Knowledge Peers

Nigel Lack, senior partner at Westminster Compliance, provides an overview of the Health and Safety obligations of tenants in commercial properties.

In this interview Nigel covers:

• Under what circumstances tenants become responsible for H&S
• Why you need to have a H&S policy
• Implications of ignoring your H&S obligations
• How can SMEs meet their H&S obligations cost effectively.

How McGrigors went about moving to brand new offices..................successfully, despite having to cope with the financial demise of some of their key suppliers.

Colin Crooks, Chief Executive of Green-Works, talks about the benefits of businesses recycling their unwanted office furniture.

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Introduction Why not all advice i...

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Anne Beitel is a managing director at Executives Online. She has more than 10 years experience marketing in high-growth environments. She played a crucial role in the company’s recent management buy out.

In this interview Anne covers:

• Her company’s profile
• How the business model was developed
• Why their business model works

Paul Lee is responsible for the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) sector within Deloitte Research, Deloitte’s dedicated thought leadership group. Paul has also completed his fourth book, “Convergence Conversations,” based on interviews with 36 of the world’s leading TMT executives.

In this interview Paul discusses some of the issues you need to consider when bringing your print-based content online.

Promo Video

How McGrigors went about moving to brand new offices..................successfully

Robert Hardie, Knowledge Centre Director at Knowledge Peers Plc, gives advice on acquiring a new or replacement property.

Robert explains:

• specifying the brief
• locating the right premises
• negotiating the deal
• finalising the Lease/Contract.

In this audio podcast Peter Gillman is the Managing Director of Price Bailey, a £15m fee chartered accountancy practice that has already moved to Limited Liability Partnership structure. Here he looks at arrange of pros and cons, including unexpected ramifications.

In this audio podcast Peter Gillman is the Managing Director of Price Bailey, a £15m fee chartered accountancy practice with an embedded sales culture. In this interview Peter explains his firm’s attitude and approach to sales.

In this audio podcast Victoria Leigh, Partner with Hammonds LLP, talks about what she would advise clients to do to get the best from their lawyers.

In this audio podcast Jouko Ahvenainen, Chairman of Grow VC, advises startups on how to get the most out of their advisors.

In this audio podcast Geoff Eagland, proprietor of Rosslyn Associates and NED of several UK companies, talks about the issues that he has faced when using lawyers during corporate transactions and how he dealt with these issues.

In this audio podcast Tessa Laws, Partner with Rosenblatt Solicitors, talks about what she would advise clients to do to get the most from their advisors.

In this audio podcast Tessa Laws, Partner with Rosenblatt Solicitors, talks about business development approaches that her firm has found to be successful.

In this audio podcast Ben Favaloro, Business Development manager with Smith & Williamson’s corporate tax unit, explains how the business the business development role works in an accountancy firm and what are the key activities that he undertakes.

Frank Joshi, Director of MVine Ltd, talks about how he goes about getting the most from his advisors.

In this audio podcast Richard Turner, Chief Executive of Clear Swift, talks about how he goes about getting the most out of his advisors.

In this audio podcast Richard Turner, Chief Executive of Clear Swift, recently changed his audit firm from one of the Big 4 to Grant Thornton. He explains why and how he went about selecting his new auditors.

Geert van der Elst is a director of Gelst and specialises in helping professional services firms increase their revenues. In this interview Geert explains the importance of win/loss reviews for professional services firms and advises on how to go about doing such reviews.

Geert van der Elst is a director of Gelst and specialises in helping professional services firms increase their revenues. In this interview Geert advises partners who may be uncomfortable in a sales situation on how to conduct a sales meeting.

Peter Gamson, partner responsible for professional practices at Grant Thornton, talks about his approach to finding new clients. He also shares his observations about the successful business development activities adopted by his clients (all of whom are professional services firms).

Geert van der Elst is a director of Gelst and specialises in helping professional services firms increase their revenues. In this interview Geert highlights the relevance of the marketing function to business development in a professional services firm and advises on how you can integrate and align your sales and marketing activities.

Peter Gillman is the Managing Director of Price Bailey, a £15m fee chartered accountancy practice with an embedded sales culture. In this interview Peter explains his firm’s attitude and approach to sales.

Geert van der Elst is a director of Gelst and specialises in helping professional services firms increase their revenues. In this interview Geert advises on how firms should go about generating new leads.

