Daily Mail 25th February 2008
Thousands of consumers are having their phone company switched without their knowledge.
The practice, known as 'slamming', has become so widespread that the industry watchdog has pledged a crackdown.
It threatened to hit rogue firms with fines of up to 10 per cent of their annual turnover.
Ofcom is getting an average of 500 complaints a month from consumers who have found themselves signed up to a new phone service without their permission. Many have merely expressed interest in switching firms during a cold call.
Those affected by the scam include vulnerable pensioners who rely on their phone lines to operate their emergency alarms.
Slamming is so common because phone companies do not need a signature or written consent to switch customers to their tariffs.
Pensioner Wyn Speight, whose telephone is connected to her personal alarm, became a victim of the practice earlier this year.
She received a letter from the Post Office expressing regret that she was leaving their service, and later found out that phone company Pipex had taken over her line without permission.
The company said it had made a mistake with her account.
Many of those affected by slamming are left distraught and out of pocket as they are charged to sign up to their original provider again. It can cost £125 to be reconnected to a BT line.
Victims can also find they have been moved to a much higher tariff with the new service provider.
It is not known exactly how widespread slamming is, but Ofcom has investigated several respectable household names - including the Post Office and Tesco - over the issue.
It now plans to order companies to keep sales staff on a tighter leash.
They will be reminded not to abuse the trust of vulnerable customers, including the elderly.
Firms will also be told to keep their sales records for at least six months, detailing the name of the salesman who dealt with each customer, in order to help with any complaints.
Where a customer has supposedly agreed to subscribe to a service, the firm should send out full details before the switch takes place.
This should include a 'no cost' cancellation period of around seven days.
An industry source said it was difficult to prove that sales managers were knowingly encouraging slamming, but Ofcom is likely to call on them to tighten up their monitoring procedures.
When slamming occurs, a customer's existing phone company, such as BT, will often pursue a complaint on their behalf.
The watchdog last night confessed that the practice was at an 'unacceptably high level' and is now promising to use the 'full weight of its powers' to protect the public.
And it is not just the smaller, less well-known telephone companies who are facing questions over potential slamming.
An Ofcom investigation in August last year revealed ' operational flaws' in Tesco Telecoms's method of transferring customers to its phone service.
The company took immediate action to resolve these problems.
And while investigating the Post Office, Ofcom discovered that some potential customers believed they were just signing up to receive information, when they were actually being transferred to its HomePhone service.
The watchdog's investigation found the Post Office did not have specific procedures in place for sales staff who were dealing with vulnerable customers, despite the company's commitment to 'take special care' of them.
Ofcom has since received assurances from the Post Office that it has changed its procedures and practices.
A number of lesser-known companies have also been investigated by Ofcom and have had 'notices' issued against them.
These include Economy Calls Limited, Unicom and XLN Telecom Ltd.
In June 2006, Ofcom imposed a maximum 10 per cent fine of turnover on Just Telecoms UK, trading as Lo-Rate Telecom, for breaking the code of practice.
As the biggest supplier of phone services, BT has the most to lose as a result of this telecoms industry 'dirty war'.
At one time, the company was getting an average of 10,000 complaints a month from customers who had been slammed.
A spokesman said: "The deception of customers in this way brings continued shame on the telecoms industry.
"Too many companies don't seem to care how they get customers as long as they get them. Ofcom has said mis-selling is unacceptable and that they will fine companies."
Those who have become victims of slamming can complain to one of two independent schemes.
These are the Office of the Telecommunications Ombudsman, at www.otelo.org.uk, and the Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme, at http://www.cisas.org.uk/.
A victim of the slammers Anthony Williams is one of the thousands of customers who have fallen victim to 'phone slamming'.
The 41-year-old bought a mobile phone from Carphone Warehouse, but found himself being signed up to the firm's TalkTalk landline service without his consent.
Mr Williams, a baker from Bristol, said: "Shortly after I bought the phone someone called offering me TalkTalk.
"I said I wasn't interested but they phoned again and I said if they wanted to send me some information I would talk it over with my wife.
"They said they couldn't send the information unless they had my bank details, so I gave them."
Mr Williams discovered the switch only after receiving a letter from BT expressing regret that he was no longer a customer.
He added: "I was flabbergasted. I phoned BT and thankfully they said they could cancel the switch."
He eventually received an apology from TalkTalk.
Thank goodness we are in partnership with a reputable firm!
