1. Dark side.tv
FEBRUARY
2012
ww
w. the The Power of Th
Three!
At
Last!
Some
Bright
ideas!
Inside this issue:
Selling up! Part 3 (of 5)
Worthwhile PR Strategy
Cash Flow Tool Kit
Hello from Lloyds
BRANDING FOR YOU MORE, MORE, MORE!
• Professional Presenter • New Client Launches
• Online Video • Free Training Resources
• Professional Director • Serious Stuff (Clare!)
• SSG Client Discount • Silly stuff from SSG

3. EDITOR’S NOTE
25
A trickle of positive news is beginning to filter
Ever So Serious
through to increased placement values.
A little more money is being made by most.
CLARE
More of our Client Ventures are interested in building
a team over the next year or so & quite a few are
advises you to
actively seeking Employees right now.
More applicants to SSG are citing money as the Roll The Dice
reason that they want to work for themselves, rather
than being fed up working for someone else (a sure
sign that Recruiters are billing more than they were).
-see page 25-
Inflation is coming down, whilst interest rates are
set to remain very, very low well into 2013.
The rise in Unemployment has slowed down. Time to Gamble!
Fair enough – all of that good news is true but do any
of you feel like taking it easy?
Are any of you so confident that you are planning a
Regular Stuff
big summer holiday?
Anyone bought a new car recently? 5 Hello from Lloyds
It seems to us that although things are easier, things 8
Today’s
Frustration!
ain’t easy. Specials
This is not yet the time to start cracking open bottles
9 Something New
of Bubbly or booking a round of golf every Friday 16 Gill & Year Ends
afternoon.
But it does seem the time to start to think about the 18 Vikki explains P&L 4 A VAT Inspector Calls
future though.
25 Clare & Headcounts 6 Challenge the Tax Man
One day, another Lehman Brother’s style recession
will come along and we all need to prepare a little 17 Cash Flow Tool Kit
better this time I guess.
There are only a few things that you can do to
insulate yourself against a volatile economy – you can
Odds & Ends
build your Company and sell your business. Features
You can diversify your placement fees into
14 Economy Update
opportunities outside of your core business or you
can start saving as if you know that a recession is 15 10 Finding a Buyer
coming around again!
Ye Olde Catalogue
24 13 Never Ending Launch
Whatever is best for you, let’s all be real to the fact Pops Pantry
that apathy is not an option.
26 20 Training Resources
Need Help?
None of us can afford to sit around hoping that the 21 Worthwhile PR Strategy
worst is behind us.
The recent recession may be almost over but just like
London Buses, there is always a another recession
on its way!
info@ the-darkside.tv
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3

4. An Inspector Calls!
KNOCK KNOCK....
It doesn’t matter what you do, at some Therefore, periodically HM Customs and
point we all have to face the “dreaded VAT Excise would like to visit to check how you
Man” knocking on our door. keep those records and that you calculate
your VAT correctly.
Funnily enough, those few words seem to
scare people into hiding under a large box They are not there to find “extra” money
and desperately hoping that he stops that the tax man can grab from you - if
knocking on the door & leaves you in they do find any errors they will request
peace! payment for any under paid tax.
In reality, a VAT inspection is far less However, with the backing of the SSG He’s not this cool when the VAT man comes
daunting than it seems. They don’t just Services you know that the VAT collected knocking on SSG’s door
turn up at your door unannounced from your clients is correctly accounted
WHAT’S A VISIT ‘LIKE’?
together with a scary clipboard. for and included in the VAT figures that we
provide. The visit would generally last between a
In fact (& don’t laugh!) some of the
few hours to a day depending on your size
inspectors are even nice! - offering them You also know that we keep your books
and any findings they make.
unlimited tea and biscuits seems to and records here in a professional manner
lighten the mood too. so any paper work provided to us is easily The day would start with a brief
found to back up any reclaims for VAT background chat. Expect to be asked
WHAT DO THEY WANT TO SEE?
questions like :
But they are not only there to check up on
As you know, you keep VAT records you.
yourself and complete your own VAT What market are you in?
return (all within the services provided by They will also offer advice, answer any
What is your annual turnover?
SSG). queries you have and generally try and
assist you in calculating your VAT Who are your regular clients?
The vast majority of businesses will correctly.
complete correct VAT returns, pay the What goods/services do you
correct amount and generally be “above PREPARING FOR A VISIT provide?
board”.
As previously mentioned the inspector How do you account for VAT?
will want to check your books and records.
However, not all businesses are this
How are your Sales invoices
honest. In effect they want to look at the raised?
information that we produce and keep
here at SSG. What accounts procedures do you
have in place?
If you have a visit, SSG will provide the
information ready for the inspection in an What are your regular purchases?
organised format so you do not have to
worry about where information is.
HMRC will request amongst other things
the following which SSG currently hold for
you:
Bank statements
VAT workings
Sales invoices listing
Sales Invoices
Purchase Invoices
We will also be available on the day to
provide any further information that is
Some Inspectors are quite nice really requested. Be careful when filing any returns
4

