Did you know that we can help with these concierge services?

You may know us as the go-to company when you want to relocate to Gibraltar, and for good reason. At Indigo (http://www.indigo.gi), each and every year we help facilitate a move to Gibraltar for many companies, individuals, families and retirees. However, did you know that we can also help with many ad-hoc concierge-style services, both large and small, which can prove very helpful? Here are just a few examples of how we help people once they are here on ‘the Rock’.

Date reminder

It’s hard enough to remember particular dates at the best of times, but when you’ve just completed your move to Gibraltar, you’re likely to have a whole head-full of information that threatens to drown out important dates such as birthdays, anniversaries or company and administrative deadlines. When you have all the new information relating to your move at the forefront of your mind, why not entrust us with reminding you of all those dates that you shouldn’t miss?

Waiting for deliveries

It’s an all too familiar scenario: you’ve placed an order for an important purchase, arranged for it’s delivery and been told the day it will arrive. You stay at home and await the delivery, only to wait in vain as the delivery never arrives. As frustrating as that is at the best of times, it’s downright damaging when you’ve taken time off from your new job in Gibraltar. Fear not, we can wait in for deliveries on your behalf; an invaluable service when you’ve just bought lots of new appliances for your new home, or are waiting for important documents relating to your Gibraltar administration.

Arrange your dinner party

Whether you’ve made new friends which you’d like to get to know better, you need to impress the new boss, or you want to treat the new team from your corporate relocation to Gibraltar, a dinner party is often a great way of doing it. Not only is ‘wining and dining’ people in your own home a generous and thoughtful thing to do, it’s also a great way to network, influence opinion, and sometimes, let’s face it, a chance to show off! Unfortunately, dinner parties also tend to take a lot of time and effort. Why not get the enjoyment (and benefits!) of holding a dinner party without any of the hassle by letting Indigo arrange it all for you? We can plan menus, shop for groceries, even lay on a full catering firm – whatever you need. Whether you tell your guests it was down to us or by your own fair hand is up to you!

Carry out research

Have you ever requested a service from someone and wondered whether you were getting the best deal for you or the most convenient deal for the supplier? You need have none of those worries with us. We can carry out impartial research on your behalf, saving you all the legwork and ensuring you choose the right service for you with no strings attached. For instance, you may need to hire a car in Gibraltar over the medium- or long-term. Instead of asking one firm and getting given one rental deal, we can look into all your options for you and present you with the findings, letting you make the final decision. And that goes for any purchase, deal or booking.

This is just a selection from our comprehensive list of concierge services, and we’re always happy to hear suggestions from our clients about other things we can help with, as well as priding ourselves on our affordable rates. So if you love the idea of having your own concierge in Gibraltar, now you’re settling into your new life, but thought you could never afford one, think again! Find out more details at http://www.indigo.gi.

Editor’s Note: Indigo (http://www.indigo.gi) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

NHS employees covering up mistakes ‘should be prosecuted’

Chairman of the public inquiry into failures at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, Robert Francis QC, recently released his findings after the year-long investigation. In doing so, he called for it to be made a criminal offence for NHS staff to hide information about poor standards of care, in news that will interest clients of Employee Management Ltd’s (http://www.employeemanagement.co.uk) human resource consultants in related sectors.

As part of 290 recommendations that Francis published in his report into an inquiry that found failures in leadership and culture, he said that prosecution should also be faced by health care staff failing to adhere to basic standards that lead to death or serious harm, declaring that a change of culture was needed in the health service to “make sure that patients come first”.

He proposed a code of conduct for senior NHS managers, with disqualification the consequence for code breaches, as well as a statutory obligation for a duty of candour among doctors and nurses, to encourage openness with patients about errors.

Francis said that as a result of poor personnel and leadership policies, some wards in Stafford offered “a completely inadequate standard of nursing”. “Appalling” levels of care at the hospital had already been uncovered in previous reviews, which established that the period between 2005 and 2008 saw between 400 and 1,200 more deaths than would have been expected.

Other recommended changes that may interest HR outsourcing clients included an increased focus on compassion in the recruiting, training and education of nurses, as well as all clinical staff being subjected to regular competence checks.

