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16
May
2012
Small electrical contractors may require government trade boost
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK - such as individual electrical contractors running their own businesses - require more help if they are to crack high-growth markets.The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has suggested that SMEs need extra support from the government in order to gain a footing and start regular trade in fast-moving sectors.A survey of more than 8,000 businesses found that many feel they are being held back by a national focus on more traditional...
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16
May
2012
Can electrical contractors benefit from text marketing?
Electrical contractors are being consistently reminded of the importance of marketing to foster demand and loyalty from consumers. However, many businesses fail to exploit the benefits of mobile marketing, especially in the construction industry. Retail companies have already shown that using the mobile revolution to stimulate interest and generate custom is advantageous. Marks and Spencer are one company that has used the medium well to inform consumers of deals and events in store. ...
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15
May
2012
Layered lighting recommended to Britons
Electrical contractors carrying out work in British homes could follow one expert's advice and add to their range of layered lighting.Interior designer Jo Hamilton has told how LED lighting is now starting to take off among UK residents and one of its major benefits is the fact there are so many types on offer.By using dimmer switches rather than standard controls, experts can offer their customers the potential to flick between various degrees of brightness, which can be extremely...
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15
May
2012
SMEs would benefit from a debt repayment moratorium
Over the past couple of years SME electrical contractors have struggled to make ends meet, as the construction sector continues to contract. Consequently, business growth has been halted and many have found themselves in debt. Finding a solution to this problem and supporting SMEs is key to restoring confidence in the industry and the UK economy as a whole. According to Mike Ogilvie, business financial consultant at Mikeogilvie.com, the introduction of a moratorium on debt would make a...
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14
May
2012
Should you re-think retirement?
Electrical contractors approaching retirement may want to rethink and delay stopping work for another year. This is according to the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC-UK), which claims that people should be expected to work longer to fund care costs. Research also found that just over two-fifths of people agree with this assertion, in light of people living longer and enjoying a better level of health on average. The study also found that 42 per cent of the population believe the...
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11
May
2012
Low construction output hampers GDP growth
The growth of the country's GDP has once again been hampered by low construction output. Figures for quarter one of 2012 from the Office of National Statistics have revealed that the sector performed even worse than expected. Output fell by 4.8 per cent compared with the final quarter of 2011 and 3.7 per cent from the first quarter of last year. This has dragged down overall GDP growth by 0.1 per cent, with the future likely to yield much of the same unless demand increases. New work...
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11
May
2012
Will electrical contractors benefit from outsourcing trend?
Electrical contractors should take advantage of the growing trend among businesses to outsource work in an attempt to cut costs. According to Ewan McKay, marketing manager at Response, outsourcing is becoming increasingly popular, as it helps companies focus on their "core business" and can "improve service quality through experience, efficiency and service level agreement". What's more, outsourcing enables businesses to demonstrate "best practice that would be...
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10
May
2012
Is poor DIY spending effecting electrical contractors?
Electrical contractors currently experiencing a dip in demand may be doing so because of poor levels of DIY investment by the British Public. According to research by Lloyds TSB, people are spending less and less on home improvements, with levels of expenditure reaching a 15-year low. In 2011, only £7.8 billion was spent on DIY - the equivalent of around £300 per household. At the spending peak, homeowners gave up a collective £15.5 billion on home improvements in 2004. ...
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10
May
2012
Keep abreast of card payment developments
Businesses must stay abreast of developments in card payment technology to ensure that their company is offering the most efficient service to customers. According to Richard Bradley, company director at Acceptcards.co.uk, there are currently lots of new developments in the pipeline when it comes to card payments, including mobile phone applications. "The only slight caveat to all this is a lot of this technology is yet to be made PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)...
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10
May
2012
Social media presence 'vital' for electrical contractors
Electrical contractors must ensure that they have a social media presence to stay competitive and foster demand. Jennifer Stenhouse, partner at My Media Management and howtomarketyourselfforsuccess.com, claims that every business must have a social media site, as they increase consumer engagement. What's more, they work well as part of an integrated marketing strategy. Nonetheless, it is important to carefully consider the desired audience when creating a social media site and tailor...