5. The aim of this is to enable the inspector TIME TO PANIC?
to get a feeling of what your business
does, how you do it and whether you have Not at all!
relevant experience or have systems in
place (like SSG) to ensure that you All these things may sound daunting.
calculate VAT returns correctly.
There may even be questions that you
Once this is completed they will then cannot answer on the day.
move on to checking a sample of
transactions (both sales and purchases) to But don’t panic.
ensure that the correct VAT is being paid
to HMRC. Once complete, the inspector will leave
and put in writing any findings they made
This will consist of checking randomly and any outstanding queries for you to
selected entries in the VAT workings to the answer.
relevant paper work.
And as always, do not forget SSG are with
So, for example - they may see a sales you all the way to make the inspection as
invoice in a particular quarter’s VAT hassle-free as it possibly can be.
workings and ask to see the sales Invoice.
If you want to chat, just give me a call –
They may follow this through to see the Darren Hulbert 01442 200 961 – we are
payment of this invoice (either bank here to help!
statement or factoring account).
Feb
2012
BLAST OFF!
Never an easy market
of course, but this Super
Hospitality & Catering
Star Recruiter has
almost 10yrs of
serious experience in
the market.Traditionally
Temp-based, the
occasional Perm
fee ought to make
the daily grind
seem worth it!
Market is Eastern
Home Counties
For more info, contact:
clare@supportservicesgroup.tv
Would you crack under the
interrogation? Feb
2012
BLAST OFF!
Finally they will look at the returns Anyone familiar with the
submitted and look at what they would
Construction CIS Work
Construction Sector
expect to see filed and look for differences will know that all CIS
related work creates
to what you have submitted.
particular cash flow
problems for any new
They would then seek explanations as to business, but with
why there are differences. the help of SSG our
talented recruiter
has a great
So, say you submitted a return that had chance to compete.
£1,000 in the VAT reclaimed on purchases East Midlands and
(box 4) but in the box where you declare all Temp!
cost of purchases (box 7) there was only For more info, contact:
£500 they would ask why your VAT was clare@supportservicesgroup.tv
higher than the net purchase costs.
5

6. ‘Duff Up The Tax Man’
Taxpayers Urged to Challenge
the Tax Man!
As an individual faced with a WHEN TO CHALLENGE?
Self-assessment Late Payment fine from
the Tax Man, the tendency is to cough up The latest cases resulting in defeat for the
& shut up, but the latest advice is to Speak HMRC have revolved around
Up and Man Up! circumstances where the Revenue have
been found to have acted as
In recent weeks, HM Revenue & Customs ‘unreasonable’ or ‘misleading’ or to put
(HMRC) has LOST a series of court cases it another way, where the HMRC have not
involving late filing of individual’s Tax acted ‘fairly’ or ‘in good conscience’.
Returns.
For example, if you post your return on
As SSG keep banging on, as individuals we time but it actually gets delivered after
all need to file our tax returns each year & the filing date, it has been ruled that it is Time to
you have two key dates to meet to avoid wrong for HMRC to impose a late filing ‘Man Up’
any issues – depending on whether you penalty.
want to physically send a paper version of There is no question that the general
your tax return or just do it via the Another example involves individuals economic climate has precipitated an
internet: overzealous attitude amongst some tax
who freely admit that they failed to send
offices and common sense has gone out
their tax returns to HMRC on time but did
October 31st – this is the deadline to file not receive a reminder to do so for of the window in an effort to bump up the
a PAPER return & revenues coffers through the imposition
months after the deadline had passed &
of fines.
therefore they incurred additional fines
January 31st – this is the deadline to file (interest etc)!
on-line. WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES?
Other examples cite the cases of honest
However, new tax rules brought in this tax payers simply making a mistake on So, if you are just lazy & therefore late in
year allows our mates down at HMRC to their returns (which were then filed ON filing your tax return, you will
automatically issue a £100 to anyone who TIME) but were penalised anyway because automatically be fined the standard £100.
fails to meet the January 31st deadline - & of ‘inaccuracies’.
apparently, there are millions of us out Fact.
there who fall under this catch-all system.
If you haven’t filed a proper return within
Even if you actually owe NO TAX, you will 3 months of the due date, then additional
now still get this £100 fine if you file a late DAILY penalties of an extra £10 will be
tax return. added to your fine.
The experts estimate that this new system
This daily £10 will top-out at a maximum
will earn the tax man an extra £90,000,000
of £900.
this year.
Money that will no doubt be spent Late filing your
subsidising the bonus payment at failing Tax Return
banks owned by the tax payer....
Anyway, the point is that these very same +
experts are now advising self-assessment
taxpayers (like you and me) to challenge Daily penalties
HMRC if we are not 100% certain that we
have failed to do what we needed to do.
=
“Not another date to remember You do the maths!
- I can just about recall the Mrs’
No need to dance to their tune! (or do your Tax Return!)
Birthday!”
6

