Economy

A responsible approach to the environment for businesses can be very positive in terms of trade. But it is also important for a company to achieve its objectives in terms of practical green measures.If you are responsible for an SME, it is possible that you`re not too sure how to help people and the planet. It can be a steep learning curve, but if these important tips are taken on board, you will start in the right direction for your business and beyond:

Use the right type of office

If you decide on the right solution for an office then it will be very beneficial for you in terms of ecology. Serviced offices are ideal, because you can see easily if you are in a building with the requirements of environmental protection. You want somewhere that uses a good amount of insulation, as it can keep your bills down. Also, try to find a place that does not require major changes for the majority of their employees, as long trips may have a negative impact on the environment, in particular.

Save energy, if possible

Leaving the computer on while it is not in use can lose a lot of valuable and expensive energy. It's a clever move to buy power strips for suitable IT facilities. Further energy minimisation can be achieved by using special IT configurations as well.

Avoid using plastic cups

Plastic cups might seem ideal for those that would rather not do the washing up. However, the disposal of such items is difficult from the point of view of the environment, because their use involves needless waste. Instead, you should think about buying traditional mugs and consider the implementation of a dishwasher.

Moving towards being a green company

Moving to a new office can be a stressful process. However, it is not recommended for businesses to forget their impact on the environment while moving, because it would be ineffective.If you take the necessary precautions, then a relocation of the company can enable you to make a positive start from the outset. Not only this, but if you are careful about the natural world, it can save you money.Smooth relocations can be positive in several different ways, and you should look at the following tips if you want to continue being sensitive to environmental issues:

Plan your move carefully

Poorly planned moves are not usually green. You should start planning early enough to do it right. It should not be you alone who does all the planning. Allow some of the rest of the team to share your burden. If errors are minimised at the planning stage, it will bode well for the future.

Assess how green the removal company is

Before a transaction is made with the removals firm to carry items to the office, check their environmental footprint. If they have evidence of keeping a tight rein on carbon dioxide emissions, it may suggest that it may be reliable in other respects too.

Recycling of any waste

Moving offices can generate a lot of waste and rubbish. You may want to rush back to work when the removal is done, but do not neglect the possibility of recycling on return - keep up the good habits on a daily basis and let your team be aware of all the methods for keeping your company greener.

The Office for National Statistics said the UK economy in the three months to June rose by 0.6%, meaning good news for British companies. Tucked into the new publishing efforts for Companies House, there`s further good news for 2012/13. Although the UK also showed some signs of its recent illness, it is a good forecast for the country.The new company establishments often regarded as a proxy for optimism in the economy is still growing. The 479,500 inclusion in Great Britain in 2012 exceeded the previous highlights from 443,800 in 2007, before the financial crisis took its toll on the confidence of those who were considering setting up a new business. The newest data has extra good news, with the installation of 40,082 newly formed companies in June - almost 11% more than in the same month in 2012.Although the number of companies that did not dissolve in the previous year has continued at a steady drip, the crisis seems to have levelled out. Since increasing the involvement of more than a small increase in dissolution, average growth in the industry suggests that the number of new businesses is higher than at any point since the beginning of the financial crisis.This also means that today a record number of companies are active in the UK. Although a small number are to be taken out of the equation, for the first time, there are more than 3,000,000 British companies in the housing register. Most of these are recently established companies.47.5% of enterprises in the current register were produced from the beginning of the financial crisis - with 1,446,300 establishing a new incorporation from the beginning of 2008. That there are far fewer older companies is partly explained by sheer numbers being dissolved in 2007, when the economic situation in the whole of business proved so difficult.However, there are many people who have started a new company in this challenging environment. While many of these will be created out of necessity, especially for owners displaced by other company`s problems, there are also many examples of people who suggest opportunities for business and are not afraid to be followed by the creation of new businesses.Some of the best companies are formed in an economy where there is so much emphasis on budget control and getting the basics right. They are more likely to be small and agile, able to respond quickly to opportunities and threats in the competitive environment. They also tend to deal with the owner of the business where managers are shareholders in all interest in efforts to bring in business success.Your Virtual Office London can help your business achieve great success through use of our specialised virtual office and company formation services. Our professional tailored products are designed to give your company a professional corporate image through use of our prestigious mail addresses, business registered office address and skilled virtual receptionist services. If you would like to find out more about our services please do not hesitate to contact us today.

