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Business Clinic

Lisa Bryson, Claire Drumgoole

Can firm use temporary staff to help it thwart strike action?

Question: I’ve been reading the press reports about Royal Mail’s plans to recruit 30,000 temps to deal with a backlog of mail caused by striking employees. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) claims this is illegal. My organisation may be facing its own strike soon and we had planned to ‘plug the gap’ with agency temps. So what is the position?
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Inside Business Clinic

Michael Graham, Lisa Bryson, Laura McElroy

If you are unhappy with your bank, how easy is it to change?

Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Q: I signed my house over to my children about 10 years ago in order to avoid inheritance tax but have heard that this might be challenged by HM Revenue & Customs. Is this correct?
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Alister Higgins, Leanne Whaley, Stephen Hill

If you have a good business idea don't let recession hold you back

Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Question: I have an idea for a business but in the current economic climate I'm not sure it's the best time to start up. Do you have any advice?
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Nicholas Watts, Keith McManus, Lisa Bryson

If workers have to retire at 65 can they claim unfair dismissal?

Tuesday, 13 October 2009

Question: The October 31 self-assessment tax deadline is fast approaching and I'm having problems receiving the right forms from HMRC - what should I do?
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Taxing issues, recovering debt and making investments work harder

Tuesday, 6 October 2009

Question: I am a landlord and have agreed to rent out a property to students but find the rules confusing. Can you help?
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Jim Andrew, Oonagh O'Reilly, Stephen hill

Networking, students and loan protection; it's a jungle out there

Tuesday, 29 September 2009

Question: I know that networking is an important component in business development but how do I make best use of networking opportunities to encourage new business leads?
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Keith McManus, Lisa Bryson, David Hill

Firms must comply with minimum wage or be left to count the cost

Tuesday, 22 September 2009

Question: I am the owner of a small business and I am concerned about the change to minimum wage within the new business rules which will come into effect on October 1. What will this mean for my business and what changes will I need to make to implement this?
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Gary Webb, Toby McMurray, Michael Burns

It may not be home sweet home when property prices start to fall

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Question: I signed a contract to purchase a new build apartment — completion was due to take place last week. Its value has fallen to less than the purchase price and I cannot get a mortgage to purchase the property — What should I do?
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Gary McKeown, Clare Savage, Steve Laird

Details on government schemes for businesses available online

Tuesday, 8 September 2009

Question: I often read about government schemes that are designed to help business, but how do I find out more about them?
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Sarah Dunne, Steve Laird, Alan Curry

Free advice for employers to help with staff mental health issues

Tuesday, 1 September 2009

Question: I am a small employer and one of my employees has been off sick for months with anxiety and depression. How best can I support him when he returns next month?
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Vincent Donnelly, Gary McKeown, David Hill

Support programmes are available to assist with disability in the workplace

Tuesday, 25 August 2009

Question: One of my staff has recently become disabled. I really don’t want to lose this person but am afraid the disability will impose an extra burden on my business. Is there any help out there to assist me in keeping this employee?
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Maria O'Loan, Lisa Bryson, Claire Geddis

Act before the five year deadline to preserve planning permission

Tuesday, 18 August 2009

Question: A number of years ago I obtained planning permission for a site that I do not yet want to develop. Is there anything I need to do to preserve the planning permission?
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Non-executive directors can help you achieve higher profit margins

Tuesday, 11 August 2009

Question: I’m so busy running the business from one day to the next that I don’t have time to think about the bigger picture and our long-term strategy. Some people have suggested appointing a non-executive director to our board. Would this be a good solution for my company?
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Ian Wilkinson, David Hill, Lisa Bryson

A closer look at the benefits of having a patent on your invention

Tuesday, 4 August 2009

Question: I have invented a new kitchen implement that I think could be very successful. How important is it for me to get a patent for it before I speak to manufacturers?
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Revised contracts are needed if a salary sacrifice scheme is used

Tuesday, 28 July 2009

Question: My business is facing budgetary constraints and I am considering implementing a salary sacrifice scheme. Please clarify what this means and how to put it in place.
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Barbara Creed, Philip Bain, Stephen Hill

Unlocking the differences between administration and liquidation

Tuesday, 21 July 2009

Question: I am owed money by a company which has gone into administration. What does this mean — is it the same as liquidation?
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Derek Johnston; Sara McKinty; Mary Lou Nolan

Giving your team a clear purpose can help strengthen your business

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Question: I’ve spent time looking at my cash flow and costs. We’re also working hard on winning business in these tough times. What else can I do to strengthen my business?
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If someone attempts to freeze your assets a sound legal case is needed

Tuesday, 30 June 2009

Question: I have received an application from someone trying to freeze my assets — what should I do?
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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?
Comment: 1

More business clinic:

In pictures: Doing the business

  • Innovative student Cathy wins top placement prize Business studies student Cathy Keenan Is the winner of the Ulster Business School?s 2009 Annual Placement Innovation Awards. Cathy completed her year-long placement at Belfast City Council where she identified that the council could engage further with students to promote business start-up as a viable career alternative. Cathy organised a student enterprise fair which led to the development of an ongoing student enterprise programme and a joint business networking initiative with the University of Ulster Alumni Association
  • Martin Murphy, managing director of Hewlett Packard in Ireland joins Jimmy Stewart, director of C2k to announce that HP has been awarded a £24m contract for managed services to C2k. C2k is the public |sector body tasked with the delivery of education technology services to schools in Northern Ireland. The contract, awarded by the Western Education and Library Board, means HP?s involvement in the C2k project extends from five to seven years and covers the provision of email hosting, help desk services, video conferencing services and a virtual learning environment for school children
  • Bushmills in £2.6m stores roll-out Bushmills has completed its £2.6m investment in new maturation warehouses, which increases the Distillery?s storage capacity by another 44,000 barrels of whiskey. The build is part of Diageo?s £10.5m investment in the brand since it acquired Bushmills in 2005 and follows the recent installation of its new Potstill and Mash House, as well as the unveiling of its new bottle design. The warehouses were unveiled by Colum Egan, Bushmills? Master Distiller, and Denis O?Connor from Patton Group, the building contractor.

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Heading Out In Northern Ireland

  • Kerry Donnelly, Maggie McClean, Sharon Brown, Margaret McCormick and Jackie McCallomy at The Apartment
  • Mark Freeman and Sophie Gray from England enjoying a night out in The Apartment
  • Nicole Bradley and Kerri McKeown in The Apartment

Northern Ireland Nightlife in Pictures


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