Tag Archives: Business

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A Positive Impact Upon Society :)

I have decided to write you a post to encourage you into the idea that whilst running a company you can also have a positive impact on society.

By encouraging a sense of social belonging, your customers will want to fight for you. Even defend your good name; you can build your business on a relationship that is filled with trust and respect. That is if you are prepared to go that extra mile!

How can you achieve this?

One method would be to donate a small portion of your profits to a charity fund you have created for the benefit of the communities your customers are a part of.

It’s a simple, easy and very effective way to make sure that you to can make a difference in a world that is so very hard for some people today to live in.

So how am I implementing this idea with my own company GenieHomeSwap? Well Homelessness has always been close to my heart and it’s something that with the new bedroom tax that’s coming is going to get worse. So with every £3.99 Gold Members subscription fee we are donating 25% every month from it and transferring it to our own homeless fund.

We have already organised to work alongside various soup kitchens supplying the homeless with thermals, waterproofs, compact sleeping bags, mini med kits, flasks, gloves, etc that will help keep them warm during the freezing months and hopefully could contribute to saving the lives of the most needy.

Winter is getting colder and the streets are going to get more crowded.

It is our intention to get the communities involved with this, an act that should help bridge relations between the everyday people and this nations homeless.

We will also have leaflets of advice for the homeless, and provide information packs and points of contact for them as in these worrying times we all need to help one another.

For our volunteers that dedicate their time and go beyond their means will be rewarded for their efforts.

This is my dream and I wanted to share it with you because if all business modules had this attached to it somehow what a wonderful world we would live in

Love to all x

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11 Months & Counting…

To think it’s nearly two weeks since my last post and my life has been a whirlwind of events

From perfecting the business plan for GenieHomeSwap, to helping the Trussell Trust as a thank you for helping me and my family when things got really tough. To now panicking like a bunny in headlights awaiting the answer from Zero Start Ventures to see whether they are interested in investing in my ideas.

Oh and the virus from HELL…

It’s funny to think that my future and life is in their hands (Zero’s). One simple decision could affect everything I have planned for a long time, Scary or what?

What will I do if the answer is a no?

As time is ticking, keeping myself afloat is getting harder and harder, but its just a good job I’m a cracking swimmer lol

Come to think of it… keeping afloat should be added to my CV 😉

Talking of which I met a lovely lady in the local supermarket when I was opposite the eggs. I was busy arguing with myself about the extra £1.50 for the 24 eggs because that £1.50 could mean another base for a meal like a small pack of meat or something similar from the reduced section that I could freeze. Then this lady with a friendly smile was staring at me obviously thinking “What the hell is she doing staring at the eggs for all this time?”

So I explained about the Egg scenario and how that £1.50 really could make all the difference to whether we eat or not. I had a lot of things in the trolley for my children and not many items for my Husband and I just some Chicken. She remembered me from the TV feature (cue embarrassment) and I went on to tell her about how amazing the Trussell Trust are and about how my families lives will be different in 11 months time once I successfully launch Genie.

She was lovely genuinely interested and also knew of the Trussell Trust too.

I have full faith in what I’m doing and I know that this is the only way for me to do it (because of my personal situation with my disabled sons care and also my poor health).

It’s simple, if Zero Start Ventures don’t think Genie is for them it’s not because they don’t like the idea… it will be because it’s not their area of expertise or just not for them.

If that does happen I’ll pick myself up and keep fighting for another day. I have done this before and can do it again a thousand times.

It’s all for my kids, so I have to!

That doesn’t make it any less painful, but it’s how you utilise that pain that counts remember that guys x

Try to turn it into a positive and you win every time.

I will let you know of the outcome with Zero Start x

Love to all

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llegitimi non carborundum ;) (Don’t Let The B******s Grind You Down)

Bedroom Tax Is The New Victorian Window Tax

Today I’ve been working along side a range of people as they sign up to the GenieHomeSwap promotion and one thing has become clear.  There is one thing uniting us all, not only here in the UK but all over the world… What is it? The impending cuts that threaten us all! But the bigger question is do we agree with how our governments are spending our money? We keep seeing how MP’s in Britain can claim for holiday Homes,  Fuel Mileage and even the meals eaten at their meetings. Whereas their poor hard working commoners are scrapping the last of their food together to make ‘Friday night surprise’.  In America people are signing please do not resuscitate orders because they can’t afford the insurance anymore and their medical bills are too high. This is meant to be the time of freedom, a time of health, happiness and well being… But all I see is the on coming of destruction because our governments are just not in touch with the people they are supposed to represent.

