Bibby Financial Services reports that a supportive spouse is very helpful in making a business owner successful, but there are some problems.
38% of business owners’ partners think that working on weekends is normal and acceptable and 44% of spouses say that the business owner getting home late is their usual expectation.
Spouses contribute about £72 billion each year to the UK economy by helping their partner, providing 230 million unpaid hours of work monthly.
81% of small business proprietors have their work incorporated into their home life, with 45% working while watching TV, 27% working while eating, and 10% working in bed.
52% of business owners think that it is acceptable to sacrifice time with family and friends if required to do so for business reasons. However, only 18% of their spouses agree with that.
49% think that spending less time with their spouse is ok if required, but only 14% of their spouses agree with that.
40% of business owner think it is ok not to take an annual holiday if business demands their presence, but only 12% of spouses are happy with that. When they do go on holiday, 33% of business owners take work with them.
24% of spouses say that excessive work focus causes arguments and 29% say that lack of help around the house creates problems.
87% of spouses are regularly disappointed by their business owner partners regarding social activities and they say that their partners average 10 hours a day of work while claiming only to work between 6 and 9 hours a day.
So the spouses of business owners make a valuable contribution to their success but there are areas of contention.
We assist the profitable running of businesses with our UK Online Business Directory, which has 1.6 million businesses listed, by providing them with qualified prospects at no cost.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The UK is now the most advanced digital nation, based on usage
An Ofcom international comparison study found that:
Regarding how much time UK internet users spend online, we are now number two, with fourteen hours a week online, an increase of 6.5 hours a week since 2004, the largest increase in the survey.
With the level of online advertising, the UK was top of the survey, with 19% of all UK advertising now being spent on the web.
25% of UK residents now have a broadband connection.
There are now nearly one million mobile online users and the coverage for faster mobile broadband speeds is best in the UK, of all the countries surveyed.
The Government has announced the development of a Digital Britain Plan - an analysis of the digital economy in the UK, to ensure that the current lead over other countries is not lost. In addition, the UK Government this week announced the cutting of the VAT we pay on goods and services purchased from 17.5% to 15% for the next year.
So the digital aspect of the UK economy is strong, despite the otherwise depressed financial circumstances.
Small businesses who are having a difficult time, with reduced credit and extended payment periods from larger businesses, are in a competitive position when it comes to digital marketing.
Google Ads have the same format for all businesses regardless of their size and financial clout. So while larger businesses may have a larger advertising budget, their smaller competitors can run online marketing very profitably.
We assist with our Online UK Local Search Business Directory, which has 1.6 million businesses listed, most of which are small businesses, by sending them qualified prospects without cost.
Regarding how much time UK internet users spend online, we are now number two, with fourteen hours a week online, an increase of 6.5 hours a week since 2004, the largest increase in the survey.
With the level of online advertising, the UK was top of the survey, with 19% of all UK advertising now being spent on the web.
25% of UK residents now have a broadband connection.
There are now nearly one million mobile online users and the coverage for faster mobile broadband speeds is best in the UK, of all the countries surveyed.
The Government has announced the development of a Digital Britain Plan - an analysis of the digital economy in the UK, to ensure that the current lead over other countries is not lost. In addition, the UK Government this week announced the cutting of the VAT we pay on goods and services purchased from 17.5% to 15% for the next year.
So the digital aspect of the UK economy is strong, despite the otherwise depressed financial circumstances.
Small businesses who are having a difficult time, with reduced credit and extended payment periods from larger businesses, are in a competitive position when it comes to digital marketing.
Google Ads have the same format for all businesses regardless of their size and financial clout. So while larger businesses may have a larger advertising budget, their smaller competitors can run online marketing very profitably.
We assist with our Online UK Local Search Business Directory, which has 1.6 million businesses listed, most of which are small businesses, by sending them qualified prospects without cost.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
UK small businesses are a vitally important component of economic activity
As the world wide credit crisis continues, the prediction for UK unemployment is now 2 million, the highest figure for 17 years.
There are now 4.3 million UK firms with less than 10 employees, which are 95% of all UK businesses. Less than 40% of these are registered for VAT, and they have turnover of less than £50,000 per annum.
14% of the total work force is self employed and it’s estimated that 25% will be self employed by 2020.
Self employment is important in an ageing workforce since someone who is made redundant at age 45 has only a one in 10 chance of finding a new job.
There are 400,000 new start-ups in the UK each year and 85% of those start ups will survive the critical first two years of trading.
These small businesses have the twin problems at this time of reduced credit being available to them and extended payment terms being enforced by larger companies.
Small businesses have the advantage of being much more worker friendly than their bigger company competitors. In the UK, in larger businesses, £24 billion is lost just in resolving in house corporate conflict each year.
We are helping with our UK Online Business Directory, which has 1.6 million businesses listed, the bulk of which are small businesses; by sending them qualified prospects, at no cost to them.
There are now 4.3 million UK firms with less than 10 employees, which are 95% of all UK businesses. Less than 40% of these are registered for VAT, and they have turnover of less than £50,000 per annum.
