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Stop Thief!
Corporate identity theft is on the rise and it could cost your business a fortune. It allows criminals to order goods or obtain services from suppliers on company accounts, or to conduct industrial espionage.
If your business becomes the target of such activity, the impacts could be direct financial losses of misappropriated services or goods, possible fines resulting from breach of regulatory rules, and/or loss of actual and potential customers resulting from harm to your business’ reputation.
Click here to find out how to protect your business. But in summary – be vigilant.
Data Protection –
Even Solicitors Get it Wrong!
In a recent case a Rochdale matrimonial solicitor faced a fine and legal costs of over £6,500 for failing to register with the Information Commissioner under the 1998 Data Protection Act.
Like any business or individual processing personal information he should have paid the £35 fee and registered.
If you are concerned whether your business complies with the Act read our Data Protection checklist or call Andrew Woolley on 01789 267377. |
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Networking – A Sure Fire Way to Grow Your Business Networking is one of those words that mean different things to different people but I'd like to suggest that networking is something everyone in business does every single day, without even consciously realising they’re doing it. The benefits of doing it well can be significant.
How many times have you overheard a conversation at a networking lunch or over a pint in the pub that goes something along the lines of: "John, you mentioned the other day that you know someone who can fix PCs. Can you give me their number - mine’s crashed again."
Networking is in operation in a number of ways here. The speaker and John obviously have some kind of relationship and regular contact where they discuss business related matters. John has obviously networked with the PC ‘fixer’ and felt confident enough to recommend him, plus the speaker is confident enough to accept a recommendation from John.
There are a few important points about networking relating to this very simple scenario, you can find out more by following this link to an article which includes the Essential Tools of Networking and a link to 10 Dos and Don’ts of Networking.
Article written by Teresa Harris, Second Opinion Marketing. Teresa is an independent marketing consultant working with service sector businesses and independent professionals.
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Disclaimer Notices We have all seen these notices in car-parks, signs like "The company shall not be liable for any loss or damage to your vehicle whilst on these premises". You may even have signs like this on your own premises, but are they going to protect you if a visitor makes a claim?
Our Derby lawyer, John King observes that publicly displayed disclaimer notices may not infact protect your business from claims. The courts generally rule that such a notice must be easily seen by persons using the premises, so it is no good having one the size of a post-card, or hiding it away in a corner.
Also, if customers are paying to enter your premises, they must see the sign before they pay or take a ticket, otherwise a court would rule that you were trying to impose conditions after the contract came into being, and such conditions are therefore null and void.
Finally, you cannot escape liability for death or bodily injury by way of such a notice. Even in cases where a notice has clearly stated something like "dangerous premises – trespassers keep out" occupiers have been found liable by the courts for bodily injury (yes, even to trespassers!) To make sure you protect your business from claims – do take advice. John King is available on 01332 676880 or by email.
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