Monday, 25 February 2008
Friday, 22 February 2008
Hints and Tips - Sarah Riley, 22nd Febuary 2008
0208 485 8892
Today's message was from Sarah Riley. Sarah and John recently collected their company mini!
Sarah started her message by thanking Alison Cross for her recent tips as it has helped Sarah and John grow their business. Sarah has followed Alison's tips and has two appointments with cafe owners. Sarah also went to a supermaket and has organised a Win A Mini event this Sunday at a car boot sale and also has an appointment with the supermarket boss regarding becoming a distributor. Well done Sarah!
Sarah also went to her local corner shop and wrote down mobile numbers from 16 of the 'for sale' ads, on the advertising board. She has ent text messages out offering these people the business opportunity.
Sarah's tasks:
- Contact ALL of your existing customers and say "I've got to pop and see you as I have something I need to show you" and take a DVD along. Sarah has recently tried this approach and it has resulted in 3 x CGAs and one new distributor join the team.
- Go to two pubs or wine bars and take in the Independence newspaper. A lot of these places are suffering with reduced profits following the smoking ban and will be happy for another source of income.
- Target people that work outdoors (in this cold period of the year), e.g. gardeners, window cleaners, mobile mechanics..... give out two DVDs/send text messages offering the business opportunity.
- Have you got your 'I love my gas bill' badges yet? I challenge you to wear it for a whole day and see how many people you have ask you "What's that all about?" You can explain the business to them and offer some great savings.
Have a huge amount of fun and good luck,
Best wishes,
Sarah
Today's message was from Sarah Riley. Sarah and John recently collected their company mini!
Sarah started her message by thanking Alison Cross for her recent tips as it has helped Sarah and John grow their business. Sarah has followed Alison's tips and has two appointments with cafe owners. Sarah also went to a supermaket and has organised a Win A Mini event this Sunday at a car boot sale and also has an appointment with the supermarket boss regarding becoming a distributor. Well done Sarah!
Sarah also went to her local corner shop and wrote down mobile numbers from 16 of the 'for sale' ads, on the advertising board. She has ent text messages out offering these people the business opportunity.
Sarah's tasks:
- Contact ALL of your existing customers and say "I've got to pop and see you as I have something I need to show you" and take a DVD along. Sarah has recently tried this approach and it has resulted in 3 x CGAs and one new distributor join the team.
- Go to two pubs or wine bars and take in the Independence newspaper. A lot of these places are suffering with reduced profits following the smoking ban and will be happy for another source of income.
- Target people that work outdoors (in this cold period of the year), e.g. gardeners, window cleaners, mobile mechanics..... give out two DVDs/send text messages offering the business opportunity.
- Have you got your 'I love my gas bill' badges yet? I challenge you to wear it for a whole day and see how many people you have ask you "What's that all about?" You can explain the business to them and offer some great savings.
Have a huge amount of fun and good luck,
Best wishes,
Sarah
Monday, 18 February 2008
Hints and tips from voicemail - 17.02.08 - Esther Callis
Many thanks to Esther Callis for these ideas, hints and tips.
Esther started her message by saying that since following the voicemail messages over the last few weeks her group has grown from 198 - 293 in four weeks. Additionally her IDs have grown from 40 - 50 in the same period. She has personally signed two IDs and six customers due to this activity.
Tasks:
2 DVDs to Florists - always give to the actual business owner. After 'Valentines Day' they'll be feeling the pinch until 'Mothers Day' and we can provide another stream of much-needed income.
2 texts to introduce the business to dance school owners (details from Yellow Pages or Yell.com). They have hundreds of students and parents etc.... Type 'Dance School' and your local area into 'Yell.com' to get two mobile numbers to send text messages to.
2 Independence magazines to guest houses/ bed and breakfasts in your area. Again, this trade is feeling the pinch in the current economical climate.
2 Emails to I.T. consultants. Ring them first and ask their permission to send a link to your website. Invite them to watch the online DVD on your business opportunity section.
2 Texts with the voicemail number 0208 955 5678 to personal trainers. They meet with many people and are very focussed and highly motivated people - just what we need in the business.
Many thanks to Esther Callis for these hints and tips and allowing publication.
Esther started her message by saying that since following the voicemail messages over the last few weeks her group has grown from 198 - 293 in four weeks. Additionally her IDs have grown from 40 - 50 in the same period. She has personally signed two IDs and six customers due to this activity.
Tasks:
2 DVDs to Florists - always give to the actual business owner. After 'Valentines Day' they'll be feeling the pinch until 'Mothers Day' and we can provide another stream of much-needed income.
