Reducing red tape for businesses can only be a good thing, compliance specialist Bibby Consulting & Support has said in response to claims that the government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’ might actually mean more work for companies as opposed to less.

The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has revealed that many visitors to the ‘Red Tape Challenge’ website have called for existing regulations to be maintained or even increased. The suggestion is that fewer regulations could mean diluted rights and protections, particularly in health & safety.

Although he said the site had been “bombarded” by such messages, Cable insisted that one of the government’s top priorities was to reduce the amount of regulation that small companies and start-up businesses face. But he warned companies: “Please don’t pretend this is easy.”

Bibby Consulting & Support understands that many regulations are essential to protect businesses and employees but also supports efforts to minimise the amount of complex legislation that companies have to abide by and which has been generated over the years.

Managing Director Michael Slade says: “Clearly, it is in everybody’s interest to have health and safety safeguards within businesses to ensure that all staff members are able to work in a safe environment. This is not in dispute.”

“However, it also needs to be recognised that there is a considerable amount of employment law regulation that does nothing to help businesses work at maximum efficiency and to expand as they become more successful. As long as rights are maintained, we consider the time and effort required to cut down on regulation to be a very worthwhile investment.

Unfortunately however recent reports state that the site currently appears to be used more by members of the public and consumer groups who are expressing a one-sided view that existing regulations should be maintained or more worryingly still, increased. We are strongly urging business leaders to add their own views and ensure that their voices are heard.”

For employment law specialists and health and safety advisors, consult Bibby Consulting & Support http://www.bibbycas.com

Ideal for restaurants, attractions, hotels, residential, holiday lets, service areas and retail, Cypher’s digital wallpaper is prepasted so needs no additional adhesive. It is so simple to use that the customer can fit it themselves or a commercial decorator can fit it. The digital wallpaper is PVC free and is printed using HP’s environmentally friendly Latex inks. Unlike solvent inks these are not harmful to the environment and have no odour, making it safe for any domestic or commercial applications. The ultra smooth finish and the latex base of the inks provide vivid colour graphics with high-definition detail.

The benefits of this new digital wallpaper compared with the older PVC based substrates are vast.  As well as the environmental benefits of this new digital wallpaper, it also meets commercial wall covering standards and for indoor use, has a permanence of 10 years+. Should that length of permanence not be required, the digital wallpaper comes with a manufacturers warranty for clean removal. In terms of safety, the wallpaper is flame retardant so meets health and safety guidelines.

It was a colourful start to 2011 at the new Furmanite IT & Training Centre in Kendal. Furmanite commissioned a full colour digital wallpaper graphic for the new centre from Cypher. The graphic which is a very colourful montage of Furmanite workers undertaking various tasks is a huge 9.5m wide and just under 2.5m high. It was printed on the latest HP PVC-free wall paper using environmentally friendly 1.5m wide HP latex printer.

For more information on digital wallpaper and to obtain quotes, visit http://www.cypherdigital.co.uk/new05/printed-wallpaper.html

Exhibition trailers are an extremely cost effective way of getting your message across should the exhibition opportunities be in various locations.

A brief description of some of the most popular sizes of exhibition trailer include one has 4 bi-fold doors to the near side, a wind out canopy overhead and clip on aluminium steps with slot in handrails to the full width of the opening. It is an eye catching unit once set up and the bi-fold doors can be used for display purposes or, with the addition of a large window to each door, can be kept closed in poor weather whilst maintaining a visual link between yourself and your customers. This exhibition trailer has a 3mt wide lift up canopy with a logo board to its leading edge and fold out aluminium steps with slot in handrails to the full width of the opening. It can be set up in minutes by a single person and as such is one of our most popular exhibition trailers. Being able to be set up by one person is a large plus point for smaller exhibition trailers.

Should a standard exhibition trailer not be to a customer’s exact requirement, a bespoke or special trailer can be designed and manufactured. All exhibition trailers, including any bespoke trailers, should be built on a robust, steel, fully galvanized chassis. The body is usually constructed from glass reinforced plastic panels which are tough and provide a smooth clean surface.

Exhibition and bespoke trailers are commissioned for use as public address trailers, market trailers, hot air balloon trailers, kiosks, vending trailers, mobile workshops and bespoke exhibition trailers.

A bespoke trailer can be tailored to give you exactly what you need whether its purpose be business or leisure. For example, market trailers that have cut set up times from over 4 hours to less than 10 minutes, balloon trailers that have made transporting, loading and un-loading the balloon quick and easy. Public address trailers are used by a number of companies covering all types of public assemblies from air shows to horse shows, race meetings to local fairs and carnivals. Bespoke trailers for use as mobile workshops and vending trailers have been used at major sporting events or to take a business on the road. This has helped target customers at markets or specific locations as well as reducing overheads and operating costs.

