The limited business of our football world cup team

by: Rebecca

April 29th, 2010

world cup football players LTD companies

Many football players have limited companies, incorporated in their names, registered at Companies House. Many have just protected their names leaving the companies dormant but some are trading. I thought I would rank our players companies according to the best performing credit reports.

STEVEN GERRARD PROMOTIONS LIMITED
Company No. 03802795

  • The size of the company is small
  • The company is over 10 years old
  • Caution/moderate risk credit score
  • Shareholders Funds increased from £2,256,000 to £2,827,000, whilst Total Assets increased from £2,688,000 to £3,570,000.
  • The report suggests that the company generated a profit after tax and other appropriations. 

FRANK LAMPARD LIMITED
Company No. 04081810

  • No credit score information
  • The size of the company is small
  • The company is over 9 years old
  • Shareholders Funds increased from £1,002,000 to £1,379,000, whilst Total Assets increased from £2,249,000 to £2,307,000.
  • The report suggests company generated a profit after tax and other appropriations. 

MATTHEW UPSON PROMOTIONS LIMITED
Company No. 04646438

  • The size of the company is small
  • The company is over 7 years old
  • Normal risk score
  • Shareholders Funds increased from £894,000 to £1,271,000, whilst Total Assets increased from £1,205,000 to £1,461,000.
  • The report suggests that the company generated a profit after tax and other appropriations.

WES BROWN LIMITED
Company No. 04141719

  • Low risk credit score
  • Size of the company is small
  • The company is over 9 years old
  • Shareholders Funds increased from £599,000 to £739,000, whilst Total Assets increased from £660,000 to £805,000.
  • The business activity in which this company is involved contains a similar amount of insolvencies compared to total population averages.
  • The report suggests the company generated a profit after tax and other appropriations. 

EMILE HESKEY PROMOTIONS LIMITED
Company No. 03799036

  • Low risk score.
  • Size of company is small
  • The company is over 10 years old
  • Shareholders Funds decreased from £407,000 to £387,000, whilst Total Assets increased from £426,000 to £439,000.
  • The report suggests that the company suffered a loss after tax and other appropriations.

JAMES MILNER PROMOTIONS LIMITED
Company No. 04721760

  • Normal risk score
  • The size of the company is small
  • The company is over 7 years old
  • Shareholders Funds increased from £172,000 to £212,000, whilst Total Assets increased from £211,000 to £256,000.
  • The report suggests that the company generated a profit after tax and other appropriations.

STEPHEN WARNOCK (ENTERPRISES) LIMITED
Company No. 05632013

  • Moderate/caution risk score
  • Size of the company is small
  • The company is over four years old
  • There was a very significant increase in Sales from £12,000 to £19,000 for the period ending 30/04/09.
  • The latest Accounts show an increase in Pre-tax Profits from £11,000 to £13,000.
  • Shareholders Funds decreased from £13,000 to £7,000, whilst Total Assets decreased from £22,000 to £20,000. 

Viewing the reports I noticed that many players have interests in other limited companies. If you are really curious you can nose further into your favourite players business by completing a director search and viewing business involvement reports http://www.duport.co.uk/credit-reports/order.php

 

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Avoid negative marketing

by: Thomas

April 27th, 2010

negative marketingA particular bug bear of mine is negative marketing.

Negative marketing is about building a case for your product or service by belittling the competition. A little bit like playground bullying, it’s using the concept of belittling someone else to make yourself seem more impressive. And like playground bullying, there is usually something a bit unhappy and empty behind it, and it smacks of inadequacy.

I certainly wouldn’t say I’ve never engaged in negative marketing myself, but over the past 12 months or so, I’ve tried very hard not to provide a negative comment on my competition in any of the businesses I am involved in. Where I do have to pass comment, I try really hard to provide a balanced and respectful view.

Sometimes your competition will charge a bit more to deliver a better service. Sometimes they’ll compromise on end product so they can keep the price down. Either way, it’s very easy to pick fault in a competitor if you don’t understand their business model. Ultimately most business owners are hard working, honest people trying to deliver a fair service for a fair price and develop a positive reputation. I take the view that if I (and all of the competition) are busy criticising each other, we are collectively building a negative reputation for our respective industry as a whole.

