Quarter... Attempting to work out NIC

I have used these tables to attempt to work out the National Insurance Contributions:



£126.37 - 1 person's daily wage
£695.04 - 1 person's weekly wage




From this table, I gather that a 12% contribution must be made.

Quarter... Cost Sheet

The cost sheet so far, still unsure of NIC and pension contributions!

Quarter... Finding Broadband and a Phone Line

The information from the premises stated broadband was optional, and that there is a receptionist to answer calls, but an outgoing telephone line would be superb for us. I took the time to email The Mill and see what the situation was:



The reply:

There was a document attached to the email with additional information:

Quarter... The T in Swot

Amy asked me to help out with the PEST analysis, with the Technology side.

As a Graphics collective it is essential that we are up to date with the latest technology and software, as it is incredibly fast advancing. To ensure this, in our start up, we will have the latest iMacs, a top of the range printer, scanner, camera and lightbox. In terms of software, we will have the newest Master Collection from Adobe which features all the software we require, we will also purchase Microsoft Office which will be ideal for word processing, accounts and presentations. Finally, we will purchase Final Cut Pro which is not included in the Master Collection, but will be beneficial for projects in screen.
Relating to this is issues with our competitors having more up to date software and equipment than our own resources.

One way in which we will ensure we are up to date on these kinds of issues is from subscriptions to magazines such as Mac User, these types of journals feature the latest software and technology including reviews which will be beneficial to any new decisions we make in this area. Exhibitions such as Macworld would be incredibly helpful to our collective's development, it may be pricey, but I am sure there will be other such exhibitions and trade fairs we can attend. Signing to Adobe and Apple mailing lists will be useful too, to receive emails and updates of the latest technologies.

Technological factors will also influence our outsourcing decisions too, for things not performed in-house, for example, printers, and photographers. As long as we keep up to date with the people we outsource, we will have knowledge of whether they are still the suitable choice for us, it's no good using Printer Company A if Printer Company B have just invested in a higher quality, low cost printer.

Quarter... National Insurance Contributions

NIC is currently left blank on the start up cost list, I am not entirely sure what any of this means but I am positive this table will make sense at some point. I am aware that there is an upper and lower limit based on the NIC, I think our salaries will put us in the lower limit. I need to clarify this.

Quarter... Searching for Trademark

Information I found for Liz who is looking at trademarks for us.

From the UK Trademark Registration:

FAQs

Do I need to register my brand as a trade mark in order to get protection?

In most countries trade mark registration is the quickest and cheapest way to ensure legal exclusivity for the use of your name. In the UK you can get “common law” rights just by using a name in trade BUT (i) it takes a long time to acquire the rights (ii) the scope of the rights is usually unclear (iii) it does not stop someone else using or registering your name and (iv) it is usually prohibitively expensive to stop someone else stealing your name. So yes you should always register your business names and brands as trademarks.

I have registered my name as a domain name. Do I need to register it as a trade mark as well?

Yes. Most definitely. The domain name will not stop a competitor using your name as a trade mark. In fact, if someone else registers your name as a trade mark before you do, they can sometimes stop you using your domain name and make you transfer it to them.

I have registered my name as a company name. Do I need to register it as a trade mark as well?

Yes. Your company registration at Companies House will not stop a competitor using your name as a trade mark or trying to register your name as their own trade mark. All that the registration at Companies House does is stop some one registering another company with exactly the same name. If they change the name slightly they can register another company with an almost identical name. They can also try to use your name as their trade mark unless you get a trade mark registration.

Where do I need to register my trade mark?

If you are conducting a business in the UK you should file a trade mark application at the UK Patent Office in the registration Classes that correspond to your business.

If you want to stop someone else using your name in any other part of the European Union you should consider a Community Trade Mark (CTM) application at the Community Trade Mark office. One CTM application triggers separate applications in each member state of the European Union.

This is a good idea given the free movement of goods and within the EU. It stops potential competitors using your name in other parts of the EU and it means that you are protected if you sell or expand into the EU countries. You should also look to protect your name in your main markets internationally subject of course to cost considerations. However, since October 2004, it is possible to cover up to 172 countries by filing one application under the Madrid Protocol.

