The staycation trend shows no sign of slowing down in the UK and this is for good reason. Obviously, international travel is still a major issue and will be disrupted for some time to come, but many people have also realised that the UK has a huge amount to offer and staycations can be cheaper and easier to plan. As a result, caravan sales have skyrocketed in recent times with over 555,000 in use in the UK and this is something that you could capitalise on financially.

Benefits of Caravans

There are many benefits to owning a static caravan. This can provide you with a second home that could be used to vacation when you please, plus they can be more environmentally friendly than other types of vacations, especially those that involve flying. In a time where many people are looking to reduce their impact, caravan holidays could be a good solution.

Financial Investment For Yourself

A caravan can also be a smart financial investment for yourself. Arranging any kind of vacation or team bonding can be incredibly expensive, particularly when you factor in travel, hotels, food and activities. A static caravan in a park site is a great alternative as these are ideal for couples, families, friends and co-workers and many of these sites will have plenty of options for entertainment and activities.

Having your own holiday home on park sites will benefit your pocket when it comes to sorting out accommodation while providing you with a private space to enjoy.There are also many ways to lower your costs on a caravan holiday. This will include things like getting food and essentials ready before you leave, pre-booking places to eat online and looking for deals on activities in the local area.

For Business

You can also turn caravan ownership into a money-making business. For the times that you are not enjoying the caravan yourself, you could rent it out to holidaymakers and capitalise on the staycation boom. A caravan can also be rented out to other businesses, such as production crews and photographers. Much like property investment, there is also money to be made from working on the caravan and increasing its value before selling it for a tidy profit.

How much money you can make from renting out your caravan will depend on the size of your caravan, the time of year it is being rented and the park where it is located. Typically, you can make around £500 per week and this could be a good passive earner on the side.

A caravan could be a smart investment both in terms of lifestyle and a way to earn money. Essentially, a caravan will provide you with a holiday home that you could use as a getaway for your personal life or for business or it could be used to rent out to holidaymakers for profit.

‘Business Rates – A tax system plagued by apathy’

Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of RVA Surveyors

“Each year, the Government sets aside an estimated £1.5 billion for business rates rebates. That’s a staggering figure but there are two sides to that (very large) coin. One way to view this is that there is a pot ready for businesses to benefit from should their business rates be miscalculated. That is, of course, a positive thing, but the business community should also question why this figure is so high. Just how prevalent is business rates overpayment and how often does a business miss out on a rebate or reduction?

“What we find all too often at RVA Surveyors is that businesses will assume that they are paying the correct business rates for their commercial premises. On the face of it, that’s a reasonable assumption. We are programmed to accept that our tax is calculated based on our circumstances and we very rarely question the accuracy. Some may even assume that they will be notified by the relevant Government department if they are paying too much tax. It is this kind of apathy that makes business rates an archaic and deeply flawed system. Querying your business rates is an unfamiliar, daunting and time consuming process and one that many will avoid. Read on for our guide on business rates and the opportunities (and pitfalls) for businesses.”

How is my business rate calculated?

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which oversees business rates, calculates a property’s rate from its ‘rateable value’, which is based on a property’s open market rental value, its size and its usage. Rateable values are published in the VOA’s ratings list, which have historically been re-evaluated for properties in England and Wales every five years. Having a rateable value for a property should, in theory, create a simple and consistent system. The trouble is that basing a business rate on simple desktop calculations doesn’t take into account the different features of a building that may entitle a business to a lower rate.

How do I know if I am on the correct business rate?

The VOA has a digital system called Check Challenge Appeal through which a business can first Check if their rate is correct, then Challenge if they believe their rate is incorrect and then finally Appeal if the previous steps have been unsuccessful in achieving a reduction. Check Challenge Appeal can be challenging to navigate but, when undertaken by a specialist who can scrutinise the detail and inspect a property, can bring about huge reductions. It is important that businesses don’t take anything for granted with business rates. At RVA Surveyors, we have an 85% success rate when it comes to reducing our clients’ business rates liability, which just shows the prevalence of overpayment.

