I'm just incredulous that Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling think that a 2.5% cut in VAT is going to kick start the economy by getting consumers spending again.
Firstly, retailers can't even shift the stuff on 20% off super duper mega discount splurge days.
Secondly, has anyone in the Government ever had any experience actually running a business? If so they would realise that the administrative cost - not to mention the sheer hassle - of changing all their prices (including the cost of re-printing catalogues and menus etc) is an absolute nightmare. And is any retailer really going to reduce their price from £9.99 to £9.78? I think not.
A friend of ours is the retail director of one of Britain's biggest chains. He has 20,000 different products on sale at 300 stores. We've already offered to send our children over to help out with all the re-labelling...
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66 comments:
For once I am going to agree entirely with you on this one. I'm lucky in that my businesses sell in lumpy amounts so pricing isn't a problem but we've still got to change our accounting systems.
If I were in retail I simply wouldn't bother changing my prices and just absorb the extra revenue (God knows they need it at the moment).
C
As far as invoicing goes, it doesn't really matter a hoot to us, as every job we do is priced individually.
Probably better if we all go back to bartering and exchanging goods, ie; 2 sheep for 1 cow system, mind I wonder what the government would be able to trade with ha!
DLOG
Any one up for a beer tonight, or in your case Rachel a glass or 2 of wine? Unless of course you drink beer also!!
DLOG
Sorry DLOG - not in London although I would have loved to.
Re: the retail price change, the aforementioned retail director friend of ours is saying that the admin cost to their business of passing on this VAT cut (across 20k products at 300 stores)is c£1million.
R
Why did they not ASK the business community what would help them most at the moment???
If for example they had given a couple of £K to any business prepared to take on another employee (with terms).....
Or a couple of £K to start up any business with 2 employees or more....
Both of which would leverage the expenditure of the new wage earner...and pull a few people off the dole
Or a non means tested 50% grant for any small business to get some marketing assistance...
Or a grant to pay for extra marketing for any business which is in trouble....
Or an extension of the loan guarantee scheme to help business raise working capital
Lots of things that might help..
But VAT? Complete and total and utter waste of time, for everyone except accountants, who will charge dear to sort out the mess!!
Would a small financial incentive really make you take on more staff than you actually need? I am just about to recruit three more people, should I get paid for doing something I was going to do anyway?
I think the key here is making reasonably capital available to businesses. Cashflow is the issue. Most businesses will survive this recession as long as you don't cut off their funding lines. If it were me I'd massively expand the scope of the small firm loan guarantee scheme to reduce the perceived risk of lending to SMEs. I'd bring overdrafts into the scheme and make it available to all firms below a certain turnover threshold. I'd also legislate for payment holidays within the scheme and an independent appeal process for defaults.
C
I know, let's make 'C' Chancellor of the Exchequer - he'd soon sort things out!
(Not a very anonymous role though...)
R
An invitation to rant about the inherrent flaws in our tax system but for the sake of your readers, one that I shall resist!
C
>>If it were me I'd massively expand the scope of the small firm loan guarantee scheme to reduce the perceived risk of lending to SMEs.<<
Sound words C...sound words
I'd like to hear your rant about the inherent flaws in the tax system, I've got a few of my own... I'm being hassled for a repayment of some tax credits I took in 03/04 following redundancy from my previous job. Have a court hearing tomorrow.
@
I think the tax credit system is both demeaning and inefficient. A far better solution would be to increase personal allowances to take a whole swathe of people out of the tax system entirely whilst increasing the income tax rates. The basic allowance increase would compensate most people for the higher rates whereas people like me would end up paying a fairer share.
C
Anne and all, I know this may sound a bit stupid but, I wonder if you could make a counter claim against them, by way of you have given that tax back already in the form of helping to bail out the banking system with YOUR TAX, which you of course you had no choice in.
TheDLOG
Well, well well, me and going off on tangents, you all know what I'm like. But this time I need some advice/opinions from you all, but must admit Rachel has very kindly given me her comment already, heehee :-). At the time of asking Rachel's advice it was still in early stages, but now it is for real!
