Sherie Griffiths

March 30, 2010

OBE – ‘Out Before Easter’

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — sheriegriffiths.com @ 8:33 am

Extract from “On Sound Foundations” – Chapter 4: “Good Pennies”:

“By the early Nineties, my listening habits were becoming quite varied.  I dipped in and out all over the dial, although I did have my favourites.

“During ‘89, I ran across the ‘Chris Tarrant Breakfast Show’ on Capital – and was immediately hooked.  I think what drew me in was the daily drama, ‘Dick Tarrant – Private Eye and Private Ear’ – known as ‘Dick in the Dark before Dawn’ when the clocks went back.

“Chris played an arrogant but totally inept private detective, with other characters being played by the rest of his team, including news readers like Chris Cardell (now a successful marketing expert) and Howard Hughes – formally of Radio City.  A regular throughout the series, which ran for years, was Russ Cain, who was normally heard doing the traffic reports from ‘The Flying Eye’.  Russ played a range of parts – most memorably, the infamously incontinent  ‘Lieutenant Rubber-Trousers’.

“The odd (or do I mean ‘occasional’?  No, I do mean ‘odd’) big-name actor even put in an appearance.  Leslie Nielsen, of ‘Police Squad’ and ‘Naked Gun’ fame, fitted into the cast particularly well. 

“I’d watched Chris on ‘Tiswas’ in the early Eighties, and I thought he was fantastic on radio – as did millions of Londoners.

“The city nearly launched a mass protest when, in 2003, he announced he was leaving.  ‘I’m going for an OBE,’ he said. ‘Out Before Easter!’

“At weekends through the early Nineties, I got into GLR – Greater London Radio (now BBC London) – especially Tim Smith on the breakfast show and the unlikely sounding ‘GLR Picture Show’, with Angie Errigo.  Yes, films on the radio (well, the pictures are better).  Paul Hollingdale, and before him Peter Noble, had been reviewing films on Lux since the late Seventies; but this was a whole radio programme about movies – and it was brilliant!

 “Then, between Tim’s two contributions on a Saturday, there appeared a new presenter – new to me at least.  The first time I came across Chris Evans, he was presenting ‘Round at Chris’s with his Missus’, with his then wife, Carol.

“I had no idea then how small a world the radio industry was and is.  I didn’t know it then, but so many of the people I was listening to and had listened to, were linked – casually or otherwise. 

“Radio really is a village, in more ways than one.”

March 4, 2010

A-Z of Terms – D

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — sheriegriffiths.com @ 10:25 am

From International Trade Financial Solutions.

Discount: Defined here in relation to the discounting of Commercial Paper – typically Bills of Exchange. Where a future dated Bill of Exchange has been accepted by the drawee [the one who's due to pay - see below], it may be possible to discount the Bill. A Discount House [or bank] may agree to advance the bulk of the face value of the bill, thus helping your cashflow. Discounting can be with or without recourse [see Recourse, later on]. Usually only bank endorsed bills will be discounted without recourse [except for some specific agreements - usually restricted to larger, multi-national
businesses].

Drawee: The party on whom a Bill of Exchange is drawn, i.e. the one who is buying and has to make payment.

Drawer: The party who draws up the Bill of Exchange – the seller.

Drawing: In terms of Letters of Credit, a drawing is the presentation of documents for payment/acceptance under the Credit. Depending on the terms of the Credit, a drawing may be for part or the whole of the value of the Credit.

Due Date: The date on which payment of an accepted Bill of Exchange or a drawing under a deferred Letter of Credit becomes due. [A deferred Letter of Credit is one where there is a credit period between presentation of documents and payment, but no Bill of Exchange has been called for].

Duty: Import Duty may have to be paid on certain imports into the UK. Generally, there is no duty on goods that are already in free circulation within the EU. For goods imported from outside the EU, rates depend on product and Country of Origin. Duty rates are always based on the CIF value of the goods [regardless of which Incoterm was actually used for the contract] and VAT is added to the CIF value. Care, rates can and do change regularly and at short notice. Customs Duty is different, and applies to specific goods irrespective of their origin, for example, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. coming into the UK. For both types, it is usual
to have to pay the relevant duty amount to HMRC before goods are released [but see Duty Deferment below].