Larger and more expensive items often need more thought before purchasing. Items such as exhibition trailers for example are crucial to be purchased in the correct size, to perform in the right way and even down to size for storage facilities. Due to the nature of exhibitions, these kinds of events may happen every week or just once a year. The level of use of course dictates the amount that can be spent but in some cases, a large exhibition trailer may be required which would incur significant costs. Through the hiring of an exhibition trailer, the exact trailer can be used. Image is everything at exhibitions, events, advertising promotions and road shows. The exhibition trailer is often the first impression of the product or event.

Even though mail and parcel forwarding has been available in the United Kingdom for some years, most notably offered by Royal Mail, for business and domestic use in the form of “Mail Redirection”. With more and more businesses either moving premises or having operations in other countries, mail forwarding is now offered by other companies and to suit more specific requirements.

Mail forwarding is used for many different purposes but it is the onset of internet that has created the need for more mail forwarding options. Internet based businesses for example who wish to have a valid postal address but who do not have business premises and that do not wish to have a PO Box address. Purchasing goods online from abroad is another reason why both business and domestic consumers would require a mail forwarding address. A parcel forwarding company will set up an address, in the United States for example, where goods purchased will get sent to you and then they will organise the shipping of the goods back to the United Kingdom. By ordering goods in such a way, shipping costs can be greatly cut down.

The latest in mail forwarding in the UK is an international mail and parcel forwarding service offering consumers and businesses the advantage of a hassle free UK postal address from which they can ship anywhere in the world. A UK mail forwarding address also enables overseas businesses to have a presence in the United Kingdom. A mail and parcel forwarding service streamlines businesses and enables even more efficiency when carrying out operations overseas and internationally.

MailSave+ Optimisation Event is a complimentary, invitation-only event and places are still available at Village Hotel Elstree Wednesday 6th October 2010. You simply can’t afford to miss this if you want to get the most out of mail and postal optimisation.

What is MailSave+?
In today’s deregulated postal market all dispatch and facilities managers must look for the most cost-effective way to send out business critical documents. MailSave+ is a new and unique service that gives you the choice of postal provider and discounts when you send your mail.

Who’s it for?
Small to medium sized businesses and public sector bodies whose mail volumes do not meet the traditional pre-sorted or Cleanmail volume criteria.
Postrooms who want a cost effective service for non time critical traditional second class mail.

What are the benefits to you – the customer?
•    Reduced cost per item on every item
•    Lower volume thresholds attract discount on every item
•    Volumes can be averaged to meet collection minimums
•    Collections times that are convenient for you
•    A cost-effective and flexible way of achieving daily mail discounts

The Mailing Room is a leading supplier of mailroom equipment and consumables including franking machines, postal scales, folding and inserting machines and letter openers. The Mailing Room is brought to you by an alliance of FP Mailing (North West) Limited, FP Mailing (South) Limited and FP Executive Agency Limited.

For more information on MailSave+ from The Mailing Room, visit http://www.themailingroom.com

Mail and post room solutions for offices and businesses aid in the streamlining of mailing tasks. Even though billions of emails are sent each day in the world, conventional post has actually increased. The process of mailings letters is a time consuming job even once printed out, the letter must be folded, inserted into the envelope, weighed, franked or stamped and then posted.

Luckily there are mailing solutions available to help save time which in turn, equates to saving money. The mailing solutions below offer a cost effective way of gaining efficiency in the post room. Another important factor is size. Most businesses unfortunately do not have endless space for machinery but these modern machines are compact. There are also different models available for the different levels of usage. For example, the usage of a home based business would be far less than a solicitor’s office of 30 people.

And time saving isn’t just the only gain when using specialized mailing equipment. Folding machines give a perfect fold every time making the letter look professional. A franking machine’s imprint also adds to the professional look of a letter and enables the company logo to be included.

Folding and Inserting Machines
As we all know in this current economic climate we have to work that little bit harder (and smarter) to get new business or build on relationships with existing customers. So, every opportunity we have to present ourselves or get in front of customers must be taken. Below are a couple of tips which are quite simple, yet effective by using a folding inserting machine in an office or mailing room. Don’t worry if you don’t mail in large volumes, you can get a folding and inserting machine that’s cost effective for just a few 100 items per week.

1) A folder and inserter is an integral part of any mailing room, you’ll save time and money just by having one
2) You can include a mail piece with existing mail such as invoices or statements advertising your other services/goods. This is made really easy with ones of these machines.
3) Once you have your machine it can be used for sending out mail shots, newsletters or periodicals.
4) Combine it with a franking machine and the savings on your post will also add up

What does a folding and inserting machine do?
Its simple, it takes a pile of letters or mailers, folds them up in the required format and then inserts them into the envelope for you. Easy! The type of machine you will need will mainly depend on the volume of your mail.

