Temporary working 'considered by four in 10', says REC

If there was any need for further confirmation of the very real relevance today of contractor accountants for doctors and others working on a temporary basis, it surely came in a new report released by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

Entitled Flex appeal: Why freelancers, contractors and agency workers choose to work this way, the report outlined the results of a YouGov survey of 4,234 adults. It showed that more than one in three - 36 per cent - of people in Great Britain had previously worked as a contractor, freelancer or agency worker, and that working this way in the future was being contemplated by 41 per cent.

24 of per cent of those polled had been a temporary agency worker, while one in 10 (10 per cent) had worked as a contractor and one in 10 (11 per cent) had freelanced.

The report also uncovered interesting statistics on career and earning potential, including that 40 per cent of those currently earning £30,000 or more had worked as an agency worker, contractor or freelancer, as well as that agency work was a familiar experience to 22 per cent of people who presently earned more than £50,000. Meanwhile, of those who were currently entrusted with hiring responsibility at work, 36 per cent had been an agency worker themselves.

Kevin Green, REC chief executive commented: "Working as a contractor, freelancer or agency worker is a choice for many people, and flexibility is a key reason they opt for this kind of work. Flexible working especially appeals to young people, parents and people scaling back as they approach retirement."

He added that despite perceptions in some quarters of temporary work as "a second rate or dead-end career choice", those who actually worked this way valued the ability that it gave them to earn more, fit work around their family life or gain certain skills and experience that may not have been obtainable otherwise.

Green therefore called for greater support for, rather than the penalisation of those seeking to improve their work-life balance. He said that this could be achieved through employers treating their temporary personnel more like their wider workforce, with training opportunities as well as better managerial communication.

He concluded: "The government must simplify the tax system to ensure temporary workers are not caught out by complex rules. They should also require banks to be more accommodating of applications for mortgages from these customers so people aren't disadvantaged by working flexibly."

Editor’s Note: SAIL Business Solutions (http://www.sailsolutions.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Turn to us for your hot tub replacement covers in Gloucester

Regular customers of Ruggles Leisure know that we go the extra mile - or seven - to help not only those enquiring about what would be their first hot tub purchase, but also veteran users of Jacuzzis and hot tubs. After all, we realise that as delightful as hot tub ownership is, there's also a real need to ensure the appropriate maintenance of your investment, including the replacement of vital parts when necessary.

This is why we offer such a generous selection of hot tub replacement covers in Gloucester. Although the covers of such popular hot tubs as the various Sapphire, Olympic and Jacuzzi models are well-manufactured, they are not invincible, and can feel heavier over time or sustain visible wear and tear. Minor damage may be repairable, but sooner or later, many hot tub owners realise that the complete replacement of their cover is necessary to prevent heat being lost when the tub isn't in use.

Hot tub covers are vital for so many reasons, helping to ensure that your water remains free of harmful debris and contaminants, while also keeping the heat in your hot tub and in the process, keeping your bills down. Covers also play an important safety role, particularly for those with children, guarding against unauthorised entry. When your cover is damaged, therefore, it can be an injury risk in addition to losing you money every time you use the hot tub.

The complete range of hot tub replacement covers in Gloucester that we stock here at Ruggles Leisure includes those for all Sapphire and Olympic models, as well as various hot tubs from the Jacuzzi brand, including the J-200, J-300, J-LX, J-400 series and Skyline Profile. Take a look at our website to find out current prices, as well as our contact details if you need us to help you to determine your own model of hot tub.

Delivery is free locally, and can still be arranged for those who live further afield. We also try to avoid using couriers.  Check your hot tub now - can you see tears or rips, is it sagging in the middle or does it seem heavier than normal? Perhaps the cover has not been sealed well? If any of these concerns sound familiar, contact us now to choose from our many brand new hot tub replacement covers in Gloucester.