What happens if my business rate is too high?

If a business undertakes the Check Challenge Appeal process and is found to be overpaying on their business rates, they could be entitled to a rebate for the historic overpayment from the beginning of the current ratings list (2017) and a reduction to the end of this ratings list and beyond.

Will the Valuations Office Agency get in touch with me to check I am on the correct business rate?

No. This is one of the greatest pitfalls of the business rates system. The VOA is held to account through the Check Challenge Appeal process and cases lodged should be managed to strict deadlines, although the VOA is currently very behind and has a backlog of Check Challenge Appeal requests. Neither the VOA or a Local Authority will approach a business to check or reduce their business rates liabilities. The onus is on a business to challenge them.

The Government has moved the ratings period to three years. How will this impact me?

In this year’s Autumn Budget, the Government announced that it will increase the frequency of the new ratings list, moving to more frequent three-yearly valuations. This essentially means that business rates will be recalculated every three years. This move is supposed to ensure that properties are subject to fairer business rates that represent their property and the wider market, but what we have seen in recent years is that the Government can extend or shorten the ratings list whenever they choose. For example, the VOA has amended the ratings lists seven times in recent years. So there is a lot of doubt and uncertainty in the system. There is also a worry that moving a three-yearly valuations could place even greater strain on the VOA, which could exacerbate the issues of overrating and overcharging.

I am due to modify my property. Will this impact my business rates?

Yes. If you make changes to your commercial property, it could impact your rateable value. For instance if you installed air conditioning, built an extension or upgraded the property in some way then your business rates may increase, however depending on the changes you make you can equally reduce them.

For more information on how to reduce your business rates liability, visit https://www.rvasurveyors.com/

Side hustles are more popular than ever. You can earn extra money or try out a different career path with a side hustle. You could work at the local pub on the weekend or launch your own business. You can choose a side hustle that works with your lifestyle and a full-time job.

In the pandemic, thousands of UK workers were furloughed from their roles and left with a lot of spare time at home. Many started a side hustle to fill their time and earn some extra cash in a time of financial uncertainty. Thousands of small businesses launched in 2020 and some of them are still running today. A side hustle can help you fulfil a passion or career goal that your full-time job does not.

Here are a few tips for starting a side hustle.

Make sure you have the time

A side hustle relies on your spare time. You might need to dedicate your time on weekends and evenings to the side hustle. If you don’t have the time available, a side hustle might be more stress than it’s worth. Take a look at your schedule and consider how much spare time you have available. You need time to rest and enjoy your hobbies as well as carry out your full-time job. You could work on your side hustle in the early morning or late at night. Or, it might not be the right time in your life to start a new adventure.

Find something you’re passion about

You need to be interested and passionate about your side hustle. For example, you might be passionate about earning extra money for your wedding day. You need a purpose for the side hustle. You could launch a small business in an industry you adore, from makeup to hiking accessories. When you are tired after working all day, you need a reason to keep working on your side hustle.

Do your research

Once you have an idea for your side hustle, you need to start researching. For example, forex trading is a fantastic side hustle that requires a little research. You need to learn how to trade and the different strategies involved. You can learn as you trade, and research will become a part of your daily hustle routine.

It can improve your quality of life

A side hustle can inject a little passion and excitement back into your life. You can work on something that you truly love instead of just working to pay the bills. Your side hustle could help to improve your mood and quality of life. You just need to fix the right one.

Pick up a side hustle and start earning extra cash.

If your business is staffed entirely by people who were born prior to 1980, then at some point you’re going to run into a problem. Those people might look to retire at some point, and you’ll need new blood to take their place. Moreover, a workforce whose age is skewed too far in one direction is going to lack diversity of thinking, which might prevent you from spotting novel solutions to the problems you face.