I am invovled in web design, company formation, immigration and online marketing. In each of these companies I hear lots of criticism and get the chance to deliver it too. I can honestly say that during the last year my more positive approach to sales has made me focus more on the benefits and strengths of my own business. As a result, I’ve found that I now concentrate solely on explaining the benefits of my own businesses and making each encounter with a potential customer a positive one.

I don’t beleive that complimenting (or being neutral) about any of my competitors has cost me a single sale, and my customers appear to be happier than ever.

With the general election pending, never has the macrocosm of negative marketing been so prevalent. To my mind, the campaign strategies of the big 3 seem to be built on “That party is rubbish” as opposed to “My party is good”. The reputation of politics and politicians would appear to be at an all time low, and when I ask people who they are going to vote for, they only seem to know who they aren’t going to vote for.

I’m not turning this into a political rant, I’m just highlighting that I, and my customers, prefer to operate in industries and with companies that concentrate on outperforming each other, not beating one another down.

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How to get rid of annoying sales calls

by: Rebecca

April 26th, 2010

How to get rid of annoying sales callsEveryday businesses all over the country are plagued by unsolicited sales calls. We are all extremely busy and resent these interruptions to our working days. Hanging up on them or asking staff to put them off will only temporarily remove the problem.

We are advised to register with TPS and MPS (telephone and mail preference services), but I have a more productive solution: use their ideas and sell back to them.

I think I am one of the few people that actually enjoy receiving sales calls. I am also pleased to say that I do not fit into that lonely group in our society that relish the opportunity for some human interaction that reminds them they are still part of this world.  

I appreciate the creativity that some companies use to reach the decision maker. If a company has done its research then its product could be of use and you could do a lot worse then switching to a proactive and creative supplier. The best suppliers work with their customers, share ideas and networking opportunities. I work with all our partners and suppliers in this way.

Look at the mail shots and listen to their call scripts, there are often some important lessons perhaps you could use in your own marketing.

Finally I recommend selling back to them. Honesty I have achieved some fantastic leads for Duport by promoting our services back to the company trying to sell to us. For example when I receive a call to advertise with them I suggest we pay them a, very good, referral fee for sending business to us. That way they have to prove that their sales strategies actually work. Alternatively I insist that they give me a free trial before I buy. The best companies will not shy away from this.

If a company has targeted us to sell a product and I genuinely believe it is good I will offer them the opportunity to promote it our customers. The telesales staff are taken aback when I ask for the details of their directors/ marketing managers! 

You may be thinking that “I do not have a service that I can market back to a water cooler company”. Let me suggest that you offer to try their product if they agree to try yours. This obviously rarely works but it will prevent those pesky companies coming back to the crazy guy!

A call is only truly annoying if the product or service is not useful to you or if the approach has been badly managed. 

I apologise if the title is misleading but I am a firm believer in taking a positive approach to all situations. You get rid of annoying sales calls by viewing them as opportunities! Cheesy but true!

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An Eruption of Compensation Claims

by: Peter

April 22nd, 2010

NO you can’t have my money! Compensation for airlines is a ridiculous proposition that pretends to justify its claim on the basis that there is a pot of unallocated gold buried on a beach somewhere that our government has but doesn’t know what to do with. If it exists I want my share back, you can’t have it. Small companies’ don’t get compensation by government when circumstances conspire to damage their businesses so what makes airlines a special case?

What about all the other numerous local businesses affected like car hire companies, hotel owners, taxi firms etc are they not equally justified in a share of the pot of gold. Surely the oil companies should also be compensated I bet they also lost a fortune.

The justification for the claim is that the long established criteria for closing air space had never been disputed successfully before the event occurred. This was such a complicated task that after only a few days it was established that the risk was less than previously believed. Perhaps the travelling public and tax payers should be seeking compensation from the airline industry for not preventing this from happening in the first place.

Meanwhile the probability of this reoccurring is extremely high in the near future and certain in the long term. I only hope somebody is tasked with solving the engineering involved and calculating the maximum safe limit for the problem because I am certain that when this happens again there will be a new higher number of particles per million that will become an acceptable risk.

