Belfast Telegraph

Help & Advice

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Business Clinic

If someone attempts to freeze your assets a sound legal case is needed

Question: I have received an application from someone trying to freeze my assets — what should I do?
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Inside Business Clinic

Outplacement counselling is key for redundant staff in tough times

Tuesday, 23 June 2009

Question: What advice do you have for firms having to lay-off professional or executive staff?
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All is not lost for the seller when a purchaser goes into administration

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Question: I have entered into a contract to sell a commercial property. I have just found out that the purchaser has gone in to administration. What are my options?
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Blogging can help market your business if executed effectively

Tuesday, 9 June 2009

Question: I am starting my own jewellery business and thought it might be useful to include blogging in the marketing mix. What advice can you offer to get me started?
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Emma-Jane Flannery, David Bell, Craig Holmes

Outlining the benefits of childcare vouchers for employers and staff

Tuesday, 2 June 2009

Question: How does my company provide childcare vouchers which rely on salary sacrifice arrangements throughout an employee’s additional maternity leave when it is possible that no salary exists?
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All is not lost for high earners who have been hit hard by the Budget

Tuesday, 26 May 2009

Question: As a business owner I am worried about the recent budget announcement that high earners are to be hit harder. Is there anything I can do to combat this?
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Rachel Penny, David Hill, Faye Cousins.

Employees must agree to a cut in pay before it can be implemented

Tuesday, 19 May 2009

Question: Our managing director has unilaterally implemented a 10% pay reduction for all staff and managers without seeking consent from our employees. He says he has taken legal advice and is entitled to take this action. Is he correct?
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Women in business should explore the mainstream support available

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

Question: As a woman setting up in business for the first time I wonder if there is any specific support I can access?
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Comprehensive financial records are essential for good business

Tuesday, 5 May 2009

Question: I have just set up a small business. I am a sole trader and want to find out what financial records I am legally required to keep.
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Keep the taxman in the loop to avoid painful penalties

Tuesday, 28 April 2009

Question: I am selling my business but first I need to come clean to the Revenue about undeclared profits which the purchaser has uncovered. Is there going to be a UK tax amnesty and, if so, when, and how will it work?
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A proactive approach could help reduce high levels of sick leave

Tuesday, 21 April 2009

Question: How can we reduce the high levels of sick leave in our company?
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Employers should look to support staff who are facing redundancy

Tuesday, 7 April 2009

Question: I am an employer facing the prospect of making redundancies. What steps can I and should I take to help my employees deal with this situation?
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Strategy is the key role of a CEO, don’t get bogged down in detail

Tuesday, 31 March 2009

Question: I am a CEO of a small company and feel like I spend all my day in meetings, bogged down in the detail and not getting the time to deal with tough financial decisions. How do I avoid getting drawn into the minutiae and get down to the nitty gritty?
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How to get value for money with your employee pension scheme

Monday, 23 March 2009

Question: How can I ensure that my company is getting good value for the money we are spending on our group personal pension (defined contribution) scheme for our employees?
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Opportunities to acquire insolvent businesses raise complex issues

Monday, 16 March 2009

Question: I have the resources to make acquisitions during the credit crunch — what should a shrewd investor consider when purchasing an insolvent business?
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Market research is crucial when you’re starting up new business

Monday, 9 March 2009

Question: I have been considering purchasing a second property in Belfast to rent out to students. However, I have read recently that it may no longer be possible to use properties for this purpose in Belfast. What do I need to know?
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Smaller firms should not be crushed by slow paying giants

Monday, 2 March 2009

Question: How can I minimise the impact of payment delays and ensure the liquidity of my business in light of the current financial storm?
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Bosses must not ignore anti-bias rules despite onset of recession

Monday, 23 February 2009

QUESTION: I shortly intend to advertise a number of job vacancies. It has been suggested that due to the current economic climate I should consider reserving some of the posts for local persons. Would it be lawful to operate such a recruitment policy?
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If you are committed you can make your business a success

Monday, 16 February 2009

QUESTION: I’m thinking about starting up a business but have been told I may not be the ‘right type’. Can you tell me what the ‘right type’ is?
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Downsizing is not always the solution to saving your business

Monday, 9 February 2009

QUESTION: Downsizing may be on the horizon for my business. Is there a ‘best way' of doing this?
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Review your credit management systems to ease cash flow woes

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

QUESTION: I own a small business which is having cash flow problems. Have you any advice?
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More business clinic:

In pictures: Doing the business

  • Robert Leatham from Russell's Shop 4 You, Crumlin and Maeve Fox from Action Cancer.
  • US Consul General Susan Elliott (centre) joins Dr Diane Hazlett from University of Ulster and Peter McKittrick from the US Consulate, to officially launch the 2nd Distinguished International Visitors Address. The University has confirmed award-winning former CBS broadcast executive and US Congressional press secretary Professor Michael Freedman, executive director of the Global Media Institute at George Washington University, as guest speaker at the June 26 event, to be held at the university's Belfast campus.
  • Ian Doherty (17, from Londonderry) and Melanie McNally  (18, from Ballymena) with Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey MLA. The Give and Take scheme, which is run by Include Youth, provides training and support for 16 to 21 year-olds who have difficulty accessing mainstream training

Cream of the crop in the business world

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Columnist Comments

john_simpson

Get going now ... there’s a major crisis to tackle

The Northern Ireland Executive is preparing its strategy to tackle the on-coming economic crisis.

view_from_dublin

View From Dublin: Separate visions - reform the civil service and slice budget

Irish Finance Minister Brian Lenihan hit two very large nails on the head when he launched the latest initiative to make the public service more efficient and cost-effective.

Day In a Page

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Heading Out In Northern Ireland

  • Sara Scullion, Laura Lyons, Carlie Jameson and Louise White at Style Academy's 18th Birthday bash in the Rain Night Club.
  • Kelly Anne McKendry and Gemma McCorry at Style Academy's 18th Birthday bash in the Rain Night Club.
  • Kevin Hartewebb, Johsnna Boyd and Joe Webb at Style Academy's 18th Birthday bash in the Rain Night Club.

Northern Ireland Nightlife in Pictures


TeleToons

TeleToons by    Stevie Lee.