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How Software Has Helped PPI Claims Companies

Elliot
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How Software Has Helped PPI Claims Companies

Claims management software has revolutionised the way claims businesses work on a daily basis. With hundreds of claims companies registered with the Claims Management Regulator, consumers have plenty of choices when it comes to picking a claims company. Offering low charges and impeccable customer service are just two ways that claims companies need to stand out in the competitive market.PPI

PPI claims companies are thriving at the moment with the upcoming PPI deadline. But, it’s not just PPI which is creating a market for claims companies. Thousands of consumers are due flight delay refunds, whilst others are fighting for their money back for mis-sold packaged bank accounts.

In order for these businesses to succeed, they need software which has the ability to make the day-to-day claims management significantly easier. This means fewer manual follow-ups and all the data secured in one place. If a company has software which does this, it will help them to stand out in the market.

How Does Software Help Businesses?

If the software is able to manage claims effectively, companies require fewer employees and can generate greater profits. Using the most up-to-date software for claims management means companies can focus on assisting as many customers as possible and providing the best service.

Developments in software mean that claims companies can handle hundreds of claims per day. They have all the information stored in accessible, user-friendly software, with regular updates streamlining the communication process.

A priority for every business at the moment is the new GDPR regulations. Coming into force in May, companies need to ensure that they’re keeping data as secure as possible. Software which prioritises data protection is essential, as customers (and the authorities) will want to know their details are stored safely.

Finally, software which has the ability to be customised and tailored to each individual business allows effective management and personalisation for each claim. The customisation of software for any company and their products enables efficiency, speed and superior customer service.

The processes required to deal with PPI claims will be vastly different to the likes of flight delay claims. Being able to customise the software to the needs of one company or one product means all kinds of claims can be made.

PPI Claims Companies are Thriving

Some of the most lucrative claims businesses today are those dealing with payment protection insurance (PPI). The August 2019 deadline, set by the Financial Conduct Authority, has created a sense of urgency for people trying to make claims before the deadline.

The most reputable PPI claims companies are dealing with up to 1000 claims per day. The PPI claims companies which are succeeding are those using the best claims management software. Equipped with sophisticated software, they are capable of processing all claims from start to finish and delivering the perfect solution to their customers’ requirements.

Many consumers choose to use PPI claims companies to take the hassle out of making a claim themselves. Companies can also research to find out if customers had PPI in the first place — a very appealing and useful option for working with customers who no longer have their previous paperwork.

Lloyds Banking Group reported that it is receiving 11,000 claims per week. With a year-and-a-half left before the deadline, the number of PPI claims being made shows no signs of slowing down. So far, the banks have repaid nearly £30 billion back to consumers for their wrongdoings. This figure will increase dramatically before the cut-off date next year, with many claims still being resolved with the Financial Ombudsman. The best PPI claims companies are managing these claims and are striving to process as many as possible in the next year, but will need to capitalise on the very best claims software to do so.

Things to Know About Oil Well Investment and Price Fluctuation Driving Forces

Elliot
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0
Things to Know About Oil Well Investment and Price Fluctuation Driving Forces

Investors can diversify their portfolio and enter into the oil market. They can invest in oil well, which is productive. Before diving in oil sector, you need to know five things.

Oil well investment is better

Investors interested in oil sector think that big oil companies are the safe and profitable route. Big oil companies possess a reputation for performing well and so stockholders can get their cut. Is this the right perception?

No, big oil companies use plenty of stockholder’s money in upkeep and overhead itself and not in oil. Investing funds in oil well means very little goes towards overhead, while lots in black gold.

Oil prices are same everywhere

Oil barrel price is same everywhere but oil amount in the well differs. Some are full, while others produce for some years. Therefore, it is crucial to be familiar with the operator’s reliability and success in exploring and discovering oil.

Actually, your investment profits heavily depend on the amount of oil in the well and the length of time it can be extracted.

No accountability, No concern

Oil well investment makes you liable to share the profits and loss but not be responsible for possible accidents at drill site. You gain ownership of the oil well but will not be concerned about responsibility like the oil well supervisors.

Therefore, if you are apprehensive about drill site responsibilities and refrain from investing in oil wells then there is nothing to be concerned about.

Oil well investment for huge tax benefits

More than 75% to 85% investments go directly of what is called, ‘Intangible drilling costs’. These include mud, chemicals, grease, and labour. These are needed to operate a well-oiled machine.