Dean Royales, director of NHS Employers, commented: “As a result of the inquiry all NHS organisations will be taking a hard look at their core HR approaches, and working on organisational development plans that will collectively affect the lives of the 1.3 million NHS employees and the millions of people who use our services each week.”

“This is going to be a major test of our HR community. But if we get it right we can turn what is undoubtedly a tragedy into an opportunity for exceptional staff engagement, driving improvement in patient safety, patient experience and patient outcomes that would be a fitting tribute to those who suffered.”

The news comes as new research of interest to many HR support clients was released by the CIPD, showing that only 21 per cent of employees in the public sector trusted their senior leaders and a mere 29 per cent were actively engaged – with only a third of workers having satisfaction with their ability to voice their concerns.

Such results suggest that public sector employers have a real need for robust whistle-blowing policies and procedures, as well as managers who are trained in their implementation and upkeep and staff members who feel confident in using them to report relevant issues in good faith. These are processes that the employment law specialists at Employee Management Ltd (http://www.employeemanagement.co.uk) have a strong track record of assisting in.

Editor’s Note: Employee Management Ltd (http://www.employeemanagement.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

It’s the end of the year... Self Assessment time!

We’re into December now, which is a time that many non-clients of our accountants London dread. No, we’re not talking about Christmas present shopping and beating the scrum for the Boxing Day sales, but instead the obligatory Self Assessment tax return, for which the online submission deadline is 31^st January. Freelancer Accounting (http://www.freelanceraccounting.com) gives you access to well-qualified tax and accounting experts who can assist you with your return.

It is, though, very helpful to have some pointers as to the basic Self Assessment process, even before you get in touch with us – and irrespective of whether you are a company director, a sole trader business such as a plasterer or plumber, or even an employee who pays tax at a higher rate. Once you’re familiar with the basic steps, you might then wish to contact our contractor accountants for the most recent tax advice and the peace of mind of knowing that such an important tax return has been completed correctly in readiness for submission. Our Self Assessment tax return services are available at a competitive fixed price.

Prior to registration, you will naturally need to determine whether it is necessary for you to submit a Self Assessment tax return at all. But presuming that you’re a freelancer, the short answer to that question is “yes”, as this type of tax return is generally applicable for anyone whose income is not taxed “at source”. For this year’s submission deadline, you should have registered by 5^th October, with penalties to pay for those who missed it. In return for registering, you will get a Unique Taxpayer Reference Number (or UTR Number) and will not need to register again each year.

On-time and accurate Self Assessment is so important, which is why our accountants for freelancers would always urge you to properly organise your financial records – as tedious as this may seem – in order to avoid headaches further down the line. Timing is also obviously important, with conventional wisdom dictating that you should not leave your Self Assessment tax return until the day of the deadline. By submitting earlier, you’ll know your amount of owed tax earlier, so you’ll be able to plan ahead all the sooner. A failure to submit your return on time means an instant £100 fine, which can easily increase if you continue to delay.

The good news is that if you have prepared well, the actual final completion of the Self Assessment tax submission form shouldn’t be that arduous. It should simply be a case of logging into HMRC Online services with your username and password before working your way through the form with your records to hand. But if you are still in doubt about anything, feel free to contact the small business accountants here at Freelancer Accounting (http://www.freelanceraccounting.com) for prompt, professional and informed advice.

Editor’s Note: Freelancer Accounting (http://www.freelanceraccounting.com) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.ervi

Inject some elegance into your wardrobe for less

Luxury fashion boutique NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) has gained a reputation for creating high-end yet affordable pieces which boast an easy elegance and timeless quality but that also tap into key current trends. Now, and for a limited time only, it’s the ideal time to inject some of this luxe elegance into your wardrobe for less, thanks to the NARCISS January sale.

With Spring/Summer season months away yet, our wardrobes still very much reflect a Fall/Winter feel. What’s great about this time of year is that we get to update our winter wardrobes with highly desirable pieces while making great savings. The January sale at NARCISS’ online fashion boutique is one of the first places to hit for the discerning fashion lover, with up to 30% off NARCISS’ Fall/Winter 2012 line.

