more business articles in our business blog here.

October 27, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Higher rate taxation and your dividend

When you start a business it is important to think about the type of company you will be and its consequences on your taxation and dividend liabilities.

When you start a business it is important to think about the type of company you will be and what consequences this will subsequently have on your taxation and personal liabilities. Your Virtual Office London provide free expert advice on this matter to all clients, more often than not it makes a lot of sense to become a Limited company and trade under this legal status. If you do own a Limited company you would often take your profit as a dividend. A dividend is taken by a shareholder, only a shareholder in the company can take a dividend, staff or employees are unable to do this if they do not own a share. A shareholder can take a salary and a dividend, depending your personal circumstance we would advise you to talk to us about your situation and how a dividend can help reduce your tax overheads.Dividends are subject to the highest tax bracket in which income is between £31,865 and £150,000. This is after taking into account the personal allowance that is taxed at 32.5%.Part of that obligation is represented by the dividend tax credit of 10%, but an additional 22.5% tax on the gross dividend is paid by the shareholder. In some cases, the dividend does not belong to any of the basic rate or higher rate tax bands, but rather include both. In this case, dividends will be taxed at the basic rate, and the remainder to a higher rate.Dividends, which are located in the additional rate tax band, will have a taxable income of over £150,000 and are taxed at 37.5%. Some of them have a tax credit of 10% of the dividend. This means that there is no tax of more than 27.5% of the gross dividend payable. This is equal to 30.56% of net dividend received.The shareholder must always be prepared to pay additional tax. This happens when the dividend income falls in the highest rate, or as additional rate tax bands. This means that the dividend will have to be set aside to meet tax obligations.This additional tax paid to HMRC, has a deadline of 31 January following the tax year in which the dividends are received.Persons are subject to its own declared dividends received under the tax refund.Due to the effect of a dividend on the overall fiscal position of the individual, tax advice from an accountant should be sought prior to the payment of dividends to your firm. This can also determine the optimal combination of wages and dividends. Shareholders may elect to waive dividends, but these exceptions should be made before the announcement of the dividend.

October 21, 2014
May 5, 2021

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What addresses are required when forming a company?

When applied to form a new company, you have to complete various addresses. Here’s a guide that explains what different types of addresses are needed.

When applied to form a new company, you have to complete various addresses. The requirements of the Companies House can sometimes lead to confusion, so this guide will explain the different types of addresses - including office management, administration, and secretary of address, correspondence address and home address common shareholder administrators - in short, why they are relevant.

Address of the head office

The company's head office; this is the direction in which authorities such as HMRC or Companies House will send all correspondence and legal documents. When thinking about your business address, you should bear in mind that:

  • It will appear on the public record.
  • Must be the same part of the United Kingdom, which is registered. For example, a company registered in England and Wales, registered office address cannot be in Scotland.
  • This could be your home address (but remember to be included in the public record).
  • If you do not use your home address, but not the owner of your property, you should check any lease, so you can use the address for commercial purposes.
  • You do not have to be the address of the trading business, but it could be.

Once your company has been formed, the law requires the disclosure of UK companies to include your postal address on company letterhead, business correspondence, requests, email messages, and the company's website.

Director / Secretary Address

This is the direction in which authorities such as HMRC or Companies House will send any correspondence with the director or secretary. When considering the directions, you should note that:

  • It will appear on the public record.
  • It can be anywhere in the world.
  • This may be the same as the location of the head office (but need not be).
  • This may be the same as the address of the worker (but note that will appear in public).
  • This could be the corporate address, because it is a complete address.

Each director's secretary may, if they wish, use a different directors service address or they may be one and the same. It is very common for the service address for all officers to be the same as the address of the company headquarters.

The usual residential address of a director

This is simply the address of the director`s house. Remember:

  • It will not be shown publicly.
  • This may be the same as the address of the office (remember that the address of the Office is disclosed on the public record).
  • This may be the same address of the service

Shareholder's mailing address

You must provide an email address, to each of the shareholders (often referred to as customers), of a newly formed company. With each e-mail address of the shareholder, it is important to note that:

  • It will appear on the public record.
  • You do not have to be an ordinary residential address of the shareholder.
  • This may be the same as the address of the headquarters.
  • If the shareholder is also a director and a secretary, then it may be the same as your service address.

Your Virtual Office London provide professional registered office address services which include directors service address and a mail forwarding address in London for a very cost effective price. Our service is designed to improve the corporate image of your business with the use of our prestigious London addresses. Using a virtual office provider such as yourvirtualofficelondon.co.uk can really help convert prospective enquiries into paying customers. Many clients see an excellent return on investment when taking out our complete virtual office package.

October 18, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Do I need business interruption insurance?

To avoid any shortcomings for your business, it is a good idea to opt for business interruption insurance. This is the best step your company can take.

To avoid any shortcomings for your business, it is a good idea to opt for business interruption insurance. This is the best step your company can take, to ensure that there are no losses incurred due to an interrupted business.By getting covered under business interruption insurance, one can ensure that their business would not face any losses due to an abrupt interruption and they would be able to get the business back on track with much ease. This is mainly because the incapability to generate revenues when the business is subject to damage would be covered by the insurance. Business Interruption Insurance can be procured as an additional extra to the existing business insurance package.

When can I raise a claim?

When your business is subject to any of the above mentioned conditions, you are liable to claim a compensation fee. Based on the below mentioned factors, you may raise a claim with the insurance provider when you are not able to generate sufficient revenues.a) The margin between the estimated and actual profits, which occurs due to a business interruption.b) Reduced income due to high operating costs, such as temporary relocation, procuring goods at higher prices due to various factors etc.c) Damage to the records of accounts of customers due to which you are unable to recover revenues from them.When you raise a claim, the payment is made subject to the policy constraints. By opting for business insurance, you would be free from losses when your business is interrupted. Moreover, the chain reaction would be avoided due to which a business slips to losses and is unable to raise funds.Also, in events of shortcomings or interruptions, your business would be able to bounce back and resume with the business. However, it is best recommended that you understand the scope and limitations of the policy precisely before opting for one.Your Virtual Office London have helped thousands of small businesses progress to become successful enterprises. If you would like to discuss how we can help you please contact the team today.

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