February 22, 2012

You are here: Home / Archives for Sofia Fraser

Advice for a busy working mum

January 3, 2012 By

If you are a busy working mum then it can often feel as though there are simply not enough hours in the day. This is especially the case if your partner works too and more so if you are bringing up your children on your own.

Two of the biggest concerns for working mums are time and money. We need to work in order to support our families and yet this can often mean we don’t have enough time to do other things, such as housework. After all, once we come home the last thing we want to do is spend all evening tidying; we want to spend time with our children.

Save yourself time and money by investing in a few key household products that no working mum should be without. One of the best buys is Fairy Liquid. Other brands or shops’ own versions may be cheaper but (as the advert rightly says), it’s a false economy as you will end up running out faster because they don’t work as effectively. Save money by using Printable Coupons to get money off quality products, rather than opting for cheaper but less effective versions, and save time by benefiting from the quality that these products provide.

Washing up liquids aren’t the only things you can save time and money on. Use money-off coupons to save money on a whole host of everyday family products, such as groceries, clothing, nappies, baby formula, restaurant meals and even fabulous family days out.

As a busy working mum, it is important to spend time with your kids when you can, so a good tip is to look out for those money-off vouchers that offer fantastic discounts on family days out, such as to theme parks, animal parks or children’s museums, and make the most of them! Spending time with your family doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and you will feel all the richer for it.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: , , , ,

Protect your company computers

December 12, 2011 By

Running your own business means wearing a series of different hats. Not only do you have to concentrate on the sales generation or income side of the business, you also have to look after different areas like the accounts, insurance and IT.  One thing that’s vital in any business today is to have good internet security.

If you don’t have antivirus software installed at work, you need to do this immediately.  Look around online at the different brands and packages available.

If you have a network of five or more computers, then it’s probably best to opt for a paid-for business version of antivirus software rather than using one of the free antivirus downloads.  Business packages are designed for easier installation, updates and management on multiple computers.

If your business has a mixture of PCs and Macs then remember you will need separate antivirus software for the different systems.  Mac antivirus programmes will not work for a PC and vice versa.  Also, don’t forget to get mobile antivirus software for company mobile phones – they can be attacked by viruses just as easily.

Once you’ve decided on and downloaded your antivirus software, bear in mind the following antivirus advice:

  • Never open files attached to an email from unknown or untrustworthy sources
  • Use macro protection in MS Office applications like Excel and Word
  • Remember to subscribe at the end of a free antivirus programme trial period if you’re happy with it – otherwise you’ll lose the cover.
  • Do not run more than one antivirus programme at once.  Uninstall old ones before installing something new.
  • Update virus signatures regularly to remain protected.
  • Free online scans are good to diagnose any viruses, but they don’t act as a suitable substitute for having internet security software installed on the PC.
Filed Under: Business Equipment Tagged With: , ,

How to decorate your tenants’ properties

October 14, 2011 By

If you’re a landlord, you’ll realise the importance of making sure your properties look perfect every year, so you attract new tenants.

There are some rooms which are more important than others when it comes to shared houses, namely the bedroom and the living room. Bedrooms are where people can get a bit of privacy, so they want them to be relaxing and comfortable for lounging around in. While the living room needs to be both practical and sociable, so people can really feel at home in their rented property. Chances are people will often have guests coming to stay with them, which is when sofa beds make a useful addition to any living room. You’ll want to find some which are comfortable to sit and sleep on; otherwise they’ll be a fairly redundant feature of your room.

Even though the perfect bed is often a matter of choice and preference, it makes sense to look for beds for sale every couple of years to update the ones you’ve got in your properties. You want some which are fairly firm and will support someone’s weight well. It’s advisable to try out a few different beds before buying one – you want your tenants to get a good night’s sleep. When it comes to decorating, you probably want to find fairly neutral colours, so nothing you choose clashes with the things your tenants bring to the property. Go for creams around the house, perhaps adding a feature wall in a few rooms where there’s less likely to be much tenant input – the living room, for example.

A lick of paint can make a big difference to a space, so make sure you update your décor regularly in order to attract prospective tenants to your property year after year.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: , ,

Reduce your firm’s carbon footprint with a shredder

October 6, 2011 By

If you’re starting a new business, you could get it off on the right foot by ensuring it has good green credentials.

Increasingly, there’s a huge emphasis on being green and making sure companies’ carbon footprints are reduced by being more environmentally friendly.

