5 reasons to set up or expand a business in the UK
There are a number of reasons why the UK is the number one choice for foreign companies to set up shop. Besides the access that is possible to the European markets as well, the UK has a massive labour force displaying varying skills in a number of different...
The Manufacturing Sector and SA’s Economy
A media statement released last month on the DTI website rounded up the thoughts and goals of the leaders in the manufacturing sector in South Africa. Certainly, a lot needs to be done to not only improve this sector of SA’s economy, but also to ensure its sustainable...
UK Inflation down to 0%
The United Kingdom recently saw a drop in its inflation rate of 0.1% in May, to 0% in June. So what does this mean for businesses in the UK? In a nut-shell, it means that UK businesses are able to enjoy better profit margins compared to previous months. As a new...
Should government increase VAT
If you’re keeping up with the current trends in South Africa’s tax economy, you’re sure to have your own personal opinion on how increasing VAT would affect your business and standard of living. Depending on your demographics and interest in inflation rates and GDP,...
Pete’s Pen – July
We’re at the end of July, and what a month it’s been. I thought that this month all eyes would be on the Greek economy, and here in SA we’ll be left unaffected. I thought that the Rand might get even stronger. Alexis Tsipras, Greece’s Prime Minister, succeeded in...
Pete’s Pen – June
Back around January this year, the Rand was hovering at around 17 to the UK PND, and in my ‘Pen’ in February I said that in my totally uninitiated and unscientific opinion, the Rand would reach 20 to the pound and 12,50 to the USD by the end of the year. I cannot even...
Pete’s Pen – May
I'm passionate about small business. That passion first emerged in 1972 when I worked for an Insurance Company in Johannesburg. My job was to persuade insurance brokers to give my company their clients’ insurance business. To provide the quote, I had to visit the...
Pete’s Pen – April
This month was ‘April Fools’ month. Did you get caught? I did. And have you ever wondered why it is called April Fool? Nobody seems to know, but probably the most logical is the explanation that when the Gregorian calendar was adopted in the late 1500s, the New Year...