Whitbread has experienced a large sales growth in the first half of 2014. Strong figures from Costa Coffee and Premier Inn have helped Whitbread see a huge rise of 12.8% in new sales.Costa Coffee saw a large increase in sales up 7.3%, Premier Inn also saw a large jump to 9.2% increase in the first half of the year.Premier Inn has increased its market share; total occupancy has hit a new record high for the company and is looking to open 4,500 new rooms in the coming year.Costa is also on the expansions radar, it is looking to open 76 new Cota stores inside the UK and a further 300 stores worldwide. Global sales were up 15.3% which in monetary terms is £602.4 million.

Russia seems to be flexing its power once again. The country has stated there could be a shortage of gas for the region including Ukraine, suggesting that Ukraine will need to siphon off gas supplies from the main supply to Europe in order to avoid gas shortage.Russia has stated that the Ukraine`s reserves have reached a critical point. The country has stated that the Ukraine needs to store more gas underground in order to avoid a shortage. If a shortage did occur then the Ukraine would need to use gas from the transit pipelines in order to meet the shortage, however this would directly affect the EU`s own supply.It is not the fast time the gas supply to the EU and Ukraine has come into the spotlight, in June Russia stopped its supplied to Ukraine over a price dispute. The EU was still able to receive large volumes from Russia even when this dispute was at its peak.Many European countries rely heavily on Russian gas supplies, the main supplier in Russia is Gazprom, a state owned company.Gas supply security is the main priority for the EU, and is probably one of the main reasons why no military action from the EU or UN has really taken place in Ukraine. Russia currently holds the ace card in terms of supply to the EU and with winter rapidly approaching, there seems to be very little the EU and USA can do about the situation.The latest sanctions from the EU will hit the oil industry hard but not the gas sector which is vital for the EU.

The BCC has upgraded the UK's growth forecast. A strong labour market in the UK has helped increase the growth prediction of the UK`s GDP.The economy is expected to grow faster than expected according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). It was originally forecasted to grow 3.1% and now it has been upgraded to 3.2%.However the BCC has also expected lower UK exports which could ultimately effect long term growth.Exports are key for a more stable economy, at the moment the UK relies heavily on consumer spending for growth. Strong international trade growth is going to be an important key factor if the UK is to continue with the economic growth.The Bank of England has upgraded its growth forecast from 3.4% to 3.5%.If you enjoyed this informative economy article you can find more insightful posts in our economy blog archive.

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.

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.

Europe-Zone economies under-performed worse than what was predicted in the second part of the financial year. The German Gross Domestic Product contracted by 0.22% in the last three months leading up to June. This is in contrast to the first part, the German economy grew by 0.7% in the first three months of this year.The German Federal Office explained that they were losing momentum due to the trade balance directly slowing the growth of the economy.The French economy remained stagnant; the economy had 0% growth. This is the second quarter where no growth took place; again the official figures were not what was expected. The French economy was predicted to have a slow positive rise in growth; this is suggested to be due to weak manufacturing output. Another aiding factor has been sighted that the second quarter has a larger number of public holidays which can also slow manufacturing output.The minister of finance for France, Michel Sapin, has explained that France is not expected to meet its deficit reduction target in 2014.Other causes have been signalled to possible reasons for slow growth. The Ukraine fighting has possibly affected confidence in both countries. Along with Russian sanctions, investments may be reduced and overall confidence lowered in the region.If you found this news article interesting, you can read more on our economy blog section.