Most of the funds going in doing things which isn’t oil, seems less risky. Fortunately, every dime spent against intangibles is tax deductibles.

Oil well investment for better diversification

High oil prices are the main reason for economic hold up, which can trigger some volatility in your portfolio. Diversification is the best strategy. For example, an underperforming stock in your portfolio can get balanced with well served oil investment.

Alternatively, in low oil price environment, economic market picks up. Thus, in oil price rise and drop, your portfolio gets good protection.

Oil price driving forces

Oil market price fluctuates daily, so investors find it hard to decide. The driving forces, which influence oil prices, are –

Demand

Rise in oil prices decrease demand in the US, but demand from emerging market economies increases. Emerging market economies possess fuel subsidies, which can cause your country’s oil producers sell at loss during demand.

Supply

New reserve discovery is good but the ones that decline oil production can hinder the supply chain. A country under attack pumps less oil barrels, which can affect supply, demand, and price.

Quality

Lack of crude oil quality is the major issue oil market experiences. Refineries need to fulfil stringent environmental requirements in the US.

Speculation

Speculators and investors bid on the oil’s futures contract is another driving force influencing oil prices.

Decentralized casinos expected to take over the online gambling industry

ABC Staff
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Decentralized casinos expected to take over the online gambling industry

The gambling industry has been around for generations now, and if you have been a fan of the convenience of online gambling for years, you may remember the ‘wild west’ days. More specifically, we’re referring to the unbeatable advantages of the house and the low opportunities to double or even win some money.

By contrast, the goal of today’s gambling industry is to offer decentralized casinos which balance and bridge the gap between house earnings and player satisfaction. In other words, we’re talking about gamblers genuinely being able to beat the house edge, a world in which the odds are no longer stacked against us. Of course, the transparency aspect is also of high interest, and you can find excellent alternatives for where you can deposit cryptocurrencies in a safe and guaranteed manner.

New “edgeless” casinos

To better put things into perspective, many decentralized casinos are using smart contracts to ensure complete transparency of transactions, gambling, and crypto storage. Meanwhile, what you get is an edgeless array of games such as blackjack, poker, dice, and other options bound to excite your senses.

If you’re wondering how these casinos will make money, the answer lies in improper playing strategies and hatsful gamble that some players tend to make. Although free refreshments won’t bombard you in your living room, there will still be the bright lights and loud noises that will keep you hooked –whether you’re winning or not. Imperfect plays from average or inexperienced players are shown to offer the house an extra 0.83% profit over time, which is excellent considering the number of players enjoying online casinos.

In other words, prepare to do your homework before jumping in and spending your hard-earned cash. Although you have a higher advantage as when compared to conventional casinos, decentralized gambling sites will still profit from the mistakes of newbies or inferior opponents.

However, an excellent advantage of decentralized casinos is providing a crypto platform that allows for greater flexibility in decentralized peer-to-peer-traded currencies. For example, Ethereum permits the creation of “smart contracts,” which enables the creation of numerous business transactions –not only pure currency transfers.

The psychology of ‘provably fair’

For those who have paid attention to the ever-changing developments in the crypto and gambling space, the words ‘provably fair’ will be like music to your ears. Of course, we’re referring to the fairness of games, as the gambling industry has made some incredible strides to change the public perception regarding your chances of genuinely winning when gambling.

Gone are the days when you needed to take a leap of faith each time you clicked a button, meaning that you won’t need to hold your heart or chest when you make a bet. That’s one of the main reasons for which decentralized casinos could take over the gambling industry, as they give “the little guy” the opportunity to genuinely win.

In a ‘provably fair’ model, you can allocate part of seed (i.e., a string of text) prior to betting, and be presented with a hash (i.e., a second string of text) which can only be created with your seed given by the operator.

While this may be hard to grasp, at least to being with, here is another way of looking at this equation: the hash represents an alphanumerical string that defines your rolls/spins. The great thing about decentralized gambling is that the platform you’re playing on could not, later on, alter the outcome or the string you were presented with because that particular string can solely have one single result. In other words, you’re not playing a random game of KINO, meaning that there is no random draw –if you accurately understand the mechanism of the game, your chances are impressively high.

Transparency

Trust is earned, and it’s a fact that many of us are reticent in believing that even websites regulated by trusted jurisdictions would not use a random number generator (RNG) that might be ripping us off.

