Watford Flea Magazine - Business Edition 216 by paul walling

BUSINESS EDITION

F R E E for Wa t ford businesses This Editi on is spo nso red by:

Foreword Richard Harrington

Member of Parliament for Watford It’s my pleasure to offer a few words of support for this new publication from flea magazines. As most businesses in Watford will already know, one of my top priorities since becoming your MP in May last year has been to promote business and employment in our town. I shall continue to do everything possible to ensure Watford’s ongoing prosperity and its growing reputation, both as an ideal and supportive location for business and as an attractive and pleasant place for people to live and work. While we have many excellent networking organisations and forums where local businesses can interact as well as an Enterprise Club to encourage and assist start-ups, the idea of a new publication with a strong on-line presence that has been created exclusively to improve links within Watford’s business community strikes me as an ideal medium to complement the existing channels through which our local businesses communicate. I believe we should welcome this initiative and I would urge you to give the new publication your support

Richard 2

from

A few words Dorothy Thornhill MBE Watford’s Executive Mayor A few years ago, I sat down with Flea Magazine to do a “Coffee Break” interview. What I hadn’t realised was how long the publication had been going for. The first edition was published in 2002 – the same year that I became mayor! That seems a long time ago - and a lot of things have happened in our town since then, many of them, I hope, for the better. While other local publications have come and gone, I’m delighted to see the Watford flea magazine, with its focus on family, lifestyle, education and arts and a growing visibility on the web, continuing to serve our community. In these difficult economic times, it’s especially encouraging to see a small local company launching this new complementary publication for our business community, the lifeblood of our town. Having worked closely with the Chambers of Commerce over several years, they tell us that despite the challenging economy, businesses are still attracted to our town. Flea magazine’s new enterprise is testament to that. As they and I look forward to celebrating our 10th anniversaries next year, I wish them well.

Dorothy www.watford.theflea.co.uk

Don’t forget to check our website where you’ll find additional content, including articles on the new Consumer Rights Initiative, Clean Energy, the New Economy, Boosting Sales, Housekeeping for Startups and our tongue in cheek solution to the economic state of the nation - ‘fleaconomics’ You’ll also find an index to advertisers who have supported this edition. To get your business noticed in our next editions, please book early.

Hello and thanks for reading our first magazine specifically for the local business community in Watford. Many readers will already know about Watford’s ﬂea magazine - the name being an acronym for family, lifestyle, education and the arts. This free-to-reader consumer publication is delivered bi-monthly to some 6.500 households in Watford as well as being available to pick up in over 70 locations in and around the town and reaching some 25,000 readers. For the 70% of B2C SMEs whose target market is local, advertising in A5 size publications like ours is widely recognised as the single most cost-effective marketing tool available. At a recent sales conference for SME owners held in Cambridge, over 70% used this medium and rated it “best value” and “top performer” from a list including some thirty alternative methods of local promotion.

Copy deadlines are: Consumer ﬂea Business ﬂea

From the editors desk

25th Nov 2011 10th Feb 2012

The consumer ﬂea is delivered to 6500 homes and available to pick up in over 70 locations in and around Watford. We aim to deliver the Business Flea to every business in Watford Borough. Published by Flea Ltd 58 Vicarage Rd Watford WD18 0EW

Uniquely, we also publish each magazine in four web editions and in every one of them our advertisers enjoy active web links, offering prospects immediate email and website access at the click of a mouse. That’s one of the reasons it’s in A5 format - it’s easy to read on screen without constantly panning and zooming - a frustration with many on-line publications. Extra content and additional articles available in our main on-line editions are promoted in the printed magazines, which have become highly effective drivers of local web traffic. They bring qualified new prospects to all our advertisers and provide them with improved visibility to the major search engines.

Banner display logo for use on light backgrounds

And of course, every business that appears in print gets a FREE search-optimised Business Listing on our local website and at least three inward web links to their own site. We can rightly claim that ﬂea is Much More than a Magazine.

www.ﬂeacentral.com The opinions expressed

BUSINESS EDITION

by contributors do not necessarily represent

But while our consumer magazine is perfect for B2C businesses, we have for some time recognised that we should offer a similar product for local SMEs who’s market is other local businesses. This Business Edition is designed to do just that! We’ve received an enthusiastic response, but have purposely kept this edition small.

the views of flea ltd.

