On 4^th July 1776, the United States declared its independence from Great Britain and the date has remained as a big day of celebration for Americans…

If you have family or friends in the States, more than likely they’ll be celebrating 4th July with backyard BBQs and explosive fireworks. DHL helps families and friends celebrate special events, like Independence Day, regardless of the distance between them.

We make it easy to send gifts to your friends this Independence Day. With over 1,300 Service Points nationwide, we’re sure to be on a high street near you. So, once you’ve found the perfect present, just take it to your local Service Point and we’ll send it on its way!

Why not impress them with some of our favourite 4^th July facts?

• On 4^th July 1776, America declared its independence from Britain. It was the separation of 13 colonies from Great Britain.
• Each year on 4^th July, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics and family gatherings.
• The estimated population on 4^th July 2013 is 316.2 million
• Three of America’s first five presidents died on 4^th July.
• 150 million hotdogs are consumed on 4^th July every year
• 700 million lbs of chicken is purchased in the week leading up to 4^th July
• 190 million lbs of red meat/pork is purchased in the week leading up to 4^th July
• 25 million lbs of fireworks is sold to cities for public celebrations
• 11: number of places in the US with “Independence” in their name

Sources: (CNN, The Herald Tribune, US Census Bureau as of 7.3.2012)

Whilst we can’t deliver sizzling BBQs or explosive fireworks, we can help you join your American buddies in spirit by celebrating Independence Day with a hamper full of American goodies. Click here to find out more about our new competition. But hurry, it closes tomorrow!

Are you running your business in the most tax efficient way?

While it is important to keep the taxman happy, it is also important to ensure your tax affairs – both business and personal – are managed so as to minimise the overall financial impact on your bottom line and your own purse.

A recent Real Business article, ‘The definitive tax guide for business owners’, offers ten top tax tips covering everything from reviewing reward packages and VAT arrangements to transferring business ownership and investing for capital growth.

It also includes information on an HM Revenue & Customs facility called the Business Payment Support Service which helps businesses experiencing cashflow difficulties to agree revised tax payment terms, without incurring penalties, on most taxes and duties including income tax, corporation tax, VAT, PAYE and National Insurance.

You can read the full article here.

And remember, if you’re running your own business DHL Servicepoint is also here to help with your delivery needs.  Our destinations include 220 countries worldwide with UK deliveries starting at £5.95 and the USA and Canada at £25.95.  All parcels are guaranteed and tracked at every stage and signed for on receipt.

Just pick your nearest DHL Servicepoint, pack your parcel for free when you get there, pay and then leave the rest to us: www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk/howto.htm

Thinking of going freelance and setting up your own business?

No doubt the products, services, company name and even branding are sorted.  But what about the all important legalities such as which business model works best for you?

Accounting specialists in the freelance and small business sector, Easy Accountancy, advise you to think carefully about the two main options available – sole trader or limited company – before making the leap.

They say: “One of the key challenges when making the decision to go freelance is to choose between becoming a limited company or simply setting-up as a sole trader.  While there are benefits to going limited, many freelancers choose the sole trader option – primarily because they don’t want the hassle or the legal commitments which come with a limited company.”

Questions to consider are: what type of business is it, what will your turnover and profit be, do you have future plans to grow the business, what level of commercial risk will you be exposed to?

For the full article please click here.

lAnd don’t forget, whatever choice you make DHL Servicepoint is here to help with all your business delivery needs.  Our simple three step process couldn’t be easier: pick your nearest DHL Servicepoint, pack your parcel for free when you get there, pay and leave the rest to us: www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk/howto.htm

According to People Management magazine, a woman who was made redundant six years ago has become Britain’s first £1 million Avon lady.  Debbie Davis has earned £1.4 million since she started selling the cosmetics brand and now manages a workforce of 8,000.