Using office shredders is a great way to be more eco friendly. You’ll be able to recycle the paper you’ve shredded, which will help to save some of the millions of trees which are felled every year in forests and rainforests around the world.
It is estimated that recycled paper uses significantly less energy and causes less air pollution than creating the same amount from wood pulp.

As well as the boost to green credentials, using paper shredders helps to protect valuable data and information. It’s vital for all companies to look after the data of their clients and dispose of it in the correct manner. Organisations of all sizes now have a responsibility to protect their customers’ information and you can do this most effectively if you have shredders in your office.

Through shredding information, you’ll stop any valuable data getting into the wrong hands. If your business is one which sends packages regularly, shredded paper could prove to be extremely useful. Instead of using foam, you’ll be able to pack paper into parcels instead to protect whatever you’re sending from being damaged.

The most inexpensive way of shredding is having your own within the office. This will allow you to use it whenever you need it and not be reliant upon an external service. It’s a one-off cost as well, once you’ve purchased one, you’ll be able to use it time and time again.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: , ,

Business Woman Versus Estate Agent

October 1, 2011 By

It never ceases to amaze me how men and women approach business issues from entirely different perspectives. I am not about to man-bash and say that they get it all wrong, just that we assess things differently and definitely have alternative priorities when it comes to certain decisions. Property being at the forefront of my mind as I write this…

The differences were brought home to me recently when I went looking at various premises with a view to moving my smallish business employing ten people to slightly larger offices with an eye on slow, sustainable growth – a phrase my bank manager has drilled into me from day one. The adventure began when the (male) estate agent met me at the first possibility and proceeded to give me a detailed run down on how the heating worked and which company serviced the lifts. Hang on I thought, but I want to see the staff room and check out the kitchen cabinets. I want to look out of the windows and see what the view is like, and on top of all that I can’t possibly rent this place because I can’t hear a word you’re saying over the incredibly hideous and loud patterned carpet!

Premises number two was much, much better but unfortunately way out of my price range. A luxury kitchen and staff area was topped only by the beautiful glass-walled office which would have been mine had I been able to find the funds. Irritating to have my hopes raised by my over-eager companion but at least he seemed to have got the message that a glazed look accompanied by slight dribbling translated directly to ‘please shut up about available plug sockets and move on’.

More properties to view tomorrow so cross your fingers for me. I’m sure the right place is just around the corner…

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: , , ,

From My House To The High Street

October 1, 2011 By

I am one of those women who run a business from my dining room table. It’s a cliché I know, but it is also a reality for many Mums who are juggling their business brain with family life. I am often to be found knee deep in bits of paper, old coffee cups and wearing a less than flattering woolly cardigan whilst thanking my lucky stars that video conferencing is not required to do my job. I have always been quite comfortable working in this way and it has created a great balance for the kids.

Lately however, I am looking to emerge from my self-induced isolation and take my online business on to the high street. With solid sales established over the internet I want to see if I can make a go of a bed linen shop in the real world, and whilst the number of empty shop units in my area is so high I am anticipating favourable terms from competing landlords. Some people will think I am mad but I have got the itch now and need to see it through.

Bedroom furniture is my passion, and particularly the bedding that goes along with it. I live and breathe throws, pillows, cushions and thread count and am never happier than when immersed in the latest offerings on the wholesale market. More and more consumers are becoming sophisticated and demanding about their requirements and the need for a specialist bed linens outlet seems to have arrived.

Fitted bedroom furniture has made a comeback recently as well and there is even an emerging market for bespoke designs to fit unusual bed and mattress requirements: round, oval and square have been requested already. Fascinating isn’t it?! With an eye on expanding into gift and home decorating items I am keen to give it a go so cross your fingers for me and watch this space…

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: , , , ,

Dip Your Toe in the Water

September 27, 2011 By

With rising house prices and living costs in general, many people are looking to generate extra income or even take on a second job. In order to do this, online working is a viable option as you can usually manage your site and deal with enquiries and orders outside of typical office hours. This is a great way to trial a new business idea as well, without giving up your day job and committing yourself to an unproven venture.

Before you start, make sure that you are clear on what you want from your website and read hosting reviews in order to select the right provider for you. If you have a limited amount of money and time to invest in setting up the site then keep it simple but work on a platform which will allow you to expand if the business takes off. Don’t forget about business essentials such as antivirus software. It is important to follow good data security practices as your online presence grows. If you don’t want to invest large sums of money in your business yet, there are plenty of good free antivirus downloads available.

