- "In the last 20 years our business has changed considerably…and as the focus of our business has changed, Bird Luckin have moved with us."
Alex Tanner, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd - "Bird Luckin has looked after us incredibly well for over 60 years, they are pro-active and innovational - meeting all our needs to help us achieve our aims."
Richard Stubbings, Cliffords Limited - "I can honestly say that Bird Luckin are the best firm of accountants and auditors I have ever dealt with - and I don't say that lightly!"
Colin Webb, Walthamstow Stadium - "It's important for us to know that we will always be able to contact the right people to give us the right advice and support."
Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors - "Although we deal mainly with one Partner … we also know that if we need to contact someone else who is a specialist in another area, we can get the advice we need quickly and easily"
Jeremy Ruggles, J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd - "Bird Luckin got us to a stage which would have taken us months - if not years - to reach on our own, and they got us there in a matter of weeks"
Matthew Sullivan, SNC Ltd - "You can be a good accountant, but if you don't have an understanding of the industry it can be very difficult. "There are two or three people we have regular contact with at Bird Luckin who know our business well, and it makes a difference.""
Robert Church, W A Church (Bures) Ltd - "The work which Bird Luckin has done for Boddingtons over the past few months has helped shape our future direction for the better."
John Warner, Chief Executive, Boddingtons Ltd - "Bird Luckin has acted for us since our inception 10 years ago. They have a very 'can do' yet highly professional attitude - we are very appreciative of their support and advice over the years."
Marlon Fox, Outlook Property Ltd
Reduce your utility costs
Utilities can account for a sizeable chunk of your firm's costs, but you might find that you can make considerable savings in this area. Here are some cost-cutting ideas:
- Offer bonuses and other incentives for noteworthy conservation, and circulate copies of your firm's energy bills to remind employees of your commitment to reducing costs in this area
- Ask employees to turn off and cover up all equipment at the end of every day where appropriate - this not only saves power but also extends the life of your equipment
- Install time clocks to control heating, air conditioning, and lighting
- Turn the temperature setting on your thermostats down during the winter and, if you have air conditioning, up during the summer
- Your offices could be over-lit in areas such as storage rooms, south-facing offices, or the staff room. Remove bulbs or fluorescent tubes to bring lighting down to an appropriate level
- Encourage employees to turn off fluorescent lights when they leave a room for more than fifteen minutes, and incandescent lights if they leave for three minutes or more
- Reduce bulb wattage wherever possible
- Replace standard fluorescent and incandescent lights with high-efficiency fluorescent light, which gives the same light output and can save up to 80% of the energy according to the energy trust.
- Install 5-minute shut-off switches in stock rooms or other little-used areas
- Appoint a specialist to review your utility bills in case you are overlooking something
Much 'green' advice results in cost reductions, exploring such web sites as the Energy Saving Trust and Business Link could produce cost saving ideas including:
- Make energy conservation and reduction of C02 emissions a factor in capital expenditure decisions, i.e. computer equipment, cars, lighting and insulation.
- A company that operates a fleet of more than 50 vehicles is eligable for a free Green Fleet Review which could cut costs as well as vehicle emissions. If the fleet is smaller then similar advice is available by phone on 0845 6021425.
The Business Link web site offers a menu based advice service for many different business activities aimed at reducing costs.