All of which are good reasons to try to attract millennials to work for your company.

But millennials aren’t quite as loyal as previous generations. According to statistics gathered by LinkedIn, around six in ten millennials are open to new job opportunities. 43% plan to leave their current job within two years, and only 28% plan to stay longer than five.

Retaining these fickle employees can be a bit of a challenge. So what’s the solution?

Changing Recruitment Methods

Over the years, the way that we track down and approach the right staff has changed. It’s more data-driven than ever. Recruiters need to be tech-savvy if they’re to get the attention of young people, who have been immersed in the internet, for better or worse, since they were born.

It’s important to perform your analysis and move the recruitment process quickly. This means streamlining things, possibly by outsourcing to a dedicated recruitment company. The longer you take to make an offer, the likelier it is that the candidate will have looked elsewhere.

You might also get information about your company into a visual medium that can be consumed quickly. That tends to mean fewer words, or, ideally, a well-produced video.

Advertise Workplace Perks

Millennials aren’t just looking for a salary – they’re looking for a range of workplace perks, too. Flexible working hours, healthcare, working from home privileges, and even things like restaurant vouchers might all make a difference. In the wake of the pandemic, young people are looking for employers that will consider their work-life balance.

If you have the ability to offer these perks, therefore, you should ensure that they’re being properly advertised.

Outline a Career Path

Among the biggest drivers of staff turnover is a lack of vision for the future. If an employee thinks that they’re professionally stagnant, then they’ll look elsewhere. Offering everyone an opportunity to progress in the workplace, through training and internal recruitment for management roles, is therefore critical.

Better Pay

If you pay your staff more, they’ll be more likely to stick around. This cost can often offset that of looking for a new recruit. As well as paying staff more, you might also consider paying them promptly – possibly with the help of dedicated payroll software.

The coronavirus pandemic saw many of us confined to our homes, with everyone encouraged to remain within their four walls for their safety. With a large number ofpeople on furlough or out of work, attention turned to hobbies and pastimes we could do indoors, including home renovations.

Time for renovations

For many people, lockdown at home offered much–needed time to focus on home improvements. Everything from small paint jobs to larger projects like extensions – as a nation, we did it all. However, those less inclined to pick up a paintbrush had to wait until lockdown was over to get professionals to help with their plans. 

If you were fortunate enough to get a tradesperson soon after lockdown – lucky you! However, some unlucky people are still waiting for help in their homes;tradespeople are still wading through a backlog of customers today. As such, if you need the help of a tradesperson, you might be waiting longer than you’d hoped.

The statistics

The Federation of Master Builders revealed that 55% of all respondents to their survey reported increased workloads in the first three months of 2021, particularly in maintenance and improvement disciplines.

Likewise, over a third of those surveyed suggested they were having difficulty hiring bricklayers, carpenters or joiners.

Research suggests that 8% of all vacancies in the UK as of September 2021 were in the construction and trade industry with a higher salary than the national average. After builders, electricians were the most sought-after tradespeople.

This indicates a potentially lucrative business opportunity for individuals with these skills.

Start your own business  

If you’re a tradesperson and you’re employed by someone else, consider going solo. Given that quality trade services are in high demand, there is no better time to get started. 

With an abundance of people needing the help of an electrician, for example, gaining clients should feel easier in the current climate. 

To give your new business the best start possible, you’ll need the right protection and plans. It’s important that before you start any work make sure you get electricians insurance, as you will need to invest a significant amount of money into your materials, tools, and perhaps even a van. Should the worst happen, insurance should cover you for things such as theft and public liability.

What’s more, marketing your business to get your name out there can increase demand for your services even further. Demonstrate to your competitors that you’re serious and win more work so your business remains successful.  

Your first car is one that you’ll always remember. Whether you’re just learning to drive for the first time, or you’ve been handed your full licence and you’re looking for your first car, it’s important to get the decision right. Fortunately, the lower end of the market is enormously competitive, with dozens of manufacturers offering respectable options at this price-point.