In Britain we are still very much a divided society, one wherein the higher ranks of well-to-do families still have the idea that ‘If I can claim for it, then I bloody well should’ A land of ‘we are the entitled, so therefore we will’ when in fact there are now over 4,000,000 children suffering in hardship whilst the MP’s dine at the Ivy.

The reason that the politicians of this country just don’t understand their constituents (or could even comprehend how to begin living the life we do) is because the only time they come in contact with us is election time when they are rallying. Just because in America they employed Beyonce too shake her tushy (And whilst I’m not denying she doesn’t do it well) but what I’m getting at is it doesn’t mean the candidate knows anything about a country’s actual well being except for the tosh they are encouraged to feed them before show time. It’s actually a very clever sales pitch and they are using harmonic distortion to raise your moral……….Think about it

It’s the same here in England, candidates promise us the world and implement bedroom tax on the poor families who’s children have actually left the country now because the cost of living is too much or have moved to the other end of the nation to look for work. In the Victorian times we had window tax this is the same, don’t you think? Its just a way of the government trying to look proactive to the what they think is the important people in life. But that’s where they’re wrong!

I understand that plenty of rich people do fantastic things for charity but what they don’t realise is after claiming 15 years of child benefit for 4 children at £240 a month,  DLA at high care at £292 every month and the mobility part at another £290 on top of their 65,000 joint income is morally wrong when there are children suffering.  I understand that they give immense amounts to charities but most of these are in fact foreign ones.  Why not continue with what they are doing (with regards charity work) but not claim that extra £1000 a month in benefit or several thousand for that holiday home.  By claiming it, they have taken it from the ones who need it  most. People lose their homes, Their jobs everything as soon as they fall to behind the poverty line

The backbone of our nations are the hard working families, and those who love and support each other in times of need. These people who don’t judge you, or fleece you when you’re down on your luck. The people that stop to help you in the street.  The passionate people who when they see something stand up and shout ……………NO.

If they truly knew us, like I know the people where I live, they wouldn’t be treating us this way.  People are dying in my country because they are stripping their benefit away from them just to meet the latest government projection so they can continue to lie to the hierarchy and receive their bonus. The cost of living goes up benefit goes down. Tax cuts for the rich, and crippling penalties for the poor.

I would like you all to imagine them raising a silver spoon and shouting

‘All for one and one for all’

 If only that were true

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20002362  Shocking

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Stats Are Funny Things

Right now I’m a bit sleep deprived and just about to make a drink,  settle down and do some blogging whilst Rowan is crashed out and comfortable. What do I find? That even though there’s loads of content in my blog; ranging from funding advice to family dilemmas and even some good old fashioned detective work. Your favourite part of my blog according to my stats is the detective work and the Quantum diaries. Funnily enough this has still been troubling me to the point when I do sleep I just have troubled dreams. There must be something I can do right? Someway I can get justice for us all. I mean over 700 businesses and families suffering at the hands of those rogues. Plus there is the poor people like me who just got a bespoke design for several thousand of pounds.

I recently wrote a post about how a Greek mythology story had a very good hidden meaning and maybe I should and could apply that to my life. It also taught you to try and look forward to your future and pay little attention to your past. But what if the past is still affecting so many people now? Doesn’t that still qualify as a current problem and therefore apply to the future?

My friends, if I have mislead you by saying this, then I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention; but as a normal person with compassion and bucket loads of empathy I can’t stand on the sidelines anymore and leave this alone. My conscience will not allow it, My subconscious is already giving me a run for my money and it’s not in my genetic make up to lie down to people who think they are smarter than me.

We all deserve the truth and an independent figure investigating what has happened x

Let it begin again 🙂

Wow what a journey indeed of discovery as I never thought I would be saying these words again x

Love to all

Genies Mum x x

 

 

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1000 Free Life Time Accounts Up For Grabs x

Hi Guys

Its been a fab day even considering the weather, the heavens haven’t stopped 🙂

So on GenieHomeSwaps Listings page on Facebook we’re doing a promotion.

People are already listing their houses nicely, but we need more x

Here’s the the good bit x

We’re giving away 1000 FREE life time accounts with full access to the discount card and monthly draws for when the GenieHomeSwap website goes live.