14% of the total work force is self employed and it’s estimated that 25% will be self employed by 2020.
Self employment is important in an ageing workforce since someone who is made redundant at age 45 has only a one in 10 chance of finding a new job.
There are 400,000 new start-ups in the UK each year and 85% of those start ups will survive the critical first two years of trading.
These small businesses have the twin problems at this time of reduced credit being available to them and extended payment terms being enforced by larger companies.
Small businesses have the advantage of being much more worker friendly than their bigger company competitors. In the UK, in larger businesses, £24 billion is lost just in resolving in house corporate conflict each year.
We are helping with our UK Online Business Directory, which has 1.6 million businesses listed, the bulk of which are small businesses; by sending them qualified prospects, at no cost to them.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
UK consumers increasingly are using Comparison Shopping Engines to get the best price
E-consultancy and DoubleClick report that 43% of retailers say that the proportion of online sales coming through Comparison Shopping Engines has increased in the last 12 months, to 10% of their online sales from these sources.
400 E-consultancy users took part in an online survey about Comparison Shopping Engines during a three-week period in August and September 2008.
The research found that Google Shopping /Google Base is the most commonly used comparison engine, utilised by 63% of retailers.
21% of retailers are not currently using any comparison engines and 16% use just one comparison site.
59% of companies are not using online market places such as Amazon or eBay to sell their products.
29% said that they used their own tracking tools to track sales results from Comparison Shopping Engines, 24% use third party tools and 11% use CSE tracking. 32% use a combination of these methods.
Most manage their Comparison Shopping Engine feeds themselves, 13% use specialist companies and 13% use agencies.
Millions of pounds are now being spent by consumers using Comparison Shopping Engines and many businesses are not taking full advantage of this facility.
This is an example of how online tools can expand businesses that are up to speed with what can be done.
Our UK Online Business Directory, with 1.6 million businesses listed, also helps, with qualified prospects being provided, with zero cost for the business.
400 E-consultancy users took part in an online survey about Comparison Shopping Engines during a three-week period in August and September 2008.
The research found that Google Shopping /Google Base is the most commonly used comparison engine, utilised by 63% of retailers.
21% of retailers are not currently using any comparison engines and 16% use just one comparison site.
59% of companies are not using online market places such as Amazon or eBay to sell their products.
29% said that they used their own tracking tools to track sales results from Comparison Shopping Engines, 24% use third party tools and 11% use CSE tracking. 32% use a combination of these methods.
Most manage their Comparison Shopping Engine feeds themselves, 13% use specialist companies and 13% use agencies.
Millions of pounds are now being spent by consumers using Comparison Shopping Engines and many businesses are not taking full advantage of this facility.
This is an example of how online tools can expand businesses that are up to speed with what can be done.
Our UK Online Business Directory, with 1.6 million businesses listed, also helps, with qualified prospects being provided, with zero cost for the business.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
UK online consumer spending slows due to the depressed economic conditions
The IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index reports that growth in online shopping in September 2008 was 14%, a reduction of the growth figure of 73.2% in September 2007.
This growth figure was the third month in a row that failed to reach 20% growth; however growth did occur in clothing, footwear and accessories which were up 24% on September 2007.
Alcohol, gifts and electrical appliances also showed an increase in spending.
The e-Retail Index agrees with UK payments association Apacs, which predicts Christmas spending will grow by 15% over last Christmas.
Department store chain Debenhams yesterday released sales figures for the year to 30 August, 2008, showing its online sales are up by more than 60 per cent to £42m.
The share of Debenhams total sales made over the web increased from 1.1% in the previous year to 1.8% over the period, and online visitors grew by 52% to more than 43 million.
So even though the growth rate of online sales is substantially down on the previous year, considering the general economic gloom being reported daily in the media, any growth is impressive.
Our UK Online Local Search Business Directory, which has 1.6 million businesses listed, is taking advantage of the movement of consumers to spending online, and we provide the prospects to the businesses listed with no cost to them.
This growth figure was the third month in a row that failed to reach 20% growth; however growth did occur in clothing, footwear and accessories which were up 24% on September 2007.
Alcohol, gifts and electrical appliances also showed an increase in spending.
The e-Retail Index agrees with UK payments association Apacs, which predicts Christmas spending will grow by 15% over last Christmas.
Department store chain Debenhams yesterday released sales figures for the year to 30 August, 2008, showing its online sales are up by more than 60 per cent to £42m.
The share of Debenhams total sales made over the web increased from 1.1% in the previous year to 1.8% over the period, and online visitors grew by 52% to more than 43 million.
So even though the growth rate of online sales is substantially down on the previous year, considering the general economic gloom being reported daily in the media, any growth is impressive.
Our UK Online Local Search Business Directory, which has 1.6 million businesses listed, is taking advantage of the movement of consumers to spending online, and we provide the prospects to the businesses listed with no cost to them.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
UK small businesses lead the field in green energy investment
Vivid Economics and new Energy Finance conducted research for the oil company Shell, and they report that the UK is leading Europe in the race for green energy investment to contain climate change.