7. After 6 months of failing to file, you will £25-30,000 £30,000 Basic
then incur a penalty of 5% of any tax due
(or £300 – whichever is the greater Linked In Guru! 50% Equity
amount).
After another 6 months (taking you to 12
months late) you will face another 5% (or
£300) plus interest of 3% on the total!
Fit to fill these Spec’s? Recruitment Consultant
Super Geek Required! Time to get started?
Herts Based We are looking for a couple of very special
individuals. Recruiters who want to own
If you are reading this advert, you surely
their own business. Fee Earners who want
must know what we do here at Support
to do something more than make money
Services Group? So, let me save some ink
for someone else. Motivated Recruitment
and assume that you know what a bunch
The Easy Solution! Consultants with the very special talent of
of great guys we are & how friendly,
being able to motivate others. This is both
determined and entrepreneurial everyone
a job (with a good salary) & a business
at SSG is – blah, blah, blah!
WHAT TO DO? opportunity (you will own 50% of the
You will certainly know that we are based business). Tremendous.
in great offices in beautiful Berkhamsted
(near Hemel Hempstead) and that we are • £30,000 basic + Commission.
File on time is the glib answer of • 50% Ownership in the Company.
course. very lucky to be successful, innovative and
without internal hierarchy. Well, our next • Any Recruitment Sector.
great move is to employ a Linked In • Unique backing & Support.
If you don’t file on time & you do superstar to help us develop and deliver a Based out of a wonderful office in Herts
receive a fine, be honest and consider if comprehensive Linked In strategy. (Berkhamsted) you will work alongside a
you feel that you have been treated in driven group of people with extraordinary
Every single Client that we have and every
an ‘unreasonable’ way or ‘unfairly’, then talents and enjoy access to all of the tools
additional Budding Entrepreneur that we
get in contact with us and we will let that anyone needs to be successful. Truly.
help to launch a new business is going to
you know if we think you have a case. have to face the reality of Linked In and The goal is to generate sufficient
Social Media. With the amount of money, placement income to build a team of
Whatever you do, the advice is to no effort and hard work applied every recruiters around you and to create
working day to the issue of candidate something special. Tricky.
longer just do as you are told when the tax
procurement, it is obvious that we need to
man issues his fines, but to look at what be 100% on-top of the latest cyber moves. You can work in whatever market you have
they are demanding & ask yourself ‘is this But we want more... experience within – temp’, perm’ interim,
fair’? contract across any sector. Access to job
• Candidate Procurement Strategy. boards, recruitment software, vacancies,
• Database Development. credit checking facilities, recruitment
Feb • Client Relationship Management. training, on-line testing facilities and so on
• Embedded Video & Broadcast. is guaranteed. Is there anything else that
2012
BLAST OFF! In developing for both SSG and for all of
our Client’s a detailed, pragmatic and cost
you think that you need? Tasty!
Your business partner has ‘been there,
Let’s Play Doctors & Nurses
The Healthcare effective solution to making the most of done it & got the T Shirt’ but is also the first
Locum market may Linked In, you will then need to have the to recognise that this is your time – your
appear scary these days flair, interest and charisma to deliver this opportunity. You do your job and our job is
(with all the Public Sector great work – in a useful and friendly way to to ensure that you have every possible
uncertainty & legislation) a diverse range of recruiters working in advantage to help you to grow your
but it is a market well
many different sectors. business.
known to SSG & also to
our duo of Recruiters! This is an opportunity to be the SSG This ought to be very exciting. You ought
SSG need to Expert! A Super-Geek with Flair! It will be to enjoy the challenge and be desperate to
provide special help with
fun, hard work and very rewarding. The get started. You need to be ‘ready’. You
Candidate Attraction
via the Trade Press position is open to anyone who can do the must be determined, full of self
(Staff Nurse) but job – from recent Graduate to deprecating humour and currently living
in this Candidate led Returning-Mum to disaffected Recruiter. If within commutable distance of the
industry, there isn’t you think you can do the job and want it – Berkhamsted office.
much point in trading then apply!
without the raw product! Jump on the ‘phone and start talking about
Come on guys – take the challenge! what you want to with your career.
For more info, contact:
clare@supportservicesgroup.tv David Jones David Jones
07967 562 847 (8am – 9pm) 07967 562 847 (8am – 9pm)
X
7