Folding Machines
These can greatly reduce the number of hours spent folding letters, brochures, flyers, invoices or any number of other documents.
Quick and easy to use, a paper folding machine can produce a variety of different folds to accommodate multiple needs. Whether you need the occasional batch of letters folded or have mass mailings to send out. Selecting the appropriate piece of equipment depends on many factors, including the volume and frequency of use, the type of fold and type of paper you need.

Letter openers
Moving incoming mail faster to the people who are waiting to deal with it means benefits to both your business and your customers:
•    Incoming payments can be processed and banked quicker; improving cash flow
•    Customer orders can be processed faster
Any queries or complaints can be dealt with sooner – so your business relationships aren’t damaged by unnecessary delays.

You simply can’t afford to miss this if you want to get the most out of mail and postal optimisation.

What is MailSave+?
In today’s deregulated postal market all dispatch and facilities managers must look for the most cost-effective way to send out business critical documents. MailSave+ is a new and unique service that gives you the choice of postal provider and discounts when you send your mail.

Who’s it for?
Small to medium sized businesses and public sector bodies whose mail volumes do not meet the traditional pre-sorted or Cleanmail volume criteria.
Postrooms who want a cost effective service for non time critical traditional second class mail.

What are the benefits to you – the customer?
•    Reduced cost per item on every item
•    Lower volume thresholds attract discount on every item
•    Volumes can be averaged to meet collection minimums
•    Collections times that are convenient for you
•    A cost-effective and flexible way of achieving daily mail discounts

The Mailing Room is a leading supplier of mailroom equipment and consumables including franking machine supplies, postal scales, folding and inserting machines and letter openers. The Mailing Room is brought to you by an alliance of FP Mailing (North West) Limited, FP Mailing (South) Limited and FP Executive Agency Limited.

For more information on MailSave+ from The Mailing Room, visit http://www.themailingroom.com

As with many professional services such as office and house clearances, the company has years of experience and can carry out the service in a quick and efficient manner. Other services that a house clearance company normally provide are transportation, removals, waste disposal, probate valuation and antique and collectables valuations.

Each house or office clearance job is different and is required for different reasons so it is important to use a well established house clearance company that can take care of all the matters concerning the clearance from valuations to the recycling of waste.

Many people are very aware of the need to reduce waste and preserve resources. When using a house or office clearance company, responsibility of both the client and service provider to be committed to recycling and re-using the items that are cleared. You should check the environmental policy of the company you are using and ensure all possible steps are taken to recycle or send items to be re-used.

The transportation of waste to responsible recycling facilities should be carried out. Items that can be re-used or re-sold can be taken to a wide range of businesses and charities to sell as second hand goods. This means items are being re-used so benefiting the environment but also money made from sales benefits charities.

Another service associated with house clearances is probate valuation. Probate is often a distressing and difficult process and a house clearance company can work closely with solicitors and private clients providing probate valuation services. Services provided include written probate valuations, insurance valuation and the advice on selling antiques, collectables and art etc. From then the same house clearance company can clear the property leaving it clean and tidy ready for sale or transfer.

Environmental protection is actively sought by franking machine suppliers by the following methods:

• Checking that all machines manufactured since June 1st 2006 are RoHs compliant
• Reducing pollution by recycling and minimising landfill
• Using recyclable packaging wherever possible
• Using incoming delivery boxes to ship goods out wherever possible
• Remanufacturing machines and parts to very high standards, reducing the amount sent to landfill
• Encouraging staff to be energy efficient

To further reuse and recycle, old machines can be sent back to the factory where they were manufactured to constituent parts and the ink cartridges can be re-cycled too.

Have you looked at your franking costs recently?

During these turbulent times many businesses are looking to tighten belts and ensure that expenditure is reduced whenever and wherever possible. Don’t forget to look at franking costs, it’s all too easy to forget to look for competitive rates and simply sign that contract again with large suppliers that have always been used. You’ll be surprised at how much you could save in this area of your business by looking into different suppliers and providers.

Being tied into contracts is sometimes what puts businesses off with using franking machines along with size of model should an office be small and any difficulties with operation. If a business shops around for franking machine contracts the following services can be found:

• No hidden charges for resetting or rate change chips
• No expectations of customers to enter in to unreasonable or extortionate contracts
• Stylish and practical franking machines to suit any business large or small
• Customer support team dedicated to dealing with customers questions
• Highly skilled teams of engineers ready to assist customers with breakdowns and service calls.
Credit Crunch, Recession, Economic Downturn

These are the words that none of us wants to hear, but when we do hear them we all think of tightening our belts and ensuring that business expenditure is kept under control and reduced whenever possible. Franking machines can save on average at least 2p on a first class, 3p on a second class and 6p on large letters and at the same time, giving mail a professional image. A professional image on an envelope could give you the edge when tendering for new business for example with personalisation of the franking imprint.

A franking machine saves instantly on postage costs but also labour costs compared with the process of weighing and sticking individual stamps on. That coupled with the more professional look mean franking machines are the way forward for today’s businesses.