However, being the sole person in your business or the key man actually makes having insurance even more critical.

Consider what you would do if you were unable to work even for a relatively short period, say two months, or if you needed to take time out of the business to make frequent visits to consultants and for energy-sapping treatments.

Do you have enough of a cash buffer to ensure you can get seen quickly and with a consultant of your choice, at a hospital of your choice?

If you are unlucky enough to require hospital treatment or critical care, would you and your family be sure you were getting the treatment you deserve?

Official government statistics show there are almost 5 million self-employed people in the UK, up from 3.3 million in 2001.

Around 1 in every 7 working people is now self-employed or freelancing (around 15%), making a considerable contribution to the economy and to their household income.

Get a policy designed for a freelancer

For some entrepreneurs, cash flow can be tight, but there are health policies specially designed for freelancers or small limited companies which offer cost effective and flexible insurance. The company I work for, WPA Healthcare has a range of policies suitable for personal, family and self-employed people as well as small businesses.

In fact, the Freelance UK site which offers “comprehensive resources for freelancers” highlights WPA as being particularly suitable for freelancers: https://www.freelanceuk.com/Insurance/index.shtml.

The WPA policies can also be tailored to your needs, not just covering the ‘worst case scenarios’ of critical illness but also offering options for optical and dental, for example. This can be particularly attractive as private dental work can easily reach £1000 or more for treatments such as root canal or crowns, and less straightforward glasses easily costing more than £500 every year or two.

Your family can also be added to your insurance, ensuring your loved ones will be well looked after should the unexpected happen.  

Claiming legitimate business expenses can also reduce your tax bill and your accountant may advise you to put your healthcare insurance through the business, depending on your circumstances.

Find out more

I appreciate private healthcare can seem daunting, which is why I ensure we can take the time to discuss any questions you may have and even run through the forms together, should you wish. Each of my clients has their own unique needs and plans for the future, and tailoring the policy to your and your family’s needs is all part of the service I offer.

Get in touch today via phone: 07919 480159 or email : Steve.Windaybank@hcp-plc.org.uk or look me up on www.wpa.org.uk/stevewindaybank

The post Is health insurance worth it for freelancers? appeared first on IBC.

Proposals are in place to introduce a Clean Air Zone to the city centre by 2021.

However, commentators such as the RAC and Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, have already spotted flaws in the proposals which will be debated at the Bristol City Council cabinet on 5th November. The Council will also need to submit its plans to government in February 2020. 

Anti-diesel rhetoric

Essentially the current media debates and Bristol’s proposals do not reflect the vast differences in emissions and particulates from modern diesel cars as opposed to older models and commercial vehicles.

Industry publications such as Car Magazine talk about “Governments in the UK and around the world… ratcheting up the anti-diesel rhetoric”.

Reducing air pollution is something we should all strive to play our part in, however the media does not always present a balanced or well-informed view of the part that vehicles play.

Modern diesels

In an article exploring air pollution, the BBC looks into whether diesel cars are always the biggest health hazard. They quote research from Emissions Analytics whose chief executive, Nick Molden, says that “If you take the cleanest 10% of diesels and the dirtiest 10% of petrol cars, then actually the petrol models will have double the NOx emissions of the diesel ones.”

Lorries, trains, taxis and buses are those typically associated (rightly) with ‘bad diesel’ – the kind that chokes and pollutes our lungs and air quality. These vehicles will still be allowed into Bristol under the proposals but will be subject to a wider charging zone for ‘high emission’ commercial vehicles.

Modern diesel vehicles for private use are already built to stringent standards so that they emit low levels of nitrogen dioxide whilst older diesel cars tend to be far more culpable of emitting higher levels of particulates and higher levels of nitrogen dioxide – responsible for reacting with other chemicals in the air to cause pollutants such as ozone and acid rain. The special filters which modern diesels are equipped with allow them to catch around 99% of particulates.

Choose the car that best suits your circumstances

So if you are already the owner of a diesel car or are considering a purchase or lease, what should you do?

The headlines seem designed to provoke fear into the heart of diesel owners. However, digging a little deeper shows that actually modern diesel engines are already meeting stringent requirements and that tougher regulations are on the horizon, those known as EU7 and EU8 limits.

Car Magazine recently wrote about this issue with journalist Gavin Green stating, “Our view is that many drivers, especially those doing long-distance trips and motorway miles (say 20,000+ miles a year), will likely still be financially better off picking a diesel car, on account of its better mpg.” He adds, “Our forecast is that diesel will continue as part of the energy mix for many years to come (albeit with a falling market share), but will continue to clean up its act with the latest technology.”

Our tailored recommendations

There are many considerations which go into a new or used car purchase or lease agreement, from the mileage you do to the number of people or items you want to transport, whether you are primarily driving in the city or on the motorways, whether you have a preference for a particular model or brand…

At Morgan Business Services we believe in spending time with you to get a full understanding of the way you plan to use your car, including how long you intend to keep it for and whether you plan to sell it on or trade it in at the end of the period, or take out a new lease.

For more information, visit our website: http://morgan-business.com/

Or call us on 07990 592252.

The post How clean are modern diesels? appeared first on IBC.