However, decentralized casinos are based on Ethereum Smart Contracts that are entirely public. In other words, everyone is free and able to see what’s going on the servers of the casino. Not only does this help in removing elements of mistrust, but it also builds a new vision of what online gambling might look like in the future.

Of course, some companies are using crowdfunding techniques in designing campaigns which will help them achieve the tools needed for full transparency. The ultimate goal is to create operational online casinos where cryptos and blockchain are the industry standards, and later on, the standards of the world.

Transaction Speed

Another reason for which decentralized casinos might become the future of the online gambling industry has to do with the speed of transactions. As a general rule of thumb, deposits and withdrawals in traditional casinos can take a long time, and the entire process can seem a bit disconnected –even in the most mature and trustworthy jurisdictions.

When discussing cryptocurrencies, chargebacks and speed are almost a non-issue, as all transactions happen using blockchain technology. In other words, deals are unable to be reversed, a fact which gives customers and operators great peace of mind.

Additionally, crypto transactions can be nearly instant. Once you initiate a transaction using blockchain, it will be visible to all parties, providing a traceable trail you can follow. There is no secrecy and no dark web fear, meaning that you are informed the entire step of the way.

Conclusion

All in all, decentralized casinos might soon become the standard for the online gambling industry. However, it’s important to consider the technological and regulatory safeguards before jumping the gun. More specifically, we are talking about a global education about blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and their potential implications.

This solution will lead to the creation and continued development of a legal and regulated way of handling decentralized online casinos, where the mindset of compliance will offer the essential elements needed for a prosperous future between crypto and gambling.

Five Affordable Cities for First Time Buyers

ABC Staff
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0
Five Affordable Cities for First Time Buyers

Did you know that London is officially the least affordable place in the UK for first-time buyers? The cost of an average first home in capital has topped £400,000, making the dream of owning a house less realistic for many young Brits looking to put their foot on the property ladder.

If you happen to be one of those people looking to purchase their first home without incurring heaps of debt, we’ve teamed up with the largest self-storage provider, Safestore, to name five top affordable cities you should consider buying a home in.

1. Liverpool

If you feel tired of the gruelling commute and extraordinary house prices, then you should make your way to Liverpool! With the average house prices of £122,137, this beautiful city situated in North West England is a great alternative for anyone looking for a rich heritage and great entertainment.

2. Hull

Named by Zoopla as the most affordable city for first-time buyers with the an average house price of £104,376, Hull (or Kingston upon Hull) is a port city in East Yorkshire.  

Named ‘City of Culture’ in 2017, Hull is the ideal destination for anyone looking for a peaceful but characterful place to live. Hull compromises of plenty of parks and green spaces, as well as a great deal of attractions, including Streetlife Museum of Transport and Dinostar – ideal if you fancy a break from overcrowded cosmopolitan living.

3. Swansea

Described by Dylan Thomas as an “ugly, lovely town”, Swansea is a coastal city and the second largest city in Wales, listed as one of the most affordable cities to live with the average property value of £133,514.

Situated only three hours away from London, Swansea offers an unusual blend of vibrant city, stunning coastline and diverse countryside – just all you need when looking for a perfect lifetime destination.

4. Manchester

If you’re looking for your first house for under £170,000 then you should search for properties in Manchester.

Moving to this beautiful city in the northwest of England sounds dreamy (and this is perhaps why it’s been named as one of the best places to live in the UK) if you happen to be a sport fan – all thanks to the world-class sport facilities including the Manchester Aquatics Centre, Regional Athletics Arena, National Squash Centre and Manchester Velodrome.

5. Preston

Named as best city to live and work in northwest England, Preston beat Manchester and Liverpool in an annual assessment of the UK’s largest cities thanks to its economic success and great work-life balance.  

Situated only two hours from London and one hour from the Lakes and Manchester, this Lancashire city is a tempting option for anyone looking forward budget living too – the average property in Preston is £125,840.

How to plan for retirement (before it’s too late)

ABC Staff
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How to plan for retirement (before it’s too late)

When you are young, the R-word is something that we don’t even consider. It’s something that’s far too distant in the future until, suddenly; it smacks us in the face.

More and more people around the country are not preparing adequately for retirement. It means there are some huge problems and the overall consequence is that most people just won’t be able to live their final years with nearly as much money as they need.

This is the reason behind today’s post. Let’s now take a look at how you can plan effectively for retirement, and ensure you aren’t left behind.