Had a phone call this morning from the Producer of ITV's 'Come Dine With Me', following up an over the phone interview, to see if I am going to go with it, as they think I am prime entertainment, LOL haha!, they need a reply by Monday 1st December.
So the question is all, should I do it?
DLOG
DLOG, DLOG, DLOG....
When did you ever expect not to be invited?
I reckon the 'D' in DLOG is for Dare....Dan Dare!!!
Let me know what time you will be on the telly...
go for it....why stop a habit of lifetime? Isn't that what Rachel does all the time.
She goes for it!!!!
Go for it DLOG - absolutely!
@
Stephen, "When did you ever expect not to be invited?", never expected anything like that, they start to film in February, 1 week of filming, mind you I reckon Rachel may have had something to do with it, thanks a lot if you did Rachel :-)
DLOG
DLOG
If it's what you want then go for it. Obviously, don't let the television career interfere too much with your business or you will be featuring in Rachel's next book.
C
Go for it DLOG, let us know when it is!
Go for it DLOG, let us know when it is!
Go for it DLOG, let us know when it is!
oops!
Hardly a career C, but thanks for your input. All be it the sort of answer I would expect from her indoors, "if it's what you want", :-)
Going into Rachel's next book, cor that would be good publicity don't you think, by the way when is the next book due out C, you must have some insider knowledge I suspect?
DLOG
"We've already offered to send our children over to help out with all the re-labelling..."
So Alistair and Gordon are now also creating ideal situations for child labour lol
Joking aside, I totally agree with you Rachel on this one - what a waste of everyone's time a 2.5% VAT reduction is. When the press first started mentioning there may be a VAT reduction to help boost sales and the economy, I was expecting a cut down to 10% - even for a period of say 6 months.
Rachel
Are you writing a new book? If so can you please feature DLOG as it would clearly make him very happy.
DLOG, if I ever write a book about my entrepreneurial journey I will also be sure to mention you.
C
C, something like, 'a crazy gun weilding nutter'.
Alias the Jackal (russel - corgi registered), heehee!
I look forward to reading it C!!
All seriousness, if you do decide to wrtie a book let me know, as I know a publisher, he just completed a lovely book, all coated stock for the text and hard bound, £2.50/copy, quantity of 5000.
DLOG
Oh, if either of you do decide to put me in your next book, ha, please be reminded to keep the name DLOG, in it!
Perhaps you could send a copy off to J. Gold, heeheeheehee! know what I mean Rachel!!!!!!!!
DLOG
Hi,
Great blog. I'm looking at getting into business and am looking for networking opportunities, collaborations and advice etc, and also to offer the same if I can!
BMJ
BMJ
What are your plans? Despite the doom and gloom there is never a bad time to go into business. Good luck!
C
Hi C,
No concrete plans as yet into which field I will be in, I just know i'm going into business! im toying around with a few ideas at the moment,(probably the servicce industry). Just looking for networking opportunities at the moment etc etc are you in business yourself C?
BMJ
ooh ooh, please can I answer that one, yes he is, but no one here knows what it is, or in fact who he is,
DLOG
Being anonymous means that you are only judged on your views not on who you are or what you have. But yes, I am in business and like you when I started out I had no idea what I wanted to do, just that I wanted to do it!
I'm lucky that I come from a family of entrpreneurs so had lots of inspiration and criticism to help me start. But start you must, don't just dream about it but get on and take the plunge.
C
Come C, why should we be judgemental of you, it would be nice to know who you are.
Go on take the plunge, lets meet.
Oh, just had a thought of who you could be, Simon Cowell, he comes from a family of entrepreneurs!!
DLOG
DLOG - without knowing who I am you can only judge me on the views expressed here. That's fine with me.
Privacy is like virginity, you only lose it once. When you embark on a business career you can either embrace publicity (eg Rachel) or you can choose to stay out of the limelight. I have chosen the latter. I have friends who own well known companies but we choose to remain anonymous. It gives you freedom. Rachel will know what I mean as she must experience the opposite.