Geoff Eagland, proprietor of Rosslyn Associates and NED of several UK companies, talks about the issues that he has faced when using lawyers during corporate transactions and how he dealt with these issues.

Tessa Laws, Partner with Rosenblatt Solicitors, talks about business development approaches that her firm has found to be successful.

Ben Favaloro, Business Development manager with Smith & Williamson’s corporate tax unit, explains how the business development role works in an accountancy firm and the key activities that he undertakes.

Victoria Leigh, Partner with Hammonds LLP, talks about what she would advise clients to do to get the best from their lawyers.

Tessa Laws, Partner with Rosenblatt Solicitors, talks about what she would advise clients to do to get the most from their advisors.

Frank Joshi, Director of MVine Ltd, talks about how he goes about getting the most from his advisors.

Matthew Honey, who regularly engages corporate advisors, discusses how he goes about finding a new advisor. A professional image and good communication from the outset is key in terms of selection.

Margaret Mannell, Director of Administration at Morrison & Foerster’s London office, talks about “BD Twitter”, an innovative and practical approach adopted by her firm for sharing of knowledge and intelligence between partners prior to meeting potential clients.

Margaret Mannell, Director of Administration at Morrison & Foerster’s London office, talks about business development approaches that her firm has found to be successful.

Mark Perl is the director The Guru Garage, a company dedicated to training professionals how to network in a confident and effective manner and how to follow up potential opportunities with a professional and positive approach.

• What makes a good networker
• The common problems that hinder networking effectively
• How to overcome those problems
• Getting the most out of networking

Mahendra Shah is principal accountant at Sherwoods Accountants, a chartered certified accountant providing auditing, accounting and tax services, as well as offering advice on how to improve and develop businesses.

In this interview Mahendra discusses how Sherwoods is responding to the economic downturn by focusing on good customer service.

Mark Perl is the director The Guru Garage, a company dedicated to training professionals in how to network in a confident and effective manner and how to follow up potential opportunities with a professional and positive approach.

In this interview Mark discusses:

• How to make conferences work
• How to go about finding leads
• How to be confident when networking at conferences

Mark Perl is the director The Guru Garage, a company dedicated to training professionals hot to network in a confident and effective manner and how to follow up potential opportunities with a professional and positive approach.

In this interview Mark talks about The Guru Garage.

Robert Hall, Managing Director of Sunrise Consulting, talks about the issues surrounding marketing for a small consultancy.

In this interview Robert explains:

● how a small consultancy can market its services
● how to look for and identify new clients.

Alysoun Stewart, Partner of Grant Thornton LLP, talks about the marketing and strategic challenges facing professional service firms.

In this interview Alysoun talks about addressing strategy and marketing challenges arising from the consolidating market for professional services firms:

● the key challenges facing professional practices
● how to respond to the consolidation of the marketplace
● how to develop a more commercial, market-facing approach.

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Defining clear roles Agreeing cos...

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What to look for Achieving the de...

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Large or small, what's best? Choo...

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Large or small, what's best? Choo...

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The key to a productive relationship

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The key to a productive relationship

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The key to a productive relationship

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Finding an auditor The auditor wh...

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Peter Gillman is the Managing Director of Price Bailey, a £15m fee chartered accountancy practice that has already moved to Limited Liability Partnership structure. Here he looks at a range of pros and cons, including unexpected (but positive!) ramifications.Peter highlights the need to involve your bankers from an early stage.

Alysoun Stewart, Partner of Grant Thornton LLP, talks about governance and reward issues concerning professional services firms.

In this interview Alysoun explains:

● how the interests of partners can be respected and protected
● how conflicts between different generations can be resolved
● a firm's profit distribution policy.

Frank Jones, Chairman of ASAP UK Ltd, talks about how to use and manage the mix of staff to improve business effectiveness, flexibility and profitability.

In this interview Frank explains:

● the factors which drive the appropriate mix of staff – permanent and contract
● how it can be used
● special considerations at the international level in different parts of Europe.

Frank Jones, Chairman of ASAP UK Ltd, talks about how a firm can prepare for a downturn and how it can affect the mix of staff.

In this interview Frank explains:

● the indications of when revenues are at risk
● how a firm can manage its profitability during a downturn
● the implications of the mix of staff – permanent and contract.