Editor’s Note: Ruggles Leisure (http://www.rugglesleisure.com/) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Why you won't find a better stockist of flush ceiling light fittings

We really are proud of our ability to offer seemingly any and every type of lighting here at Ryness Lighting & Electrical, from the most conventional bathroom lighting and outdoor lighting to the likes of recessed downlights and ceiling pendant lights. Our in-depth range has made us one of the leading companies in the UK from which to buy lighting online, and it's the same situation with our flush ceiling light fittings.

Flush ceiling light fittings have long been popular among domestic and commercial customers alike, adding a contemporary and classy touch to such settings as restaurants and bathrooms. Examples of such lighting that we have in stock right now include the IRINA Ceiling Lamp Clear 1 x 60W, which is made from clear glass and makes the perfect, cost-effective decorative ceiling light for indoor use.

Or what about the Large Opal Ceiling Sphere? This white/IP20 light is distinguished by its classic design consisting of a 170mm glass globe and silicon gasketed globe shade. Another very similar option for those buying lighting online from us is the Ring Lighting Small Opal Ceiling Sphere. This one features a slighter smaller 155m glass globe, and requires one suitable BC energy saving lamp.

Continue further up our price range, and you'll continue to see impressive flush ceiling light fittings. Few lights look quite as classy as the Aureola 100 Watt Flush Ceiling Fitting, with its highly polished chrome effect trim, glass diffuser and pressed steel base. Another fine decorative light, from the Philips Massive range, is the LORA Low Energy Ceiling Lamp 22W, an IP20 rated light made from aluminium with a grey metallic finish.

Those looking to buy lighting online of the most upmarket nature, meanwhile, will be well-served by the LOUISE Ceiling Lamp LED, which has a minimalistic, clean and elegant appearance and offers the utmost energy efficiency and light output. It's a highly appropriate light for a contemporary and harmonious setting, and sports the latest design innovations while never looking anything less than timeless.

When you want to buy lighting online to fit flush to the ceiling, but don't want to compromise on quality or price, Ryness Lighting & Electrical will cater for your every requirement.

Editor’s Note: Ryness Lighting & Electrical (http://www.ryness.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Advantages of having loyalty stamps custom made

More and more businesses are rewarding their customers via loyalty cards. Loyalty cards tend to be used in shops, cafes and clubs and can be an incredible marketing device. Generally, each time a customer makes a purchase, their card is stamped – and once it has been stamped a certain amount of times, they are usually given a reward.

The stamps themselves can be used thousands of times before they need to be replaced or re-inked. Many companies choose to opt for a custom design in order to make an impression with their own logo or branding. We can offer loyalty stamps custom made here at Rubber Stamp King, giving you a choice of stamp types and sizes and allowing you to upload your image via our online artwork uploader. You can also provide us with text or other instructions in the accompanying contact form.

The value of loyalty cards has been demonstrated time and time again. Customers are far more likely to return to you if they have an incentive to do so. You can reward your customers every five, ten or twenty times they make a purchase or at any interval of your choosing – it's up to you to decide. Loyalty cards don't only encourage existing customers to visit you – they can encourage new people to find out more about your services too. If you don't have a great amount to spend on advertising, why not benefit from the word-of-mouth process and offer loyalty cards?

Loyalty cards can encourage customers to make purchases that wouldn't otherwise occur. The more your customers buy from you, the more you are both rewarded. You can even use cards to encourage existing customers to try something new. If you ran a shop but had started to offer hot drinks, for example, the cards could help you to sell them and make people aware that you were now offering this service. Cards can also tell you a great deal about your customers' habits and how to adapt to them.

All that you have to do to purchase a loyalty card stamp from Rubber Stamp King is choose your preferred mode and size, upload your logo or artwork with any other details and follow the instructions through to checkout.

Editor’s Note: Rubber Stamp King (http://www.rubberstampking.co.uk/) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Looking for a shoulder bag? The Kipling Defea bag has no equal

The time might have come for you to buy a nice, big, commodious shoulder bag, something that is just as capable of storing all of your sports stuff for that trip to the gym as it is your haul of books for that visit to the university library, or even a change of clothes for a pleasant weekend break. Is the best that you can expect of such a bag something cold, dull and dependable? Definitely not! If there's anything that the Kipling Defea bag shows, for instance, it's that practicality needn't come at the expense of panache.