8. Accountants charge to do stuff for you in the what you expect Accounts to say, tell
same way that any one charges for what you or ‘mean’.
they do.
How the hell would I know?
How can they claim that they are special
because their service will save you money? Aren’t you supposed to tell us that Mr.
Accountant?
Any ‘professional’ can claim that can’t they?
So as I see it, the first thing an
A plumber saved you cash because he fixed Accountant does is charge too much
a leak before the pipe burst and a and the second thing an Accountant
ACCOUNTS AND ACCOUNTANTS!
hairdresser saves you money by cutting your does is to ask you what they need to
hair before it grows so long that you start do.
buying jumpers with ‘funny’ pictures
cleverly knitted into the design. This whole scam makes me think a
little more kindly of ‘Fat Dave’ (you
remember Fat Dave?
He accidentally plasters Cats behind
joists when working for pensioners).
Just for a change, two things are really Although Fat Dave charges way too
hacking me off at the moment now: much, he doesn’t ask you what he
needs to do or how to do it (although
Accounts &
perhaps he should).
Accountants
Of course, my gripes about
I am reliably informed that an Accountant
Accountants go way beyond this little
exists to not only ‘do’ your accounts but also
snapshot or irritation!
to save you money by ‘doing’ your accounts.
Don’t get me started on how long they
The theory goes (I am told) that whatever an
keep you waiting!
Accountant charges, you ought to be able to
see how they have saved you more money There ought to be a special
than they cost you. dispensation from the tax man for late
submission known as the ‘My
Apparently, if they charge you £500 for
Accountant never gets back to me’
something or other, then you should be able
clause...
to forensically trace where that £500 was
recouped through their brilliance. We haven’t so much as lost a Son, more So, how do you nail an Accountant?
In other words, an Accountant should be gained an ‘Accountant’
Rule 1:
able to ‘add’ something to your wealth!
Any twit can claim to save their clients
Always pay a fixed price for anything
money!
that he does for you.
That just misses the whole point of
Never pay ‘by the hour’ because the
anything.
most simple task will subsequently
A service is something that you need, not take him hours!
something that you buy because the Rule 2:
provider claims it will save you money (or
not). Visit one Accountant to help you to
define what you need before you
So, that’s the first thing about instruct another Accountant with
Accountants which just doesn’t add-up what you actually want them to do!
(done it again – did you see what I did
that time?!). Rule 3:
“Almost finished with your Accounts
now Mr Jones” The second stupid thing about Never let a Family member marry an
Accountants is what they always ask you Accountant.
(Did you see what I did there with the word about your ‘accounts’:
‘add’? – I used the word ‘add’ when talking All simple stuff really, but I guess that
about an Accountant, because Accountants ‘What would you like your accounts to what you need me for – to point out
‘add’ things up. show you?’ OR the bleeding obvious.
‘What would you like to see in your Of course, that mob at SSG will
So, by using the word ‘add’ when talking
Accounts’ OR probably just suggest that if you have
about an Accountant I made it seem like the
‘any issues’ with your Accounts or what
word ‘add’ was something to do with them,
‘What will you use your Accounts for?’ you might need an Accountant to do
as Accountants).
for you, just get in touch with that
First things first then – that all seems You know what I mean – an Accountant Darren Hulbert geezer (01442 200
rubbish to me. who produces accounts wants to know 961).
8

9. Something New
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professionally presented video!
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effective as text SEO, why not simply production.
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whilst generating a real buzz across all SSG will create either a text link (e.g.
social media? <Click Here to find out more>) or upload WHO TO CALL?
an Image or Icon anywhere you decide on
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO? your web site (just as SSG has on our To book your Recording Date, please
www.SSG-PhD.tv home page – see our contact either Clare Armstrong on 01442
It’s easy & quick! mini Clapper Board). 200 957 or David Jones on 01442 200 944.
9