We hope you find it useful and look forward to welcoming you into a ﬂea edition very soon. F RE E f or Wa t f ord b us i n e s s e s Th i s Edi ti on i s sp onsored by:

www.watford.theflea.co.uk

Ed 3

Why advertise in Magazines? Because local magazines work - and with flea magazines you get all this extra FREE: • Printed editions in convenient pocket/handbag/letterbox size • Perfect size for reading on-line - no zooming or panning • FREE Professional design, copywriting, help and advice • Printed editions appear on-line in four versions • Extra on-line text options • FREE searchable on-line business directory • Live hyperlinks (web links and email links) • All online content fully visible to the internal fleasearch • High Google visibility (try searching for ‘Watford Magazines’) Commercially unbeatable! • High Value, Low Cost, Locally Targetted promotional tool - ideal for SMEs • Printed and on-line vouchers / coupons • Some of the best advertising rates available in print. • Unbelievable rates for serious web promotion • PriceLock Guarantee* - secure your promotions against inflation Superflea - For added internet visibility • Linked Business Listing PLUS Banner and Exclusive Fleapage • “Fleapage” with up to 5 images • Unlimited text and hyperlinks • URL optimised for your keywords and phrases

TDO and RBS have joined forces to create a complete one-stop shop for all your printing solutions. • Copiers • Printers • Scanners • Copyprinters • Wide Format Printers • Multifunctional Devices • Remanufd Machines • Software Solutions • Service & Repair •Audit Solutions • Faxes •Consumables

Call today and speak to our friendly, dedicated team of experts to see what We can do for You.

RBS - 01923 817373 www.visitrbs.com TDO - 01462 810071 www.thedigitaloffice.co.uk

Enterprise

Watford

We’re an independent initiative set up specifically to offer guidance and support to those with a specific business idea and looking to start their own business.

Banner display logo for use on light backgrounds

If your market is local, then this could be the best marketing opportunity you’ve seen for a long time. Just compare us with the competition! If this sounds like you, we are able to offer confidential advice in matters associated with the planning and preparation for those important Watford Flea Magazine first few steps. Enterprise meetings are centrally 58 Vicarage Road located, they are free of charge and offer you clarity Watford WD18 0EW when you need it most. Come and see us, we look T: 01923 731160 forward to hearing from you. E: watford@theflea.co.uk

your

Be in flea - the web comes free

M u c h M o re t h a n a M a g a z i n e 4

Telephone 07804 038570

‘working with you’ www.watford.theflea.co.uk

www.theonestopoffice.co.uk help@theonestopoffice.co.uk

01923 802 622

Outsourcing Make Life Easier and Grow Your Business At The Same Time. Not so long ago, the only skill really needed in business was to know your trade, sell at the right price. and keep your customers happy. Knowing your trade isn’t enough anymore! Today’s business owner is responsible for so much more. Larger businesses have a whole host of support, but if you’re a sole trader or small business owner, you have to keep on top of everything apart from ‘Operations’ - finance; legal stuff; sales; marketing (social media, PR, the website, SEO, design and print) as well as the office machinery and the admin from preparing quotes, reports and presentations to answering the phone and emails. You work really hard at what you’re the expert at - the stuff that earns the money - but how much of your time do you spend, or should you be spending, on these support and administrative tasks? .Ask yourself these questions… 1. Why did I go into business? - Wasn’t it to build financial stability and a better quality of life for you and those you love? Are you achieving both? 2. Do I have a healthy work - life balance? - No matter how much you love your business ‘work to live, don’t live to work’. STOP once in a while to appreciate what you’ve got - you only live once! 3. Could someone else do some of my work? - Giving you more time to focus on what you do best - or to enjoy with your loved ones. 4. Could I improve my business performance by outsourcing? - Businesses that know the true value of time recognise that benefits from outsourcing far outweigh the cost. There is a famous quote by Jim Rohn (an American Entrepreneur): “You can get more money, but you can’t get more time”. OUTSOURCING is not new - it’s just delegating tasks to someone you trust who has the skill, time and commitment to perform them exactly as you would wish. It’s not a sign of weakness to seek help - it’s a pragmatic and sensible solution to specific needs and usually a better choice than employing a ‘temp’. Of course, your outsource must be totally trustworthy and reliable - so seek recommendations and check out testimonials. If you need a good bookkeeper, virtual PA, social media manager or graphic designer, just visit www.theonestopoffice.co.uk.