Make sure you plan BEYOND retirement

One of the big reasons why people run out of money during retirement is because they don’t think what will happen after it. In other words, they might budget for general living expenses, but what about those big purchases?

When we talk about big purchases post-retirement, we’re certainly not referring to new televisions. Instead, this is where you really start to mature, and think about the potential funeral costs your family might have to soak up, as well as the cost for any elderly care that you or your significant other might require.

In other words, make provisions beforehand and don’t leave the pot empty.

Don’t start pension considerations too late

When you get your first job, a pension is the last thing on your mind. It’s regarded as more of an inconvenience; something that eats away at your low starting salary.

Unfortunately, this creates a problem later on. It means that you effectively don’t have as much time to save money, and the obvious result is that you don’t have enough when the time does come to retire. This is one of the reasons why the retirement age in so many countries is on the rise.

As such, make sure your pension contributions are in order right from the start. If you know that you aren’t saving enough, now is the time to do something about it. Simply assuming that the government “will” look after to you isn’t enough in these cases; the last thing you want is to be left with a limited way of living for your final years.

Don’t fall into the standard trap of thinking you won’t spend as much money

One of the biggest mistakes that a lot of people approach retirement with is that they think they won’t spend as much money. This is usually because they have accumulated all of their big possessions, like a house and car, and as a result supposedly don’t need to acquire many other things.

Unfortunately, this is seldom the case. You’ll have more time on your hands and as a result, you’ll be spending just as much money. In fact, if you have children and grandchildren, there’s every chance that you might be spending even more money than you do currently, which is again why pension contributions from a young age are so important.

Are you struggling with your Forex trading profession?

Elliot
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0
Are you struggling with your Forex trading profession?

The retail traders are always big dream. They set unrealistic expectations to form the market to change their life. For instance, many traders often consider this industry as a shortcut way to get rich. But all the successful traders in the United Kingdom have spent years in mastering the art of trading. They never set any unrealistic goal since it increases the risk exposure. Everything that you need to learn is available on the internet yet the traders are losing money. So how do you become a successful trader? To be honest there is no exact answer to this question. However, if you follow some precise guideline it won’t take long to understand the perfect way of trading this market. Now we will discuss some of the amazing steps which will help you to become a better trader in the retail trading industry.

Factors the influence price movement

Do you know the key factors which influence the price movement of the currency pairs? People are always looking for bigger gains. They don’t want to spend any time in understanding the dynamic mechanism of the trading industry. They always place big lot size trade to change their life. But if you don’t know about the key price driving catalyst it will take a long time to become a successful trader. High impact news release is often considered to be a most active element in Forex trading industry. They can even change the long-term trend of the market. So it’s very obvious you will have to learn about fundamental analysis to become a professional trader. To learn fundamental analysis you don’t have to become an economist. Know the basic element of the currency market and everything will become very easy for you. If required take help from the professional traders in the United Kingdom. They will give you a clear blueprint of this industry.

Stop trading with a big lot

The professional traders are making a huge profit by using high leverage online trading account. They always trade with an elite class broker so that they can experience best possible trading conditions. It’s highly imperative you trade with such a unique broker who offers transparent pricing policy and high-class trade execution environment. Once you have selected your primary broker it’s time for you to learn about lot size calculation. Lot size calculation is very crucial to your trading success. You can’t make any real progress unless you understand the true nature this market. Before you execute any order find the risk factors. Be prepare for the worst case scenario so that even after losing the traders, you can stay in the game. Stop chasing big trades as it will ruin your career. Read lots of books on trade management so that you can scale your position in a very efficient way.

Use the manual trading system

The manual trading system is always the best trading system in the world. Trading this market with EAs and bots will never help you to become a successful trader. But how do develop a unique trading system? To be honest, developing the balanced trading system is not all hard. You can easily use the demo account to learn currency trading. But never follow other people trading signals blindly. No one can predict price movement 100% accurately. So it’s very obvious you will have to face losing trades. Even the top class traders in the United Kingdom have to face losing months. But they still make money due to proper risk management. Instead of using bots or other people trading system, try to learn manual trading.

Never trade with the money that you can’t afford to lose

You need to trade this market with extra cash. If you quit your day job and start trading with your last savings amount, you are going to lose everything. This industry is very risky and it requires the stress-free trading environment to make a consistent profit.

How Can Holiday Loans Ensure You Get A Perfect Holiday?

