One in three small businesses ‘would not know how to respond to an IT breach’

One third of small business owners confess that they would not know how to deal with an IT security breach, according to the results of research published by online security provider Kaspersky Lab. The research, which included owners of small businesses such as hairstylists, builders and legal companies, found that 82% thought that they would not be targeted by cyber criminals because they were too small or had nothing worth stealing, despite separate figures indicating that 41% of small companies had been victims of cybercrime in 2013. Four in ten business owners confessed that if they did face a security breach, they would struggle to reclaim all of the data that was lost, and a quarter stated that they would be unable to reclaim any.
To read more about the study, go to:
http://www.kaspersky.co.uk/about/news/business/2014/Heads_in_the_
sand_small_businesses_convinced_a_cyber-attack_will_never_happen_to_them

Special summer offer for Virtual Office

Maylands Business Centre are offering Virtual Office Services at 20% discount for first 3 months – Must be signed up by Friday 29th August.
Never miss another call and get a prestigious business address with your calls answered in your company name by professional receptionists. Messages will be forwarded to you by email immediately after the call has been taken, saving time and ensuring there will be no additional hidden call charges .

Both services include the use of the meeting rooms and franking machine to add further value to your business.
All for the opening price of £48+VAT per month for virtual office. (Normal price will be £60+VAT per month).

Businesses already using our virtual office say:

‘The virtual office is a key enabler of my organisation being both profitable and professional at the same time. With the increase in communication technologies I have been able to run my business from the other side of the world! Working anytime and anywhere safe in the knowledge that a professional team will answer my calls and collect my post. In business it’s all about protecting the bottom line, formal offices can be a significant drain on your resources which impact heavily on profit margins. Lesley and her team provide a first class service, and there is always adequate meeting space when I need it. I wish I had done this years ago’.

‘The virtual office at the business centre has provided a valuable ancillary service to support my growing business. From mail handling to the delivery of goods, the centre takes care of all my deliveries, allowing me to concentrate on the more important activities within my business. The centre’s staff always keep you up to date by email with delivery information and with it’s convenient geographical location and opening hours, makes it easy for collections. The meeting room and cafe also provide a great place to meet your clients face to face and are all available at a reasonable price’.
We also offer mail handling and business address only for the great price of £30+VAT per month.
Please call 01442 531002 or email Lesley.crisp@dacorum.gov.uk for further information on all services.

FSB calls for improved access to high-speed broadband

The latest report from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to improve its efforts to provide small companies in the UK with access to high-speed broadband. According to FSB research, approximately 45,000 small companies still rely on a dial-up Internet connection, and 14% consider  lack of access to high speed broadband to be their main barrier to growth. According to the FSB, current DCMS targets for increasing access to high-speed broadband are not adequate to meet the needs of small companies or to enable the successful implementation of schemes such as Real Time Information (RTI) that require companies to have access to a reliable broadband connection.
Read more about the FSB’s research at:
http://www.fsb.org.uk/News.aspx?loc=pressroom&rec=8677

Enterprise Minister announces streamlining of business support

Business support services contributed by the Department for Business (BIS) are to be consolidated under the GREAT Business brand and website, with projects that fail to deliver value for money facing closure by the end of the year, according to an announcement by Enterprise and Skills Minister Matthew Hancock. Addressing the annual conference of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Mr Hancock stated that  the GREATbusiness.gov.uk website would be enhanced to bring business advice and guidance together in the same place, with a new online tool to enable companies  to locate the most appropriate support. He stated that all the Government’s business support services would be rolled into three clear offers, with the GREAT Business brand sitting alongside UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), covering export help, and the British Business Bank, covering financial support.
To read Mr Hancock’s speech in full, go to:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/federation-of-small-businesses-fsb-summit

“Show Me the Money” – Available Funding & financing to inject Cash & Grow Your Business.

Technology Strategy Board to invest £400 million to encourage innovation

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The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has disclosed that £400 million will be invested in 2014/15 through 88 new funding competitions to encourage innovation. Specific industries being targeted by the funding include energy, healthcare, high-value manufacturing, transport and digital technologies. The TSB has emphasised that smaller companies will still be a key focus, and that it will launch a new UK-wide growth programme for small and medium-sized companies.
To read more about the TSB’s plans go to:
https://www.innovateuk.org/-/-400m-to-fund-growth-of-british-innovation

Online patent renewal service goes live

Renewing a patent is now simpler, quicker and cheaper, after the development of an online patent renewal service. ‘Renew a patent’ went live on 1st July 2014 as part of an Intellectual Property Office (IPO) reform programme to streamline its processes. Commenting on the development, Minister for Intellectual Property, Lord Younger stated: “More than 400,000 patents are renewed every year and more than a quarter of paper submissions have errors. A renewal request can be completed using the new service in under four minutes, saving valuable time and money for both IP specialists and businesses.”
Read more about the new service at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-faster-online-patent-renewal-service-goes-live

Most small firms unaware of fire safety responsibilities

A great number of UK small companies  are not aware of their legal responsibilities under fire safety legislation, according to the results of a 2014 survey carried out by FireUK. Of the 580 small-business owners surveyed, nine out of ten were not aware of their legal responsibility to carry out a fire risk assessment and many didn’t have an appointed person responsible for fire safety. Explanations for the lack of compliance ranged from: “I thought it only applies to big companies” to: “We’ve only got a couple of staff, they’ll get out alright”. Commenting on the results, FireUK spokesperson Mark Hall stated: “There’s a huge blind spot among business owners who don’t know where their responsibilities lie.”
Read more about the survey results at:

Nine out of 10 UK Small Businesses Ignorant of Fire Safety Laws

Low Pay Commission consults on NMW

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has introduced a National Minimum Wage (NMW) consultation. Responses are invited from individuals and associations affected by the NMW, incorporating employers of low-paid workers in sectors such as retail, hospitality, social care, cleaning and hairdressing. The consultation includes issues such as the impact of the NMW during 2013, the anticipated impact of the 3% increase in the adult rate of the NMW, and the 2% increase in the youth and apprentice rates in October 2014, and the specific impact of the NMW on young people. The consultation closes on 26th September 2014.
Read more about the consultation at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/have-your-say-on-the-national-minimum-wage
The consultation document is available at:

“Show Me the Money” – Available Funding & financing to inject Cash & Grow Your Business.

When: Thursday 18th September 2014
Where: Holiday Inn Hemel Hempstead, Breakspear Way, HP2 4UA
Times: 8.00am – 11.00am
Cost: £10.00 plus VAT
Many SME businesses have limited awareness of many of the Government grants, tax rebates and optimal sources of funding available. An R & D tax credit claim alone could deliver an immediate average 80K to your bottom line. HOW2 will help you understand what activities can gain funding and how to maximise & successfully submit your claim across a range of funding schemes.
Successful businesses may sometimes find further growth hampered by a lack of funding. They may also be unaware of the full array of finance options available, from commercial loans to angel investors and everything in between. GrowthAccelerator will show you new ways to source and pitch for investment, helping your business expand, move into new markets and explore new products and services.
To book your place, go to: – http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/dacorum-borough-council-6765528493?s=26179609

For further information please email lisa.devayya@dacorum.gov.uk or telephone 01442 228396