That panache takes many forms with the Kipling Defea bag, not least the small furry monkey keyring that comes with every single Kipling bag. Why a monkey, we hear you ask? Well, that has much to do with the brand itself being named after Rudyard Kipling, the great author of The Jungle Book. Never underestimate the collectability of these keyrings, which differ across each and every Kipling bag. There's even someone out there with 425 of them...

But of course, there are many other nice touches making the Kipling Defea bag so stylish, not least the high quality crinkle nylon material and wide range of available colours. The latter is typical of Kipling bags as a whole, and in the case of the Defea bag, includes everything from the classic Black and evergreen Expresso Brown to the classy Caffe Latte and deep Mineral Blue. That's without reckoning with some of the odder available patterns, like Monkeymania Sky or Triangle Tr Print, that'll really make you a star of the pavement catwalk.

We've not even yet outlined possibly the best thing about this round shaped handbag: how darned practical it is. How could it be anything less, with such features as a removable and adjustable shoulder strap and zipped main compartment, the latter including not only another zipped pocket, but also a key hanger, three pen pockets, a cell phone pocket and iPod pocket?

There are also two small zipped pouch pockets on the front of the bag, one of them with a diagonally zipped front compartment and the other boasting a front compartment of its own with a flap with Velcro closure. Owners of the Kipling Defea bag can also take advantage of a zipped back pocket and two side pockets with a Velcro closure.

Tempted to place your order? We reckon you should be - and RTherapy is the best online store on which to place it, being an extremely long-established authorised retailer of Kipling handbags.

Editor’s Note: RTherapy (http://www.rtherapyclothing.co.uk/) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Looking for Christmas hotel packages? They don't come any better than Regency Park Hotel's

Regency Park Hotel is, of course, an exceptional place to book a stay irrespective of the time of year. With its location between Newbury and Thatcham, it's a tranquil place to come if you are on a business trip or simply wish to explore the area on a recreational basis. The bedrooms are light, airy and contemporary, the Watermark restaurant offers award-winning dining and we're very proud of our Health Club, too.

However, right now - the time when you might prefer to sip on your holiday cocktail or head for the swimming pool - is actually the perfect time to plan your festive period, and Regency Park Hotel has always been difficult to beat when it comes to Christmas hotel packages. From treating your family and friends to the perfect Christmas Lunch, to keeping your company's employees' morale up with a well-timed Christmas Party Night, it's all offered at our Berkshire establishment.

 

You could be paying just £32.50 per person for the ideal Party Night, and there's simply no better place to enjoy a traditional 3-course Christmas dinner, complete with coffee, party novelties and dancing 'til you drop. Our festive lunch options, meanwhile, include not only traditional Christmas Day Lunch, but also Boxing Day Celebrations and Post Christmas Parties.

Indeed, you don't have to stop having fun at Regency Park Hotel just because the festive period is over. That's because we are also highly rated for our New Years Eve Celebrations, which for 2015, once again includes our famous Black & White Ball alongside our Tapas Style Dinner Dance. We even offer seasonal sleepover rates to all of our festive party guests - ideal if you don't fancy booking that taxi home just yet.

More information about our Christmas hotel packages can be requested via our usual contact details. Don't forget that whatever the time of year, the contemporary and well-equipped Regency Park Hotel offers an unrivalled accommodation experience, its spacious and elegant suites being nicely complemented by extensive purpose-built meeting facilities and a generous calendar of other special events.

When it comes to the finest Christmas hotel packages, however, Regency Park Hotel really does have no equal.

