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The all-new Honda Civic – a great company car?

January 31, 2012 By Connor Jackson

Companies looking to try and green their credentials might want to consider the latest eco-friendly model by Honda.

The ninth generation Honda Civic is now available to buy at showrooms across the UK. There are three different models that drivers can choose from and the starting price is around £16,000. Surprisingly though, none of the UK models is a hybrid – even though drivers in the States can get the new Honda civic 2012 as a hybrid or indeed a natural gas model.

Perhaps one reason why Honda didn’t do a UK hybrid version of the Civic is because its diesel Civic offers such good mileage and very low emissions. It’s a very environmentally friendly choice. The 2.2 litre i-DTEC engine can get 64-67 miles per gallon and has carbon dioxide emissions of only 110g/km. These low emission figures mean that the first year’s road tax is free and only £20 in subsequent years.

This fuel-efficiency has been achieved through improved aerodynamics and the introduction of stop start technology. The technology allows for the engine to cut out automatically when the driver applies their foot to the brake pedal in a traffic queue. As they lift their foot off the brake, the engine restarts automatically and seamlessly. Stop start technology obviously helps to save on fuel, but it has great benefits for reducing inner city pollution, too.

All the Civic models have the stop start technology as standard, as well as the ECON button on the dashboard. This gives the driver the option of choosing to drive in the most eco-friendly fashion – as pressing the ECON button instructs all the car’s systems to function at their environmentally friendly optimum.

Inside the new Civic, there’s plenty of room for passengers and a heap of luggage. The boot takes an impressive 477 litres, using a two layer storage system. The rear seats are Honda’s trademark ‘magic seats’ and can be flipped and turned to face the other way, increasing the potential for carrying large or awkward-shaped objects.

So, if you want to be a green driver and you’re a Honda fan, then the new Honda Civic diesel could be the car for you.

 

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Most effective ways to get to work in the morning

January 20, 2012 By Connor Jackson

Hands up who struggles to get themselves into work on time? If you find your good intentions of making it in on time scuppered by snoozing the alarm clock one too many times, or getting caught up in family or household issues in the morning, then you are most certainly not alone!

 

If you are self-employed or work from home then it is equally as important to get into your work space on time and get started, if not more so, otherwise you are losing valuable working time; those five minutes every day all add up!

 

Don’t despair however, there are plenty of small changes you can make to your lifestyle and routine in order to make start work on time and increase your productivity. One of the first places to start is to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. If you are struggling to get the sleep you need, you will of course be less inclined to bounce out of bed bright and early every morning. Ensure you have a quality bed and mattress that allow you to get a satisfying night’s sleep. If your bed is past its best, it is well worth considering investing in a new one. And, if money is tight, you can find beds on credit from a range of stockists, including Bensons.

 

Make sure you give yourself time to wind down and relax in the evening before you go to bed, perhaps with a hot bath and some relaxing music. Avoid alcohol and spicy foods late at night as these things are likely to hinder your sleep.

 

Another great tip for starting work on time is to put your alarm somewhere where you will have to physically get out of bed in order to switch it off. This way, you will be much less tempted to hit snooze and, once you’re up, you may as well stay up!

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Enhancing careers through Forex trading

December 15, 2011 By Connor Jackson

The financial services industry is the biggest in the world in that it includes the largest group of companies in terms of earnings and market capitalisation.

Within the financial services industry, the foreign exchange market (or “Forex”) is the biggest in the world account for trades worth an estimated 1.8 trillion US dollars every trading day – i.e. Monday to Friday, 24 hours a day.

It is also estimated that 95% of the value of those trades is accounted for by speculation of one kind or another. So as you can see, it’s pretty big!

So if you’re interested in financial services career of any kind – and at whatever level or discipline you’re involved in – a good knowledge of foreign exchange trading would be a good idea – and an excellent thing to include on your CV.

The fact that the market is so big means there are countless brokerage companies out there clamouring for a piece of the action and each trying to outdo the other in terms of the services and benefits they offer.

Included in such offers are free online tutorials, cash bonus offers and demo trading only operations. There are also some excellent discussion forums.

In other words, getting a good knowledge of how to trade Forex, understanding the multifarious different types of trade and the terminology associated with them is relatively easy and it’s free for anyone with a computer and internet connection. You don’t even have to risk your own cash to get started; just follow the virtual trading options

From a CV-enhancement point of view, therefore, it’s free and easy. It can even be quick if all you want to do is grasp the basics, but like any other walk of life, there’s a lot to learn if you really want or need to get more deeply into it.

This article was written by David, a financial expert who is keen to improve his knowledge of how to trade forex.

 

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What makes a true entrepreneur?

December 15, 2011 By Connor Jackson

What is it that really makes an entrepreneur a true entrepreneur?

Because it seems that these days every one either claims to be an entrepreneur – or they want to be one!

