From: Gordon Mowat CA [info@aspiremanagement.co.uk]
Sent: 07 April 2010 13:21
To: gmowat@aspiremanagement.co.uk
Subject: Aspire Business Brief - April 2010

t: 0800 055 6343

e: info@aspiremanagement.co.uk

Welcome to our April 2010 News Brief

This Month: we comment on:

continuing business failures and the ongoing need for business owners to be vigilant,
how a clean-up can be a quick, cheap and easy way of improving staff morale and effectiveness,
keeping a wary eye on what staff are up to with their expenses, and
the new medical "fit note", and what it can mean for employers and staff.

Also: Do You Want 2010 to be a better Year for your Business? If so, we are offering a free Business Healthcheck to business owners, which will also include a free consultation with you, lasting up to two hours.

1: Business failures - the ongoing need to be vigilant ...

By Gordon Mowat CA

More than 140,000 UK businesses experienced significant financial difficulties in the last quarter of 2009 and while business failures for the start of 2010 show a downward trend many firms are still making basic mistakes, claims business improvement specialists Aspire Management Services.
“The experts are divided over whether the number of insolvencies have peaked yet,” said Gordon Mowat CA, Managing Director of Aspire.
“There are some who believe that with tax and interest rates certain to rise along with increased pressure on consumer spending we are in for a rough ride. However, the latest research from Equifax appears to show that the pace of the economic downturn is slowing. Read More

2: Improve staff productivity with a lick of paint and a clean-up ...

By Frances Rentoul

The majority of office workers are de-motivated by the condition of their offices and working conditions, claims a new survey.

More than 3,000 office workers across the UK were questioned about how they felt about their working environment and a staggering 67 per cent described their office decor as drab, rundown or old fashioned.

At least half of those questioned claimed that an attractive office space would help them feel more motivated and that as a result of their poor surroundings their work is suffering. Read More

3: Keep a wary eye on those staff expenses ...

By Alan Wright FCCA

Almost a quarter of expenses paid by companies to their employees during the recession were claimed fraudulently, claims new research.

It is estimated that UK firms forked out more than £8.8 billion to reimburse staff for expenses incurred during 2009. However, new research suggests that at least £2.1 billion of that should not have been paid as it was for fiddled and “out-of-policy” claims.

“At a time when businesses are having to cut costs wherever they can it seems ridiculous that many pay so little attention to the expense claims of their employees,” said Alan Wright of Aspire Management Services, leading business improvement specialists. Read More

4: What you need to know about the new medical "fit notes"

With special thanks to Sue Beatt and Jo Graham of People Solutions for supplying this helpful article.

So, what is the "Fit Note"?

The Statement of Fitness for Work, or 'fit note', is a new Medical Statement that GPs will issue from 6 April 2010. It replaces the old 'sick note' and aims to focus on what an employee may be able to do at work rather than what they cannot do.

What's different about the new fit note?

In the past GPs have either said that 'you should refrain from work' or 'you need not refrain from work'. The fit note offers a new option - 'may be fit for work taking account of the following advice'. A GP will be able to suggest ways of helping an employee get back to work. Read More

Carry out a free health check-up on your business …

How much do you want better performance in 2010?
Then take advantage of our Free Business Healthcheck Service.

Simply click here to download and save a copy of our confidential Business Health Check Questionnaire. It should take around 15-20 minutes for you to fill in. Once completed, just email it back to us at: info@aspiremanagement.co.uk or fax it back to us on 01436 821901.

We will then contact you to arrange a free no-obligation appointment to discuss our thoughts and findings with you arising from your questionnaire.

This message was sent from Gordon Mowat CA to gmowat@aspiremanagement.co.uk. It was sent from: Aspire Management Services, Whistlers Dell Clarinish, Rhu, Argyll & Bute G84 8NH, United Kingdom. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below.

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