2 texts to introduce the business to dance school owners (details from Yellow Pages or Yell.com). They have hundreds of students and parents etc.... Type 'Dance School' and your local area into 'Yell.com' to get two mobile numbers to send text messages to.
2 Independence magazines to guest houses/ bed and breakfasts in your area. Again, this trade is feeling the pinch in the current economical climate.
2 Emails to I.T. consultants. Ring them first and ask their permission to send a link to your website. Invite them to watch the online DVD on your business opportunity section.
2 Texts with the voicemail number 0208 955 5678 to personal trainers. They meet with many people and are very focussed and highly motivated people - just what we need in the business.
Many thanks to Esther Callis for these hints and tips and allowing publication.
Hints and Tips - 15.02.08 From David Armor
Firstly David's message started with a statement that the recent hints and tips have resulted in a 50% growth in his business actvity and results in February already and we are only half way through. This will be a record month for David by following the simple tips from the voicemail system.
David's tips are as follows:
2 DVDs to taxi drivers or private hire drivers - ensure you get their details to follow up quickly after they've watched the DVD.
2 Business cards to anyone you do business with today - e.g., while buying petrol, at the newsagent's shop, while at the supermarket and say "This is for you, it's about money".
2 Independence newsletters to the local car wash. Many of these places are 'human' operated where poeple leave their cars and go inside for a drink while the car is being washed. Leave some Independence for people to read while having their tea or coffee.
Spend 15-20 minutes outside the local train station - hand out some Independence newspapers to people heading into town in the morning. They can read all the great 'human interest' stories while en route to work.
Loacl newspaper - send two text messages to people selling items in the small ads section. they are obviously trying to make money by selling old items. Send the voicemail number 0208 955 5678 with a message about "Want to make money - listen to this then call me" etc....
Yell.com or Yellow pages - send two text messages to Domestic Cleaners/Molly Maid/Busy Bees type cleaners - "Want another income stream etc..."
The email pack - get out of your comfort zone and ring two people from the Yellow pages and ask if you can email it through to them. Always follow up your activity within a couple of days.
All this activity has given David and his team a constant stream of enquiries and leads to follow up on and is increasing his business.
Many thanks to David for allowing these notes to be published.
David's tips are as follows:
2 DVDs to taxi drivers or private hire drivers - ensure you get their details to follow up quickly after they've watched the DVD.
2 Business cards to anyone you do business with today - e.g., while buying petrol, at the newsagent's shop, while at the supermarket and say "This is for you, it's about money".
2 Independence newsletters to the local car wash. Many of these places are 'human' operated where poeple leave their cars and go inside for a drink while the car is being washed. Leave some Independence for people to read while having their tea or coffee.
Spend 15-20 minutes outside the local train station - hand out some Independence newspapers to people heading into town in the morning. They can read all the great 'human interest' stories while en route to work.
Loacl newspaper - send two text messages to people selling items in the small ads section. they are obviously trying to make money by selling old items. Send the voicemail number 0208 955 5678 with a message about "Want to make money - listen to this then call me" etc....
Yell.com or Yellow pages - send two text messages to Domestic Cleaners/Molly Maid/Busy Bees type cleaners - "Want another income stream etc..."
The email pack - get out of your comfort zone and ring two people from the Yellow pages and ask if you can email it through to them. Always follow up your activity within a couple of days.
All this activity has given David and his team a constant stream of enquiries and leads to follow up on and is increasing his business.
Many thanks to David for allowing these notes to be published.
TASKS FOR MONDAY 11th FEBRUARY 2008 by Karen Williams
To start with I have TWO Special TASKS!
Task 1) MAD DAY! Book your ticket today with Exec Services – MAD Day is on 27th April – Tickets £20.00 are now available – Make sure you get as many of your team as possible to attend.
Task 2) Get Organised & Be Prepared– Make sure you have plenty of Independence newsletters, business cards, recruitment cards, DVD’s all with your contact details on. Have a good supply by the front door, in your briefcase/handbag, in your car, even your pockets when you leave the house!
So, here’s how YOU can get more Time, More Money and More Choices In Your Life than You Ever Thought Possible!
1) Recruitment cards – These are great if you don’t have your own business cards! Make up a little pocket by stapling both sides and the bottom. Pop 2/3 recruitment cards in the pocket with a sticky pad on the back and go and stick them everywhere you can! Lottery stands, Changing rooms, toilets are particularly good. Don’t forget to keep them topped up!
2) Piggy Cards – Girls make sure you have a supply of blue tack in your handbag and stick them onto the back of toilet doors!
