By Amanda Hamilton, CEO of NALP
As a supplier of goods or services, it’s important that you know your customers’ rights to return gifts  under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This will keep you in compliance with the law.
To start with, without a receipt there’s not a lot a customer can do.  However, if they’re not shy about asking for a receipt, or the giver of your present has said they can change the item if so desired, then that is a whole different ball game.
In addition, with so many people …

It’s sunny as I’m writing this, and (as well as showing that the windows need cleaning) it also makes me take a fresh look at my home. We are planning to redecorate the living room this spring: maybe you would like to do some home improvements too. Whether you are thinking of small changes or even some building work, here are five ideas to help you refresh your home this spring.
1. Dust, tidy and clear out!
I spent a few hours which weekend clearing out a couple of bookshelves. We have …

The proliferation of digital devices means that we’re constantly connected to the office wherever we might be, making it difficult to switch off from work, even when we should. In fact, a study by Glassdoor has shown the average number of UK employees taking their full annual leave is 62% with only 43% made use of 91-100% of their holiday entitlement. What’s more 13% reported only taking 20% of their allowance.
Whether it’s a two-week holiday or a twenty-minute respite at lunch, John Williams, Head of Marketing at Instant Offices explains why …

It was once the case that the majority of businesses would change their office — either by relocating or refurbishing — every 10 years or so. But according to office interior design specialists Diamond Interiors, that’s no longer the norm. “Businesses are constantly getting better at creating adaptable work environments, so they don’t fall behind,” says Nick Pollitt, Managing Director at Diamond Interiors. “That means businesses that don’t keep up risk losing their best employees and clients to companies that prioritise creating an environment that meets their team’s current needs.”
With …

It’s easy to forget about insurance. After all, what visible benefit do you see while money comes out of your bank account each month or year? In fact, insurance is just as vital for the self employed small business owner as it is for big business. Just because you work for yourself, it doesn’t mean that your business is too small to be affected by many of the things insurance protects against. So read on to find 5 reasosn to get insurance, even if you are self employed.
Insurance can protect …

Emily (Emi) Darnton made great use of her first maternity leave: “I decided to re-train and get qualified in skills that would enable me to set-up in business for myself”, she said.
The 40-year-old mother of two, who grew up in Hamble but now lives in Moreton in Marsh in the heart of the Cotswolds, had worked in a variety of roles. Latterly, she works in her husband, Russell’s, business, High Road Balloons, which runs the Virgin Hot Air Balloon franchise for the West Midlands.
“I decided that the Institute of Certified …

Fire is devastating and can tear down a building in minutes. Picking up the pieces of your business after a fire is harder still. Therefore, having a trained fire warden who understands what to do in the case of a fire could be the difference between your company being shut down or surviving.  Your company needs a trained fire warden for many reasons, here is why.
What Is A Fire Warden?
A fire warden is a trained member of staff who in the case of a fire, will carry out a safe …

You and I are busy people. Our lives have many facets, with work, home, family, friends, colleagues, partners and children. And over the years, no doubt, commitments have crept in, almost unnoticed, to the point where, whether you know it or not, there are probably already multiple versions of you.
Think for a moment about how many versions of you there are. There’s the personal you with family and friends, the professional you with colleagues and bosses, the you in a relationship, the you as a parent, as well as just …

By Kelvin Summoogum, Founder of miiCare 
Bringing a scientific product to market is undoubtedly a challenging business.  Having the idea is a good start but only the beginning of the story. Let me share what I’ve learned from my experience of the journey from great idea, via hard work to launching a product in the market.
Testing the product idea
Is your idea a breakthrough one? Are there any similar solutions out there? Is it actually possible to create? And, is it truly something people want or need?  Research is needed to find …

There are few of us out there who wouldn’t appreciate a little extra cash at the end of the month. It’s always a struggle making ends meet, but this can be especially true for working parents. Consequently, finding handy ways to make some money on the side can make all the difference between being able to pay for that school trip or not. To help you out, we’ve come up with a list of a number of different ways you can do just that. Take a read and see which …