Dame Patricia Hodgson, Trustee of the BBC, could be heard on Radio Four’s flagship Today programme this morning (listen here) commenting on the need for expenditure cuts at the Corporation (in a preview story that was later confirmed as the BBC announced the cull of Radio Six Music and  the Asian Network together with a 50% chop of its enormous website). From my point of view as a cost-management specialist, her comments were of much wider business interest.

She spoke of the need to reduce overheads and the cost of distribution to permit the BBC to divert funds to spend on core content – producing programmes for the viewer and listener. If we look at this in the context of any business it addresses what Auditel stands for. We deal, on your behalf, with the cost of just doing business whilst you, the business owner or manager, can concentrate on your core activity. Call 01554 770816 or email Auditel now to find out how we can release you to grow your business.

As mobile telephony becomes more and more mainstream, this recent news emerging from the European Commission is of particular importance to the UK business community. Do you really understand your business’s mobile phone bills – bundled minutes and text messages, cash-back, lead numbers …? In this ever more important and ever less-clear area of business overhead, the probable merger of two major payers is of the greatest importance. Read more here and, if you’d like to check the suitability of your current mobile telephony arrangements, call 01554 770816 or email Auditel now. More details on this story here.

There is less than a month to go until the March 31 deadline to lodge claims for a reduction for the five years since 2005. A new business-rating cycle begins in April but if you feel your business has been overpaying rates in recent years, you have only a few weeks in which to act. You will already have seen your revaluation for 2010-1015. In both cases, we can help businesses of all sizes. Call 01554 770816 or email Auditel now.
A convenient summary of the possible bases for appeal can be found in the Sunday Times of February 28th.

In my dealings with prospective and actual clients, many people express concern about their energy bills. “Can you do something about my electricity and gas prices?” Well of course, we can and do, not only reducing tariffs but analysing usage, advising on correct pricing profiles etc… However, many businesses seem to be unaware of other areas of overhead expenditure where the same rigorous approach to analysing bills allied with systematic and detailed tendering can reap big rewards.

Take as an often overlooked example the cost of office consumables and stationery. I have recently been analysing an accountancy practice’s expenditure. This is a reasonably-sized but not particularly large practice and I was able to save the client over 25% on their electricity and gas prices. However, when we tendered for their consumables and stationery supply, the savings percentage of almost 50% produced an almost identical cash saving.

The moral of the story? Well, there are numerous opportunities to reduce your overheads in business; you just need to have the time and experience to focus on identifying and then exploiting these opportunities. Most small to medium-sized businesses simply cannot apply this focus, through lack of time and resource. In the example I’ve quoted, the percentage saving was so great simply because over time, the focus on stationery costs was lacking and for understandable reasons. If you need staples, paper or pens, well you just have to order them. That’s why a business should consider outsourcing to the experts who can devote time and expertise to these overlooked areas. If you would like us to help your business focus on getting costs under control call 01554 770816 or email Auditel now.

SOARING costs and rising taxes are pushing pub landlords towards calling last orders for the final time, it was warned yesterday.
The industry fears a rise in duty and an expected increase in VAT will lead to more pubs closing at a time when landlords are struggling with higher transport, waste and utility bills.
Research suggests increases in business rates could force up next April’s bills by up to 143% for a city centre pub.
Across the UK, the average pub is understood to face a 23% rise in its rateable value from next year.
Western Mail December 7 2009

Civil servants have promised to review the controversial 200% plus hike in business rateable values in Narberth after a public meeting in the town.Seventy business people turned up to meet a representative of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) which sets the rates.
The meeting was called by AM Angela Burns who said she was delighted that the agency’s Brian Jones agreed with her suggestion to look into Narberth’s exceptionally large jump in rateable values.
Shops, restaurants, pubs and hotels in Narberth have seen their rateable values increase on average from £3,800 to £12,000 in the latest revaluation. Western Telegraph

Mark Field, Conservative member for Cities of London and Westminster, accused Chancellor Alistair Darling of seeking to “plunder” businesses and treating them like “cash cows”.
In a Commons debate, Mr Field highlighted the impact of three tax moves:
The five per cent increase in business rates this year.
The business rate revaluation, which will come into effect in April next year.
The levy being imposed to raise £3.5 billion for Crossrail.

London Evening Standard

Auditel can help your business understand the impact of the revaluation that comes into effect in April next year. Call 01554 770816 or email Auditel… but if you are considering an appeal act quickly