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Useful advice, tips and business news.

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.

January 5, 2015
May 5, 2021

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4 Common Service Address Questions

Here we have listed the four common service address questions for for all limited company directors as an authorised address of correspondence. Find more info.

Here are four common service address questions to ask:

1. Is there a difference between a registered office address and a service address?

A service address normally known as a registered office address, is necessary for all limited company directors as an authorised address of correspondence. Their private mail from Companies House and HMRC is posted to their service address. This is or could be situated at any place in the world.However, a registered office address is an official address of a limited company. The mail and other legal documents addressed to such a company would be delivered to the registered office. This type of address has to be in the exact area of the UK where a company or LLP is included.

2. Am I allowed to use my home address as my service address?

There is not a legal constraint that forbids directors from having a home address as a service address. On the other hand, most directors favour maintaining their privacy by not having their home addresses available on the public record.Another favourable option is to acquire a certified Service Address from a company formation manager. This is put on the public record as a director`s chosen service address – all mail is sent to this address and then forwarded to the director at an address of their own choice.

3. Can my company`s registered office be used as a service address?

A service address isn`t exactly like a registered office, but is good enough to use as the equivalent address for both functions, providing it assures the legal needs of a registered office.

4. What mail is sent to a service address?

Only statutory mail that is addressed to a director can be posted to their service address. Nevertheless, directors can utilise the equivalent address as a service address, a registered office, as well as an all-purpose contact address for their business.A service address can be known as a registered office address and is a great way of establishing a prestigious presence in a prominent area.

December 23, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Align your employees with your brand and achieve success

Research shoes that employees behaviour is very important in the assessment of customers. So, you need to Align your employees with your brand to get success.

For a company to transcend the market, in addition to meeting a need with an original and effective product or service, it requires a distinctive personality that is perceptible in each of its members. Countless specialists say that the success of a company depends largely on their employees. So whether they are sellers or not, they must still exude the values and qualities of the organisation.Research has revealed that employee behaviour is very important in the assessment of customers. Specifically, studies explain that when employees are unsure of the brand, the consumer attitude produces cognitive dissonance that they translate as distrust and inconsistency.The latter makes companies lose credibility and reduce their sales and revenue. With business leaders sometimes unable to factor in the consequences of a corporate misalignment, we offer the following recommendations:- Total Alignment. The message of your company should not be disseminated only by your marketing team, but for the entire workforce of the company, including executives and yourself.- Excellent Deal. If you want your employees to provide quality care and excellence to your users, they need to understand what that experience means. Thus, the best practice is to treat your employees as you want him to treat your customers.- Design to win. The worst thing for a brand is when their customer service structure and policies differ from their promises. The commitment of your company must not be inconsistent with the actual capacity of your business.- Constant communication. The message of your brand, before becoming known throughout the world, has to be assimilated by your collaborators. Once that happens, you will be ready to communicate to the entire planet.- Build a two-way brand. All levels must communicate with employees and customers, but it is also essential that they listen. Receiving feedback from your staff and your users is invaluable to strengthening your brand.This business blog post was brought to you by Robert Carter of Your Virtual Office London. You can read more helpful and informative business blog posts here.

December 23, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Make your potential customers trust you

The customer is the rationale for companies, for without their presence, there is no possible business. Here are tips to make potential customers trust you.

The customer is the rationale for companies, for without their presence, there is no possible business. To attract the attention of potential customers and get them to proactively approach your business, it is essential that you develop specific marketing strategies.

Here are some tips to get consumers interested in what you do:

1. Do not focus worldwide. Although for some, focusing on a niche lowers corporate scope, leading marketing experts say that focus on a specific sector of the public will help to meet the personalised needs of users, a trend that governs the commercial world today.Operate this way and it should increase your chances of success.2. Make your marketing entertaining. A marketing campaign should catch the senses of users and detonate them with certain memorable business attitudes.3. Positive relationships. A good option to convince potential customers is to provide free care. Provide some support or advice to consumers at no cost, as this will allow you to gain their trust and build an image of credibility. If you do, you will succeed where 99% of people have failed.4. Position your business as an expert. To achieve this goal you can follow three ways:- Communicate with specialists. Establish relationships with leading players in your industry.- Be present in the media. Try and get the name of your business flowing everywhere, both offline and on the Internet. Contact editors, producers and others responsible for media to provide information relevant to your company, but will fit every editorial style.- Show you operate from a great office location. Register your business office in London shows you are centrally located and creates a sense of prestige.- Share your wisdom. Use websites, blogs, and other channels to communicate what you do, what you know. This is essential to gain credibility.5. Create a solid digital profile. Having an online presence is essential for your customers to find you more easily. Try to build your company a powerful digital image, and show your passion.If you enjoyed this blog by Your Virtual Office London, you can read more insightful blogs in our news and tips section.