Also pop them in between the rubber edge and the glass of the driver’s window in car parks or at school.
3) Flyers – We all receive flyers through the door! Ring them up and offer them a Freephone number (Our’s only cost £4.00 per month compared to BT’s £10.00 per month and 0800 numbers have proven to increase customer enquiries by up to 300% together with enhancing the image of any Business).
4) Local Advertiser Magazine – It’s a free magazine which is posted though the door and is full of local businesses! Text the companies, offering them business opportunity. Or even better, contact the owner of the magazine and sign them up as a distributor and they can then promote UW themselves in the magazine and to all their advertisers!
5) Freepost return envelopes – send them back with one of your business cards!
6) Extranet Adverts – Check out the adverts on the Extranet.
The Distributors Wanted is particularly good! Personalise it with your Freephone number and web site. Print lots off and laminate them. You ask to display them in your local fish and chip shop/Chinese take, local shop or post office.
7) Independence – Harry my son has just lost his paper round! So instead, I pay him every week to deliver our Independence newspapers! He’s happy and so are we!
TAKE MASSIVE ACTION if you want MASSIVE RESULTS!
Make these TASKS your IMPERATIVE and I will guarantee you will get results!
NO excuses JUST DO IT!
Remember, IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU ALWAYS DID YOU WILL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU ALWAYS GOT!
Have a great week,
KAREN WILLIAMS
(Many thanks to Karen for allowing this to be published).
Task 1) MAD DAY! Book your ticket today with Exec Services – MAD Day is on 27th April – Tickets £20.00 are now available – Make sure you get as many of your team as possible to attend.
Task 2) Get Organised & Be Prepared– Make sure you have plenty of Independence newsletters, business cards, recruitment cards, DVD’s all with your contact details on. Have a good supply by the front door, in your briefcase/handbag, in your car, even your pockets when you leave the house!
So, here’s how YOU can get more Time, More Money and More Choices In Your Life than You Ever Thought Possible!
1) Recruitment cards – These are great if you don’t have your own business cards! Make up a little pocket by stapling both sides and the bottom. Pop 2/3 recruitment cards in the pocket with a sticky pad on the back and go and stick them everywhere you can! Lottery stands, Changing rooms, toilets are particularly good. Don’t forget to keep them topped up!
2) Piggy Cards – Girls make sure you have a supply of blue tack in your handbag and stick them onto the back of toilet doors!
Also pop them in between the rubber edge and the glass of the driver’s window in car parks or at school.
3) Flyers – We all receive flyers through the door! Ring them up and offer them a Freephone number (Our’s only cost £4.00 per month compared to BT’s £10.00 per month and 0800 numbers have proven to increase customer enquiries by up to 300% together with enhancing the image of any Business).
4) Local Advertiser Magazine – It’s a free magazine which is posted though the door and is full of local businesses! Text the companies, offering them business opportunity. Or even better, contact the owner of the magazine and sign them up as a distributor and they can then promote UW themselves in the magazine and to all their advertisers!
5) Freepost return envelopes – send them back with one of your business cards!
6) Extranet Adverts – Check out the adverts on the Extranet.
The Distributors Wanted is particularly good! Personalise it with your Freephone number and web site. Print lots off and laminate them. You ask to display them in your local fish and chip shop/Chinese take, local shop or post office.
7) Independence – Harry my son has just lost his paper round! So instead, I pay him every week to deliver our Independence newspapers! He’s happy and so are we!
TAKE MASSIVE ACTION if you want MASSIVE RESULTS!
Make these TASKS your IMPERATIVE and I will guarantee you will get results!
NO excuses JUST DO IT!
Remember, IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU ALWAYS DID YOU WILL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU ALWAYS GOT!
Have a great week,
KAREN WILLIAMS
(Many thanks to Karen for allowing this to be published).