Let’s look at just a few examples of some of the sought-after items currently on sale* at NARCISS. One of the hottest trends of 2012 was the cape: anyone who was anyone added this armless cocoon of a winter cover-up to their Fall/Winter must-haves. The Pawn Cape created by the London fashion designer behind the NARCISS brand, Alise Trautmane, was predictably a best seller, and now you can snap up this gorgeous on-trend item for a 30% reduction, now available for £387.

NARCISS is particularly known for prominently featuring silk in its collections. The Juliette blouse is a perfect example of how beautifully and creatively Alise uses silk in her designs. Fine, 100% silk is used in the back and flowing sleeves of this minimalistic yet chic off-white blouse, now available at a 30% reduction, making it just £207 in the January sale.

Designer skirts are also included in the NARCISS sale, for instance the gorgeous Matilda Sun Ray skirt is now just £144. Tapping into the skater skirt trend, this design somehow manages to be both flirty and hard-edged, thanks to it’s full and flippy shape and easy movement, as well as its ink-black colour and darkly satin sheen.

This is the perfect time to upscale your wardrobe to include some highly desirable luxury pieces at surprisingly affordable prices. But hurry: high fashion with this level of luxe at these prices are, unsurprisingly, selling fast. Find the boutique at http://www.shopnarciss.com.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Storage clearance: an invaluable service in a thriving industry

Do you ever wish that you had more room at home to store all of your stuff? Plenty of people feel this way, which helps to explain why self-storage companies have become so popular in recent years. These firms serve both domestic clients and businesses, helping to store everything from furniture and electrical appliances to memorabilia and important documents. However, before too long, many of these companies and individuals find themselves needing to turn to a specialist in junk removal in London, such as Just-Clear (http://www.just-clear.co.uk).

Whether you run a self-storage company and have a default storage unit on which you need to recoup your losses, or you are an individual with a storage unit that needs to be cleared partly or in full, Just-Clear provides environmentally friendly, efficient and well-priced storage clearance services.

For example, if you are an individual who would like to have your storage unit partially or fully cleared out, you will appreciate our work in making the storage clearance process as simple as possible. You can arrange to meet a two-man fleet team at your storage unit, or you may not want to be present at all, instead simply leaving us to do our work.

No matter how bulky, old or unconventional your items are, we’ll be able to get rid of them for you in the most appropriate manner. As a self-storage firm, you can benefit from a full inventory report and RICS valuation for the storage unit’s contents. We can have any valuable items transported to a related auction house, so that they can be sold on your behalf. The junk that remains can also be cleared, being recycled rather than merely sent to landfill.

We are Government licensed waste recycling specialists. This means that as one of our clients, you will receive a detailed environmental and hazardous junk report, disclosing not only the junk that has been removed but also the recycling facility to which it was taken and the percentage recycled. Keeping track of such information allows us to calculate the carbon that you have saved, which, if you are a company, is useful information for your own CSR (corporate social responsibility) reports.

With more and more people using self-storage services to accommodate their stuff that is otherwise overwhelming them at home or work, it’s helpful to know of a company, Just-Clear (http://www.just-clear.co.uk) that has real expertise in this area. We’re determined to help you to get rid of your household junk, and also offer the complete services in office clearance – so why wait any longer to get in touch with us?

Editor’s Note: Just-Clear (http://www.just-clear.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Scrap Metal Dealers Bill passes successfully through Parliament

Proposed legislation for the licensing of scrap metal dealers by local authorities, which also closes a loophole that means that itinerant scrap metal traders can continue trading with cash, has received final approval in Parliament. The news will interest many clients of Collect and Recycle’s (http://www.collectandrecycle.com) scrap metal recycling services.

The Scrap Metal Dealers Bill completed its third reading in the House of Lords earlier this week, and now awaits Royal Assent. The Lords had their final chance to make alterations to the Bill in this third reading, but chose not to make any amendments. With agreement on the Bill’s text therefore having been reached by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, it will be known as the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2012-2013 after receiving Royal Assent.