Let’s consider a few of the features and factors you’ll want to consider when you’re thinking about how to spend your money.

Size

If you opt for a car that’s too big, then you’ll have difficulty manoeuvring it, and you might find that it’s a struggle to park where you’d like. Of course, you should also have enough space to meet your basic needs, otherwise you might find that you need to replace the car after just a few years. The Vauxhall Corsa is a popular choice for new drivers, in large part thanks to its compromise between size and capacity.

Fuel

Nowadays, you have a lot of choice when it comes to fuel. There are electric vehicles, and more traditional petrol and diesel-powered ones. There are also hybrids, which strike a balance between the two. Think about the fuel economy and resale value when you’re assessing your choice of vehicle.

If you want something greener, then you might be tempted to go electric – but bear in mind that by going second-hand, you’re eliminating the environmental cost of a new car, which might make a traditional diesel the greener choice in the short-term. To cut a long story short: make sure that you’ve done your research.

Avoid Accessories

The infotainment system in your car can vastly improve the driving experience – but it’ll also present you with a little bit of a learning curve. You don’t want to be fiddling around with Bluetooth pairing before you’ve gotten to grips with driving in practice. Driving while distracted can be deadly, so make sure that you take this consideration seriously.

Running Costs

Before you make the purchase, you should have an idea of your overall budget. This shouldn’t just cover the asking price, but the running costs. After all, you don’t want to unknowingly burden yourself long in the future.

Think about the reliability of your purchase, and make sure that you do the research to check what the vehicle’s track record is like. Look at the advertised fuel economy, and calculate how much you’re going to spend, based on your monthly mileage.

Tax and insurance will also make a big difference, especially if you’re a new driver. Your road tax rate will tend to depend on your emissions, which is a good reason to go electric. If you do decide to go electric, then look at the cost of charging facilities at your home, if you don’t have access to electric charging stations nearby.

For a certain kind of professional, Personal Protective Equipment is vitally important. It can help to prevent a life-changing injury, but it can also help to stop chronic conditions from developing, so gradually that you don’t notice them.

Different lines of work will impose different requirements when it comes to personal protective equipment. If you’re working in a factory, you’ll need different PPE to someone working in a construction site.

But the time of year will also have a big influence on what PPE you wear. At wintertime, there are particular risks that make your choice of equipment especially consequential. Let’s take a look at the problem, and see what can be done about it.

Winter Risks

Cold

Let’s start with the most obvious. If it’s cold outside, then workers will need to wrap up warm. This applies especially to fingers, which are more vulnerable to the cold, and which might be required to perform delicate work.

Ice and Rain

We should also worry about the conditions underfoot. Slips and falls account for a sizeable chunk of workplace injuries, and when the ground is icy, the danger is higher. Get around this with an appropriate pair of workboots, with deep treads and steel protective components.

Visibility

During winter, the sunlight is less plentiful, and the daylight hours are fewer. This might make workers more difficult to see. This is especially dangerous when they’re working in places where mechanical hazards are present. Road workers, obviously, should be dressed in high-visibility gear.

Action to Take

Investing in Equipment

Investing in the appropriate PPE for all of your workers will help you to minimise risk. Don’t leave it to workers to make the investment themselves, and make sure that you select a reputable supplier. You’ll find quality PPE suppliers online.What seems like a saving might not be so attractive if it means that you’re cutting corners with safety.

Training Workers

If your workers aren’t trained in the proper use of the PPE, and you don’t have a culture in place where PPE is mandatory, then the level of protection provided is likely to be less than optimal. Don’t leave anything to chance: insist that everyone wears their personal protective equipment, andpunish those who don’t abide by the rules.

Conduct Risk Assessments

Winter is a time of year when acute risks can descend, posing a particular risk to outside workers. Employers should regularly take stock of these risks, and, where appropriate, take action to limit them. For example, if it looks as though a snowstorm is going to descend, or a red warning has been issued, it might be sensible to call a halt to work until the danger has subsided.