Elliot
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How Can Holiday Loans Ensure You Get A Perfect Holiday?

Dreaming of your perfect holiday? Well, that dream may come to a screeching halt, unless you have some money squirreled away. But what if there was another way to pay for it? Holiday loans are unsecured loans you can use to borrow money to pay for your holiday. After that, you just repay in flexible instalments over a longer period, just like you would with any other loan. It’s convenient and affordable, that’s true. But how can it help you achieve the perfect holiday experience?

What Can Holiday Loans Help Pay For?

You know that holiday loans can help you out with costs and whatnot, but do you know exactly what expenses you can cover with the money you borrow? Let’s take a look at some of the options.

  1. Flights & Transportation

The first thing people book when organising a holiday is the flight, for multiple reasons:

  1. The earlier you book and pay, the cheaper it is
  2. Your dates need to be set and ready
  3. You may want flexibility for other aspects, such as accommodation

Flights are expensive, especially if you’re planning on flying in first class, so it makes sense to get a loan to cover this cost. You can pay it off completely in one go, and then just repay the loan in flexible instalments over the course of several months, as you can afford it.

  1. Hotels & Accommodation

Another major expense that will take up a massive part of your budget is, of course, the hotel and other accommodation you may require. Sure, staying in hostels can be fun and exciting if you’re 18 and have a built-in resistance to smells and mysterious foreign substances, but a lot of people will not be willing to sacrifice their comfort, and that is perfectly understandable. 5-star hotels must be experienced at least once in a lifetime, and a holiday loan is the perfect excuse, isn’t it? Just make sure you browse several options to get the best prices.

  1. Car Hire & Travel Guides

You’re probably not going to know how to get around the place you are visiting, which means that you need some help. Now, that help can come in multiple ways, or more accurately, it can be bought. A car hire can go a long way, as having someone to wait for you at the airport and take care of your baggage can save you a lot of stress and anxiety. They’ll just pick you up and drive you wherever you need to go. A travel guide is also an excellent thing to invest in, as they can provide you with tremendous help and information about local sights and culture.

  1. Travel Insurance & Other Expenses

I know you don’t want to think about getting ill or injured on holiday, but unfortunately, that’s something that can happen and something to be prepared for. You do not want to get stuck paying medical bills overseas, especially in countries where they do not have socialised medical care. You can rack up quite the bill for a hospital stay or even just an ambulance ride, so travel insurance can save you all that cash.

What Kind Of Trips Can You Take?

Ok, so holiday loans can actually be pretty helpful! But can you use them for any kind of trip? Where can you go with holiday loans? Here are some suggestions.

Trips With Friends

You don’t need a special occasion to take a fun trip with your group of friends! But what you do need is money to pay for the holiday, especially if it’s a late-night impromptu booking after one too many drinks. Holiday loans can’t help with the hangover you’re going to suffer from the morning after, but they can help cover the costs of this spur-of-the-moment friend trip. Just make sure you take every precaution and stay safe on your exciting adventure. Here is some valuable foreign travel advice.

Trips Abroad

The beauty of travelling is that you don’t need to stick to what you know, and can instead go out and see so many beautiful and special places far away from home. Travelling abroad is always exciting, whether you’re doing it alone or with friends, but it is also more expensive than just a trip around the UK. For once, you need to pay for a flight, and depending on how many tourists your destination attracts, accommodation can be pricy, as well. A holiday loan is the perfect financing solution for a trip like this.

Honeymoon

Congratulations on getting hitched! May you be as happy as you were on your wedding day for the rest of your life! Do you know what comes after marriage? If you said babies, you’re getting ahead of yourself, because the honeymoon comes first. But in order to go on this lovebird holiday, you do need some extra cash, and that may be gone with all the wedding festivities. What do you do? Get a holiday loan!

Gap Year

You’re done with school and heading for university next, and that is a reason to celebrate! However, perhaps you’re not quite ready for more education just yet and would like to take a break. Plenty of students take a gap year to travel, explore the world and get to know themselves, so it’s not at all a bad idea. However, it’s an idea that can require a lot of money, but you know what to do to get it.

All in all, holiday loans can offer a tremendous amount of help with planning holidays and other trips. You don’t always have enough money saved up for an amazing foreign holiday, but a holiday loan is always there to be used, should you need it to cover costs for hotels, flights, or even extra expenses, like insurance. Take a look at the requirements you need to meet and apply as soon as possible. The sooner you get it, the sooner you can leave! Have a safe flight!