Although it is not yet known when this will happen, it is thought likely to occur ahead of the summer, with the regulations set in the Act potentially becoming active by the autumn. The Bill’s measures include giving councils the authority to issue, revoke or suspend licences to trade in scrap metal. Meanwhile, the Environment Agency will have responsibility for maintaining a register of all of the UK’s licensed scrap dealers, which will also be publicly available.

Having first been tabled by Conservative backbench MP Richard Ottoway in the form of a Private Members Bill – a type that does not often traditionally make it into the statute book – the Scrap Metal Dealers Bill received sufficient support from the Home Office and opposition MPs to pass through Parliament.

Mr Ottoway commented after the Bill’s third reading in the House of Lords: “Today marks a significant victory for communities throughout the country. For too long they have provided rich feeding grounds for opportunistic thieves who know they can get rid of stolen metals at rogue or negligent scrap yards.

“Metal theft is no petty crime. It hits at the heart of our daily lives – grinding trains to a halt, cutting off power supplies to hospitals and other lifelines, stripping roofs off churches and schools at huge public expense.”

The news about the impending regulatory changes for aluminium and copper recycling was also welcomed by the body representing the UK’s councils, the Local Government Association (LGA). Councillor Mehboob Khan, chairman of the LGA's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, described it as “excellent news for councils up and down the country who have suffered at the hands of unscrupulous metal thieves.”

Meanwhile, the representatives of the UK’s scrap metal recyclers at British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) also welcomed the Bill’s passage through Parliament, as BMRA director general Ian Hetherington reasserted the importance of the reforms quickly becoming law.

As a fully licensed waste carrier, here at Collect and Recycle (http://www.collectandrecycle.com), we also completely support the anticipated passage of the Bill into law. Customers of our own copper and aluminium recycling services are assured that our practices always remain fully in compliance with the latest legislation.

Editor’s Note: Collect and Recycle (http://www.collectandrecycle.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

A selection of cleaning chemicals available to buy from SilverBulletSupplies

Serving businesses and individual customers alike, SilverBulletSupplies (http://www.silverbulletsupplies.com) has an impeccable reputation for its supply of the most suitable wholesale cleaning supplies. Among its many consumables product ranges that encompass the likes of gloves, paper, dispensers and more, the store is especially popular for its no-nonsense cleaning chemicals. Here is an outline of some of the best.

Envirological Clear Strong Washing Up Liquid

Completely designed and manufactured in Britain, this washing up liquid can be depended on to cut through even the thickest amounts of grease and grime, helping in the swift cleaning of the most soiled pots and pans. Not only is it effective in its role as a cleaning chemical, but it also fits in with the increasing urgency among businesses to be socially and environmentally responsible, as it has been made from entirely renewable resources.

Envirological Liquid Hand Soap

Customers can buy three litres of this stuff, in six goes of 500ml. This product also lives up to the environmentally-friendly credentials of the Envirological brand, as it is a liquid hand soap that is vegetable based and biodegradable. It is also pH neutral, contains no phosphates and has not been tested on animals. This hand soap’s appealing and wholly natural perfume gives browsers just one more reason to put it on their shopping lists when they are next shopping for chemical cleaning supplies.

Evolution Potwash Detergent

This detergent is highly concentrated and certainly has a strong reputation as a means of thoroughly cleaning a great volume of cutlery, crockery, pots and pans. It is a product that efficiently cuts through even dried-on soiling when washing by hand, and it helps that it can even be used in a dispenser system.

Auto Kleen Car Shampoo & Wax

It goes without saying that if a customer owns a car or their business involves the washing of cars, they'll want a vehicle's true colour and lustrous shine to be shown off to full advantage at all times. Car washing, though, can admittedly be a chore - or at least, that was the case until the arrival of high performing, 'all in one' cleaning and waxing solutions like the latest Car Shampoo & Wax that Auto Kleen has devised. It can be trusted to eliminate even light to medium atmospheric soiling.