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So this is what Budget cuts mean?

by: Peter

April 14th, 2010

Stephanie Flanders blog for the BBC 9th April “Irish lessons for the UK” was excellent and really helped me get a much better understanding of what might be in store after the election.

In many ways it elegantly showed the basis for both the conservative and labour propositions and highlighted, using the Irish economy as an example, why it may be that somewhere between the two propositions is the least risky choice. It seems certain we here in the UK are all going to be tightening our belts in the next 5 years but if it’s any comfort not so much as the Irish have had to. That said it feels to me like the choice is going to be typically, much more subtle than the rhetoric pretends.

So even here on the brink of an election I find it difficult to get even mildly emotional about the debate. Instinctively that feels wrong to me because shouldn’t I be engaged and vocal about the issues and hold strong opinions about them? Well I come to the conclusion that no I shouldn’t, not at least until I am told what exactly they propose to do and since that isn’t going to happen before the election then there is no strong basis for the argument.

Like most people I am willing to take my share of the pain so long as its shared out fairly but I know fairness looks different depending on where you stand. Squeezing the public sector plays to my prejudice about big government and in the absence of any other real information no doubt that will carry the day.

What do I really want from the next government well in my perfect world I would like them to keep us from falling into this hole again and that would be worth getting excited about!

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England World cup squad reserve LTD company names

by: Rebecca

April 12th, 2010

England word cup squad reserve LTD company names

England word cup squad reserve LTD company names

With over 7 thousand new Limited companies registered at Companies House each week it is essential to ensure that your chosen name is not taken. The following world cup footballers have safeguarded their names as limited companies even though they are not yet trading with them:

  •       ROBERT GREEN LIMITED
  •       JOHN TERRY LIMITED
  •       MICHAEL CARRICK LIMITED
  •       DAVID BECKHAM LIMITED
  •       THE DAVID BECKHAM ACADEMY LLP
  •       THEO WALCOTT LIMITED
  •       WAYNE ROONEY LIMITED
  •       WAYNE ROONEY PROMOTIONS LIMITED
  •       PETER CROUCH LIMITED

You can find out more information on these companies by down loading reports from our website http://www.duport.co.uk/credit-reports/order.php

It’s important for all companies, even those that have not considered a LTD status, to protect the company name. Not only do you guarantee that your name is available should you need to make the transition you will also prevent anybody else from using it.

 It is easy to keep a non trading company at Companies House. You can register the name through us and keep the company dormant by completing simple filing (we can help you) at Companies House. Alternatively you can use our reserve a name service and we will act as your director and complete your paperwork for as long as required.  For more information visit our register a company page http://www.duport.co.uk/company-formation/ or call the office.

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Fun companies at Companies House

by: Rebecca

April 8th, 2010

What was intended as a quick, amusing exercise quickly turned into a labour of frustration and disappointment. I decided to list a number of interesting/fun companies found at Companies House as a follow up to my entry on “unique ideas for self employment”.

I have found plenty of interesting company names, that appear to be related to a fun business, but I’m afraid I couldn’t find any information on the web to back this up. I am astonished at the number of companies that appear not to have any Internet presence. 

Many of these companies have been established for several years and clearly do not have a web marketing strategy. I do understand that is not a priority for every business. Although, I was shocked at just how difficult it was to find any information, other than credit reports for sale, on the Internet about these businesses.  

Whatever your business does, I strongly believe, that you should have at least a basic website explaining what you do so that anyone searching for you, through Companies House, can contact you. 

I am afraid that I have limited time so here are a few companies that amused me. The final three made it onto this list, despite not having a website, as I am embarrassed about the lack of content here!

Fancyapint Ltd

The website claims “Every pub listed here has been visited by Fancyapint.com”. I bet they never have recruitment problems although I do wonder about the number of sick days? 

Mystery shoppers Limited

I took this except from their website: 

“We’ve set up plumbing blockages and car faults. We’ve cheated in exams (to check the invigilators are alert), parked illegally (to test the council’s parking wardens), shoplifted (to check the security systems) and gone on timeshare holidays. We’ve parked bicycles to see how quickly they get stolen (quickest was 75 minutes – in Croydon).