Abby Dennis

The One Stop Office Ltd

55-56 WENTA Business Centre, Colne Way. Watford. Herts. WD24 7ND Working Smarter, Not Harder! We CAN help.

MCaJterTing

OFFICE FUNCTIONS CORPORATE HOSPITALITY WEDDINGS - PARTIES FUNERALS - CHRISTENINGS TELEPHONE

MOBILE

01923 351421 07789 620825 www.mjtcatering.co.uk

Your Business Could Be Here To advertise in any flea publication in print and on-line Call: 01923 731160 Email: watford@theflea.co.uk

PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGY & PROBATE RESEARCH SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGY & PROBATE RESEARCH SERVICES SOLICITORS, TRUSTEES & CUSTODIANS

Locating missing heirs and beneficiaries relating to the administration or the recovery of assets.

TRACING OWNERS & BENEFICIARIES

Unclaimed, lost or forgotten assets for entitlement

FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH

For those looking to commission research or requiring assistance with their ongoing research.

Strategic Planning for your business

How long would your business survive if you weren’t able to sign the cheques? Who would open the shop tomorrow morning and continue trading if something happened to you and who would pay the staff wages? Running a business in the current economic climate is tough enough but you need to have a plan for how your business is going to operate if you aren’t there to do things for yourself. Most people understand the importance of making a Will but it is even more important if you are a business owner. Businesses are complex – you may be a sole trader, a partner or a director of a limited company – whatever your business structure, you are going to need someone who understands how it works to help you make arrangements that are practical. As a business owner – you must have two plans in place: what happens to your business when you die (by making an effective Will) and how the business is going to run if you are incapacitated (by making a Lasting Power of Attorney). Shirley Batten-Smith set up Planet Wills to offer a bespoke estate planning service to clients - she is professionally qualified in will writing, financial services and banking. She cuts through the legal jargon and delivers a friendly service in plain English to help clients achieve peace of mind that they have made arrangements that will work and all at a cost effective price.

AD-HOC RESEARCH

Additional research services for companies Tel: 01923 441831

Harrisons Research & Genealogy Email: info@hrgenealogy.com www.hrgenealogy.com Tel: 01923 441831 Email: info@hrgenealogy.com www.hrgenealogy.com 55-56 Wenta Business Centre. Colne Way, Watford, Herts WD24 7ND

www.watford.theflea.co.uk

Shirley Batten-Smith 01923 460 011

www.planetwills.co.uk

Making the difficult easy

Use BA’s secret to de-stress your staff ‘Stress’ is now the most common cause of long and short term absenteeism. Over-stressed staff take more “sick days”. (CIPD 2011)¹ Your company’s most valuable asset is its people. Caring for your people with a comprehensive method of promoting well-being while preventing ill-health will improve performance and productivity. Stress is good for us: a healthy stimulus so we enjoy the ‘buzz’ of pushing a new project to completion. However, stress overload (di-stress) which is ignored, can cause eventual physical or emotional breakdown. Excessive di-stress is infectious. Behaviour and morale deteriorate, conflict increases, staff suffer health and emotional problems. Attendance levels decrease and so business performance suffers. It’s profoundly damaging to your business - so what can you do about it?