10. Selling a Business - Part 3


Regular readers of The Dark Side will This really means that Chubby must find
know that we are trying to provide an the wit & wisdom to produce an
Quite often, the production of an IM
overview of the basics involved in Information Memorandum – which is
would be the responsibility of the Sales
understanding how to sell a really the ‘CV’ of the Company and then
Broker (your ‘intermediary’), but of
recruitment business. approach sales brokers who specialise in
course the production of any IM comes
the recruitment sector.
at a price.
Part 1 (November 2011) examined ‘the
basics’ whilst January 2012 (Part 2) An Information Memorandum:
Obviously, the price of an IM can vary
looked a little more closely at how to
but it is likely to be thousands and
‘groom’ a business for a sale. An Information Memorandum (‘IM’) is the
require a lot of intellectual effort from
Company CV – it is a really significant
Chubby and his colleagues – records,
Well, let the excitement continue as we document detailing the history of the
analysis, conjecture & objectivity.
now look at how one might actually find Company, the biographies of the people
a buyer for the business. employed by the Company, the
It might be tempting to try and skimp
processes relied upon by the Company,
on the cost of your IM but maybe a
Please try to contain your enthusiasm the detailed financials and other
longer term view would be more helpful
until the end of the article – I wouldn’t information that might be useful to a
– pay a couple of thousand pounds
want you to get too worked up. potential buyer.
extra now which might generate a sale
worth hundreds of thousands of
Oh, and before I forget – please don’t Of course, a good IM ought to present the
pounds extra in a few months!
forget that you can access any of the positives of the business but in an
Sometime, the old sales adage of ‘you
articles generated through TDS so far via objective and reliable format.
get what you pay for’ is true!
the web site (www.the- There is no point in ‘exaggerating’ any
darkside.tv/recenteditions.htm) - but you successes as any subsequent due
probably already knew that. diligence process would immediately Sales Brokers:
highlight any such ‘exaggerations’. Let’s be clear, there are a number of
Anyway, to recap: different ways to sell your business.
It is serious document which would
Our hero (‘Chubby’) has built his typically NOT be something that Chubby These different routes can range from
recruitment business into a healthy & would put together himself. simply listing your business with a Sales
profitable (£300,000 p.a.) venture Organisation (e.g. a firm like Avondale -
employing 12 Recruiters from a single www.avondale-group.co.uk ) or using a
office location. highly respected Recruitment Specialist
(e.g. like John Bissell at LBA
Chubby worked hard getting the right www.lba-info.co.uk) or by approaching
advice and spent some considerable time a well-to-do mainstream Accounting
‘grooming’ his business (i.e. looking Firm (such as Smith & Williamson -
carefully at all aspects of Commercial, http://www.smith.williamson.co.uk/).
Legal and Financial Due Diligence) and
now hopes to secure a sale based on a All have differing methods for
multiple of the profits (i.e. a sale price generating interest in potential buyers
generated as a Price Earning (PE) and charge accordingly.
multiplier, reflecting the Future
Most intermediaries will want to charge
Maintainable Profits of the business – the
both a fixed fee (‘up front’ payment) but
‘FMP’).
also a percentage of the proceeds of any
successful introduction – much like a
The next thing that he needs to do (apart Recruiter placing a Software Engineer or
from ‘do a few pounds’ as Mrs Chubby Sales Person.
often ponders to herself as Chubby
snores his way through MOTD) is to The percentage charged for this
generate a ‘sales brochure’ and then introduction can range from 1% to
approach a few intermediaries who (typically) 4-5% of the total sales value
might like to help him find a buyer. I wish my IM had been honest.... of the ‘deal’.
10

