Real Time Information for your Payroll

Are you preparing for the changes that are looming for your payroll? From April 2013, although for many this will be later, the government are introducing the plans for real time information. This will involve you submitting your payroll payment information as at the actual pay date (e.g. weekly, 4 weekly, monthly etc) and not waiting until the year end. It will also have to include every person you employ, even if you currently do not include them on your payroll due to their circumstances.
The concept is so the real time information can improve the current benefits system.
If you are using Payroll software, such as Sage, then keep an eye out for their news to ensure it is updated to meet the RTI requirements.
For more information, please see the HMRC web site

Sage reporting and tips

Do you have the need to print the same reports each month from Sage? For example for your management information do you print the profit & loss, balance sheet, debtors, trial balance etc?
If so, then look to set up Batch Reporting, where you can select those reports you desire and from one set of selection criteria you will produce all these reports. To set up, go to tools / batch reporting.
Speed up you your inputting on Sage by using the tab and arrow keys, but also the F keys, such as:

• F6 – Repeats the row above
• Shift + F6 - Repeats the row above but adds 1
• F7 – Inserts a row
• F8 –Deletes a row
• F9 – Nets down VAT
• Shift and tab goes back one field

Does it frustrate you that Sage never opens on the screens you desire? Take a look at the Tools / Options and view tab, to specifiy which page opens for the different modules in Sage.
Do you get frustrated by posting a journal the wrong way, then the latest versions have the 'reversal' option.
Do you have customers that are also suppliers and they settle their account using Contra's? See the Tools / Contra's to save some time and confusion.
Other time saving uses of Sage include the use of 'Bank Recurring Entries' and 'Memorise'. You can memorise journals, payments, receipts and even invoice templates that are repetitive for you.

Create a multi step sales process

Much research is telling us that our prospective customers are unlikely to buy from the first or even second time that they touch us. Some research is pointing towards between 5 and 7 touches before the prospect will buy. Obviously this will be different for different sectors, but it does tell us that we can no longer rely on the first or second contact, which is when most people give up.

Our own research tells us that most people give up after one follow up to an initial meeting or telephone conversation. However can we encourage you to have a 'Multi Step Sales Process' to build a relationship with your prospect and respect that they may not be ready to buy immediately.

So firstly have excellent methods of generating leads and the collection of a prospects contact details. Then create a systemised approach to contacting your prospect at least 5 times with information that can help them with their problem or need and ensure that these touches are not solely your sales messages.

The objective of your communications should be to remind them you are here, what you have to offer, how you can solve their problem or reduce their pain and answer their need.

You can use email marketing systems, like our InTouch software, to create Autoresponder campaigns that simply send emails one after each other at a specified time. However remember different people will engage in different ways, so mix up your emails and include direct mail and telephone plus perhaps a face to face meeting to build that relationship and engagement with you.

www.a1-marketing.co.uk

The Oxford Marketing Conference

This years Oxford Marketing Conference in Oxford will be on Tuesday 17th October at Oxford Thames Four Pilllars Hotel. For more information, please see www.oxfordmarketingconference.co.uk 

Marketing at low cost

In the current climate, we are all looking at the best ways to market our business with no direct cost to our budgets. Here are our top 7 ways to market your business on a small budget.

1. Build relationships with your existing customers and network of contacts and ask for business
2. Go networking, but where your ideal customer, or those that also touch them, meets
3. Public speaking to increase your profile with a qualified audience
4. Press coverage by sharing your story, your knowledge, expertise and niche
5. Have an upselling strategy to maximise your customers 'buying mode' at the point of purchase
6. Email more, but not just newsletters, more personal communication and offers
7. Joint ventures with like minded businesses and naturally increase your sales force

www.a1-marketing.co.uk

New A1 Web Sites

We are really pleased to have recently launched new web sites for

A1 Financials www.a1financials.co.uk
A1 First Aid www.a1-first-aid.co.uk
A1 Marketing www.a1-marketing.co.uk

Minimum wage increases

October is the time of year that we see the annual rise in the level of the national minimum wage. This year there is no increase for those aged 16 to 20 years. The 21 year old + rate will increase from £6.08 to £6.19 with effect from 1st October.