Jane Bird SRN;DipAT

British Airways discovered a solution to growing absenteeism: offering their staff Autogenic Training (AT). AT gives your staff their own tools to take care of themselves. Whatever the cause of di-stress, managing it is the key to feeling, working and performing better. Benefits address the physical: eg headaches, irritable bowel, chronic pain, recurring infections; and the psychological: eg insomnia, anxiety, mild depression, inappropriate anger. Users of AT also report increased confidence, energy and creativity.

method can literally change the way the mind-body works, helping reduce or eliminate symptoms. Taught in 10 short weekly group sessions, AT is hugely cost effective for business

Using a simple programme of relaxation, the ‘fight-flight’ stress response is switched off for a few minutes, and the mind-body system is given deep rest. This allows a selfgenerated (autogenic) process of mind-body change.

Jane Bird’s nursing background enhances her approach to AT. British Airways were so impressed with the results that Jane was retained for over ten years to teach Autogenics to their staff.

Practised for a few minutes 2-3 times a day, over time the

More information? Read the on-line version of this article at www.watford.theflea.co.uk/magazine or visit Jane’s website.

01923 675 501 jane@autogenic-therapist.co.uk

www.autogenic-therapist.co.uk

Note 1. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) - “Absence management, Annual Survey Report 2011”. A link to obtain this report in pdf format is available in the web versions of this article.

publicity for business • Are you launching a business? • Are you looking for help with media strategy?

publicity

• Have you plans for growth that need implementation? • Perhaps you need to refresh your branding?

If so, why not call us for a no obligation discussion on how we may be able to help ‘make a difference’ to your business, or take a minute to visit our blog, http://charliekenny.wordpress.com Grow with Go! Publicity.

Tel . 07804 038570

Shop Window … Marketing Services … Business Planning … Growth Consultancy www.watford.theflea.co.uk

Underperforming Investments/Pensions Are you? • Concerned about the poor performance of your existing pensions or investments • Looking for an alternative to traditional stock market investments Have you considered joining the growing number of people investing in alternative investment schemes that offer the opportunity for you to maximise your investment returns. Here are 2 examples :

GREEN OIL

TEAK

Have you wondered why so many people are choosing to invest in these new “eco” friendly investments? It’s not such a great surprise perhaps when you consider the kind of returns that are being offered to those investing in an environmentally and socially responsible way.

Teak is not only a strong and a valuable asset, but versatile and high in carbon sequestration. These characteristics are believed to be highly advantageous for continued demand for Teak.

Returns of up to 16% plus p.a. At last the world has woken up to the fact that we desperately need alternative fuel sources to replace our depleting natural coal, oil and gas deposits. Research, development and production of alternative, sustainable fuel sources are attracting high profile interest from governments and organizations all over the world. The result is that we are witnessing the introduction of major incentives and targets for the implementation of “green oil” into future global energy requirements.

What this means for investors What this means for investors is that projects which find and produce new sustainable sources of oil have become an excellent investment opportunity. • Invest from £7,500 • Fixed returns of 4% to 15% in yrs 1 through 5

Teak has unique physical and mechanical properties that make it a superior species for the Timber market. It can withstand the most challenging weather conditions due to its natural oil content. It is highly fire resistant and resistant to acids, insects and fungus. With increasing demand and a steadily rising value it is no wonder that teak provides fantastic potential returns for investors. • Invest from £6500 in both cash or via your pension • Fixed return of 11% per annum • Return of 105% of your original investment from year 5 onwards • All returns are currently exempt of Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax • The investment falls out-side of Inheritance Tax rules after the first 2 years of investment • Investment held in a UK trust in your name

• Projected yields of 16% plus per annum from yr 6 • Over 650% projected 10 year return on investment on Capital Builder version • Structured exit strategy from years 5 to 10 • All land held in trust in your name • Invest directly with cash or via a pension plan (SIPP) • Old pension funds can be transferred in

For further in-depth information: Call 0800 567 7831 or 01923 334621 www.mcicommercialmortgages.co.uk

MCI Brokers Limited

www.watford.theflea.co.uk

Are you one of the Millions of People in the UK who have been mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) & are now owed Thousands of Pounds? (PPI) policies were sold or offered to many consumers who took out various financial products, often without checking to see if the consumer was eligible for the service. PPI is also known by other phrases such as: • • • • •