To put it simply you are renting a car for a long period, usually 2 or 3 years.

Contract hire is one of a number of forms of leasing agreements. The basic concept is the same as taking an agreement on a car for a short holiday or a van for moving household items.

Contract hire for businesses

We work with clients who run or work for businesses and need a car or van as a work vehicle. Some clients require just one vehicle, for others we provide a fleet of cars or vans, or a mix, depending on their requirements. Businesses find contract hire an attractive option as it allows them to manage cash flow and budget more easily. Having new vehicles can also act as a strong incentive for staff and has a powerful effect on the reputation of a business and vehicles can act as business ambassadors whether parked or en route to customers or suppliers.

Contract hire for individuals

We also work with individuals, many of whom have multiple contract hire cars for various members of the family. Many of our individual clients want a brand new car with the latest safety features and comfort but don’t have or don’t want to use savings to pay up front, with contract hire you change car every 3 years or so depending on contract length, ensuring you’re constantly at the forefront of car technology.  

The pros and cons of contract hire

The big advantages:       
> There are no worries about depreciation.
> Fixed monthly costs.
> Low initial rental.
> No disposal concerns.
> Brand new car under warranty for the period of hire.
> Latest models with updated safety and technical features.
> May open up a wider choice of models to you.
> Road tax included.

The big disadvantages:
> Expensive if you want to break the contract early.
> The vehicle must be returned in good order (BVRLA standards apply).
> Unexpected (higher than expected) repair costs.                               

This way of acquiring vehicles is not for everyone and that is the reason we always have a face to face meeting with potential clients to ensure that this would be the correct route for them to take.

We are also able to factor in a variety of considerations such as fuel choice, fuel economy, preferred safety features, vehicle model, seating configuration, storage capacity and a host of others, to ensure the vehicles we supply meet our clients’ needs.

Contact us

For more information, visit our website: http://morgan-business.com/

Or call us on 07990 592252

The post Contract hire – is it right for you? appeared first on IBC.

Getting ‘better’ abs seems to be an obsession for many of today’s newcomers to fitness training. There are countless TV and internet adverts promising better functioning and stronger abs if you just buy their magical device or perform endless sit-ups and crunch-type exercises.

In actual fact, there is no magical way of improving your ab strength, and performing endless crunches will accord little real benefit and may actually increase the risk of spinal injury. Instead, the key to having good abs is overall health and fitness and developing a strong core. Here are two simple exercises that you can use to increase your core strength.

… two simple exercises to increase your core strength

1. The Plank

The plank is one of the simplest yet most challenging and effective exercises you can do to improve core strength. No equipment is required.

Start the exercise by lying on your front, as though you were about to do a press up. Instead of raising yourself up on your hands, raise yourself up to rest on your forearms, with your palms facing down, and your toes pointing to the floor. Then hold the position for as long as comfortable, before repeating twice more. Aim to hold the position for 10 seconds at first; if you are a beginner, then build it up from there.

Take a look at our explainer video on how to do this position, as well as the benefits it provides. Video URL: https://vimeo.com/208290404

2. The Side Plank

This exercise is great for building core strength and helping with lower back pain because the core is having to work hard to maintain this side plank posture. Take a look at our explainer video where we demonstrate the correct position you should maintain while doing this exercise. To get the best out of this move, you should do one side, hold the position, then swap and do the other side and then rest at the end of that set.

Video URL: https://vimeo.com/208290743

“Both of these exercises will have a marked effect on your core strength if you do them three to five times per week. They will also burn additional fat and put you on the road to having the strong and functional core that your overall fitness requires.”

Contact me

Get in touch to book your free consultation. Email me at: admin@christopherhole.com Visit my website to find out more here: https://www.christopherholetraining.com

The post Forget sit-ups: two better exercises to boost core strength appeared first on IBC.

© Dave Young
www.daveyoung.co.uk

David Robshaw of business and financial specialists DJR Associates, highlights some leadership and management strategies for 2019

Learning from Geese

OK, so the Xmas goose is getting fat, but it’s also a wise old bird and can teach us a thing or two…

When we work together we can all achieve so much more.

Goose Fact No. 1
…They fly in a V formation so the updraft from the flapping motion assists the goose behind.  Together they can fly 71% further
than they can alone.

When we share leadership and tasks we keep fresh and avoid burn-out.

Goose Fact No. 2
…It’s hard work at the front, and the lead goose changes regularly so they don’t get exhausted.

We need to encourage and support each other to keep driving forward.

Goose Fact No. 3
…Their familiar honking noise is the sound of the geese at the back shouting encouragement to the pace-setters.

Non-Goose Fact
…When Christmas is over and the goose is eaten, next year will be no different from this one: 2019 promises more of the same.

I guarantee that, if you don’t take positive action and commit to making 2019 different, you’ll be in exactly the same position this time next year.

That starts with…
…getting crystal clear about the exact steps you need to take that will significantly impact your success, and overcoming the stuck-ness that’s keeping you locked firmly where you are.  Call DJR for a free initial meeting on 01275 394 606 or email David Robshaw at djr@djrassociates.co.uk.

The post Leadership lessons from geese appeared first on IBC.