11. It is the role of all such intermediaries to It is a good idea to think of any would-be purchaser feels justified in
work with the Vendor (i.e. Chubby) to intermediary as just like any good buying that business of course) but also
ensure that the IM is appropriate and Recruiter you have worked with in the in an effort to push down the price that a
then shortlist a number of suitable past – there are good guys and there are purchaser might need to pay!
potential purchasers. bad guys.
This target list of potential purchasers It is the job of the DD team to not only
would then be approached with an Intermediaries make their money identify weaknesses (e.g. poor
‘Executive Summary’ of the Company and mostly through the successful accounting policies or a lack of
followed up with a copy of the IM, if completion of a deal – so, we know that management structure or whatever else)
appropriate. they want you to sell your business! but also to negotiate in advance on that
all important Indicative Offer price!
Like any other ‘sales’ process, a good
intermediary will usually know of Think carefully about what you think
The issue that all Vendors face is that
potentially active purchasers of your business is worth before agreeing
once at the stage where an Indicative
Recruitment Businesses but also know of to any formal meetings!
Offer has been made, the Vendor is so
potential buyers who may be interested if enthused & committed to the process (&
the ‘right’ opportunity arose (which is Indicative Offers: idea) of selling-up, that the Vendor
really like having your live vacancies and becomes very malleable and significantly
your speculative mailing list for a good If your intermediary does a good job, more likely to accept a PE not of 8 times
candidate). they may well generate ‘interest’. the PBIT, but perhaps 7 or even 6?
By that, we mean that they have
approached a potential purchaser and
that potential purchaser has requested
Words To Learn Today:
more information and formulated an
indicative offer. Information
Memorandum
An indicative offer is presented to the Indicative Offer
intermediary who then contacts
Chubby – who gets way too excited at Intermediary
this! Completion
This is an offer in name only really – it is
subject to due diligence (remember that
phrase?) and is often a device for Potential purchasers recognise that
sounding out a Vendor. vulnerability and the DD team will be
itching to exploit it!
Almost always, whatever the Indicative
Offer is (e.g. a PE based multiple of 8 But, an indicative offer is a formal
times the PBIT of the business) it is likely approach by a would-be purchaser & is
that if a sale eventually took place, the great news! At last, something which
actual sum paid to the Vendor will be even Chubby can appreciate!
There are ‘good’ Brokers and ‘smarmy’ less!
Brokers!
So, what would you expect your A purchaser may well be happy to
intermediary advisor to do? potentially pay the full price of an
indicative offer but the business that
Well, at a minimum, they must;
they have expressed an interest in
would have to be perfect!
Demonstrate a significant
knowledge of the Recruitment
industry. The purchaser would need to complete
their entire due diligence process and
Never circulate or advertise a object to nothing that they uncover!
business without Chubby’s consent.
This is highly unlikely and Vendors
Seek a signed confidentiality should be aware that an indicative offer
agreement from Chubby. is no where the same thing as hard cash!
Qualify all potential purchasers. Any Due Diligence (DD) team sent into
the business of a Vendor will be sent to
Subsequently supply information that business not only to verify the Due Dilligence is all about squeezing
(IM) to appropriate target buyers. quality of the business (so that the the price!
11

12. Costs?: You are likely to get your money OK but
at what price?
OK, so here we are at the stage where an
indicative offer has been made for your What will you need to promise (&
business as a result of the IM generated deliver) to earn that pay day?
and distributed by your intermediary.
Next time we shall find out!
You have already spent considerable
time & money getting to this stage but
now you need to spend more! 

It is time to make sure that you have
proper legal representation as well as
the services of an Accountant (to cover There is always a catch somewhere!
your tax issues).
What Next?:
Spring
2012
Like anything else, this expert OK, so now you need to complete – get BLAST OFF!
entourage can be as cheap or as the deal done and the money in the Just confirmed! SSG is
expensive as you feel is appropriate – bank! very excited to confirm
Mobile Technology
the launch of a high end
but again, this is really not the time to (100k+) Contingency
worry about trying to save a few The key word is now ‘Completion’ and Recruitment business
specialising in Mobile
pounds. as you would have expected, Technology. From
Programme Managers
completion is not easy. to Technical Guru’s,
our 40+ Recruiter
You are already committed and need to certainly has earned
the right to launch
push through that commitment to a It is fraught with danger – not just in her own business
conclusion. finishing off the ‘deal’ but in making sure after ‘all these years’
(as she puts it!)
that you are careful in what you wish for For more info, contact:
– what happens once you have sold clare@supportservicesgroup.tv
Get the experts in! your prize asset?
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12