Editor’s Note: Regency Park Hotel (http://www.regencyparkhotel.co.uk/) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

How app development could make all the difference for your hotel

Of the many industries that have drawn upon app development in Dubai to make the most of the smartphone and tablet revolution, hotels seem to have especially benefitted. Customers' appreciation of the hotel booking and customer service advantages of mobile apps was clear from the results of one survey conducted by MCD in November 2013.

Some 1,000 domestic travelers in the category of business, leisure and family were polled. All of those surveyed were smartphone owners, and all had also stayed in hotels during recent months. There were various reasons why hotel residents made use of mobile apps, according to the data, although the biggest reason was access to maps of the area where they were staying.

Such maps were used by 83% of family travelers, while among business travelers, the favored smartphone features included the ordering-in of room service and amenities, transportation arrangements and bill-paying. Some hotel apps even made it possible for the resident to use their mobile handset as a room key. Of all of the surveyed guests, 68% were fans of their mobile apps showing concierge tips, giving them advice on where they were staying.

A rather less popular reason to use a hotel mobile app was to sync the traveler's smartphone with in-room TV. However, it is thought that future years could see the more widespread syncing of smartphones with such services as Amazon Prime and Netflix, meaning that instead of paying high fees for in-room movies and entertainment, guests will be able to stream their own accounts. However, few hotel apps even yet incorporate this service, which points to an exciting future area of investigation for those establishments seeking services in app development in Dubai.

Hotels still considering the development of their own app will be encouraged by the survey's finding that 74% of travelers considered hotel apps to have improved the overall experience of their stay. 4 in 5 travelers also expressed interest in using their mobile devices to set mobile preferences, ranging from breakfast, newspaper delivery and dietary restrictions to floor preference and allergies - even their preferred type of wine to drink.

The idea that such settings could be saved on their app so that their needs could be catered for by their chosen hotel was also deemed a good one by 87% of guests. It's another indicator of just what potential hotels can extract from the experience and knowhow in app development in Dubai offered by agencies like Prototype, as establishments continue to join the mobile app space and refine existing apps for the benefit of valued customers.

Printing firms still being failed by public sector tenders

Many small to medium sized firms specialising in high quality printing in the UK will be intrigued to read a new report outlining the most frequently received complaints by the government's Mystery Shopper Service, showing that the common problems encountered by SMEs with public sector procurement remain unchanged from three years ago.

Across the December 2012 and February 2014 reports on the service by the Cabinet Office, the main identified trends included problems with pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs), the speed of payment and a bias towards larger suppliers on framework agreements.

Although the second 18 months of the service saw a smaller percentage of procurement process issues reported by the government, from 75% of all issues raised to 50%, there was still an increase in the proportion of these related to PQQs, now accounting for half of all process complaints, rather than merely a third.

Of these, the most common was how bidders' financial strength was assessed, amid suggestions of some contracting authorities demanding three years' audited accounts and using levels of turnover as single assessment criterion. Also frequently complained about were PQQs requiring the input of a considerable amount of text and data, even for low-value contracts.

Both reports indicated issues with the prompt payment of contractors and sub-contractors, as well as failure to make payments in accordance with the terms of a contract. The second report suggested some payments were not paid at all.

With regard to frameworks, SMEs in the February 2014 report continued reporting a bias towards larger suppliers, as illustrated by "overly short timescales being set for mini competitions when calling off from framework agreements" and "the acceptance of 'pro bono' [or] uneconomic bids".

These were all problems frequently experienced by firms tendering for public sector contracts to provide high quality printing in the UK, said Kathy Woodward, president of the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF). She added that new trends had emerged that were no less damning than the more familiar issues.

"There is now a situation with government contracts where the holder is required to open house to people who are tendering, giving them access to confidential information of the business.

"Equally some authorities are now contracting third parties to carry out 'ethical audits' of suppliers that sometimes require higher standards than those required by legislation. Yet those same terms and conditions are not then imposed on, for example, overseas sub-contractors."

The Mystery Shopper Service was established in 2011, and allowed for the reporting by suppliers of poor procurement practice in the public sector, more than 600 reported cases having now been received in total.