Accident, Sickness & Unemployment Cover (ASU) Loan Insurance, Redundancy Payment Protection Insurance (RPPI) Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance (MPPI) Redundancy Protection (RP) Mortgage Payment Cover (MPC)

They were designed to cover the cost of loan repayments in the event that you were off sick or became unemployed. They were usually taken out with: • Mortgages

The problem with PPI is that most people who were sold the policy didn’t need the cover in the first instance and in many cases the policies were sold to people who could never qualify for a claim such as those:

• Credit Cards

• Retired

• Motor Dealers

• Self-employed

• Furniture Stores

• Unemployed

• Loans

• Many other credit arrangements

Those suffering with back injuries and stress, which are the main two reasons for being off work, are often excluded from the contract.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL CLAIMS: Example A

Example B

Loan amount: £12,000

Loan amount: £28,000

PPI Premium: £3,800

PPI Premium: £5360

Interest Rate: 8.8%APR

Interest Rate: 7.55%APR

Loan term: 60 months

Loan term: 180 months

Number of monthly payments made: 60

Number of monthly payments made: 72

PPI Interest paid to date: £910

PPI Interest paid to date: £3588

This claim would typically result in a refund of £4,710+ 8% statutory interest of £1,005*

This claim would typically result in a refund of £3,588 + 8% statutory interest of £946*+ the remaining PPI removed from the loan saving £5,382 in further payments.

Total claim: £5,715

Total claim: £9,916

In some cases Statutory Interest may not be payable on your claim. These are very basic examples and there are many variables to take into account when assessing the amount of compensation due. Our PPI claims team are experts and will ensure you receive the correct compensation. We may be able to help if your Loan, Credit Card or other Financial product was paid off years ago. We Offer a ‘No Win No Fee’ service with NO Upfront Fee’s payable to us. In the event of a successful claim our fees are 25% + VAT of the amount of the claim that we are able to secure for you.

Call Us Today and See How We Can Help You on 0800 567 7831 or 01923 334621

www.mcicommercialmortgages.co.uk 9

www.watford.theflea.co.uk

path brings you onto Hampermill Lane where you should turn left and continue for about 700m.

JAC Property Consultancy 4. Between the traffic lights and theLtd red brick Architectural Services · CAD Design bridge, turn left and follow the bridleway. Residential/Commercial Property Advice 5.Tony Cross Jackson the brook bridge, then left as far as the fork go left,MRICS up the steps, left again onto the Ebury BSc– (Hons) Tel/Fax: 01494to583600 Way and back where you started.

www.daynightpat-testing.co.uk DayNight logo.indd 1

5/11/10 14:56:04

WA R N I N G

ARE YOU A BUSINESS OWNER ? DO YOU HAVE AN UP TO DATE PAT TEST CERTIFICATE ? IF NOT YOU MAY BE BREAKING THE LAW.

Mobile: 07779 653101 Do you have a local walk that may Email: jac.consultants@ntlworld.com

be of interest? 3 TrippsLet Hill Dave Close know. by calling flea on Chalfont St Gilesor Buckinghamshire HP8 4JZ 01923 241852 email watford@theflea.co.uk.

CALL US FOR INFO & ADVICE WE CAN ALSO HELP YOU SAVE MONEY T: 07804 865894

www.daynightpat-testing.co.uk

JPR Electrical Services

Part P Registered Installers

James Polhill Electrician

Dave Henderson Managing Director

tel 01923 220 541 fax 01923 212 216 mobile 07753 748 442 email dave@connorlocksmiths.com website www.connorlocksmiths.com

m. 07590 669049 t. 01923 443270

e. jamespolhill@gmail.com www.jprelectrical.com

installations, alterations & rewires periodic inspections • landlord certificates fault finding & testing • emergency call outs

‘WATFORD’S FRIENDLY LOCKSMITH’ 58 Leavesden Road, Watford, Herts WD24 5EE

IS YOUR LEASED OR MANAGED PROPERTY A MAINTENANCE TIMEBOMB? Are your building defects a minor problem or indications of

something more serious?

Landlords are legally required to resolve such defects to avoid tenant / leaseholder claims of disrepair!