How to combat unacceptable behaviour in the workplace

Elliot
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How to combat unacceptable behaviour in the workplace

Bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace has taken centre stage in the news in recent months following the allegations of sexual assault and rape against film producer Harvey Weinstein.

Hollywood has been under the spotlight whilst investigations of sexual harassment are under way. For many people, having Hollywood stars come forward about their experiences of bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace has given other individuals the confidence to come forward about their unfortunate experiences at work.

But just how big is the issue? Badgemaster, retailers of button badges, investigates how pressing the matter of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace is and how we can combat the issue moving forward.

How severe is sexual harassment in the workplace?

Around 14% of people in the workplace have reported sexual harassment in the workplace, with figures significantly higher for women (20%) then for males (7%). One in five women claim to be victims of sexual harassment, with a significant number saying they were targeted by their boss. 12% of male victims said they were targeted by managers, as opposed to 30% of women – and it appears that the younger generation make up the majority. 19% of female victims are aged between 18-34 years old, while 7% of female victims were over 55.

Worryingly, these figures may be an inaccurate representation of reality, with the BBC revealing that two thirds of female victims do not report their sexual harassment to anyone. Likewise, 79% of male victims keep their incidents to themselves. This could be what is pushing many people to leave their job roles as a result. One in 10 women leaves their job as a result of a sexual harassment incident.

Sexual harassment covers a wide spectrum of incidents – from sexual comments and unwanted touching to verbal sexual advances and sexual assault. 12% of victims who had the courage to step forward and report an incident said the incident was not even acknowledged by their company. A further 31% said although their report was acknowledged, no action was taken. Unfortunately, figures reveal that just three in 10 victims said that their offender was given a warning, and just 4% said that their offender was removed from the company.

How to deal with an incident in the workplace

The importance of dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace properly has been highlighted following the uncovering of celebrity victims in Hollywood. HR departments must make it clear that it won’t be tolerated in the workplace. However, HR has been the victim of scrutiny recently.

An employee needs to feel safe, confident and comfortable enough to report an incident to you, knowing that something will be done about it. With such a high rate of acknowledgment and no action taken, you need to make it clear that sexual harassment is unacceptable.

A confidential process is required in every workplace for safeguarding and dealing with complaints. Identifying sexual harassment isn’t always obvious – consider how the actions and words affect the victim. Does it make them feel uncomfortable, hostile or does it offend them? With many victims not reporting incidents themselves, it is important to be able to spot the tell-tale signs of harassment in the workplace.

Obviously, any report needs to be investigated properly and formally, but what happens when the accused it guilty? What should the punishment be? The incident needs to be acknowledged, and action needs to be taken.

According to Avvo, ‘Employers, rather than individuals, are liable for sexual harassment in the workplace. That means if an employer is found guilty of neglecting to stop or prevent sexual harassment, the employer may face court-ordered penalties.’

However, the accused can face penalties from their employer for their actions. Punishments are usually measured on how serious the offensive behaviour was. Penalties range from a warning, demotion, transfer or salary reduction to monitoring, suspension and termination.

Do we have a bullying problem?

Unacceptable behaviour in the workplace includes bullying – and there appears to be an issue in the UK. According to a YouGov poll, 29% of workers have been the victim of workplace bullying – that’s almost every three in every 10 workers, which would equate to 9.1 million of the UK workplace.

Again, women appear to be the most likely victims. 34% of women have experienced workplace bullying as opposed to 23% of men. However, it is the older generation who appears to be the most affected by workplace bullying. 34% of 40-59 year olds are affected.

Worryingly, nearly three quarters of bullying incidents are carried out by a manager. Furthermore, in 2015, the BBC revealed that Acas received over 20,000 calls about harassment and bullying in the workplace during the previous year — with some callers admitting to having suicidal thoughts as a result.

Gender, disability, religion, beliefs, ethnicity and sexual orientation are amongst the most common reasons behind bullying. Women are reported to be 11% more likely to be a victim of bullying, while an Opportunity Now survey reveals that 71% of disabled women have been victims of some kind of workplace abuse or bullying. Additionally, one in five people who identified themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual experienced bullying too.

How to tackle workplace bullying

Further reports by Acas revealed that workplace bullying is costing the UK economy £18 billion a year – which combines sickness-related absences, staff turnover and reduced productivity. Whilst it is clearly significantly costing the UK economy, the effect it has on businesses and employees is also significant.