Yet another example of the entrepreneurial spirit being well and truly alive and kicking in the UK.  No mean feat given that running your own business and turning it from a struggling start-up to a successful SME (small and medium size enterprise) requires ambition, tenacity and stamina.

And one of the most important qualities for any business is customer service at the very highest level.  A great brand, business plan and marketing strategy are all immaterial if customer service is sloppy, particularly if dealing in the retail sector where customers are ordering goods which they expect to receive on time and undamaged.

Enter DHL Servicepoint which handles each and every parcel from when it leaves your hands to when it arrives safely in your customer’s.  Simply pick your nearest DHL Servicepoint, pack the parcel when you get there and pay: www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk/howto.htm

DHL Servicepoint is designed to ensure customer service remains king enabling start-up companies to grow and flourish and ultimately make their owner their first million!

Just a reminder that if you are an up-and-coming growing business keen to share your story with the wider world, The Growing Business Awards have extended their submission deadline to this Wednesday – 22 September.

easyGroup founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has also added his voice to the debate saying: “The Growing Business Awards are a stunning occasion celebrating entrepreneurialism in all its forms.”

Launched in 1999, The Growing Business Awards have been recognising entrepreneurship for more than ten years with the support of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Real Business magazine.

For further information and to enter online visit gba.realbusiness.co.uk

Last year’s winners included Graze.com (New Product of the Year), Business Stream (The People and Performance Award), Chemist Direct (Young Company of the Year) and LOVEFiLM (Company of the Year).

Why not go for it, not only to increase your business’s brand recognition but also to enjoy a night out at the awards ceremony on Thursday 25 November at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square.

And if you are sending any postal additions to your entry DHL Servicepoint offers a quick and easy, guaranteed delivery that you can track from start to finish.  Just pick your nearest DHL Servicepoint, pack your parcel when you get there and pay: www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk/howto.htm

Startups 100 from www.startups.co.uk is the definitive countdown to the UK’s most innovative, inspiring and ground-breaking new companies.

The list is their own concoction of who they think are the best, most exciting and promising new businesses and entrepreneurs shaping the start-up market right now.

Some brands are instantly recognisable – Zoopla.co.uk, HearingDirect.com – and others are less familiar – Girl Meets Dress, Rent Your Rocks, Crunch – but all make for captivating reading.  If you’re looking for inspiration this is your list!

And at number one? Huddle, which provides packages of project management and online collaboration software and according to Startups is “…without doubt one of the most successful tech companies to come out of the UK in years…”

So if you’re running your own start-up business, DHL Servicepoint is here to help with all your deliveries. We handle each and every item from when it leaves your company to when it arrives safely with your customer; wherever in the world they might be. And once the parcel’s journey begins you can access a free online tracking service with regular updates alongside the assurance that it will be signed for on delivery.

Our simple three step process couldn’t be easier: pick your nearest DHL Servicepoint, pack your parcel for free when you get there, pay and then leave the rest to us:  www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk/howto.htm

Are you an up-and-coming growing business?  Do you have a new product or technological innovation you’d like to shout about?  Are your customer service and/or people management processes second to none?  Or perhaps you are proud of your green credentials and keen to share them with others?

If so, The Growing Business Awards is waiting to hear from you: http://gba.realbusiness.co.uk/

Launched in 1999, The Growing Business Awards have been recognising entrepreneurship for more than ten years with the support of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Real Business magazine.

The deadline for entries is Friday 17 September 2010 and the awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 25 November 2010 at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square with a keynote address from CBI director-general Richard Lambert.

Last year’s winners included Graze.com (New Product of the Year), Business Stream (The People and Performance Award), Chemist Direct (Young Company of the Year) and LOVEFiLM (Company of the Year).

Why not go for it and don’t forget to send your postal entry via DHL Servicepoint for a quick and easy, guaranteed delivery that you can track from start to finish.  Just pick your nearest DHL Servicepoint, pack your parcel when you get there and pay: https://dhlservicepoint.co.uk/howto.htm