Landscape Juice

The future of online accounting and accountants

There has been a revolution in recent years in the way that that businesses interact remotely with their customers, writes Gerry Sims.

The rise of online fulfilment businesses (e.g. Amazon), virtual products (e.g. digital music) and social networking interaction is pushing the business-customer relationship relentlessly online, with many small businesses at the forefront.

However, the mechanisms for business financial management in many of these organisations tends to be based on bookkeepers visiting site, inputting from paper documents into a standalone accounting package which is located and managed on site then printing reports for the owners.

Should OAP's get a discount on gardening services?

If you are in business selling gardening services then it's always a morally tough decision to agree to giving a discount.

From a purely business perspective, discounts - especially if your are a small business, perhaps a one-man-band - are bad news because there's a very limited opportunity to make up any lost revenue.

Most domestic maintenance gardeners sell their services by the hour: there's only so many hours that can be achieved in a year and costs as well as profit ratios should be built into the rates (some fat for emergencies should be in there too).

So imagine the dilemma if a client asked for a discount?

The issue of giving old age pensioners discounted rates is currently being debated on our network. It's far from clear if there is a straight yes or no answer but the majority or responses are firmly in the no, discounts should not be given to OAP's.

See the discussion here: Why discount for regular clients or OAPs?

It's 'onwards and upwards' for LJN member Andy Doughty

Since joining the Landscape Juice Network in May 2011, gardener Andy Doughty has become a regular visitor and a friend to many on the site.

After six years of running his garden maintenance business, Andy looks set for a cracking 2012 after recently announcing his engagement to his soon to be wife Gina and further expansion of his business.

But it hasn't always been easy. Being a single parent meant Andy had to spend time at home with his daughter when she was younger. When she was old enough to go to school it gave Andy the freedom to venture out and set up a gardening round.

"being at home all the time when my daughter was young I spent a lot of time in my garden with her, and I really loved it. When my daughter started school I wanted to use the freedom that I hadn't had for 5 years."

Not having a driving license Andy pushed his tools - left to him by his grandfather - around his village in a wheeled cart. Six years on, having passed his test, Andy is building a solid business. He now has several commercial contracts and a 'brilliant' job at the local manor house.

The FSB gives thumbs up to the autumn statement

The Federation of Small Businesses said that George Osborne's autumn budget's policies are going in the right direction.

"The FSB is pleased that the Government has enhanced the seed enterprise investment scheme which will offer greater reliefs on capital gains and income tax for people investing in small businesses," the FSB said.

Deadline day approaches for paper tax returns

With the 31 October deadline for paper tax returns just days away, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging anyone who hasn’t yet filed their paper return to act now, to avoid a late-filing penalty.

If you send in a paper tax return on or after 1 November, you will now be hit with a £100 penalty – even if there is no tax to pay or the tax due is paid on time.

The longer you delay, the more you'll have to pay, as there are further late-filing penalties after three, six and twelve months.

Find out more about the October deadline and sending a paper tax return.

National minimum wage increases October 1

The payment levels for the national minimum wage are regularly reviewed and the latest changes come into force from the beginning of October.

A 2.5% increase had been recommended by the independent Low Pay Commission (LPC).

The following rates will come into effect on 1 October, 2011:
- The adult rate will increase by 15p to £6.08 an hour
- The rate for 18-20 year olds will increase by 6p to £4.98 an hour
- The rate for 16-17 year olds will increase by 4p to £3.68 an hour
- The rate for apprentices will increase by 10p to £2.60 an hour

Payment by cheque should remain viable option, MPs demand

The influence the Payments Council currently has over the future of payments by cheque should be curtailed, the Treasury select committee has said.

And MPs have also said that the Council was wrong to end the cheque guarantee scheme earlier this year, whilst the organisation itself should sit formally within the system of financial regulation.

In July the Payments Council back-tracked on plans to end payments by cheque in 2018 following protests from consumer groups, business representatives and MPs.

HTA issues security advice to garden retailers in light of riots

A statement has been issued by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) offering advice to retailers on how to implement security measures in an effort to protect their businesses.

The full statement from the HTA reads:

With the rioting and looting that continues to affect London and major cities throughout the country, the HTA has advised members to implement certain security measures in an effort to protect their businesses.

Power tools top list of most stolen items from farms

Is the recession, or an increase in the value of oil, meat and scrap metal behind a 17% rise in the number of thefts from UK farms?

It is thought that these are some of the reasons behind findings released by the insurance division of the National Farmers Union, NFU Mutual, which show that power tools such as chainsaws, electric drills and lawnmowers are the most commonly stolen items, writes Craig McGinty.

Professional branding is the key to success, says Arbworx

Jon and Sophia Lee are a husband and wife team on a mission.

Based in Brighton, their Arbworx landscaping and tree care business is going places and despite the difficult trading conditions they're expanding and hiring new staff.

The key to Arbworx success? Jon says professional re-branding has changed their business virtually overnight.

We found the secret to getting more leads came from a professional rebrand. I was very reluctant to change from our old branding but was convinced when the calibre of client virtually changed overnight. No more small low margin jobs that forever run over and have to be chased for payment, writes Jon Lee.

Business to business and business to local authority works have really raised our profit margin and continue to do so. The trick with these clients is not to get greedy and maintain a fair pricing policy. Just because they have a large budget to spend do not try to raise your margin to soak it up. This way you reap the benefits for years rather than months and generate a loyal customer base that return year on year.