What can I register as a trade mark?

Any available name can be registered as a trade mark for a product or for a service if it complies with the legal requirements. Slogans, strap-lines, buy-lines, logos, designs, even shapes, colours and smells can be registered as trade marks.

Is any name protectable as a trade mark?

No. The Trade Marks legislation lays down very technical and specific criteria which the various Registries apply when deciding whether to accept any given name or brand for registration. Marks which are too descriptive or which are not capable of distinguishing your business from other similar businesses may not be accepted. Geographical names are also difficult to register. Obviously, if your name is already registered by someone else you will not be able to use or register it for the same kind of business.

If I have registered my name for one kind of product or service can someone else register it for a different kind of product or service?

Yes, in principle. This is why, when you file your own application, you should file in as many different Classes as are necessary to cover all the different products or services you currently provide or which you intend to provide. A manufacturer of various different products should make sure that all such products are covered by claiming protection in the appropriate Class.

How long does a UK trade mark registration last?

It lasts 10 years and can be renewed for further period of 10 years. If you do not pay your renewal fee by the next renewal date, your mark will expire. However, you are allowed an extra six months from the renewal date in which to renew your registration, but you will have to pay a fee for late renewal. Following this six-month period, there is a further six-month period, i.e. a total of up to one year after the renewal date, in which you may apply to restore your mark.

How long will a UK trade mark application take to process?

About 6 to 9 months depending on various factors. Sometimes it can be longer if there are objections from the Registry or from third parties to be overcome. Importantly, protection will back-date to the date of your application and anyone who has been using your name illegally since that date will have been infringing your rights and may be liable to you in damages.

Can I stop someone using my name as a domain name if I have already registered the name a trade mark?

You may well be able to stop them if they are trading in the same area of business and particularly if you can show that they are acting in bad faith. Otherwise you may have to go through one of the accredited domain name dispute resolution routes offered by Nominet and by WIPO.

Can I get a refund if my application is turned down?

No. Our fee and the Registry fee covers the cost of the processing and examination of your application.

Can I sell my registered trade mark?

Yes. A trade mark is legally described as "intellectual property". It is similar to other property you may own. It may become very valuable indeed and you can sell it if you want. We can advise you on the legal requirements.

Am I breaking the law by using "TM" on my trade mark?

No, as this does not indicate that your trade mark is actually registered, only that it is being used in a trade mark sense. You would only be breaking the law (Section 95 of the Trade Marks Act 1994) if you used the registered symbol ® or the abbreviation "RTM".

When and how can I use the ® symbol?

You do not have to identify your trade mark as registered. You can use the ® symbol or the abbreviation "RTM" (for Registered Trade Mark) to show that your trade mark is registered. The ® symbol usually goes after the trade mark, in a smaller type size than the mark itself, and in a raised (superscript) position, but none of this is compulsory. If you do not have the ® symbol available, you can use the abbreviation "RTM".

Once I have a registration, can I add on other goods or services at a later date if my business expands?

No. When you apply you should advise us of the likely future scope of your business so that we can make sure your application adequately covers such extra goods or services. It is not possible to extend a registration to more goods or services after you have applied. A further application will be necessary to cover such extra goods or services.

What do the fees that I pay at the outset include?

The fees you pay at the outset cover our fees for preparing and filing the application and any application fee payable. Not included is the cost of dealing with any Registry correspondence or hearings that may be necessary or dealing with any opposition or other procedure before the Registry or any other legal work required

Quarter... For The Swot Analysis

I think our premises is a major asset to us, it is a professional work space with heating, electric and furniture included which is something less to be worried with, meaning the start up can be almost immediate, as fitting and furniture purchasing isn't necessary, and we can focus on the business rather than the aesthetics of the office. On site is a meeting room available to hire at an affordable cost of £15 an hour.

Quarter... Searching for Macs

Macs are essential to the company, and although we are all currently Macbook and Laptop owners, I feel iMacs will be beneficial to us due to the larger screens, bigger memory and just in general better spec.