Robert Mowbray, a Partner with Taylor Mowbray LLP, looks at the issue of profit share arrangements, focusing on:

• How to make changes to existing schemes
• How to phase changes
• What performance measurements should be used to drive profit share arrangements

Robert Mowbray, a Partner with Taylor Mowbray LLP, explains how fee income and practice profitability can be maintained during a downturn.

In this interview Robert discusses:

• whether it is inevitable that the total fee income will decline during a downturn
• how to treat partners and fee earners who are not busy
• how to resist price erosion
• what firms can do to maintain their overall income
• the potential for reducing other costs.

Robert Mowbray, Principal of MacIntyre, talks about how to improve efficiency and profitability in legal practices.

In this interview Robert explains:

● the ways to measure comparative efficiency
● how to maximise efficiency when undertaking a client assignment
● how structure can affect profitability.

Steve Pipe, Chairman of AVN, explains how accountancy firms can improve profitability through pro-activity.

Article published in Accountancy Age, July 2008

Peter Gamson, Audit Partner and Head of National Professional Practices Group, Grant Thornton, talks about risk management when taking on new clients.

In this interview Peter explains:

● the relevant aspects of risk management when taking on a client
● the significance of Terms and Conditions
● the advantages of having a review committee.

Peter Gamson, Audit Partner and Head of National Professional Practices Group, Grant Thornton, talks about risk management concerning claims.

In this interview Peter explains:

● how firms can make sure that they are dealing with claims properly
● how firms can ensure all claims have been handled.

Robert Hardie, Knowledge Centre Director at Knowledge Peers Plc, gives advice regarding Services Charges.

Robert explains:

• how the service charge works
• what to do if you suspect it is wrong
• advice on retaining consultants.

Coming soon. Most organisations will experience a property move at some stage of their existence, whether it’s the result of an office relocation or expansion into new facilities. But even the best-planned property moves are time-consuming, and some can create significant cost and disruption to a business. This Guide draws on the real-life experiences of dozens of organisations, bringing you practical advice on the ten big issues that senior executives really need to worry about when plan...

Many of the CEOs and directors that we speak to are unsatisfied with the outcome of the work that their advisers (lawyers, accountants, consultants) have done for them, frequently complaining about having to pay more than expected on fees and costs. But there are others who, through experience, have learnt how to work with their advisers in order to get...

Professional services firms can only grow by selling more services to their existing clients or by finding new clients. However, whilst many firms are good at servicing their existing clients, they may find genuine new business development a real challenge and this can lead to stagnation over time.

This Talking Guide pulls together the views of senior partners at a number of e...

Mark Buffery, Chartered Accountant and VAT Practitioner, talks about VAT issues when raising funds.

In this interview Mark explains:

● the key ways to recover VAT when raising funds
● how different types of finance can affect VAT.

Mark Buffery, Chartered Accountant and VAT Practitioner, talks about reclaiming VAT on disbursements.

Mark highlights some of the issues concerning:

● the reclamation of VAT on disbursements
● risks businesses run by failing to understand the VAT process.

Mark Buffery, Chartered Accountant and VAT Practitioner, talks about the VAT issues concerning company acquisitions.

In this interview Mark explains:

● the VAT implications of buying assets
● the VAT implications of buying a company
● the VAT implications of buying a going concern.

Mark Buffery, Chartered Accountant and VAT Practitioner, talks about VAT issues concerning property transactions.

In this interview Mark covers:

● the most common VAT pitfalls when dealing with property transactions.

Jennifer Oldfield, MD of The Quartz Partnership (Bradbury Financial), talks about Working Capital Management in a legal practice.

In this interview Jennifer explains:

● why legal firms should worry about the extent of their working capital
● how a firm can measure the efficiency of its working capital
● how a firm can optimise the accuracy and efficiency of its billing
● the measures a firm can take to speed up cash collection.

Piyali Williams, Head of Professional Propositions at HSBC Business Banking, talks about Working Capital Management from the bank's point of view.

Piyali provides insight into:

● which clients HSBC are concerned about during this credit crisis
● the sort of behaviour that makes a bank nervous, and what makes them confident
● the covenants the bank focuses on.

Francis Thoday, Managing Director of Magnus Ltd, provides a case study of how he reduced his company’s overdue debts by over 90%.

Francis Thoday, Managing Director of Magnus Ltd, sets out the measures Finance Directors can take to reduce overdue debt and improve working capital management