Duty Deferment: For regular importers, it may be possible to obtain a Duty Deferment bond from your bank and lodge this with HMRC. The effect of such a bond is that goods are released quicker and you pay the duty in arrears. There is a cost insofar as the bank will view this as a contingent liability and may require security and will almost certainly charge you for its issuance. Also, the bond must cover an average 2 month’s value of imports.

March 2, 2010

Taxpayers targeted in Retrospective Tax Trawls

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — sheriegriffiths.com @ 11:42 am

From: Branston Adams (Chartered & Certified Accountants) – http://www.branstonadams.co.uk

Two recent landmark court rulings could lead to some individuals facing significant retrospective tax bills, as outlined below.

UK Citizens living abroad as Tax Exiles

Thousands of UK citizens living abroad as tax exiles could find themselves facing a retrospective tax bill stretching back as far as the previous six years, following
a recent Court of Appeal ruling.

The case involved businessman Robert Gaines-Cooper, who has lived in the Seychelles since 1976. Despite the fact that he had adhered to previous HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) guidance by spending fewer than 91 days in the UK on average each year, the judges ruled he had nevertheless maintained ties with the country.
The Appeal Court said that the 91-day rule did not actually establish non-residency, and ruled that the UK had remained the ‘centre of gravity’ of the defendant’s life
and interests.

The ruling means that thousands of UK tax exiles could have their lifestyle scrutinised by the Revenue, with factors such as the number and length of visits to the UK, any economic and business ties, and ongoing connections such as membership of UK banks or sporting clubs, being taken into consideration.

Contractors using Offshore Tax Schemes

Meanwhile, contractors who have used or are continuing to use offshore tax schemes could be the target of a new clampdown by the tax authorities.
The warning follows a ruling by the Royal Court of Justice, which recently dismissed an application for a judicial review in the case of a self-employed information technology contractor who sought to challenge a £100,000 backdated tax demand from HMRC. The judge ruled that the backdating of the demand did not breach human rights law. The Professional Contractors Group has warned that HMRC may now retrospectively apply the tax legislation as far back as 1987, when the relevant legislation was first introduced. Those targeted could have to pay both the fines and the backdated taxes.

It is thought there may be 2,500 taxpayers exploiting such arrangements, with around £100 million of income tax at stake. We can advise on all your tax planning needs – contact us today for a tax planning review.

March 1, 2010

Business Group urges Government to scrap national insurance increase

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — sheriegriffiths.com @ 2:32 pm

From: Branston Adams (Chartered & Certified Accountants) – http://www.branstonadams.co.uk

An incoming Government must concentrate its efforts on reducing the budget deficit,
and should scrap the planned increase in national insurance contributions (NICs),
according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
The latest monthly survey from the business group revealed that 41% of companies
believe reducing the deficit should be the Government’s number one priority, while
many also believe that an increase in NICs represents the most damaging tax rise
that could be imposed on them.
36% of those surveyed felt that a VAT increase would be the least damaging to their
business, compared with just 6.6% who selected NICs as the more favourable option.
Meanwhile, the business group has used the Treasury’s Tax Ready Reckoner to calculate
that increasing VAT by 1% to 18.5% would raise an extra £4.5bn in revenue, compared
with the £5.1bn that would be netted by a rise in NICs. The BCC argues that the difference
between the two sums could be offset by targeted spending cuts.
David Frost, BCC Director General, said, ‘Companies have and will continue to play
their part in creating wealth and jobs, generating economic growth and driving recovery,
but the right environment needs to be in place’.
‘Raising a damaging tax on business, like NICs, will be counter-productive. It will
mean fewer jobs and less tax revenue in the long-term. While businesses fully understand
the need to bring down the UK’s deficit, they are clearly saying that using VAT would
be a less damaging way to achieve this.’

February 15, 2010

Future Events

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — sheriegriffiths.com @ 4:40 pm

From Ray Stannard of International Trade Financial Solutions
Check out the new website at http://www.inttradefinsolns.co.uk

These are picking up now, as expected. Not comprehensive, but the following may be of interest. This month, I’ve tried to look for some that are not Country specific, but instead look at some of the other issues which often come up when looking overseas at a new market for the first time.