All you need to do is look around the internet for views and opinions. On the David Lichtenstein blog for example, you might find reviews and advice to help you out. You can even find examples of the driving forces that impel people to become entrepreneurs on the web. So is it a question of circumstance or is it a matter of one’s true inner self or genetics in some way?

In other words, is it nature or nurture?

I’m afraid I’m going to stay right on the fence here and say that it’s a little of both. You can’t really break this down with an accurate percentage score as there are endless possibilities in the interplay between one’s genetic make-up and the circumstances that then affect your life.

Have a think about some of the world’s most entrepreneurial people from history for example. Could Henry Ford have built a business empire the way he did on the other side of the Atlantic in the former Soviet Union? I very much doubt it. So what were Roman Abramovich’s ancestors doing in Russia at that time – if they had the entrepreneurial gene their descendant seems to have had? Feeling a little frustrated one imagines. Or maybe they found other outlet for this drive.

The same goes for a modern day entrepreneur like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.  Clearly, Mother Nature made Mark a clever lad and gave him the basis to work from. But it was circumstance that really gave him the drive to succeed and rove he was as “worth” as all these terribly worthy “worthies” he came across at Harvard – that’s if you believe there’s much truth in the movie “The Social Network” anyway.

The main driver, I think, is boredom. The true entrepreneur just gets frustrated by being asked to do things at the whim of others when he or she feels that’s a direction lacking imagination – so they prefer to make different choices under their own control.

 

Filed Under: Becoming an Entrepreneur Tagged With: , , , ,

Paper Shredding Franchises

December 13, 2011 By Connor Jackson

The modern business world is becoming ever more conscious of behaving responsibly towards the environment we live in. Customers and clients expect it as well as employees and so the onus is on the employer themselves to make sure that a robust corporate social responsibility programme is in place. With this change in attitude there is actually a growth industry developing around the requirements of companies in this area. There has never been a better time to start a paper shredding business and one of the easiest ways to get into UK shredders is to join a franchise.

 

Franchise opportunities offer a range of business packages to individuals looking to work for themselves but with a range of in-built support to ensure success. Shredding equipment is often supplied and maintained by a franchise team who will also come in and empty the shredder confetti cut from the waste paper bins. Recycling in another area which is served well by the franchise community and can be a lucrative prospect given the amount of waste paper many offices generate.

 

Starting a business is a daunting prospect but can often help you to fulfil life long ambitions and achieve a great work life balance. If you decide to buy into a franchise arrangement then you are given access to expertise in your chosen field and this for some people is the extra resource which gives them the confidence to go ahead. Research carefully the competition in the area and the reputation of the franchise you are considering. Make sure you speak to other franchise holders and get a clear picture of the day to day reality of the role you are considering. Read all the paperwork carefully before signing on the dotted line too and when you are happy – just go for it!

Filed Under: Starting A Business Tagged With: , ,

Entrepreneurial foreign exchange trading

December 13, 2011 By Connor Jackson

If you have an entrepreneurial flair – this may make you a good trader. On the other hand – it may not. It all depends what kind of entrepreneur you really are.

If you’re the type of person with the “barrow boy” street trader’s mentality – able to make quick mental calculations in your head, to think on the spot, to keep your eye fixed firmly on the prize and your endgame without being distracted and without being overly greedy; going in and out to make a quick killing, then trading may be for you.

If, on the other hand, you’re a slower mover; a person who likes to build a business steadily from the ground floor up without taking unnecessary risks then trading may not be for you. But even then, your natural conservatism and care over business transactions etc. – may stand in you in good stead as a trader. Remember the fable; it’s the tortoise that wins the race, not the hare. A long term investing approach can actually be a good basis for trading anyway.

And if you do feel like trying our hand as a trader, then there’s no bigger market that of the foreign exchange market – or Forex. And there are various companies out there which will give you a Forex bonus to enable you to start trading immediately with this bonus money.

In this way, you can take a real trial trading period, with real client money, in a risk-free environment, whilst limiting your total potential losses to the bonus money only. And if you don’t like it, you can simply walk away.

But if it is something that really grabs you and you’re naturally good at – then the sky’s the limit. This is the world’s biggest trading market with approximately 1.8 trillion US dollars being traded every trading day!

This article was written by David, who is branching out into the world of trading. He is constantly on the lookout for a new forex bonus to help him on his way.

 

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Leap of Faith

November 11, 2011 By Connor Jackson

When we get together with friends for a few drinks and a wind down at the end of a hard week’s work, a lot of us will spend a few minutes having a moan about the boss. Now quite often many of us will agree that ultimately said boss is a great person to work for, but every now and again they make an unpopular decision. Other people however, are suffering from exposure to a particularly nasty specimen, and really could do to take a leap of faith and get out.

Leaving a job in today’s financial climate is never an easy decision unless you have a secure move in place and think that the grass will be greener on the other side. Occasionally though, communication breaks down entirely and it becomes impossible to stay in an untenable position. If this is the case then use the office paper shredder wisely to get rid of all those doodles you made of the main man sporting devil horns and pack up your desk.