Cleenol Thick Bleach

SilverBulletSupplies' enviable reputation as a provider of top quality, but great value janitorial supplies rests largely on the presence in its product range of such highly effective bleaches as this one. It is highly viscous and clings to surfaces in a way that soon removes even the most stubborn soiling.

With such renowned cleaning chemicals on sale as these, it shouldn't be so surprising that SilverBulletSupplies (http://www.silverbulletsupplies.com) has such a strong following among the widest range of clients. Visit the website now for a wider introduction to the current product range.

Editor’s Note: SilverBulletSupplies (http://www.silverbulletsupplies.com) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

What makes Booker the perfect place to buy fruit wholesale?

Helping you maximise your profits is really important to us, and one of the things that we have done to ensure this is to have great price points across our wholesale offering. We are constantly working to offer the best products from across our extensive range of fresh fruit & veg, including:

·         Soft fruit like bananas, strawberries and peaches

·         Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges and pink grapefruit

·         Fruit juices such as orange juice and tomato juice

·         Canned fruit, including mandarin orange segments, pineapple slices and prunes

·         Dried fruit, including raisins, sultanas and mixed fruit

·         Fruit pie fillings, such as blackcurrant or strawberry

Central to our fruit wholesale offering is our own fresh fruit & veg range, Farm Fresh. We allow you to purchase from a broad range of fresh fruit and vegetables, sourced direct from the farmer. As a matter of fact, the journey to one of our branches, or our online ordering service, after the fruit has been picked takes just 24 hours. It’s all part of our commitment to ensuring that your catering and retail customers experience only the finest quality fresh produce, time after time.

As we know that our catering and retail clients appreciate value as well as quality and service, the Farm Fresh selection is also about outstanding prices. To that end, to suit the unique needs of your customers and business, you are able to bulk buy in a choice of small, medium or large pack sizes. These varying pack sizes are ideal to suit the needs of any business, big or small.

With the UK wholesale service from Booker (http://www.booker.co.uk), caterers and retailers do not have to commit to large packs of wholesale fruit that are unlikely to be purchased, which can harm profit margins. It all means that your own customers can find the best fruit prices with you, however committed they end up being to that ‘5 a day’ New Year resolution!

Caravans – A Trip Down Memory Lane

We love caravans. Our love of used touring caravans is, of course, shared by our customers. At Albion Caravans (http://www.albioncaravans.co.uk/) we also have a passion for caravan nostalgia and suspect many of our customers do too. So on today’s blog we thought take a little trip down memory lane and look at some of the many reasons that caravans have become part of our national psyche.

Classic, vintage and retro caravans are great. Richard Hammond from BBCs “Top Gear” motoring show is such a fan he has written a book on the subject, whilst the BBC´s documentary “Caravans: a British Love Affair” which told the story of caravanning from the 1950s, was watched by millions. Caravanning is definitely part of the UK’s history and it reflects our identity; it’s very much a part of our story whether we are post-war baby boomers, those with firsthand experience of those times or kids today that just want the adventure of a holiday in a caravan.

After the brutality of world war 2 and the austerity of rationing, money was scarce but the new found sense of freedom was palpable and the caravan embodied everything post war families craved: affordable holidays, the freedom to travel and the comfort and security of a mobile home used purely for leisure. Even the concept of leisure had novelty.  It was a time shortly after great conflict and for many great sorrow. So the concept for affordable travel, purely for pleasure was, understandably, seized with both hands.

It is interesting to note, however, that buying used touring caravans today still gives you that sense of freedom. We can’t compare today with the 1950’s without remembering those who fought for the pursuit of honour and of freedom, but with talk of double and even triple dip recessions, and with the real impact on the pocket of rising food, transport and fuel prices, not to mention tax, the lack of affordable credit, and the general tightening of belts across the nation, the caravan stands proud as a symbol of freedom, and of respite from the daily grind. And if you don’t already own one you should seriously consider doing so, because you will have the key to affordable escapism, affordable access to all that our beautiful island has to offer and, if you wish, affordable access to far flung places across Europe and beyond.