It’s important that your business needs and current processes are evaluated on a regular basis in order to identify any issues and snags. This will then give you a decent amount of time to rectify those problems and find the best possible solutions. However, you must also understand the different software solutions available to you and exactly how they work and that’s where intelligent data capture (IDC) comes in.

IDC is an essential part of an automated business strategy as it’ll help to bring your operations into the modern, digital age. But what exactly is IDC, how will it benefit you and how can you go about implementing it effectively? All of those questions will be answered in this article.

What is intelligent data capture?

This is an automated process whereby information contained within crucial documents, both paper and electronic, is meticulously identified and extracted without the need for manual intervention. There are many benefits associated with the implementation of IDC, including saving time, money and resources throughout your business.

Its ‘intelligent’ quality means that it can ‘learn’ some of the most common document types that enter through your system, therefore building a valuable knowledge database. IDC will be able to classify countless numbers of documents, extracting only the key pieces of information, validating it and then inputting that data into your database.

Despite their similarities, IDC is somewhat different from optical character recognition (OCR) as IDC will extract and input information based on your specific business needs and requirements. Although this software is exceptionally advanced, it’s very easy to set up and configure, meaning you could be benefiting from IDC in no time at all.

Cleardata are pleased to offer IDC services to their clients, regardless of the industry you work in. With that in mind, IDC technology will be able to process and extract data from the following document types:

Cleardata have invested in top-of-the-range technology and equipment to ensure all of your documentation is processed as thoroughly and as meticulously as possible. In addition, your documents will be made available to you in a format chosen by yourself, including CDs, memory sticks and online document management. This makes sure you have complete access to an entire catalogue of searchable and editable digital files.

How can intelligent data capture benefit your business?

IDC has been specifically designed to eliminate the need for manual data entry carried out by your workforce. This, firstly, will help to streamline your operations, making them run more efficiently and productively. IDC can automatically input data outlined on a number of different documents, including, but not limited to:

This means that regardless of the industry you work in, you’ll be able to benefit from IDC implementation. Due to IDC improving the speed at which data entry is carried out, you might even be able to reduce your staff numbers or redistribute employees to other parts of the business. It will also enable your workers to focus their time on more pressing tasks as opposed to slow manual inputting of data.

With IDC, you might see double or even triple levels of work output from your colleagues as they’ll have help from an automated system that has been meticulously tailored to your company needs and requirements.

Not only will you save time with the implementation of IDC, you’ll also save money as you won’t have to pay an employee to do the job of this particular type of software – much like with other automation services, such as robotic process automation (RPA), accounts payable automation, sales order processing automation or even invoice exception automation, to name a few (all of which are available through Cleardata).

IDC will also significantly increase the accuracy of the data that’s being entered into the system. When a worker does this manually, a number of errors could occur throughout the process, including issues with misreading information or mistyping data. It’s important that the detail is correct as the consequences could be detrimental, depending on what it is you do.

If you choose to automate your data inputting process using IDC, then this risk diminishes considerably, being close to zero. It will also reduce the risk of you being hit with late fees for numerous things, including late payments or issuing of invoices.

Benefits of IDC in summary

How can intelligent data capture be implemented?

As previously mentioned, if you’re looking to implement IDC to retrieve relevant information from a number of different document types, even if you have an extremely high volume of documentation, then look to Cleardata for those exceptionally accurate, efficient and effective IDC services.

They have a team of highly-skilled professionals who are dedicated to meeting your business needs and expectations every single time. They’ll be able to ensure you’re provided with the essential IDC services you require to keep operations running as smoothly as possible, all without little-to-no manual intervention.

If you would like more information about the IDC services Cleardata are able to provide their clients, get in touch with a member of their specialist team today – they’re always pleased to hear from you.