Those amongst us with an entrepreneurial nature will sometimes see this kind of situation as an opportunity to try something new in life or perhaps go travelling. For the less happy-go-lucky however it can be a devastating time, leaving a lasting impression on a person’s confidence or even residual hatred complete with visions of stuffing the boss himself through a confetti cut shredder rather than just a drawing of him.

Don’t let the devil win though! Pick yourself up, get your CV together and get out there. It is a cliché I know, but this really could be the best thing that ever happened to you. The next big adventure is just around the corner, and I guarantee – speaking from experience – that you will not regret removing yourself from that situation in the long run.

 

Filed Under: Becoming an Entrepreneur Tagged With: , ,

Grants for entrepreneurs

November 9, 2011 By Connor Jackson

If you have an entrepreneurial streak but aren’t too keen to appear on Dragon’s Den, the array of business advice and grants or loans can all be a bit baffling.

But fear not, the good old UK government has set up a special organisation to help you – and to make things far clearer.

Business Link is the government’s online resource for businesses. In particular, it’s a great starting point for small businesses or for those people like you who are thinking they’d like to start one.

The website has all the essential information you may need and, crucially, it clarifies the kind of grants or other funding you may be eligible for to get the enterprise off the ground in the first place.

Finding the right grant source and the right size of grant for your enterprise will depend on its nature and the point you’re at in the business cycle.

For example, government support may be available for businesses to help them start up, or simply to grow and succeed by overcoming current financial challenges. There may even be help available to help you trade internationally. As a starting point, call the Business Link Helpline on 0845 600 9 006.

Alternatively, you can search online via Business Link’s Business Support Finder, which allows you to search for sources of help in establishing, growing and developing your business. Such support may include grants.

Business Link’s website also provides advice about government guaranteed-lending schemes which aim to provide government loan finance for working capital requirements. It’s definitely worth using the website as a first port of call to find out if your business is eligible.

Business Link may also be able to advise you on the availability of any suitable innovation, research and development grants and support networks and facilities for innovation and R&D. They also seek to provide specific assistance for inventors and provide guidance for the best ways of working with UK universities and colleges where this is appropriate.

This article was written by David, who enjoys blogging and offering financial advice. He will write about anything from the latest payday loan product to the best savings accounts on the market.

Filed Under: Becoming an Entrepreneur Tagged With: , , ,

Why not boost your company’s green credentials?

October 7, 2011 By Connor Jackson

If you’re hoping to boost your firm’s green credentials, you should definitely turn try to shred paper in your workplace.

Having a shredder in your office can be a great idea, as it allows people to dispose of valuable and potentially important information in a quick and easy manner. Paper shredders are very useful in terms of reducing the environmental impact your company has as well, because you’re then able to recycle paper once you’ve shredded it and you don’t need to worry about information falling into the wrong hands.

You’ll be helping to do your bit to save the environment if you shred your valuable paper. When you recycle the waste, you’ll help to reduce the number of trees which are cut down around the world, in turn reducing your carbon footprint.

With data protection such an important issue for firms to address nowadays, it’s quite clear that shredding can help you out here too. You’ll be able to make your business greener at the same time as ensuring your clients’ details and information are not seen by anyone they shouldn’t be seen by.

It’s best to try to do your shredding yourself, if possible. This will be the cheapest way of doing it and you’ll have complete control over when you shred your paper, rather than having to rely upon help from an external service.

So if you’re looking to make your business greener and more au fait with data protection, shredding is definitely the right way forward for you.

You’ll just have to pay out a one-off cost, then you’ll be able to shred paper whenever you need to, before recycling it in a bid to reduce your carbon footprint.

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Don’t forget about data protection when starting your own business

September 23, 2011 By Connor Jackson

Among the many other things you should be thinking about when you start your own business is data protection. It is increasingly important nowadays for companies to do everything possible to protect their clients’ personal information, as well as their own.

With identity theft becoming ever easier with the existence of the internet, it’s vital and legal for companies to have some kind of policy in place to address the issue.

When you’re starting your own business, the most difficult thing to do will be to encourage clients to choose you over other, more-established companies. If you do not pay attention to your data protection and something goes wrong, this will be even harder and ultimately, it could prove to be very damaging to your reputation.

One way to try and avoid data protection problems is by disposing of personal and important information in the right manner. Using paper shredders is one way of doing this. If you use a confetti cut shredder on all the paper you need to get rid of, you can be sure the data on it will not be comprehensible to any potential wrongdoers.

As well as protecting the information of your new clients, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your ideas and musings.

Every single company has plenty of information they’d rather their competitors didn’t get hold of and since you’re just starting out in business, this is probably an even bigger concern for you to address. It could be something as little as the pricing information you’re going to go for, but if it’s important to you, it could be damaging if it falls into the wrong hands.

The last thing you want is for any of your valuable information to be taken by someone else, so make sure you dispose of it in the correct manner, whether it’s something to do with your clients or your business.

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