The caravan is important, and at Albion Caravans we are keen to pass on our passion. The people that come to us to upgrade or replace their existing caravan already know the feeling it gives you to own your own piece of heaven, but for all of those that don’t yet know, come and visit us online at Albion Caravans (http://www.albioncaravans.co.uk/) or visit us in person. Either way we’ll share our passion with you.

A Brief History of The Light Bulb

Lighting has certainly come a long way. Energy saving, long lasting solutions such as those in our range of LED light bulbs are becoming commonplace and its all too easy to take the ubiquitous light bulb for granted. At Ryness (http://www.ryness.co.uk/) we thought we’d pay homage to such a vital piece of everyday life by taking a look at the history of the humble light bulb.

As suppliers of LED light bulbs, as well as many other lighting solutions, we owe a debt of gratitude to the early pioneers. The history of light bulbs can be traced back to the early 1800s, before which lighting consisted primarily of candles, oil lanterns and gas lamps. These were of course, highly dangerous and after a series of terrible mining accidents caused by naked flame lighting, Humphry Davy invented the Davy Lamp in which the flame was protected from the general atmosphere behind gauze and glass. It saved many lives. A talented chemist, Humphry Davy also started work on an early incandescent light source. Using a high power battery to induce current between two charcoal strips, he created the first arc lamp. It was hugely expensive, and therefore not scalable, but it showed what could be done.

The first attempt to make an actual incandescent light bulb came in 1820 when Warren De La Rue enclosed a platinum coil in an evacuated tube and passed an electric current through it. Perhaps understandably the use of platinum made it very, very expensive to produce. From then the race to produce an affordable, reliable bulb was on. The breakthrough came when Edison and Swan, independently of each other, produced a carbon fiber filament. It still only glowed for 12 hours or so. Practical changes were made to the filament and the use of osmium and tantalum gave improvements, though the frustration remained that a brighter bulb meant a shorter life span.

The incandescent bulb we all recognize came about when General Electric invented the ductile tungsten filament with tensile strength greater than steel, a very bright glow and a long life span. That was in 1910 and not a lot changed for nigh-on 100 years. The invention of LED light bulbs in their current form has been attributed to Philips Electronics in 2009 and was hailed as a real game changer.

We at Ryness (http://www.ryness.co.uk/) certainly think so. The benefits of LED light bulbs are obvious. A much longer life, the average incandescent bulb lasts 1000 hours whilst a, LED bulb 25,000, and much lower energy use; up to 90%. So we’ve certainly come a long way from naked flames and oil lamps! And now we have a new leap forward in the form of the energy saving, long life LED light bulbs. Ryness can’t take the credit for inventing the light bulb, but we can take credit for our great range, exceptional customer service, and low, low prices.

Why should you choose an independent personal shopper?

If you’ve given yourself a few moments to peruse the Shikkuu Guides (http://www.shikkuuguides.com) website, you’ll have hopefully got a basic grasp of what our personal shoppers do. Essentially, in conjunction with our other services like personal styling, make up lessons and wardrobe reviews, our personal shopper in London will work hard to ensure that your wardrobe is firmly 2013, albeit tailored to how you truly want to look, by giving you the complete and well-prepared retail tour of London.

There is, however, another obvious contender in the personal shopper stakes...the personal shopper who is tied to a particular high street store. This is how high street stores have responded to the phenomenon of independent personal shopper services in London, like ours, and taking advantage of this new option is certainly tempting, especially if you have a particular favourite store. However, we would at least give you several caveats before you go for this option.

Firstly, the most obvious point: a high street personal shopper is firmly motivated by the interests of their employer. That means that it is in their interests to get you to spend as much as possible in that given store, and you’ll have probably guessed that this doesn’t necessarily exactly correspond with your own interests. Such a personal shopper is therefore likely to be very familiar with the store’s own ranges, even possibly pairing together the same items for you as they did for their last few clients – who may have had very different requirements to you.

This may mean you come out of the experience with an outfit that may look good enough in isolation, but which isn’t really the perfect match to your own needs or what you might have been hoping for. After all, when you’re spending money not only on a personal shopper but also potentially on a style advisor in London, you’ll want every detail to be perfect. If a particular outfit isn’t quite right, you’ll want your personal shopper to be sufficiently independent to suggest that you look elsewhere first.