C
Anonymous C, you are a scaredy subversive.
A pretender at the big table.
A fart in the wind.
Your covert ways mean that you never have to take responsibility for your words.
Never have to look someone in the eye sincerely, and stand by your word.
You are a wimp with no backbone that suffles around in the darkness and expects the same attention as those in the battle.
Anonymous is as unaccountable as the secret societies and the poisonous politicians who make mistakes and then cling to power like their lives depend on it.
If Anonymous runs a business, you just know that they are the types of people who would not take responsibility for their direction and i say
"God help their employees".
Anonymouse = sneaky, pretentious types who seek to influence without accountability.
Aha, maybe he runs an illegal prostitution racket, maybe that is why he has never been married, well that is the impression he gives, and perhaps traffics people also, that would then be a very valid reason to stay anonymous. At least the likes of Jones, Paphitis, Gold etc are seen.
But obviuously the best of all is Rachel, as she meets ands helps soooo many people, FACE to FACE with sincerity and with a great understanding of peoples feelings, unlike the other so called helpers in society.
But this C, can only be achieved by meeting with those who are less fortunate than you. To communicate effectively you have to meet with someone as mannerisms make such a difference to a conversation, you get more of a feel for someone, you know like wether they really are genuine or not.
DLOG
I don't run anything illegal or at least not that I know of.
It is precisely because I am accountable, to my employees and to the communities in which my businesses are based that I want to be anonymous here. In 'real life' I have to be somewhat more guarded or circumspect in my views. In that life I am judged by who I am and what I own, whereas here I was hoping only to be judged on the views expressed.
However, it seems that that is not possible and remaining anonymous is an irritation to you guys and I don't want to annoy. So on that basis this will be my last post to this blog.
I wish you all the luck in your endeavours and thanks for the debates.
C
Ahh, come C don't be like that, can't you see it as a challenge to us, well me anyway, to find out who you are. You played games with me not that long ago, and I still post comments, I did not take offence.
Please carry on posting, I enjoy your comments even though I don't always agree.
And don't forget I am anonymous to a point, as it is only those who have reciprocated my invites that know who I am!!
Please please please carry on posting,
sorry sorry sorry sorry.
Love you lots heehee.
DLOG
C
I think the problem is, when you are living a public life which differs to your views in private life there is a gap which is difficult to reconcile.
I have found myself in this dilemma and have tried/am trying to close that gap. The result is authenticity in all you do.
To me, living authentically is the Holy Grail of happiness & fulfillment.
Yes my 'fame' (very D-List these days I am afraid) can be a pain in the *rse, however I do actually see it as a gift which has brought some wonderful opportunities and experiences into my life. It is also great to be accessible to those who would like to talk with me.
DLOG was at the Business Start Up Show last week - as was Brad - and Mike B also turned up! They will know what I mean.
Some 'celebrity entrepreneurs' arrive 2 minutes before their speech then bugger off straight afterwards (that's if they bother to speak at events at all); others spend the whole event meeting people and getting in touch with business at the coal face. To me the latter is so much more rewarding.
Anyway, it was great to put faces to Blog comments and I hope C that one day we will meet, although I suspect that we probably have already...
R
Yes I was at the show, and Rachel you where brilliant, if only more people in your calibre, (if of course there is anyone else in your calibre), would take a leaf out of your book.
Re D-list, er no I don't think you are D-list, my opinion is you are well beyond any list :-) :-)
Keep up the good work Rachel
All the best.
DLOG
I enjoy reading your comments c, please stay.
Hi Rachel ,
Do you do event speaking up north (manchester)or have you any in the pipeline?
BMJ
Oops, forgot to say, had a lovely walk back to the office (Vauxhall) on Friday night, contemplating in peace and quiet, clear skies, the stars were out, lovely.....
DLOG :-)
As an Entrepreneur who is under immense pressure and strain to keep my business running like my dear friends who own and and contribute to this blog will tell you.