Webhosting reviews will point you in the right direction in order to be able to do this as there will be information detailing the various options for you to choose from. If you need help with the technical side of setting up the site, or with the graphic design of it then enlist a friend with the right skills if at all possible. Gathering opinions on your company from friends and family will also be a good way to test the market for your offering without any expense, but be aware that Grandma’s opinion on something aimed at teenagers may not be an accurate reflection of your ideal audience’s views!

Running an online business part time can be a great way to dip your toe in the water of working for yourself and if the idea doesn’t take off you can always go back to the drawing board without any great loss. Of course if your business booms then the skies the limit and you can resign with confidence!

Filed Under: Beginner Business Women Tagged With:

Remember the importance of data protection in business

September 23, 2011 By

Whether you’re a newcomer to the world of business, or you’re an established veteran, you need to pay close attention to the importance of data protection.

It’s absolutely crucial for you and your company to do everything possible to look after any personal information and confidential details you hold on record from your clients and customers.

In the UK, the Data Protection Act stipulates that companies have a legal obligation to protect the information of others. If they are found not to be doing this, they can be subjected to a fine, which can be especially damaging to your business if you are just starting out.

When handling data in paper format, you can reduce the risk of theft and loss by using a shredder. Paper shredders are very useful in the workplace, as they will help you to dispose of valuable and confidential information in a safe manner. You’ll also be able to recycle the paper you’ve shredded, playing your part in the fight to save the environment.

As well as protecting the data of others by shredding it, you’ll be helping your own business. None of your competitors will be able to access any of your confidential information if you shred it, which is particularly good to know if you’re just starting out in the business world.

This is the best way to protect your valuable information offline, but you should also be trying to do as much as possible to look after it online too.

Your data could be exposed to hackers on the internet if you do not have adequate protection in place in the shape of anti-virus software and encryption. Having these things in place could really boost your data protection, making it more difficult to lose any confidential information relating to your own business, as well as your customers and clients.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: , ,

How to make a student property more appealing

September 12, 2011 By

If you’ve chosen to invest in property to rent for students, you’ll be looking to make the house you own as appealing as possible, to guarantee there are renters every year.

So bearing this in mind, it’s worth spending some time and money updating the rooms around the house and the bedrooms are a great place to start. Some students will live with people they do not know very well and even if they get on like a house on fire with their housemates, they will still value their private space too. This makes the bedrooms very important to students, so it’s a good place to begin when doing some refurbishments.

It makes sense to go for white and cream paint or wallpaper in all of the rooms. This is not only neutral, it’s also easier for students to put their own stamp on, through putting up posters and things around the room. Cheap furniture for the bedroom is fairly easy to find nowadays and this is definitely the way to go with student homes, as it may well get broken, so it’s best not to have invested too much money in the first place.

Make sure you put double beds in all the rooms if they are big enough, as this is bound to increase the appeal of the property to potential renters. As well as this, try and choose comfortable mattresses for them to sleep on, as this could also prove to be a big selling point.

However you decide to decorate the rooms, it really will be worth it in the end. With so many students out there and so many properties for them to choose from, it’s vital to make sure your investment really stands out, so bear that in mind when you’re forking out for refurbishments.

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: , ,

Why not set up your own catering firm?

September 12, 2011 By

If you’re a bit of a foodie and you enjoy nothing better than going out for a slap-up meal every weekend, why not turn your love into a great business idea? With the effects of the recession slowly easing off, it’s a fantastic time to set up a new business with an innovative idea or concept.

You could turn your passion for food into creating a high-quality and locally sourced catering company. People are increasingly looking for quality food for their parties and weddings which doesn’t cost the Earth, but is nice and tasty. Bearing this in mind, you and a group of friends could perhaps put your fitted kitchens to good use. To start off with, think small, as you don’t know how much money you’ll be able to get your good-quality produce for and you don’t want it to fall down as an idea at an early stage.

But once you’ve got a firm idea in place – think about the type of cuisine you’re going to offer – you should then try out some concepts and creations in order to see which ones work best. After you’ve decided on the best menu you can offer, try and make the dishes on a small scale, finding good local suppliers and making the meals as economical as possible. Once you’ve tried these things out in people’s kitchens, you’ll be able to test it on a larger scale, perhaps offering tasting experiences to your friends and family to get some much-needed feedback at an early stage.

Marketing your business should be fairly straightforward and not too expensive, since you should be able to harness the power of social media, setting up a fan page on Facebook and promoting your new catering enterprise through Twitter as well.

Set up a website and get ready to receive a barrage of emails and requests about catering events around your local area!

Filed Under: Tips for Business Women Tagged With: , ,
« Older Posts