We’ve been pregnant, bankrupt, hard-of-hearing, teenagers looking for contraception, pensioners buying insurance and trainee teachers. We’ve recruited Chinese gamblers, housing tenants, disabled mystery shoppers and males to take the last dance at a lap-dancing club (to ensure nothing is occurring which contravenes the licence).” 

The chocolate tasting club LTD

Their website boasts “we’ve tasted well over 1,500 different recipes”. Not even I can compete with that!

Naturists limited

I would love to spend a day as a telephone rep for these guys…

“The Naturist Action Group campaigns for naturism in Britain, seeking better facilities and more locations where nude recreation is accepted.”

The stunt company LTD

This certainly sounds like fun but I couldn’t find a website!

Wine tasting company LTD

I searched against numerous wine companies at Companies House but struggled to find any matching websites.

Rent a husband LTD

I am assuming this an excellent company name for a handy man service but again I couldn’t find a website.

Does anyone know any fun companies, as this list needs improving?

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Who is the cheapest?

by: Thomas

April 7th, 2010

who's the cheapest?

cheap cheap cheap cheap

In nearly all industries, there’s a big group of consumers looking for the cheapest option.

Often these consumers are:

  • more demanding
  • unappreciative of the product

As a new business owner, often your instinct may be to compete on price. It feels like the right thing to do and it’s an “easy to define” differentiator.

Some of the problem associated with competing on price are these:

  • You may have to compromise on quality
  • You may have to compromise on support
  • You may have to compromise on aftercare
  • You may have to compromise on customer satisfaction

What does this mean? It means you may have to compromise on the reputation of your brand.

Here are some more reasons not to simply compete on price:

  • You have to sell high volume to make money
  • The majority of your (unimaginative) competitors will be looking for ways to undercut you
  • It will be hard to attract the best staff

Here are some alternatives to being the “cheapest”

  • Offer the best customer experience (my favourite)
    Once you get the first sale, people will start talking about you
  • Use the best materials
    Plenty of people are willing to pay for quality
  • Provide your service the fastest
    We are conditioned to understand that if we want a service quickly, we can expect to pay more
  • Be the most versatile
    Could you work weekends, evenings, holidays?
  • Be the most ethical or environmental
    Lots of socially responsible folks out there.
  • Be the friendliest / most respectful / courteous / best dressed
    Good old fashioned values make customers feel respected and safe
  • Offer the most personal service
    Small companies can adapt their services very quickly and easily to fit the customer
  • Be the safest option
    Lots of people spending other peoples money out there (corporate budgets etc). Criteria number 1? Don’t make them look stupid.
  • Be the most expensive
    There’s a reason you spend so much money on fashion, glasses, cars (or whatever your vice)…people like to show off.

It is of course a nonsense to think you can be the “best” in all areas, but if you pick cheapest, it’s going to be pretty hard to develop your brand reputation in other ways.

My advice is this:

Look at your own strengths (i.e. personality, quality, ethics, speed, etc), and consider “will a small slice of my market sector want it this way”. If the answer is maybe…go for it. Remember, a tiny percentage of most markets will make you a millionaire.

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Unique ideas for self employment

by: Rebecca

April 1st, 2010

unique ideas for self employment

By offering a unique product or service you stand a better chance of success in business. However having a specialist service is not always enviable. I’m not sure that these vocations are mentioned by careers advisors!

Odour Judges  

Smell armpits to test deodorants.

Rodeo clowns

A rodeo clown must distract the bull and provide and alternative target.

Dog food tester

Marks and Spencer actually pay people to taste their dog and cat foods.

Dice inspector

As this is so important for casinos individuals are paid to ensure dice are perfect.

Condom tester

There are human trained sex technicians.

Bed testing

Some lucky people are acutally paid to sleep. 

Waterslide testing

First Choice have someone working, full time, testing the waterslides at their resorts.

Faecal archaeologist

When every day is cr*p!

Golf Ball diver

There are contractors in the golf ball retrieval industry. 

Chicken sexer

Craft a living from distinguishing the sex of chickens. 

Snake milker

These people remove venom from snakes for the production of antivenin.

Vomit collector

The position at Thorpe Park is already filled!

Knife throwers assistant

Foot model

Fortune cookie writer

Does anyone know any good ones?

 

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