The Conservatives might have to raise the VAT rate to 20%

There is growing speculation that should the Conservatives win the forthcoming general election they would increase Vat from 17.5 percent to 20 percent to cut the country’s record deficit.

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IN Business

Council clients might not be the best at paying on time

A nationwide study by the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has found that some councils in the UK are still failing to pay invoices promptly. Struggling firms face a ‘postcode lottery’ meaning their chances of prompt payment often depend on where they are based.

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People

In a bid to prove that small businesses can succeed in the midst of recession, Alibaba.com, the world’s largest online meeting place for buyers and suppliers, challenged entrepreneurs from across the UK to start their own trading companies with £1,000 each.

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Opinion

Rebuilding trust should be top business resolution in 2010

After a difficult year for many top brands, from ongoing strike disputes at British Airways and Royal Mail to the latest Eurostar snow crisis, businesses are being reminded that rebuilding customer trust and loyalty should be their top priority in the New Year.

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Advice

Franchising may be the way forward

Most people associate franchising with large brands, but it can also be an effective way for some smaller businesses, struggling to raise finance in order to expand in the present economic climate, to grow at minimal cost. The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is campaigning to raise awareness of franchising as a way forward for many viable businesses.

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Marketing

Creating a memorable brand

We recently spoke to Mark Artus, CEO of 1HQ, one of Europe’s largest branding companies to get his top 10 branding tips.
Mark has been the brains behind the advertising campaigns for the likes of Kraft, Nestle, Rowntree and Heinz, amongst many others and knows how to create memorable brands.

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Legal

Banker's fate in question after TV catches him looking at e-mailed photos

An Australian banker caught on live TV showing a high interest rate in nearly-naked photos of supermodel Miranda Kerr has launched a viral video that has already drawn hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube – and fresh debate about employer Internet policies.

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Finance

4.5Million Brits to transfer credit card balance as New Year resolution

More than 4.5 million Britons (10 per cent) are planning to move in excess of £3.2 billion pounds between credit cards in the first three months of 2010, to take advantage of introductory balance transfer periods, new research from Santander Cards has revealed.

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Tech

O2 was top choice for broadband in 2009

Data released from a leading broadband help and comparison website shows that 2009 was a strong year for O2 in online broadband sales, with BT, Virgin Media and PlusNet also making big impressions.

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Travel

Review: Lexus LS600h L

The Lexus LS600h L is not only the world’s first four-wheel drive hybrid V8 but also the flagship of the luxury brand’s range. It offers a discreet but strong challenge to its better known German rivals, says Dave Sumner Smith,

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