The government and various other government departments are not doing enough to help UK Entrepreneurs! In fact to the contrary they are destroying honest businesses with their heavy handed approach.
Instead of helping UK Businesses and the Entrepreneurs who run them, they are destroying us..
I have created with help and support of so many Entrepreneurs, a web site that brings us all together to share our ideas, to talk about our mistakes and share our aspirations and visions for the future...
I am totally shocked in respect of the actions that some government departments are taking.
They can take our businesses, they can take our money but they cannot take our Entrepreneurial spirit. I will hold a positive burning flame for entrepreneurs as long as i have the air in my lungs to do it.
Regards Bradley
PS - DLOG it was great to meet you and Rachel much love from the Mi crew.
Never say Never
Bradley, likewise, I have never met such inspirational sincere people as Rachel & your goodself.
You both no doubt have many issues yourselves, yet, both of you have given me so much of your time and help, and have not asked for a thing, one day though I will find a way to repay you both, It is truly amazing that there are people around like you and Rachel so willing to help others, there is no amount of money that can buy that inspiration and help.
Suffice it to say, that taking that first step in making contact with you Rachel was probably the best thing I have ever done in my life, just goes to show, "Ask and it is Given"
It would be so nice if you both convince others in the 'A-list' to be equally as helpful as the both of you.
I wish you both every success with your now businesses and any other ventures that you may partake in. And look forward to meeting many times again.
Rachel & Bradley
Love you lots :-)
DLOG
PS, C, if you are still around,
NO I AM NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST THE OTHER WAY!!
Nice words DLOG...... I think that you will find that it is Rachel that is the master of giving and i am just a mere "slightly older" apprentice.... LOL
Regards Bradley
Bradley, it is the giving that is the important factor here, not how much. What ever you & Rachel have given is greatfully received. I only hope that one day I may be in that same position able to help others who seek that inspiration that they may go out further promote the goodness that you both excel in. In my eyes there is nothing more pleasing than being able to give, to see some one truly happy through giving, and yet it costs nothing, materially, to make them happy.
The point is that both of you no doubt have problems, everyone in life does, but you still go out relentlessly and put on a brave face, smile, spread positive energy and help, and no doubt at detriment to yourselves at times, truly amazing.
DLOG :-) :-) :-)
What have you done?
I see that with C's demise from this Blog, the High Priests of the Temple of Elnaugh have driven off yet another decent person, whose only crime was to have a different point of view.
I also suspect that C, like me is one of the few actual entrepreneurs who visit this excuse for a Blog - jealousy is very ugly.
The relevance, credibility and substance of the Blog were already in question, however, this must be the final nail in its coffin..
DLOG and Stephen you should be ashamed of yourselves. I thought I was making such progress with you 2, but I see that this is not the case.
I feel this quote sums up this situation perfectly:
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all side by the inequities of the weak and the tyranny of evil men.."
DLOG and Stephen you are the weak.. We can work out who the evil is..
Here endeth lesson No 15.
There again Mr A Dragon, you have jumped to conclusions, there is no issue with C and myself, so I suggest to you that you get ALL your facts together first.
The temple of Elnaugh eh, yes I admit I do worship Rachel, Rachel is a person who is worthy of worship, she is in the middle of it, helping all that she can, If you do not like her that is your affair, but don't knock her.
"DLOG and Stephen you are the weak.. We can work out who the evil is.." meaning?
DLOG
(The Elnaugh High Priestess Worshiper)
Mr A Dragon, if you were hoping for an easy ride. I'm sure you will find one in the back streets of Amsterdam.
What is more corrupting than people hiding away in corners, whispering.
If you got something to say....this is the blog!
We can agree to disagree on almost everything. You always have the choice to find more agreeable company. I'm sure you will find someone.
Oh Dear..Things are really getting bad, or is that sad..?
DLOG, very few people are worthy of, or need to be worhsipped.. Your worship of Rachel, says as much about you as it does about her.