This naturally brings us onto the advantages of choosing an independent personal shopper to give you your fashion makeover. Here at Shikkuu Guides, our personal shoppers are perfectly trained to hunt out the clothes and accessories that are an exact match to you and your personal style – and lifestyle. We fully consider such aspects as your body shape, personality, daily lifestyle and, of course, budget. Above all else, we pay attention to your own sense of style, never selecting outfits that you are not comfortable with wearing. Nor are you obliged to spend a single penny if you don’t want to – the affordable fee aside.

Of course, it would be remiss of us to suggest that personal shopper services in London with connections to high stores do not have their benefits. They do – but we’re also confident that you’ll find an independent, tailored service like that of Shikkuu Guides (http://www.shikkuuguides.com) to be the superior option.

Editor’s Note: Shikkuu Guides (http://www.shikkuuguides.com) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

ONS YouTube video shows state of self-employed labour market

A little more light has recently been shed on the state of self-employment in the UK, at least for the users of a certain popular video-sharing service. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has posted a video on YouTube detailing the composition of the self-employed labour market in statistics, charts and graphs, and it may make interesting watching for clients of Sherwin Currid’s (http://www.sherwincurrid.com) tax accountants in Surrey.

This is the first video that ONS has uploaded relating to the self-employed labour market, and in many ways, it simply confirms many people’s preconceptions of the subject. It shows that 70% of the self-employed are male, as well as that they generally work longer hours than those who are employed in a more traditional ‘9 to 5’. Over the course of its 3 minutes, the video draws comparisons to this 25 million-strong employed population, considering how, since 2008, there has been a change in the number of people working for themselves.

The office states in the video that there has been a historic rise in self-employment in recent years “against a backdrop of a falling numbers of employees.” The rise has gained pace over the years, with the 36 months from 2008 seeing 147,000 people enter self-employment – compared to the 219,000 new self-employed workers in just 12 months from 2011 to 2012. This is another change that has been largely attributed to men.

Other information to come to light in the video for anyone considering a small business accountant in Surrey is the fact that the self-employed are more numerous in London than anywhere else, as well as that nearly six in 10 self-employed people use their own house in “some form” for carrying out their work.

One thing that the video does not touch on is whether such a huge boost in self-employment is down to widespread redundancies among the employed workforce since the beginning of the economic slowdown. It is widely thought to be the case that many of those who have lost, or struggled to gain employment have turned to freelancing as a way to return to work in a labour market of ever-increasing flexibility.

Here at Sherwin Currid (http://www.sherwincurrid.com), we can give both the new and established self-employed access to the most suitable and best-qualified accountants in Woking and Surrey for the handling of their accounting and tax affairs. With contractor and freelancer accountancy services that encompass annual accounts, the Corporation Tax return, telephone support, limited company formation and more, the company’s accountants can ease the transition to self-employment, in addition to making life easier for long-time freelance professionals.

Editor’s Note: Sherwin Currid (http://www.sherwincurrid.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Don't Miss the Woodturning Masterclass with Jimmy Clewes

Although The ToolPost (http://www.toolpost.co.uk) goes a long way to assisting enthusiastic woodturners and carvers with the development of their skills by providing the best quality and most affordable woodturning tools, it's rare that one gets the opportunity to learn from a true master, in person. Well, that is precisely the opportunity that is now being presented to The ToolPost’s clients, with internationally-renowned woodturner Jimmy Clewes set to run a limited series of masterclasses.   

And these classes really are "limited", with Jimmy stopping by at The ToolPost training facility in Didcot, Oxfordshire to give just four days of two-day classes, on 12th/13th and 14th/15th November 2013. With a maximum of only four students allowed per course, places are expected to sell out quickly for classes with this charismatic and in-demand woodturning specialist. Jimmy has long believed that personal tutelage is easily the best way to learn, so The ToolPost customers will not want to miss out.

