Keepers
 Keepers Newsletter #9
7th December 2009
Greetings!
 
 
Alistair Darling has announced that he will be charging the banks, not the bankers, for excessive bonuses. What do you think?   Like?       Dislike?
 
0.5% hike in National Insurance from April 2011 for anyone who earns £20,000 + 
 Like?       Dislike?
 
For other Budget Announcements, click the link below.

     Summary of Contents 
         
      Client Spotlight
        The Tax Mans Gonna Get You Somehow!!
         Increasing Your Cashflow
                       Does your Accountant?
                       The Pre-Budget Report
               
Client Spotlight - Mercier Allen & Associates
Business Plan Part 10
Hi, I'm Neil, and I'm a Director of Mercier Allen & Associates Ltd. We are based in West Sussex and we are Independent Financial Advisors. We offer advice and consultations on areas such as Company Pension Schemes, Financial Planning, Investments, Keyman and Life Assurance, Mortgages, and Tax Planning.
 
We have been trading as Mercier Allen now for over 5 years, although we have all been in the financial industry for most of our working lives.
 
Keepers have helped us by saving us money, as well as giving us helpful tips and free advice. We run our business in a very similar way. We are always at the end of the phone if you need to run a query by us. No question is ever too silly, we don't expect people to be financial wizards, you can leave that job to us!
 
Everyone needs some sort of professional financial advice from time to time, whether it's something specific or simply an overview to ensure that the correct planning is in place for the future.
 
In liaison with this Spotlight, we are offering free initial consultations to anyone who would like to discuss any area of their business or personal financial planning.


 
Most of our new business comes from personal recommendations, so we are confident our customers value us and the services we provide. If you would like any more information, or have a query for us, please either phone us on 01403 268 562, or email me by clicking here. Our website is www.mercierallen.co.uk.

Testimonial

Hi Neil
 
I just wanted to thank you for coming out today.  I was very interested in your ideas and advice and notice how much my enthusiasm about all things financial increases when we have a chance to talk and I can learn more.  Nothing quite like learning from someone who knows, especially if they value interpersonal skills too!
 
I think all your team are great with customers and the work you all do is much appreciated.  You deserve to do as well as you are and I hope you choose to work with your ideal customers, your ideal way.
 
You have given me much food for thought today and whilst I don't wish to add a 126th email to your pile, it is important to say thank you when the mood takes me!!  Please pass on my gratitude to Kylie and Simon too.
 
Warmest wishes to you all,
 
Marianna
 





10.Business Review:



· Why are you in business?

· What business are you in?

· Who is your market?

· Who are your customers?

· What differentiates your business?

· Do you have to improve cost control?

· What share of the market do you have?

· What is the current size of your business?

· What are your aspirations for the business?

· What is your annual growth rate?

· Are there any improvements required to customer service?

· Does there need to be productivity improvements?

· Are you happy with employees' performance and development?

· Are you happy with your own personal development and performance?

· Are quality control procedures introduced and working?
 
 













































 
 
 
Does your Accountant;

  • Work to fixed fees?
  • Aim to complete the work in 4 weeks?
  • Reply to every telephone message the same day?
  • Keep you fully informed on the progress of your accounts?
  • Point out areas in your business that you could improve in?
  • Constantly look for new ideas/innovations to help your business?
  • Refer their contacts to you when they can benefit from your services?
  • Invite you to regular client Networking events?
We do!!

If you would like to know more about us, click here
Pre-Budget Report

Below are the main points of the Pre-Budget Report that we feel will effect you the most.

  •  All NI contributions are going to rise by 0.5% from April 2011
  •  Increase in Corporation Tax for small businesses to be deferred
  •  Electric cars are to be exempt from Company Car Tax for five years
  •  New 50p tax on landline phones to pay for superfast broadband
  • A one-off 50% tax on bank bonuses of more than £25,000
And the one everyone wanted;

Bingo Duty is to be cut from 22% to 20%

To read more about the PBR, click here
Increasing Your Cashflow

 We all know the importance of maintaining a positive cashflow from month to month if we want to avoid a liquidity crisis, and all the misery that entails.
 
However, there is a lot more to cashflow management than just avoiding a crisis. Actively striving to increase your cashflow can -

·        Make it easier to plan and fund future growth and expansion
·        Reduce the amount of fixed capital you need at any one time
·        Give you the flexibility to move quickly and effectively in response to market changes
 
The key to successful cashflow management is to optimise the amount of cash available to you at any one time. This means increasing your cashflow as much as you can, without jeopardising other strategies. This means that you ...more

Thanks for reading. You can find us on our website, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn; just click the relevant picture below.

 
Ben & Chris