Clearly, there is something very fundamental missing from your life.
But here at least, both you and Stephen have found your very "small pond" in which you can play at being "big fish".
Stephen - you talk of hiding in corners, that is exactly what you are doing here.
It is you 2 who are here for an easy ride, because I am now the only person here trying to put some sense back into this Blog.
You talk about debate and discussion, but why do you think that very few other people post on here?
Its because sane people can see how you 2 have usurped this Blog into an unheathly worship of someone who also seems to get off on allowing it.
By the way, Ive never been to Amsterdam, although I bet you two have been a few times! Do you go together?
Here endeth lesson No 16.
I am sure I can speak for Stephen also when I say, we are not trying to play BIG FISH, as you put. It appears to me that you have never met such sincere inspirational people yourself before.
And on behalf of Rachel, I am sure that if she really had a problem with my/our kind of comments she would be the first to let us know. Going back sometime now Rachel did say that she would stop her blog when people stop commenting.
And now a question for you Mr A Dragon, have you ever had the pleasure of meeting Rachel, or even to have spoken with her, or do you do as you normally do, get all your facts wrong and then start to throw accusations around gun-ho.
I really can't see the problem you have with people that actually think very highly of Rachel. Perhaps you would like to have the wonderful opportunity of speaking/meeting with her, but, you have not got the courage so to speak.
Anyway when Rachel decides for herself that I/we are prats and no longer wish to speak/meet I am sure she is big enough and honest enough to say so.
DLOG
Mr A Dragon, you are limited by your vision. If you put your head up once in a while, you'd realize how special Rachel is.
If you ever built an innovative brand which led to the development of multi-million dollar markets you would know how special Rachel is.
Especially as she did it all from one of the most myopic places in the world.
Dear old... E...n...g...e....r...land.
Where the dumb banks lay in wait
and
people pretend to care!
I feel it is time I added a comment about how I feel the blog has gone.
I stopped adding comments as it seemed to become 'The DLOG and Stephen Show' rather than 'Channel Rachel'
Also, this whole thing about people posting as annonymous - what's the problem ?
Take peoples' comments at face value if they are anonymous - would it make it more acceptable for people to create false IDs just to satisfy you ?
If someone is being anonymous for a reason, personal or business, then why is it not reasonable for them to be honest about it and remain anonymous.
It baffles me why you NEED to know everyone else's business.
I am not an anonymous person and a search on the internet can reveal lots about me but I definitely respect other people's choice to choose.
Stephen, I think there is no point in trying to convince how nice person Rachel is as he obviously has a grudge against her, for what ever reason, perhaps he does know her from yester years.
Any way it will take alooooooot to convince me otherwise about how nice a Lady Rachel is, unless of course she tells me to take a hike!!
DLOG
Ok, Jules, I will stop posting OK!
There we are,
And we all lived happily ever after!!
DLOG
Ok call me fickle but I'm back posting this because I think everyone needs to chill out.
Diversity of opinion and views is what attracted me to this blog. Rachel has a particular take on the world, some of which I share, some of which I don't.
DLOG and Stephen both think very highly of Rachel. What's the problem with that? I have a favourite cat (I won't say which one so not to offend the other).
Stephen and DLOG can criticise me and my views as much as they like. I'm not offended by any of it. In fact I'd rather have people criticise me than hang on my every word (and that I do have some experience of and hence why I stay anonymous here).
Chill out people, it's fab world beyond your keyboard...God I sound like Rachel now!
C
Maybe this dlog fella thinks thus of people who are sincere towards him;
I greet you as a friend, I will support you in all your laudable undertakings.
The posture of my daily undertakings shall remind me of your wants.
Your lawful secrets when entrusted to me as such I will keep as my own.
And last but not least and possibly the most important statement of all;
I will support your character in your absence, as in your presence.
And you must all admit Rachel has been somewhat inactive this week with regards her blog, so I personally see nothing wrong with DLOG, Stephen or any one adhering to the above statements, do you?