Here, I have sourced 4 iMacs for us at Amazon.co.uk, it is near enough top of the range, although I personally know someone with the quadcore which is top of the range, who has sent his back twice.

Quarter... Searching For Peripherals

As a Graphic Design company with illustrators on the team, a wacom tablet will be needed:

Sourced from Jigsaw 24...

Also, one thing I have noticed in a Graphic Design office before is surge protection plugs, this is essential, the last thing we need is an almighty power surge in the middle of an important project.

With everyone working on their own personal Mac's it will be ideal to have some LCD screens to work with too.

They are quite varied in price, and as we are only purchasing one, we will account for the first one, it has a USB hub too which is handy.

An A3 scanner, which may prove useful, the printer has a built in scanner which we can use for documents, but this is a top of the range larger scanner for more important things.



A lightbox will be a valuable piece of equipment for us; from B and H Photography and Video.

Quarter... Found Premises!

Emma has sourced a number of suitable premises for us, after looking through I felt this would be suitable:

The Mill

Scott Hall Business Centre

LS7 2DR

3-4 Occupancy

£390 pcm x 12 months = £4,680

Included is:

- Business rates + insurance

- Heat Electrics and light

- Air conditioning in some offices - although this isn't essential, but would be helpful due to the amount of computers running.

- Mail facilities, functional desks, phone and filing cabinets.

- Communal kitchen.

- Ground maintenance, off street parking.

- Meeting room facility for up to 10 people at a rate of £15 an hour.

Quarter... Searching for Cameras

As part of a magazine, we will need photo's and images for the publication, these can mainly be produced within the collective. On the off chance we may need something more important and professional, we will source a photographer and have accounted for this in our costings.

Quarter... Searching for Blank Discs

Disk depot:





CD's and DVD's are a great means of back up, and will be essential to us.

Quarter... Searching for Toner

For the Epson on the previous post, toner is pretty expensive, but it is long lasting and the toner lasts for 1,600 pages.



From Cartridge Save:



This works out cheaper at about 5p a page.
Plus the black toner from the same site which lasts 2,700 pages at £95.44.

Quarter... Searching for Printers

Thinking about it, laser printers may be a better option as they are often faster and don't require ink drying time.





This is a cheaper site to purchase the printer.

Quarter... Searching for Paper

For 10 reams of paper which is 5,000 sheets. With invoices being printed, and emails too, maybe 50 reams would be more ample.

Quarter... Searching for Software

As a small business we will require Adobe Creative Suite which will include the essential components we need, we will also require Microsoft Office.

Microsoft Office is necessary too, it includes Word for word processing, and Excel for spreadsheets, Powerpoint may come in handy too for presentations.

On second thoughts, why not get the whole shabang, the video editing software is included in this, and I am sure with the fast rate of technology some of the software may become paramount.

Final Cut Pro is another piece of software that we may require:

Quarter... Searching for Business Loans

Primarily, this is not my job, but without any figures I cannot account for our spendings.
This is from HSBC:



From Barclays:

From this I am beginning to see we can loan up to £25,000 but as we are a new business with practically no money behind us, we are also a massive risk.

Prince's Trust Loan:

For people aged 18-30 who are currently unemployed but planning to start their own business.

A list of loans from Lloyd's TSB:

This is the business loan rates based on borrowing of £21,000... this is because so far in my calculations we are requiring £20,000 in the start up costs, I am waiting for Emma's advertising figures and Liz's insurance quotes.
Ideally, a 3 year loan would be better in terms of yearly repayments.

Quarter... Searching for Properties

I have found some fantastic locations for an office in the heart of Leeds; The Calls, Princes Exchange, Bruntwood , Sovereign Street, City Square. However, the sites are very reluctant to give prices without giving a telephone number for call back! What's wrong with email?

This is a sign they are probably to expensive... time to scour gumtree or something similar.

As this is Emma's job I had better get on with my own jobs, I can wait for some prices from Emma later.