The global market for low carbon technology will be worth £2 trillion by 2030, comparable to major commodities such as wheat and steel today.
In 2007 UK firms attracted £1 billion of venture capital and private equity investment for renewable energy projects and technologies, twice that of any other European country and 41 per cent of the EU total.
UK firms in the marine technology field attracted almost £80 million of private equity investment, and in the solar field almost £48 million.
Britain's green technology market has the potential to grow by 30% a year up to 2020.
The UK is second only to the US for investment in green small businesses and 2007 was a record year for investment in sustainable energy, attracting total global investment of £74 billion, up from £50 billion in 2006.
The greening of energy is both very fashionable and profitable and UK small businesses are taking advantage of the opportunities that are available.
We are assisting them with our UK Business Local Search Directory, which has 1.6 million businesses listed, the bulk of which are small businesses, by delivering qualified prospects to them, at no cost.
The global market for low carbon technology will be worth £2 trillion by 2030, comparable to major commodities such as wheat and steel today.
In 2007 UK firms attracted £1 billion of venture capital and private equity investment for renewable energy projects and technologies, twice that of any other European country and 41 per cent of the EU total.
UK firms in the marine technology field attracted almost £80 million of private equity investment, and in the solar field almost £48 million.
Britain's green technology market has the potential to grow by 30% a year up to 2020.
The UK is second only to the US for investment in green small businesses and 2007 was a record year for investment in sustainable energy, attracting total global investment of £74 billion, up from £50 billion in 2006.
The greening of energy is both very fashionable and profitable and UK small businesses are taking advantage of the opportunities that are available.
We are assisting them with our UK Business Local Search Directory, which has 1.6 million businesses listed, the bulk of which are small businesses, by delivering qualified prospects to them, at no cost.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
UK online advertising supports the total advertising market
The Internet Advertising Bureau reports that in the first six months of 2008, £1.7 billion was spent in the UK on online advertising, an increase of online market share to 19% of the total market.
Total advertising spending would have dropped 4.6% without the online advertising contribution. Online advertising spending was £1,600 million in the six months to 30 June, a 21% increase on the first six months in 2007.
TV, press, outdoor and radio had reductions in advertising spending. The total advertising market was £8,900 million, a reduction of .7% for the six months compared to the same period last year.
Online advertising increased by £348 million compared with the same period in 2007. Online advertising increased its market share by four points to 19%. Total press display advertising had a market share of 19.3% and TV had 21.7%.
Paid search grew by 28% over the previous first half period, an amount of £981 million in the first half of 2008, with its market share up from 57.8% to 58.3%.
Online display advertising increased by 16.3% over the previous year’s first half to £333.8 million. There was a 36% increase in spending on banners, rich media and video.
In display advertising spending Technology had 17.3% market share, Finance 11.9%, Entertainment & Media 10.7% and Recruitment 9.9%.
Internet classifieds grew by 30.2% over the previous first half, an amount of £361 million as recruitment, property, automotive and small ads moved to online from print classifieds, which declined 10% compared to the previous first half.
31.6 million people in the UK are now online. The online usage now reflects the demographic make-up of the UK, with a 52% being male and 48% female.
21% of internet users are 25 to 34 years and the over 50’s make up 30% of total time spend online.
So online advertising is taking market share from traditional media on an ongoing basis.
Our UK Online Business Directory, with 1.6 million businesses listed, is part of this movement, and provides qualified prospects to the businesses, with no cost for them.
Total advertising spending would have dropped 4.6% without the online advertising contribution. Online advertising spending was £1,600 million in the six months to 30 June, a 21% increase on the first six months in 2007.
TV, press, outdoor and radio had reductions in advertising spending. The total advertising market was £8,900 million, a reduction of .7% for the six months compared to the same period last year.
Online advertising increased by £348 million compared with the same period in 2007. Online advertising increased its market share by four points to 19%. Total press display advertising had a market share of 19.3% and TV had 21.7%.
Paid search grew by 28% over the previous first half period, an amount of £981 million in the first half of 2008, with its market share up from 57.8% to 58.3%.
Online display advertising increased by 16.3% over the previous year’s first half to £333.8 million. There was a 36% increase in spending on banners, rich media and video.
In display advertising spending Technology had 17.3% market share, Finance 11.9%, Entertainment & Media 10.7% and Recruitment 9.9%.
Internet classifieds grew by 30.2% over the previous first half, an amount of £361 million as recruitment, property, automotive and small ads moved to online from print classifieds, which declined 10% compared to the previous first half.
31.6 million people in the UK are now online. The online usage now reflects the demographic make-up of the UK, with a 52% being male and 48% female.
21% of internet users are 25 to 34 years and the over 50’s make up 30% of total time spend online.
So online advertising is taking market share from traditional media on an ongoing basis.
Our UK Online Business Directory, with 1.6 million businesses listed, is part of this movement, and provides qualified prospects to the businesses, with no cost for them.
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