SOME GOOD ADVICE AND A 'HOPPY' NEW YEAR!

There are few who would doubt that the year ahead is going to be challenging to say the least, however, if you approach it with prudence and common sense you will be well on your way to weathering the storm. Here's a few tips based on my own personal experiences:

• Credit check new prospects
• Take staged payments if they have no track record. Minimise bad debt
• Chase down invoices so that you don’t have any cash flow problems
• Pre negotiate your overdraft if you haven’t done so already. You need it when you need it, not seven weeks after the event
• Look at the Profit and Loss Account. Are there any costs you can trim? Mobiles have a habit of ‘creeping’
• Do your ‘payment in’ days match your ‘payment out’ days? If there's an imbalance you could get a bad credit score at the bank
• Get rid of bad clients and focus on the good ones. Service them well
• Look at your staff costs. It’s one of the biggest costs in a service organisation
• Know what's happening in your company at every ‘financial’ level

… all pretty obvious really isn’t it? But, it never hurts to remind yourself! Have a wonderful, focussed, dynamic and Happy New Year, and remember there’s opportunity in every so-called ‘negative’ situation. Keep those eyes peeled!

Regards

Phil Hopkins

JOINT VENTURE SUPPORTS BUSINESS LINK

The H2 Company has, once again, been working with Harrogate based PR company, Northern Lights, to produce a series of information leaflets for Business Link Yorkshire.

They aim to inform and advise existing and new businesses about the free support available from Business Link and will, hopefully, play a part in reducing the current economic threat to many regional SMEs.

The design of the leaflets focuses on various case studies of businesses that have already benefited from Business Link support.

BLY Chief Executive Helen West said: “They are already proving extremely valuable to many companies and have been instrumental in supporting Business Link Yorkshire’s communications strategy.

“Many firms are now being made aware of a whole range of free business support services that will be key to supporting them through challenging times.”

For all your web, graphic design and PR requirements, get in touch with Phil Byrne or Phil Hopkins on 08700 503 574 or drop them an e-mail at info@theh2.co.uk

TOP TIPS - WHAT’S IN A BUSINESS CARD?

Do you use the reverse of your business card? Many people do. But, H2 came up with the idea of utilising the rear of its cinc branded cards slightly differently. Rather than simply crowing about the fact that we do marketing, PR and web design etc, our MD, Phil Hopkins, included the following information on his card:

• 1)Favourite Song – Colors of My Life, ‘Barnum ’
• 2)Favourite Book – 50l Russian Verbs
• 3)Favourite Film – Monty Python’s ‘The Meaning of Life’    (... because I was in it!)
• 4)Favourite Play - Hamlet
• 5)Favourite Place - Kathmandu
• 6)Favourite arty things to do – Punch and Judy

These points are not only unique to him but also give Phil the chance to create useful talking points in a crowded room of strangers - a great networking technique. Are you now a little curious about Phil Hopkins? What would you say about yourself?

If you want any help with your branding, literature or corporate stationery get in touch on 08700 503574 or e-mail info@theh2.co.uk

AN UNUSUAL BOX RE-DESIGN

The world of bereavement is a serious business in more ways than one. This month H2 was called on to produce a high quality ‘Coffins and Caskets’ brochure for its long standing client, Eric F. Box Funeral Directors.

Box’s, which is based in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, is one of the longest established and most respected family firms in the UK.

Its progressive approach to bereavement services has been noted in many quarters of the industry and, after introducing a new, more modern brand look, it has been busy updating supporting marketing collateral including the web site, its newsletter and, now, its coffin brochure.

The current brand look is bright yet calming, utilising lime green and turquoise alongside illustrated butterflies, bands of colour, seasonal photography and bold fonts, all of which are used across varying media, including the website at www.efbox.co.uk.

This latest brochure addition features more than 85 coffin / caskets ranging from the traditional to the outrageous including a guitar shaped coffin!

Manager, Edward Box, said: “Over the years people’s tastes have changed and nowadays they often want a coffin that reflects the personality of their loved one.

“There are so many options on the market – everything from a conventional coffin to one shaped like a football boot – that we recognised the need to create a bespoke brochure that both reflected our new corporate colours, whilst creating greater clarity for grieving relatives.”

Need your corporate literature overhauling/re-branding? Then call us now on 08700 503574 and ask for Phil Hopkins or Phil Byrne.

WE'D LOVE A PIECE OF YOUR MIND!

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