UKTI are currently running a series of day long workshops on Routes to Markets – looking at different options in different countries. These go on until the end of next month. They are not free, but could provide useful information. See www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Specifically, the London UKTI team are holding a series of workshops on the likes of IPR & Licensing; 7 routes to an overseas market; acquisitions & disposals; agency/distribution; as well as several trade missions – India, South Africa, etc. Go to www.uktilondon.gov.uk for more info.
On 24th February, Essex Chambers are holding an afternoon event focusing on exporting to Poland – details from www.essexchambers.co.uk.
UKTI/FCO can also advise on the multitude of trade fairs that are coming up across Europe and further afield, together with useful information on travel/safety/other issues associated with specific countries and regions – check their websites – www.ukti.gov.uk and www.fco.gov.uk.

ITFS Website – Exciting New Addition coming soon

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — sheriegriffiths.com @ 4:38 pm

From Ray Stannard of International Trade Financial Solutions
Check out the new website at http://www.inttradefinsolns.co.uk

Many of you will know that I carry on my website links to certain other businesses where I think that there may be benefits to anyone who uses my site. Although I have used some on a business basis, others provide services that I do not need, such as freight forwarding, so I cannot actually recommend them per se. However, I am happy to include them after having met with them and understood how they work and their approach to customer service. In all cases, though, to preserve my own impartiality, I always suggest that any client undertakes their own research to ensure that they are comfortable with the service/advice/price, etc. etc.

The list is not fixed in tablets of stone and names will be added/taken off from time to time; what is important is that they remain relevant and the list is kept to a manageable size. Feedback is always appreciated – both good and bad – from anyone who has used any of the suppliers that I list.

One area that I have not featured to date is that of FX providers – there are several reasons with which I will not bore you. However, I will shortly add a link to the website that will give access to real time indicative spot rates as well as a direct link to a FX provider where you can ask specific exchange rate related enquiries. Whilst the FX market is largely unregulated, i.e. not FSA covered, the giving of advice re future exchange rate trends, as well as the actual booking of contracts does have various safeguards. It is for this reason that ITFS looks at the overall policies and procedures that our clients have/should have in place with their overseas buying and selling, but does not provide the ultimate product service; instead we will refer to experts with proven links. I’m sure this new link will add a valuable service, especially to those who may just be monitoring the current rate. So, look out for it coming on the Home Page, lower left hand side, and let me know your thoughts.

February 9, 2010

What’s The Link Between Teddy-bears And Podcasts?

Filed under: Events, Podcasts, Presentations, Uncategorised — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — sheriegriffiths.com @ 9:34 am

I didn’t think there was one – until today.

I spent yesterday afternoon writing the outlines for two presentations. On the face of it, they couldn’t be more different.

The first was:-

“Who Is Fred? – and why did twenty-six seven-year-olds make friends with him?”, which I delivered this morning, at 4Networking in Ware. It was all about the children’s book, featuring a bear, which I produced with the Year 2 kids at the school where I’m a governor and the charity I one day hope to launch, to help disadvantaged kids discover and develop their potential through creativity.

The second was:-

“Whatcasting? – an introduction to using audio as an effective communication tool”, for the Business Café in Colchester, on 1st April … hmm .. I am slightly nervous about the date …

So what do they have in common? In one word, innovation and in another, potential.

The book developed in part from the need to find innovative ways of encouraging the kids (particularly the boys) to write. Several were from homes where reading and writing didn’t feature very much, so to them it wasn’t “cool”. One of the things we aimed to achieve – and I think we did achieve –by getting them involved in the book was to make it “cool” first to put their ideas into words and then to put them down on paper. Sometimes that began with a picture, progressed to a caption and eventually evolved into full sentences. Then at other times, they went straight for the pen – unleashing potential neither they nor their teachers knew they had.

My first foray into podcasting was in an effort to talk en mass to the clients and prospective clients of the law practice which I was running at the time, about legal issues. If they were aware and planned ahead, I knew they could save themselves time, money and aggravation. My challenge was how to communicate that. The people I wanted to talk to were busy. Their time was at least as precious as their cash – because it was in equally short supply! They were already bombarded with information leaflets etc – and if they’d been given one with “law” visible anywhere on the front, they would probably have switched off. Audio allowed me to talk to them directly, rather than at them, while they were doing other things.

So in both cases, a bit of lateral thinking about communication helped get a difficult and sometimes unpopular message across in a way the target audience actually seemed to enjoy! Well, they kept coming back for more, anyway.