13. The SSG Launch Process
Why a Good Business Launch
never really ends!....
Think about the well known proverb – Apparently these are two distinct phases
look after the pennies and the pounds will and apparently we see the end of Stage 1
look after themselves. as the start of Stage 2.
Well, the start of a new business is a little The reality is something very different of
like this. course and that reality recognises very Without spending significant time
clearly that without a formal and (throughout the Launch process)
If a company is launched well with great comprehensive business launch, it can be understanding the personal situation of
attention to the small details, then it has a very tricky providing an equally formal our Recruiter Clients it is unlikely that we
better chance of being a successful and comprehensive support facility. will be able to broker the best on-going
business – able to weather the inevitable support in terms of payroll, factoring,
storms. For example, much of the Legal & banking and tax.
Compliance work traditionally associated
Common sense stuff. with the launch of a new business is in fact Creative Work:
probably more concerned with ensuring
From time to time, potential Clients will that the required building blocks are in Come on SSG, why not just jolly-together
wonder why SSG feels the need to cover place to not only run the ‘back office‘of the a basic web site and run off a few
so many seemingly trivial & diverse launch recruitment business but also in place to Vista-Print Business cards?!
elements – does it really matter if the VAT support the personal tax situation of a
number is applied for on ‘Day 1’? Recruiter who just so happens to own a What more does any start up business
Recruitment Business! need?
Why do we need to ramble on about
Restrictive Covenants or compliant Terms Again, traditionally SSG likes to Of course, we fully appreciate the urgency
of Business or the detail of Corporation compartmentalise the launch process of a with which many of our start-up ventures
Tax – why can’t we just build the web site new Recruitment business into neat, little need to begin to trade and generate
and provide access to the job boards?! ‘bite sized chunks’ which we conveniently placements – we are just as anxious that
label as: placements are made too!
As you probably already know, internally
SSG will apparently divide our work with But the branding of a business is a journey
any Recruiter into two stages – Stage 1 is Legal & Compliance
Creative Work & which needs to start at the right point,
of course ‘The Launch’ and Stage 2 which is always a considered and careful
represents the period of ‘On-Going Accounting Structures
development of logo, business cards,
Support’. email header and Company Web Site.
(By the way, should you ever want to tease
any of the Launch Team, ask them to This is just the start of the journey of
explain why we talk of about the ‘Power of course & as we progress to on-line Video,
Three’ – which is nothing to do with a new PDF Brochures and Presentations & so on,
American Motivational Movement but the development of your business can be
more to do with the incessant list making traced back to the fundamental roots of
& internal compliance designed to ensure that first meeting with SSG.
that nothing is missed!).
Legal & Compliance: Accounting Structures:
You will recognise most of the processes Ok – we agree that it takes a strange sort
involved in the Legal & Compliance side of of Recruiter to demonstrate genuine
the launch of a business (e.g. Name interest in many of the accounting
checks, trademark checks, Company processes undertaken throughout the
registration, Bank accounts, VAT, Inland launch process!
Revenue & so on) but might overlook the
importance of Data Protection, Money Even we find it difficult to share Darren’s
Laundering or challenging the Credit team’s enthusiasm for VAT, Corporation
“We all love a good launch!” Rating of our Recruiter Partners. Tax, P&L’s and Debtors Days!
13

14. However, to be fair to our Number we just go on and on and on.
Crunching friends, the time spent with
each new business in understanding the But I am guessing that you are beginning
Accounting process is very likely to not to know that already!
only help the new business to save money Why not give me a call to chat through
(through proper expense claim how we can continue to re-launch your
procedures for example) but also to business with you?
ensure a good cash flow of the new
business – or a tax saving process at the There are probably many fresh ideas, new
end of the Company financial year. processes and innovative services which
may not be working to the advantage of
It all counts and the detailed launch your business.
process will ensure that the on-going
support is maximized. My number is 01442 200 956.
We have plenty of experience of doing
WHY TELL YOU THIS NOW? just this and have dealt with many queries
Careful planning avoids costly errors
later on over the years.
Throughout the launch process, SSG will
encourage you to concentrate on all of If we don’t know the answer to
the finer details of running your own individual elements of the launch process something, we have, at our fingertips,
business. – however small – that your company has experts in legal, financial and training
the best chance of success. who will be able to help.
We ask that you pay particular attention
So, throughout the launch process, you Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to flag
to all the tasks involved in the launch
can help in many obvious ways - any problems to us. Make sure that you
process, to help us all to ensure that your
including: get your company off to a flying start!
business is set up with solid foundations.
1) Taking care to complete forms and
We know that you will make sure that all return them to SSG in good time so that UK ECONOMY UPDATE
of your new end-Clients will be given we can organise bank accounts, data 2012 is starting pretty well it would
properly branded & up-to-date T&C’s for protection etc. seem with Inflation Down to 3.6%
example. (from over 5% in the last quarter of
2) Keep a good track of expenses, logging 2011) & Interest Rates set to remain at
All of this ATD (Attention To Detail) will information and keeping receipts so that historically low levels (0.5 of 1%)
give your applicants complete confidence expenses against the business can be throughout the year.
in you throughout the recruitment easily claimed. This solid data coupled with a
process. slow-down in the growth of
3) Don’t over-complicate the logo design unemployment and an easing of the
and the website – remember these are Eurozone crisis is generating a
Candidates will happily register with you,
selling tools – they won’t make you positively balmy business atmosphere!
reassured by the fact that you are a
money! Against this raft of good news is the
legitimate company with a carefully
constructed & well branded website. general uncertainty that we have all
4) Pay careful attention to your terms of
laboured under since the Lehman
business and prepare these as soon as
But, what happens if together with SSG collapse back in 2008 & a suspicion that
possible during the launch process it isn’t all over yet.
you fail to progress the launch of your
business through the on-going support 5) Invoice regularly and keep in touch But with the UK set to avoid a
process? with the Accounts department of SSG. double-dip recession and UK growth
Remember we are happy to act as credit projected at 3% in 2013 things are on
What happens if you fail to recognise the control for you and chase for the up.
need to update this or modify that? non-payment of invoices. Specific data of over 100 Recruitment
Companies confirms a very positive
What happens if you fail to progress the 6) Ask for help on the legal or financial level of optimism without that
launch of your business with a new side if you are running into difficulties. optimism translating into significantly
on-line video presentation? higher placement numbers than in
But – more than this (much more in fact) 2011- yet!
What happens if you fail to investigate you can help your business to be ‘Even for the most cautious amongst
fully the fresh offerings of SSG? constantly launched (throughout the us, the Recruitment Industry
on-going support stage) by responding to continues to recover with many of us
Yep, you guessed it – even with the most seemingly daft requests (usually from the now familiar with the changed
basic understanding of business algebra - Accounts team!), by looking closely at landscape’ (David Jones Owner of SSG)
a fail + a fail + a fail + another fail tends to what new services are available from SSG, ‘Our advice is to focus on the basics
lead to a failure! by communicating your anxieties to SSG, and remember that placements are
through sharing your War Stories, your made by putting candidates in front
HOW YOU CAN HELP? successes and so on. of clients & not by worrying about
Greek Bailout Conditions’
It is really by paying attention to all the The launch process never really ends –
14
X