Just to re-cap GenieHomeSwap is a social housing exchange website, Although we will also be able to do this for home-owners too in the near future.

Please feel free to come over and list your property if you’re a social housing tenant. By following the link 🙂 once you have listed your property please PM us your email and we will keep it safe and confidential.

Please be assured you details will never be sold to another party Genie would rather go back into her lamp than do that x

If you are a social housing landlord and feel that your tenants would benefit from this please contact us and we’ll send you a poster to put in your office 😉 and a promotional mug to say thank you x

Please follow this link x

https://www.facebook.com/GenieHomeSwapListings?ref=hl

Or follow me on Twitter under x

GenieHomeSwap

This ride will be amazing if you believe, I know I do x

Remember it’s the FIRST 1000 PLACES ARE  FREE on GenieHomeSwap.com when we launch

After that its £1.99 to £3.99 a month……………… That’s it 🙂

So what do you have to lose except the house you no longer want x

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HELPING YOUR BUSINESS GROW INTERNATIONALLY

UK Trade & Investment

Call 020 7215 8000 to find out how to get in touch with an International Trade Adviser in your area.

Or http://www.ukti.gov.uk/home.html?guid=none

Support Type: 

Expertise, Advice and Mentoring

How can they help?

Structured advice and support to prepare your company to start exporting, with the aim to improve your company’s exporting capabilities and to help you enter new export markets.

What does it do?

What you receive will be designed to meet your needs, but you will typically receive:

• Assessment of your company’s ability to export;

• Help with a plan to help you start exporting, improve your exporting capability, or enter new export markets;

• Advice and support enabling you to put your plans into action

What will it achieve for me and my business?

Help is tailored to individual company needs but you may get help from an experienced International Trade Adviser to:

• Gain the skills needed to trade internationally;

• Learn how to conduct market research;

• Travel to new markets and participate in trade fairs;

• Learn how to overcome cultural barriers to exporting;

• Receive information, contacts and on the spot assistance to help you win business in new overseas markets.

You should see improved business results.

How much will it cost? This depends on what you require. Most of their help is free but there are charges (albeit at a subsidised rate) for some of the services, notably from UKTI staff overseas. SMEs, inexperienced in trading internationally may be eligible for grant towards market research, overseas visits, participation in trade fairs etc. The scheme is aimed at any businesses that are deemed to be suitable and ready to export.

Additional Information: 

Most support is available throughout the UK. Certain aspects of intensive assistance are for England only. The Devolved Administrations have comparable schemes. This product is open to all UK businesses and those that make a significant contribution to the UK economy. Which is how it should be learn to be generous and you will find that the benefits are amazing.  Some specific named programmes are only open to companies that meet the EU definition of an SME. Some aspects of the product are chargeable but at a subsidised rate.

Business Type: 

Private company

Public limited company

Partnership

Maximum of employee 249

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Own It Baby ;D

So finally my hard work is paying off and people are realising that what happened to Genie wasn’t our fault. The trust is rebuilding which is great as that’s my aim, Genie being built around basic human values. Reliability, Honour, Trust, Ambition and above all,

Are you ready for it……♥ LOVE AAAAAHHHHHH ♥

Now this is the clever bit, if you truly pour your heart and soul into something, give it your all if you actually love it. Then if somebody threatens your business or idea, then you will fight tooth and nail to get it back. And that’s what I’m doing.

I have never been a “I don’t like that one, I want this one :p” kind of person, or one who frequently changes their mind.

If I make a decision to make something work it will x

Business is mainly driven now by greed and ambition. All the values above used to get snigered at when applied in business but things are starting to change. Which can only be positive and I fully support it x x

Hence one of my article about emotions in the workplace

 

Some good tips also are 

 

  • Customers Happiness is paramount.
  • Confidentiality is key and you should always protect your customer
  • Ensure reassurance is installed in your customer by making sure they are comfortable with all transactions. 
  • Demonstrate the stability of your company in the way you do things.
  • and finally communication should be your best friend (both within the office and in the wider world).

 

How have I learnt these points by watching other companies over time, and carefully and educating myself. You can do it too

My business meeting is today which I am going to grab IT BY THE BALLS and OWN IT BABY 🙂 

Wish me luck x x

 

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Positive Influences In The Guise Of A Story

I am going to share a story with you that’s taken from Greek mythology and its taught me a fantastic lesson

(This is my take on the story)

ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE

Orpheus and Eurydice were soul mates their love so great they were never apart. Until one fateful day when Eurydice stepped on a poisonous snake and fell to her death. Orpheus was beside himself, how could he ever sing again without his love and true soul mate by his side.

