Banish Those Bookkeeping Blues!Written by Tracey Lawton
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Receipts - Unpaid -- this section is for all your invoices that you have sent to clients that have not yet been paid. Write on top date payment is due and put them in date order so that it's easier if you have to chase overdue invoices. Receipts - Paid -- this section is for all your invoices that have been paid. Write on top date it was paid and how it was paid i.e. bank transfer, cheque, credit card etc. Bank Statements -- this section is self-explanatory! Just keep everything in date order. Schedule It In Now that you've got your system in place, schedule in each week/month to keep your bookkeeping binder up-to-date. In between updating place all your receipts and invoices in a plastic folder so that everything is together when you come to update your system--it would be too time-consuming to add each receipt as you get it! What Next? Depending on how far you want to handle your own accounts, you can either hand your very organised bookkeeping binder over to your accountant at end of financial year for them to prepare your final accounts, or you can maintain your own books with use of financial accounting software. Either way, you've now got a bookkeeping system that is simple and easy-to-manage and won't cause you to break out into a cold sweat at very mention of words 'tax return'. Don't want to do it yourself? Let me help you! Contact me today to find out more about my budgeting and bookkeeping services.
Tracey Lawton, Virtual Office Manager, supports small businesses and independent consultants with their office administration and audio transcription projects. She has over 18 years office management and administration experience for both public and private sector organisations, as well as independent consultants and professionals. http://www.traceylawton.com Subscribe: http://www.traceylawton.com/tips.htm
| | Useful Tips for Evaluating Your Meeting Venue OptionsWritten by Susan Friedmann
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3. Boutique lodgings service business travelers in search of a home away from home. They are small luxury hotels & resorts with individual personalities – eclectic, quaint hotels housed in historic urban buildings or romantic resorts with flowering gardens and beachside villas (http://www.boutiquelodging.com). However, nice these sound, you definitely need to check what meeting space facilities, if any, they offer. Conference centers. Conference centers encompass a broad gamit of venues which are often purpose-built specifically for meetings and events and offer state-of-the-art facilities, many including videoconferencing. They comprise corporate training centers, universities, resorts, airport, urban and downtown facilities. Your best bet to find a suitable facility is to start your research with International Association of Conference Centers (http://www.iacconline.com/). You can do a worldwide search based on your specific meeting criteria. Convention centers. When you’re looking for a combination of an urban location, plenty of meeting space, and substantial exhibition space, then a convention center is a practical solution. They’re geared up large numbers and generally situated close to airports or in a convenient downtown location. The one drawback is that you would need to use a nearby hotel for accommodation. Resorts. You’ll probably only consider a resort property if relaxation and leisure activities rank high on your priority list. This environment works well for both formal and informal meetings. Resorts Online (http://www.resortsonline.com/) allows you to choose activity you’re most interested in to find an appropriat selection of choices. Retreat centers. These generally work best for smaller more focused groups who are looking for a quiet, serene meeting environment. They encourage “an away from it all” type mentality where people can engage in personal exploration, strategic decision-making, communicaton, and self improvement. Cruise ships. These make an interesting and very different venue option. There are a few companies who specialize in cruise meetings offering facilities worldwide for a wide variety of groups (www.cruisemeetings.com). Many of them will work within your budget constraints to offer complete packages that include airfare, transfers, meals and entertainment. Unique environments. Unique environment don’t always make best meeting spaces, but it’s worth doing your homework to find out. Some options to consider include museums, stately homes, (including castles in Europe - http://www.grandes-etapes-francaises.com/geehome.htm), sporting venues, and theaters. Many of these venues work well for special functions, but don’t necessarily have adequate meeting space facilities and equipment.
Written by Susan A. Friedmann,CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, author: “Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies,” working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training. Go to http://www.thetradeshowcoach.com to sign up for a free copy of ExhibitSmart Tips of the Week.
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