15. A HANDY INDEX OF CATALOGUE ARTICLES
SUBJECT WHERE WHEN CATEGORY SUBJECT WHERE WHEN
CATEGORY
Backing Up Data Page 5 September 2011 BOOK REVIEWS Making A Fortune Page 18 September 2011
IT Matters
Google+ Page 5 November 2011 Starting Up Tough Times Page 26 November 2011
Skype Page 5 January 2012 The story of Innocent Page 24 January 2012
Credit Control Page 9 September 2011 IDIOTS GUIDES Eurozone Jargon Page 10 November 2011
ACCOUNTING
Monthly Accounts Page 19 November 2011
Claiming Expenses Page 15 January 2012 FRUSTRATIONS Social Media Page 14 September 2011
Year End Stuff Page 16 February 2012 Double Dipping etc Page 24 November 2011
What is your P&L about? Page 18 February 2012 Banks Who Won’t Lend £ Page 8 January 2012
Accounts & Accountants Page 8 February 2012
VAT Page 12 September 2011
TAX
VAT Inspection Page 4 February 2012 TRAINING Mike Walmsley Page 8 September 2011
Corporation Tax Page 21 November 2011 Free Training Resources Page 20 February 2012
Entrepreneurial Relief Page 25 January 2012
PAYE & NI Page 16 January 2012 NEW FACES Catherine White Page 15 September 2011
Challenge the Tax Man Page 6 February 2012 Jane Fisher Page 12 January 2012
Recruiters & the Economy Page 6 September 2011 NEW SSG OFFERING Video Production Page 4 September 2011
SURVEY RESULTS
Banks are all the Same Page 7 November 2011 Vacancy Spider Page 4 September 2011
Credit Card Payments Page 4 January 2012
Recruiter Isolation Page 10 September 2011 Cash Flow Tool Kit Offer Page 17 February 2012
SPECIALIST ARTICLES
3 Ways to Start-Up Page 6 November 2011
Why Doom & Gloom? Page 13 January 2012 VACANCIES Refer a Recruiter Page 18 September 2011
A Good Business Launch Page 13 February 2012 LinkedIn Guru (SSG) Page 2 November 2011
Increasing Headcount Page 25 February 2012 Relationship Manager (SSG) Page 18 November 2011
/recenteditions.htm
Equity + Salary Recruiter (SSG) Page 2 November 2011
Huge Demand Page 15 September 2011 Recruitment to Recruitment Page 2 January 2012
SELLING UP
Part 1 – Some Basics Page 14 November 2011
Part 2 – Grooming Page 9 January 2012 COMFORT FOOD Mega Cookies Page 9 September 2011
Part 3 - Finding a Buyer Page 10 February 2012 Crunchy Nachos Page 22 November 2011
Lemon Pasta Page 17 January 2012
AWR Page 16 September 2011 Cheese Grill Page 24 February 2012
LEGAL & COMPLIANCE
LinkedIn Page 23 November 2011
Reasons to Trademark Page 18 January 2012
Introduction Page 12 September 2011
SSG PhD Why not keep your eyes open
Develop a Press Release Page 20 January 2012
BRANDING for future updates?
Professional Videos Page 9 February 2012
A Worthwhile PR Strategy Page 21 February 2012
15