December 3, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Tips for keeping order in the office

Keep order in the office. Maintaining order in the office is important to promoting good energy around the workplace. Here are just some of the ways to do so.

Keeping order in office is important to promoting good energy around the workplace. Here are just some of the ways how to go about it.

Order and Power

Keeping the office in order is not only convenient; it is also a way to be more productive. Ordained environments motivate us to perform the work, relieve our pressure and minimise the feeling of general discomfort. Also, having order promotes the free movement of productive, creative practises and is essential for the proper performance of our duties.To maintain order, we need to have a suitable and visible place for all papers, elements and tools. Do not try to hide everything in a filing cabinet or clutter up drawers so it is out of sight, but rather, keep "everything in its place".

The key area to maintain order

We need to have enough space to put each item away tidily, so that it is always close at hand. We can allocate drawers or shelves for each type of items, such as pencils, staplers, punches, grinders and others in a drawer. For others, such as printing papers, we can dedicate a shelf to them, along with folders etc.So, you always should have everything you need without having it permanently on your desktop. Keep everyday items around, to avoid interrupting your work when you need them. For example, you often need to hold papers together. Do not let the clips and staplers stray from your desk, because if you get up to go and get them, you will invariably be interrupted from your work.

The order in the office has its advantages

Similarly, keeping as much free and open space (particularly the work area, such as office and desktop) will allow for better concentration and less distractions. You can focus on the task at hand without getting interrupted in your work analyses or mental fixation on other issues, such as when we procrastinate and hold back on tasks yet to be finalised.Finally, having order allows the circulation of energy. Cluttered environments produce tight feelings of chaos and lack of space to move. This perception is harmful to your productivity. Instead, the orderly, neat and spacious environment will allow for a perception of freedom, space for growth, and will facilitate the movement of the energies in the work place. It's a big decision, but it is easy to apply these simple steps.Your Virtual Office London are a leading virtual office provider in the UK. We provide meeting room space, mail forwarding addresses and call answering services. If you would like to discuss your new business idea with us we are happy to help advise on how to get off to the best possible start.

November 25, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Achieve greater impact through twitter

Twitter has become the social network king of instant information. Its mode of operation makes it very effective to communicate immediate news to many people.

Twitter has become the social network king of instant information. Its mode of operation makes it extremely effective to communicate immediate news to many people.But for a brand or company is extremely difficult to stand out from this sea of information if you do not have an adequate plan for their impact and cause tweets are shared or retweeted the most times in order to reach more people. If you are a start-up business it is vitally important that you use social media sites to maximise your brand and its awareness to a greater audience.Therefore we have focused on some key points that will make your tweets get more retweets and therefore have much more impact:1. The first words you put in your tweet will determine its success. This is because users of this social network are seeking information on specific content, so we recommend that these are well structured and carry a high degree of impact.2. You have to be very wise in your tweets, i.e., this network only allows 140 characters, so do not ramble or waste content for wanting to include too many hashtags.3. Make an analysis of your target audience and at what time they connect with it. You can make your tweets at peak times such as early afternoon or weekends for example, which will allow an increase in the probability of your content being seen.4. Content is king. Each time you type a tweet, strive to give your followers the best content from the network. This should answer their questions, provide them information about your product or company and be always up to date.5. Generate clever hashtags. Also try to investigate what are the trending topics and be guided by them; always add short phrases that identify your brand or company.6. The language is essential, and thus find out how to most effectively talk and communicate with each other; You can do this by using language that is appropriate for them.If you found this post helpful you can read more informative business articles in our Virtual Office Blog.

November 20, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Ideas to reinvigorate your office space

After the home, the office is the place where a person spends most of their time. Therefore, it is important to consider several aspects to get most benefits.