Those who are already aware of Jimmy's work will know the depth of his tooling and design knowhow and the other skills, such as his woodfinishing, that have won him success across the world. Many are already familiar with him from his highly acclaimed and bestselling range of DVDs, beginning with Turnaround with Jimmy Clewes, which sold thousands of copies. This was followed by a series of 3-box set DVDs, including Turn it On with Jimmy Clewes, Turn it Up with Jimmy Clewes and Turning the World with Jimmy Clewes which were overwhelmingly popular with woodturners of all abilities. He has also released a single 2-hour High Definition DVD, Back to Basics with Jimmy Clewes.

It is through these DVDs that users of woodturning tools across the world have been introduced to some of the most effective of using their equipment, as well as to the witty and charming British humour that has helped to make Jimmy such an admired member of the woodturning fraternity. He now has more than two decades of woodturning and woodworking experience and is on the Register of Professional Woodturners here in the United Kingdom, in addition to being a member of the American Association of Woodturners in his recently-adoptive home country.

Known for his highly creative mind, Jimmy admits to being greatly inspired by the beauty of nature that he encounters as an avid sportsman and adventurer. However, in many ways, it is simply other people that most drive him, commenting that "my energy comes from those around me. When I can stir the creativity of one’s mind, that for me is very satisfying. As with any artform, expression is only as limited as one’s mind and I want to 'raise the bar' and create an awareness of the artform that has been virtually unknown to most people."

Now, he is making one of his increasingly rare returns 'home' as a freelance woodturning demonstrator and teacher, and The ToolPost (http://www.toolpost.co.uk) is delighted to have him. Masterclasses are priced at £396 per student, and places can be booked by phoning +44 (0)1235 511101 or emailing peter@toolpost.co.uk.

Editor’s Note: The Toolpost (http://www.toolpost.co.uk) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Online portfolio tips

If you have a website and you’re in any kind of creative industry—be it a photographer or a kitchen designer/fitter—a good portfolio is crucial. This article provides six bits of advice on making a good online portfolio.

Restrict the main points to one page

A good CV should never be more than two pages in length; similarly, a good portfolio should be clear and concise and if possible kept to a single web page. Include a selection of your work, contact details (see point 5) and a brief summary of you. Include your name, email, top-level qualifications such as Degrees, Masters and PhDs and a short summary of yourself. This should be two to three sentences that summerise your background, experience and ethos.

Use your own domain name

Having your own domain has several advantages; potential clients will always take someone more seriously if they have their own domain name rather than a subdomain of a free hosting company. Furthermore, having your own domain name allows you to have your.name@yourdomain.com which again looks more professional. If you don’t trade under a business name register a domain based on your name. Hosting and domain registration is so cheap nowadays that it’s worth a bit of money a year to have that professional edge.

Don’t assume the visitor has knowledge of your trade

Don’t be overly technical and avoid jargon associated with your industry. Potential clients may not be technically minded, they may know what end product they want but not know (or care) what was used to create them. For example, (in my own industry) a potential client may not be familiar with PHP and MySQL but they’ll know the terms eCommerce and Content Management Systems if that’s what they’re after. Advertising your experience in services and techniques opens you up to a much wider market.

Give them something to take away

If you follow point 1 you’ll only have given your portfolio visitor a teaser of the work you can do. Create a PDF that details the services you offer and make it downloadable from the main site. Such a document is useful to mail to anyone that shows interest in your work.

Make it easy to get in touch

Include as many channels of contact as you can. Ideally, email, online form, telephone, mobile phone and address. You don’t want to put off the less-technically minded who prefer to use phones over the computers to contact people.

Have a portfolio-only/portfolio-centric website

Don’t dilute or confuse your messaging by mixing your portfolio into an existing website. If you already have a site and want to incorporate a standalone portfolio into it consider setting up a subdomain.

About Tim Bennett

Tim Bennett is a web designer and developer from Leeds, England. After graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University with a First Class Honours Degree in Computing, he went on to work in both private and public sectors. After developing all web content for a small Internet Marketing agency in Yorkshire he went on to set up his own company, Texelate, offering web design in leeds. For more information visit www.texelate.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1274 621113.