LET US CHECK

We’ll give you peace of mind.

Fleadom ! Your opportunity to

Be your own boss Fit work around your life Enjoy every day You can do it with Flea Call NOW 01923 731160

Our professional staff will tell you honestly what needs to be done and when. We can also help you make sure that any work needed is done properly by: Specification Writing

Contract Procurement

Works Supervision

Stephen Parker M.C.I.O.B.

F.B. Eng. SRP Property Survey Solutions T. 01923 680570 M. 07985 534483 www.srps.co email: help@srps.co By implementing a regular property inspection and maintenance regime you ensure the value of your assets is maintained and avoid expensive problems in the future!

www.watford.theflea.co.uk

01923 608600

email : info@phoneus.co.uk VoIP • TELEPHONE LINES • BROADBAND HARDWARE • SOFTWARE

Professional & friendly service for all your taxation & accounting needs PEARSON & CO Tel: 01923 894404 Fax: 01923 894990 E-mail: richard@pcaba.co.uk

Starting a Business? Get your Logo and Branding right.... because first impressions are everything. Come and talk to us to see how you can get an edge over your competition so that you can win more business. Call now for a friendly chat & free advice.

T: 020 8386 7600 www.rfdcreative.co.uk

Established 1984

Weekly Business @

Watford Indoor Bowls Club

‘nothing sells your business better than you’’ If you can relate to this, The Weekly Business Network may be right up your street. If so, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you along and meet a group of like minded local business men and women meeting on a regular basis for business through developed relations.

‘’people buy from people’’ The Weekly Business has a structured agenda, with weekly meetings of individual categories of business in a non prohibitive, supportive environment. We are NOT a member organisation, we do not charge membership fees, nor do we promote any business service(s) other than that of our Forum attendees. Your only liability may be the early start (7am until 8.45am) together with a fee of £10 per meeting which contributes to the venue hire and a (very good) full-English breakfast. So why not contact us to find out the best day for you and your business? Either telephone me, Matthew Bashford-Hayes on 07789 620825 or go to our website: www.wednesdaybusiness.co.uk The Weekly Business @ Watford Indoor Bowls Club Rear, Woodside Leisure, Horseshoe Lane, Garston, WD25 7HH

‘watford’s premier independent business forum’ 11

www.watford.theflea.co.uk

Business VoIP - Voice Management for SMEs What Is Business VoIP? Voice over Internet Protocol is a method of handling telephone calls by accessing the public telephone network through a broadband connection and hosted carrier-grade switch. Productivity increases of over 350% have been recorded by businesses that have adopted Business VoIP. Business VoIP is not Skype - it provides you with real business telephones and “big company” facilities but at less than the price of a standard phone line. It’s like having a top-range digital PABX and programmable answering machine for your business - but with extra bolt-ons and all FREE with your low monthly rental! Your hosted PABX is software-driven, lives on a suite of servers at a secure site in Docklands and is backed up by a mirror site to ensure against failure. It can be accessed via the internet and is controlled and accessed by you from anywhere in the world. You’ve heard of Cloud Computing? Business VoIP is Cloud Telephony!

So what’s the advantages? There’s so many, we’ll just outline the main ones here. Portable Number - You can have a LOCAL phone number, but it’s independent of location so you can have a London number whilst working in Brussels. When your business moves location, your phone number follows you, so you don’t waste the investment you’ve made in promoting it. Bells and Whistles - features like call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, caller ID and three-way calling, are all included in most Business VoIP packages - as are calls and transfers to others on your service provider’s VoIP network.

to call from. Invaluable whilst travelling as you are making a local uk call. Many modern mobiles have wifi and a sip server application built-in - just find a wireless access point - or use the phone’s mobile internet and you can call using your office extension - no more high roaming charges! Franchisees or remote workers? - For people working in different locations, Business VoIP is the perfect solution. Choose a single provider and calls can be transferred between any of your employees and associates, alternate answering points or hunt groups can be set up and they can call each other or have a group chat - all free anytime.