After the home, the office is the place where a person spends most of their time. Therefore. it is important to consider several aspects that will get the most benefits - especially when you plan to reinvigorate your office space.Both the quality of work and productivity of employees can positively impact the business if there are properly enabled collaborative spaces in this so called "second home". The office should ensure a healthy environment for interaction and idea generation, so it`s well worth looking at methods of achieving this. If you are a new business and do not have an office, we would recommend our virtual office services.

Here, we share five tips that aim to create the ideal office.

  • The most important asset of any organisation is its people. Collaborative spaces must adapt to people, not vice versa. Adequate workspaces can develop the potential of people to their fullest.
  • While collaborative spaces are designed around current users, the reality is that they must be designed by taking into account the following 5-7 years of life of the organisation and its future users.
  • Collaborative spaces are not equal in all companies. They should be proportionate to the nature of its users, enabling an optimal experience to work in. Every organisation needs personalised spaces that suit their culture, characteristics, type of work, and so on.
  • Due to the use of mobile technology, today the work can take place anywhere and anytime. Therefore, collaborative spaces must adapt to this trend and be a way for people to generate ideas more quickly.
  • You need to have products that enable flexibility, i.e. to allow the work to be conducted by group or individual, in a private or shared form, which is free to move and act as a social approach.
  • With all this, brainstorming, presentation, teamwork and meetings can be performed in the same space and achieved through ergonomic thinking in terms of the office layout.

If you enjoyed this informative blog you can read more business related articles in Your Virtual Office London blog.

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 18, 2014
May 5, 2021

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How to make your company greener

A responsible approach to the environment for businesses is positive in terms of trade. So, a company must achieve goals in terms of practical green measures.

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.

November 17, 2014
May 5, 2021

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How to optimise your start-up

It is important to have a good business plan and marketing in which you will base the development of your idea. Learn certain ways to optimise your start-up.

Here are some important ways to optimise your start-up:

1. Find a balance between your business plan and its execution.

It is very important to have a good business plan and marketing in which you will base the development of your idea, but do not forget that on paper often, things are very often different from reality. Of course, it is essential to know where you are going, but it is also essential to be flexible enough to change your plan when setbacks or changes occur in your internal or external environment.Keep simple and easily identifiable, measurable, achievable objectives in the plan. Keep in mind a clear picture of where you want to go and get ready to follow a path. But do not forget that in general, it is important to keep an open mind and be open to achieve the goals that you have set in a long-term plan. Remember that although the idea precedes action, it is through action that the idea is valid and takes its final form. In the end, the rule is: adapt or die.

2. Optimise your resources.

You are at an ideal time to start a new business, but it is also a time when it is difficult to obtain resources for the early stage of a new business. This is why the ability to maximise and conserve resources at an early stage of the business, dramatically increases the likelihood of success. Even with a large budget, companies that survive best are those who know how to manage their resources efficiently and live "below their means". Solve this problem and work is much more effective and efficient to fix the finances. A virtual office can help reduce overheads whilst boosting your image, this is a good way to make the most of your capital resource.

3. Build the right team.

It is important to realise when to lean on the right people for the activities that make you lose focus. These may be areas where you are not the most competent, or activities that consume valuable time you could spend on more productive issues. Building the right team also means doing it in good time. Hiring more people ahead of time can provoke capitalisation and expense or undue pressure. Always remember that spending / investment must always be preceded by a real need arising from growth in income.

4. Be a good communicator (or get one).

Building trust and good communication always go together. A good communicator is essential, since the presentation of an idea to potential investors, partners and customers is crucial; to convey good news to motivate your people or bad news to instill empathy and sense of responsibility are all effects of a great communicator.

5. Get a mentor.

The fact is that your business does not mean you should be alone. It is important to recognise that in an early stage you do not know everything, nor are good at everything. So getting someone who can guide you through your "slim" areas is a great way to plug the 'leaks' of your business. This is not always possible to achieve, but if you succeed, it's a golden opportunity, as through a mentor you can get the advice of someone who has been in the position where you are and who has significant experience. Use your judgment to determine whether criticism or advice will warrant a change in direction. Do not forget that in the end, only you are responsible for your business.This is not a recipe for an "infallible" business - there are companies that have met these criteria and fail, but in general these points will help you dramatically increase your chances of success.

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