FY
If I remember correctly I think one of the reasons Rachel started this blog was to enhance her public image following the situation with RLD.
Like a lot of people who come to this blog I have read comments with interest and added where I've felt there will be value. Having been on the receiving end of Rachel's immense kindness I too have nothing but praise for a woman who gave her time and energy for someone she did not know and is very passionate on her views about the future of small businesses in the UK to become a voice for it. But note also, Rachel is not running a charity and we must not take advantage of her goodwill.
We do have to be careful though - the perceived view of idol worship can/may destroy the image Rachel is trying to portray if we project her as the woman who 'sins but can do no wrong'. It probably won't do our own image any good either but that is perhaps less important We don't always have to see eye to eye on our views and I'm sure Rachel would agree to this.
On the subject of anonymity, I really don't have a problem with it per se. C is anonymous but has some views I respect, he has good reasons for wanting to remain anonymous and I respect. I have little respect or patience for the anonymous people who post abusive comments to Rachel because it has so little value.
I think we could all support Rachel by posting constructive comments to her blog which will support her image even if we do not agree with what she says otherwise we are in danger of being labelled sycophantic idol worshippers.
Good to see you back C.
So in your opinion Anne, what advice would you give to the likes of Dlog & Stephen, as it appears that they have perpetrated this unrest here. Albeit that it appears dlog has stated his case of not posting anymore.
FY
I'm not sure there is unrest. Both DLOG and Stephen are active on this blog and that is a good thing. Whatever their views it contributes to the debate. Perhaps we could all make it look less of a DLOG and Stephen show by contributing more if we feel so inclined.
Don't think DLOG should stop posting either.
@nne
There you go.. It is possible to have some lively debate!
Its nice to see C back and great to see other posters.
DLOG and Stephen - do you see now?
I am sure Jules is one of many visitors who have been put off this Blog, by the way you two "patrol" it, handbags at the ready, to swipe anyone with a differing view to yours..
Your fanatical support of Rachel has probably turned more people off this Blog and maybe off Rachel than you might think.
How is that supporting her? Its time that you two thought about whether your actions are helping or hindering..
Perhaps if you moderate your tone, you might find people moderate thiers towards you.
Here endeth Lesson No 17.
Mr A Dragon,
I suggest that you read Rachel's latest post, then make you accusations against myself and Stephen.
Here endeth your 1st lesson.
DLOG
JulesBrad, I tell you what i have against anonymous. Anonymous is the same whispers that took us to war in Iraq. The same whispers that wangled George Bush to be President of US. The same whispers that tries to get us to accept that bailing out banks and big business, isn't blackmail. The same whispers that leaks our children's data out onto the Internet and leaves confidential papers in public places.
The same whispers that cheated Rachel out of RLD and will ultimately see its demise.
The anonymous secret cults who hide behind closed doors on a Friday night and play chess with peoples lives and take more than their fair share. People in the media playing fast and loose with our children's perceptions mixing toy ads and debt ads in between Scooby Doo. The battalions of policy makers and lawyers at the BBC who scutter around looking important, excitedly reprogramming the propaganda vehicle to ensure people accept the credit crunch as anything other than just a rich mans game.
The anonymous are those little people with power, but who are unaccountable for their actions.
It is these people who will ultimately eat away and corrupt every thing good that society stands for. They are pervasive and have sought to cover their tracks.
Don't you see what is happening here? The cracks are showing in our way of life.
The devil is getting into the detail.
Hold strong against the whispers, for they are surely the devils disciples.
Why its a fucking disgrace! Wake up everyone! Get your heads out of your arse. There is no sunshine up there! Don't let the whispers have they way!
If you don't like Rachel - then go whisper insincerly somewhere else.
I just don't buy into the intense paranoia myself - each to their own.
Here, here.
From the Government's perspective the tax cut was an easy, universally applicable giveaway - but it is so meaningless as to be nothing more than money down the drain. They literally might as well burnt the cash and billed us taxpayers later - as they are planning to do.
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