Orpheus was a great musician he decided to rescue his wife and descended to Hades to sing for her release. His voice so pure and beautiful the dark powers were moved by his plea and released His bride. But with one condition and this was never to be broken.

The powers made him promise not to look at Eurydice until they reached natural light. He agreed seeing that this task was simple, how could the powers be so stupid to mock him this way.  Orpheus agreed and the couple started to celebrate with an embrace. But this was forbidden, only when they reached the top could they really unite.

 The journey was long and hard but Orpheus had full faith that they were free and she was behind him. Up until he couldn’t hear Eurydice there anymore, he panicked  and weakened. The warm air from the sun took his breath and replaced it with the sense of glory as he reached the top. As he turned around and caught a glimpse of his beautiful bride the grey light was still cascading over her face. He looked too soon……………………………………………………………………….

At that very moment he didn’t even get to say goodbye.  She was taken by a force so great that he watched her being dragged down the dark tunnel, back to Hades and vanishing before his eyes. There she would meet her fate and all at the fault of her lover. A faint cry was all he could detect for a second, all because he faltered and looked back. Orpheus never got over his loss,  forever missing his bride and becaming a symbol of resistance in accepting loss, which requires leaving the past behind and looking ahead to your future x

The morale of the story…………. if you pay too much attention to your past,  you will miss out on your future.

So how has that affected me as a person and why am I telling you this?

Lately I have been dwelling on what GenieHomeSwap.Com was going to be like and that’s not healthy,  but since reading this story I am not going to do that anymore. Things happen for a reason and maybe Quantum’s demise (web programmers liquidation) has actually prevented Genies  liquidation in the future because she wasn’t going to be hosted by a bunch of cowboys.

I think maybe some of you might find this useful as a life exercise. Whether it comes in handy to apply within your family, work or even money. Whatever happens we need to keep on going my friends and that’s the key x x

If we can help others on the way ………………….DO IT Trust me it’s a life changing experience.

If the world is kinder place then it will be a happier one too x

I hope you enjoy my take on the story x

Night all x x

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A Normal Option For A Normal Person ;p

The New Enterprise Allowance…………….Not bad and easy to access as well.

This is great if you are deciding to start your own business and you’re in receipt of benefits. The benefit that qualify’s is Job Seekers allowance.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/programmesandservices/DG_198864

Its primarily designed for loan and finance, but also offers a very good mentoring. New Enterprise Allowance is great for connections too, and they support you for 6 months from your sign up day.

New Enterprise Allowance ……………… what is it?

  • Support and advice to help prepare for self-employment
  • Support for at least the first six months of trading
  • An allowance paid for the first 26 weeks of business, to help support you during your business start up. At these times your earnings could rise and fall
  • Loan of up to £1,000

The allowance and the loan are not taken into account when working out these benefits

  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Benefit
  • Tax credits
  • Income Tax

New Enterprise Allowance …………….Get The Ball Rolling

If you are interested in taking part in The New Enterprise Allowance then please talk to your Jobcentre they will explain everything and put your mind at ease:

Touching on these topics

  • How will the New Enterprise Allowance works?
  • Who will assess the business idea/Plan?
  • Who provides the practical support?
  • What do the adviser expect from me at the Jobcentre?
  • How much will I be paid?
  • About the loan – including where to apply for a small, affordable loan to help with start up costs
  • What will happen when the allowance ends

If they think your idea is viable then they will direct you to a funding option, usually in the form of a low interest loan.

I have had a Community Development Finance Association (CDFA) low interest loan (Impetus Marches,Shropshire very nice people) These specialists will go over your business plan with a fine tooth comb and either grant you the funds or point you in the right direction of a mentor so you can get to where you want to be. You will also be assigned a mentor if you get the funding so again a win win situation  (loan)

For more information please contact Jobcentre Plus on 08456 060 234

Eligibility: 

To meet the criteria you have to be over 18 years of age and one of the following:

  • In receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance for at least six months, before entry to the Work Programme
  • Your Business Idea has been looked at and it’s a cracker  ;D
  • You live in an area where The New Enterprise Allowance is available

Good luck guys hope this helps x x x

See you soon

Laters x