If your phone’s engaged it will transfer the call to another phone or to voicemail - whatever you’ve told it to do. Voice Surely there’s some downsides? - Nothing serious! messages can be forwarded to you immediately by email. A local power failure will put your IP phone out of action unless on protected power - but your calls will still be Low-cost calls - call charges are highly competitive. answered. Because of the non-geographic nature of your Take your voip phone with you, connect to the internet IP phone, you should not rely on it for emergency calls. anywhere and you’ll get the same rates. Better still, have Use a mobile or fixed line for that. a softphone on your laptop and use your office extension

Find out more - Local company SystemTalk offers a wide range of telecommunications advice and services for business including Business VoIP, free consultation and a free service trial. CALL NOW or email to find out how Business VoIP will help your company work better, increase efficiency and save money.

info@systemtalk.co.uk

www.watford.theflea.co.uk

020 8150 9300

www.systemtalk.co.uk

Proofreading is serious business.

In the 1632 edition of the King James Bible, omission of the word ‘not’ gave new meaning to the seventh commandment ‘Thou shalt commit adultery.’ The poor printer was fined £300 (£25,000 in today’s money) for his mistake and had his licence suspended. That edition subsequently became infamous as the ‘Wicked Bible’ Everyone makes errors and it’s true that we often don’t see our own. As G. Rawlinson from Cambridge University famously wrote: Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae…. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? That may be true - but it’s not wise to use the approach in your business publications. Poor grammar, clumsy sentences, simple mistakes and misused words not only cause misunderstanding but can leave your business open to ridicule or even potential litigation. So check all your documents carefully - not just your promotional stuff! Your letters, emails and website all create an impression of your business. Good Copywriting and careful Proofreading are vital. If you don’t spot the errors, you may be sure your customers will!

It’s so UNIQUE, we can’t keep the SECRET any longer… Our refreshingly new approach is beginning to revolutionise the accounting world. Our many local clients love our very personal but professional service that includes: • FREE Initial Meeting with no time limits • FREE Telephone Support and Advice • FREE Tax Review • Fixed Price packages - to suit all budgets and needs • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on everything we do Whether you’re just starting out, tired of paying high fees or just want an accountant who listens and provides better service…

Call NOW on 01923 777338 www.skinnerandcompany.co.uk

Techy Corner

Whats a QR Code?

Invented by Toyota to aid production management, QR (Quick Response) codes are starting to appear all over the place - at bus stops, on estate agents’ boards and in magazines like your friendly flea. QR codes can contain a variety of information, but the most common is a web address or URL, which your Smartphone then takes you to automatically. The code is scanned using the camera on your Smartphone and interpreted using one of many QR reader applications (“Apps”) that you can download free. Got a Smartphone? Then get an App and try it now. This QR code should take you to the latest edition of the Watford flea magazine on-line! Find out more at

www.watford.theflea.co.uk

www.qrstuff.com 13

style. simplicity. flexibility. Mainline is a unique track-based system that’s adaptable, scalable and safe. It provides a more cost-effective and future-proof solution to delivering mains power anywhere in any environment. Once the Mainline track is installed, anyone can simply and safely add, remove and reposition 240v power outlets as and when required. That means no more overloaded sockets, no more ugly hazardous extension leads and no more waiting for electricians to install extra sockets.

Mainline is a unique track-based system that’s adaptable, scalable and safe. It provides a more cost-effective and future-proof solution to delivering mains power anywhere in any environment. Once the Mainline track is installed, anyone can simply and safely add, remove and reposition 240v power outlets as and when required. That means no more overloaded sockets, no more ugly hazardous extension leads and no more waiting for electricians to install extra sockets.

Office, hospital, installer Your home, local qualified classroom, any room - just Mainline it!

Office, home, hospital, classroom, any room - just Mainline it!

TJS Electrical Services

Mainline can be flush mounted or surface mounted, or even incorporated in dado-trunking to include data cables.

Mainline can be flush mounted or surface mounted, or even incorporated in dado-trunking toMainline include data cables. track-based system that’s adaptable, is a unique

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13A

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13A

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Mainline can be flush mounted or surface mounted, or even incorporated in dado-trunking to include data cables.

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