It is an employer’s responsibility for duty of care and welfare of their employees and that includes the prevention of bullying and harassment. It is also your responsibility to fully investigate a reported incident. A grievance is likely to be filed by the HR department or manager, to which it must be upheld and acknowledged. Worryingly, 99% currently believe that workplace bullying is not dealt with appropriately.

Organisations should have a clear policy set in place in the event of a bullying incident or report – and it should state that it will not be tolerated in the workplace. Staff need to feel confident and comfortable reporting the matter, and it should then go on to be dealt with in a respectful, confidential manner.

Is your business switched on to the smart meter opportunity?

Elliot
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Is your business switched on to the smart meter opportunity?

Smart meters: they’ve been dominating headlines for months (if not years), so you’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t at least heard or read about them.

So far, though, the conversation has primarily been centred on how they can benefit owner-occupiers and renters in the residential sector – but is the opportunity for small businesses to keep tabs on their commercial gas and electricity usage being overlooked?

The smart meter revolution

Firstly, let’s put the rise of the smart meter into context. The government has set electricity and mains gas suppliers the target of making the technology available to every home in England, Scotland and Wales by 2020 – that’s 26 million households in total.

The idea behind this? To phase out imprecise estimated readings in favour of up-to-the-minute digital energy usage recordings, taken by smart meters. These measurements are then sent directly to energy suppliers and used to generate fully accurate bills, based on actual usage.

Homes across the country are already being fitted with smart meters as we speak – but crucially, it’s not just homes that are eligible. Run a small business with fewer than 10 employees? Then, chances are, you’re entitled to a smart meter too. If in doubt, simply ask your energy supplier or broker. If your energy bills are included in the rent you pay for your commercial premises, it’s the bill payer who needs to make the request for your smart meter – so ask your landlord.

What’s in it for my business?

We hear you: accurate energy bills are all well and good, but can getting a smart meter offer any real business benefits above and beyond that? The short answer is yes, and these are just some of them:

  • No nasty surprises

No more projected bills based on estimated readings means no more nasty surprises, which in turn makes managing your overheads a whole lot easier – a big plus for small businesses.

  • Better understanding, smarter usage

Smart meters’ display units are designed to show clearly the correlation between habits and energy usage. Are those 3 o’clock office tea rounds causing a spike in usage as the kettle goes into overdrive? Is your business wasting energy outside of normal working hours because computers are being left on overnight? These are issues a smart meter can help you identify and, more importantly, act on – whether that means investing in a hot water urn or reminding employees to switch off their machines at night. Developing a heightened awareness and understanding of your energy usage also makes you more likely to make smarter money and energy-saving decisions across your business.

  • No more meter readings

Manual meter readings can be disruptive to the working day – but having a smart meter in place eliminates the need for these. It does its thing, you do yours. Simple.

  • Faster response to power cuts

As Britain’s energy network upgrades in line with the mass rollout of smart meters, energy suppliers will be able to respond quicker to power cuts in turn.

  • A 21st-century approach to energy

Smart meters are part of a much bigger picture when it comes to Britain’s future energy supply. Put simply, the long-term plan is to create a fully integrated smart grid linking different hardware, communications and other technologies together in something of an internet for gas and electricity. Smart meters are a crucial step towards this vision, which will eventually serve homes and businesses alike with greener, more efficient, less wasteful and more cost-effective energy.

  • Innovative energy tariffs

Smart meters aren’t just there to give customers a better understanding of their usage; they help suppliers to identify usage patterns too – and it’s this kind of information that suppliers need to develop new, innovative and increasingly competitive tariffs.

OK, I’m convinced. How do I get one?

Good news for time-poor business owners: if you want a smart meter, you barely need lift a finger yourself.  Once you’ve made the initial move of speaking to your energy supplier or broker (or your landlord, in the case of rented premises), here’s what will happen:

  1. Agree a time and day

Provided you’re eligible, your energy supplier will contact you to arrange a time to fit your smart meter. They will work with you to ensure this is a time that works for both parties, and causes minimal disruption to the running of your business

  1. Let your supplier in on installation day

A specially trained installer from your energy supplier will call round at the time you agree to fit your smart meter, so make sure you’re there to let them in

  1. Plug and play

Once they have completed the fitting, your installer will show you and your staff how your new smart meter works, and will be able to answer any questions you may have.

