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!

With the Royal Wedding 2011 fast approaching, businesses are increasingly concerned about the possibility of Royal Mail service disruptions. But with DHL Servicepoint’s excellent track record, you can rest assured that there’s a fast and reliable alternative on your doorstep…

April 29^th 2011. It’s already a date that’s etched onto the nation’s psyche, a date of significant historical importance. And we’re not talking about World Dance Day.

Yes, The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is almost upon us. For the smiling couple it marks the happiest day of their lives. For their family and millions of well-wishers it’s a time to celebrate the love of an iconic young couple. And for scores of others it means a welcome day off work and a few beers down the pub.

But for businesses more concerned with ringing up their profits than the ring on Kate Middleton’s finger, the main concern is to keep things running smoothly.

As the UK comes to a standstill, we understand that it’s imperative your business continues to deliver – especially when you’re working with overseas customers not caught up in Royal Wedding-mania. Special events and bank holidays can be a genuine worry for small businesses. Traditionally associated with endless Royal Mail hold-ups and delivery backlogs, it’s no wonder businesses are starting to panic.

But with DHL Servicepoint there’s really no need: we’re always prepared because we put customers first. With a record of always staying on schedule, whatever the circumstances, we’re the perfect service for ensuring predictability and reliability over the Royal Wedding weekend. There’s really no need to put business at risk when, quite simply, you know DHL Servicepoint will deliver.

With over 1000 stores located on high streets and in branches of Staples, Safestore, Rymans and Whsmith nationwide, you can just pop in, pack your parcel (with FREE DHL Servicepoint packaging!) and know it’ll arrive on time – and in tip-top condition. Another perfect partnership: happy days indeed!

For more information on how DHL Servicepoint can make life simpler and more reliable for your business, visit https://dhlservicepoint.co.uk/.

So the shops are awash with heart shaped chocolates, cuddly teddy bears and bouquets of fresh red roses. It can mean only one thing: Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.

Whether that makes your heart swoon in anticipation or groan with despair at the commercialization of romantic love (spoilsport!), we want to mark the occasion by showing our Twitter followers and blog readers a little bit of love.

That’s why we’ve got our hands on £250 of high street vouchers to give away in our first ever Valentine’s Day competition.

So here’s the task:

We want you to tweet us to @DHLservicepoint, or post a comment here, telling us about the best present you’ve ever received from a loved one.

It can be anything – chocolates, flowers or a pair of novelty socks – but the more interesting you make it, the more chance you have of winning.

The response judged to be the most interesting, original, or laugh-out-loud hilarious, will win £250 of high street vouchers.

We’ll post our favourite comments along with the winner in another post on Valentine’s Day.

Remember: keep your entries clean. Anything unpublishable will automatically be disqualified.

Terms and conditions

1. The prize consists of one set of £250 high street vouchers.
2. The draw is open to all DHLservicepoint Twitter followers and DHL Servicepoint Blog users.
3. All entrants must be over 16 years of age.
4. Only one entry per person is allowed.
5. One winner will be picked.
6. The competition is open to UK residents only.
7. No cash or other alternative is available.
8. No purchase necessary.
9. The competition will close at noon on February 14th. The winner will be notified by email or by Twitter on February 14^th, 2011.
10. Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative will be given.
11. Rude or offensive entries will not be accepted.
12. The judges’ decision is final.
13. DHL employees are not eligible to enter the competition.
14. Vouchers will be despatched by the 10th working day of the date of the draw.
15. Details of the winner can be requested by writing to the promoter at:

Marketing Department, DHL International (UK) Limited, 178-188 Great South-West Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW4 6JS

A recent survey conducted by the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA), has revealed that most defined contribution pension schemes run by smaller firms are attracting combined employer and employee contributions of less than 8% of earnings.

There is also little evidence they are keeping pace with the increasing cost of building a sufficient pension as lifespans extend.

The ACA survey gathered responses from 404 smaller employers with 250 or fewer employees.  According to the Department for Business Innovation & Skills, there are over 1.2 million of these smaller firms which employ over half of the UK’s private sector employees (60%) and generate a half of all private sector turnover (49%), amounting to £1,589 billion per year.

Food for thought.

Equally worrying is the fact that at present, two thirds of the UK’s smaller firms offer no pension scheme at all despite the fact they will be required to auto-enrol their employees into a ‘qualifying workplace pension scheme’ between 2014 and early 2016 under government pension reforms.

Of the firms in the ACA survey without pension schemes, almost all (96%) said cost was the main reason they did not currently provide them.  And of those that do, they stated the reason employees did not join their schemes is also mainly because of cost (84%).

Commenting on the survey results, ACA chairman Stuart Southall said:

“Our survey has found savings by both employers and employees into defined contribution schemes generally have failed to keep pace with the cost of building a sufficient pension.  Pension contributions into most schemes reporting to this survey need to double on average to at least 15% of earnings if reasonable retirement incomes are to be achieved.”

For information on how DHL Servicepoint can help small businesses visit: www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk

Earlier this month the Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced the government’s plans to expand its New Enterprise Allowance scheme which assists those out of work who wish to set up their own business.

The initiative will be rolled out nationwide this autumn with the potential to create thousands of jobs in 2011 alone and up to 40,000 new businesses by 2013.

David Cameron said:

“It is vital that we ensure businesses, and those people who find themselves out of work but have the drive and desire to set up their own business, have all the advice, support and mentoring they need.  Together we can make the years ahead some of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial in our history.”

Those interested in the New Enterprise Allowance will be given access to a business mentor who will provide guidance and support around their business idea and through the early stages of trading.

If they can then demonstrate they have a viable business proposition with growth potential, they can claim financial support which could be worth around £2,000 to each unemployed person who wants to start their own business.

The scheme begins in January in Merseyside and will then be rolled out to the remaining target areas from April and nationally in the autumn.

Are you a budding entrepreneur?  Could you benefit from the New Enterprise Allowance?  To learn more visit: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/new-enterprise-allowance/

For information on how DHL Servicepoint can help small businesses visit: www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk

Last month on Christmas Day, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) around 850 people filed their online tax return despite the deadline for submission not being until 31 January 2011.

Super organised or sad?  You decide.  Either way the 31 January deadline still looms and is now only a matter of days away.  Miss it and you face an automatic £100 fine.

Most small business owners who are self-employed will have to complete an online self-assessment tax form.  It may be time consuming and painful but it is also mandatory, so the best option is to bite the bullet and crack on.

Francesca Lagerberg, head of tax at business and financial advisers Grant Thornton, says: “Those who plan to file online should ensure they have prepared the relevant documentation and have not left it too late to avoid being caught up in the last minute rush.  Last year an estimated one million people had to pay the taxman £100 for a late submission.  In the current economic climate it would be a shame to incur an easily avoidable £100 penalty.”

Grant Thornton also adds that while £100 is the maximum penalty payable for late submission this is capped at the amount of tax outstanding as at 31 January.  Therefore, if any outstanding tax liability is fully paid by this date the penalty is reduced to nil, although the penalty may be issued automatically and an appeal will need to be lodged with HMRC.  If a business partnership tax return is filed late then there is a penalty of £100 for each partner in the partnership and this applies even if all of the partners pay their taxes by 31 January 2011.

Still confused?  Call the HMRC helpline on 0845 900 0444 or visit http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa/

For information on how DHL Servicepoint can help small businesses visit: www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk

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