In my experience, one of the biggest challenges we all face in business is around getting the right message to the right people at the right time – and, all-importantly, in the right language. The right people, of course, are the ones we want to talk to; the right message is the one we want them to hear; the right time is when they want to hear it; and the right language is theirs. That is, as I say, my experience – but what do you think?

November 12, 2009

Our Next Event – A Taster of Things To come …

Filed under: Events, Podcasts, Uncategorised, Video, Web Development, Web design, Websites — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — sheriegriffiths.com @ 1:10 pm

From: Sherie, Savvy Business

Our next event – “Untangling The Web – How To Get The Best Out Of Your Web Developers”, co-hosted by Royston Simpson Creative – is now less than two weeks away!

If you’re expecting a twenty/thirty-minute presentation full of worthy advice and/or “techie” webspeak, think again! None of us could manage worthy at that time in the evening, after a long day at work – and the only reason a few “techie” sentences will be allowed is so that we can lampoon them! Adam at Royston Simpson has put together a little video which will set the tone on the night. You can watch it here:

At the event, the video will kick off a discussion about how not to be the client – or web designer – from hell and how to produce the best possible site, without driving your designer, or client, to distraction … or should that be destruction …?

To book your place: Click HERE>>
or you can email us HERE>>>
or call us on: 0844 371 2941

November 10, 2009

“The Savvy Business Mountain Guides – A Book In The Making”

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — sheriegriffiths.com @ 10:08 am

At our London launch in May, I used the metaphor of climbing a mountain to describe my experience of getting Savvy up and running – http://www.savvybc.com/aboutsavvybc.php.

I wasn’t trying to be clever – I think in pictures and that was the picture which kept coming to mind. (The fact that someone who works primarily with sound, and has a guide dog, thinks in pictures may seem a bit odd to you, but that’s another story!). Anyway, it rang a few bells with the audience on the night.

As time went on, others started asking me about putting some podcasts together to help people at different stages of business – start-up, expansion etc – and eventually the two ideas came together (or should that be “collided”?) shortly after 5:00am last Friday, 6th November 2009 and “The Savvy Business Mountain Guides” were born. I’d already written an ebook, on an aspect of law for non-lawyers but this time, I thought, I could do something a bit different and combine the book with some audio and audio-visual material so that contributors can, literally, speak for themselves. I’ve run it past several people and so far the response has been fantastic – what do you think? Constructive criticism is as good as enthusiasm – so let me know.

It’s a major project, which I must be mad to take on at this stage in my own business life – but then, as I said to a fellow business author last week (who is in the process of completing her second book) – “You don’t have to be bonkers to go into business – but it certainly helps! The trick is to find the method in your madness, so you can infect other people with it”.

I’m aiming to get the first book launched within the year. Over the coming months, I’ll keep you up to speed with how it’s going, who I’m talking to and, no doubt, what I’m learning from the exercise. If I can work out how to upload multimedia material here, I’ll do some of that by way of audio and perhaps even some video.

If you want to get involved, email me at sherie@savvybc.com.

October 23, 2009

“Forthcoming Events”

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — sheriegriffiths.com @ 10:12 am

Given the nature of what I do, I receive many invitations to seminars, specific country events, etc. Although I attend many, to keep up to date with what’sgoing on in specific countries and regions, I cannot attend every one and I’m sure that some may be of interest to you if you are looking for more information or want to target certain countries and areas. Some events are free, others have a cost attached; however, you can easily find more information by contacting the relevant organisation.

UKTI – www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Business and Culture in China – 20th Nov. London.
Business and Culture in Brazil – 14th Jan. London.
Exploring Mexico – 18th Nov. London.

London Chamber of Commerce -www.londonchamber.co.uk
Opportunities in S Arabia – 2nd Nov. London

UKTI are also an ideal contact point if you want to find our more about Trade Missions to specific countries. You usually need to arrange these well in advance but, by way of example, in the next couple of months there will be missions to S.Arabia, Libya, Bahrain, Algeria and others. They also have details of overseas trade fairs, e.g. Dubai Air Show in November. Business Link are also good for information – if you already have a Business Link advisor, speak to him/her, as, for some visits,
part funding can be available.

Older Posts »

Hosted by Killer SEO SuperBlogs