And that’s it! As soon as your smart meter is in, your business can start reaping the benefits.

 Results that speak for themselves

Last but not least, post-installation surveys have shown high levels of satisfaction from customers with smart meters. For example, the Smart Meter Customer Experience Study carried out in August 2017 by the government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy revealed that 80% of those surveyed were satisfied with the technology itself, while 89% were pleased with the installation visit.

Ready to join the smart meter revolution? Talk to your supplier today, or visit www.smartenergygb.org for more information.

Should You Get A Merchant Cash Advance For Your Business?

ABC Staff
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Should You Get A Merchant Cash Advance For Your Business?

Do you want to get a merchant cash advance? If your business is struggling financially, or you could use a small injection of cash, you may be considering this popular financing option, but should you get an advance? According to FSB, 99.3% of companies in the private sector are small businesses, so this issue is probably relevant to a lot of different business owners. There are arguments to be made both for and against, and the best course of action is to carefully consider both sides before making a final decision. Who knows, maybe it’s your ideal solution, or perhaps you are better off with an alternative.

What Is A Merchant Cash Advance?

If you are not familiar with merchant cash advances by now, you should know that they are a financing solution for small to medium businesses. As the name suggests, this is not a typical loan, but an advance, and the difference lies in the terms of the transaction. You can apply and receive money for your business, just like you would with any traditional type of lending.

However, when repayment time comes around, you won’t be repaying in fixed instalments, but in a fixed percentage, according to your sales. In addition, the repayments will be made exclusively from income you make from credit card and debit card transactions. Requirements and documentation include 12 months’ worth of transaction history, as well as a minimum amount in income from credit card and business card transactions.

Should You Get A Merchant Cash Advance For Your Business? Why?

First, let’s consider all the reasons why merchant cash advances may be a good idea for your business. What can they offer you? Are the advantages enough for you to opt for this sort of financing?

The repayment is flexible

The first thing to point out is that the repayment method is quite different from normal loans. Instead of making regular, fixed payments, you pay the money off in a fixed percentage. Every single day, you are going to pay a small percentage of what you make out of transactions with credit cards and debit cards. That means that the amount you repay will actually fluctuate depending on how much you make in a day. You never run the risk of not being able to afford your repayment, because it’s always going to be proportional with the amount you make.

You don’t need to secure it

The other thing that can serve as a major advantage is the fact that there is no real need to secure this money. You do not need to provide any sort of collateral to secure the loan, there is no increased interest rate, and you don’t really need to have good credit. That is because the lender is not in any real danger of losing out on the money you borrow. Since they automatically take the repayments out every day, they have access to your accounts and you cannot default on the loan or skip payments, make them late, etc. The Money Advice Service has more information on the difference between secured and unsecured loans.

Should You Get A Merchant Cash Advance For Your Business? Why Not?

What about disadvantages? What’s negative about merchant cash advances? What should put you off them?

Your business needs to have been operating with credit card transactions for at least 12 months

One factor that may take you out of the running from the very beginning is the fact that in order to be approved for merchant cash advances, your business needs to a) operate with credit card and debit card transactions and b) to have operated with them for at least 12 months. You see, when you apply, you need to provide the lender with the history of these transactions dating back at least 12 months. Based on this, they make an idea on your projected income for the foreseeable future and they can judge how much they can allow you to borrow.

You must make a minimum amount in income from credit card transactions

The other thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that there is a minimum amount you will need to make from these credit card and debit card operations. Because the repayment of the money you borrowed is made exclusively from this income, the lender needs to make sure that you can actually afford to pay it back. Unfortunately, that means enforcing minimum amounts, which can severely limit the selection of businesses that can be approved for this financing solution. This minimum will differ from company to company, though, so do make sure to browse several options before giving up or settling on one.

All in all, whether or not you should get merchant cash advances is a decision best left entirely up to you. There are certainly both pros and cons to consider, and the suitability of this option will depend on what kind of business you have, how it operates, and what your financial needs are. You may consider that other similar options would work better for you, or maybe a business cash advance is exactly what you were looking for. Either way, make sure to take the time to review positives and negatives before making a decision, as well as any alternatives that may fit your criteria.

If you still can’t decide, have a read through the great guide put together by the guys over at Merchant Cash Express They are a trustworthy company based in the UK and offer excellent rates for fast merchant cash advances and there service is free of charge.

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