List of Community Fund Raisers - as of 18th February 2008
1 P W Promotion Ltd
11th Barry Sea Scouts
19th Wallasey Brownies
1st Kennington Scouts
1st Tatsfield Brownies
1st Warminster Scouts
4th Willesborough Brownies
6th Stalybridge St Peters Brownies
88th Haymarket Scout Group
95 (Crewe) Squadron Air Cadets
A Breath For Life
Abandoned Animals Association
Abergele Youth Action Cafe Ltd
Aberystwyth University
Ability Sports Ltd
Acorn To Oak Foundation
All Creatures Great & Small
All Saints C E Marple
All Saints Micklehurst
All Saints' Church
Amber Valley Parkinson Support Group
Anselm Community Centre - M R E C A
Anyadwe Children & Family Welfare Assoc
Ashfield Nursing Home
Asperger East Anglia
Aylesham Heritage Centre
Ayme Ltd
Baildon Runners
Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary
Barcombe School P T A
Bedford Athletic R F C
Belarusian Ray Of Hope
Bewdley Rowing Club
Bibic Charity
Birmingham Association Of Youth Clubs
Birmingham Dogs Home
Bishop David Sheppard Primary School
Black Boys Can
Blackdown Support Group
Blesma
Blythswood Care
Borders Asperger & Autism Group Support
Bournemouth Sports Club Limited
Brabyns Preparatory School
Bradford (Park Avenue) A F C Ltd
Bradford Bulls R L F C
Brambles Respite
Branching Out
Breath Of Life
Breathe Easy (Telford And District)
Brickfield Rangers
Bright Beginnings Playgroup Creigiau
Bryn Deva School
Bucks Business Club
C D A North East
C F C Community Dev Project
Canalside Community Radio
Canceractive Ltd
Cardiff Concern
Carers Link
Carlisle United
Chapel Lane Surgery
Charity Support
Charms
Chasebell Ltd
Cheltenham Town F C Community Programme
Chernobyl Children Life Line Links Poole
Chernobyl Children Life Line Links South Wilts
Chesterfield Vineyard Trust
Children Of Romania
Chobham R F C
Chorley Football Club Ltd
Christchurch P C C
Christchurch School
Clach F C Youth Development
Clatterbridge Cancer Research Trust
Cobham Bowling Club
Cogenhoe United F C
Colin Smith Theatre
Colwyn Bay Football Club Ltd
Conductors Branch
Cornelly Generations Jazz Band
Crawley Town F C
Criftins Village Hall
Cringleford Football Club
Cromer Tennis & Squash Club
Crompton House P T F A
Crowborough Athletic Football Club
Culverstone And Vigo Scout Group
Cumbria Police Federation Member Services
Cymdeithas Cyfeillon Ysgol Gynradd Tregaron
Darlington R F C Ltd
Darlington Railway Athletic F C
Deeside Junior Ice Hockey Club
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
Direct
Donate As You Spend
Dover Rugby Footbal Club
Downland Farm Project - E A P A G
East Fife Supporters Society Ltd
Eastbourne & District Mencap
Edinburgh City Youth Cafe
Education Infabo Africa
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Emups
Ercall Colts F C
Fairwater Conservative Club
Fairways
Farm Animal Sanctuary
Fernheath Play Association
First Connah's Quay Scout Group
First Poulner Scout Group
Five Ashes Village Hall
Folkestone Early Years
Folkestone Invicta
Folkestone Invicta Youth F C
Foundation For Wellbeing
Friends Of East Sussex Hospices
Friends Of Grainthrope School
Friends Of Longmeadow
Friends Of Maynards Green School
Friends Of Moorside
Friends Of Severndale School
Friends Of Ton Yr Ywen School
Friends Of Uganda
Funky Ducklings Toddler Group
Gedling Town F C
Girl Guiding Godmanchester
Glapwell Football Club
Go Folkestone Action Group
Golden Retriever Rescue
Grange Centre
Gresford Athletic F C
Greygarth Hall
Guildford Rugby Club
Gwili Railway Co Ltd
Halifax R L F C Under 21's Academy
Handsworth Christadelphians
Happy Hours Childcare Service Ltd
Harris Bursary Fund
Heart Of Kent Hospice Ltd
Heath R U F C
Henlle Park Golf Club
Hickleton Youth Project
Hideaway Day Nursery Ltd
Highfields Community Partnership
Hillside Sanctuary
Holy Trinity Church Gwersyllt
Honeycroft Ltd
Hospice In The Weald Marketing Ltd
Humberside Police Sports & Social Club
Huntington C P School
Hurworth Grange Community Association
Hyndburn Stray Dogs In Need
Hythe Cricket & Squash Club
Hythe Town Football Club Ltd
Institution Of Electronics
International Owl Society
Ivybridge Stowford School Association
Jennyruth Workshops Ltd
Jeremiah's Journey
Julia Perks Foundation Ltd
Kenilworth R F C Ltd
Kidderminster C C
Kilmacolm Riding Club
King John H S A
King's Himalayan Club
Kingsmead Care Centre
Lancashire Auto Club (1902) Ltd
Lancaster Road Primary School
Laurels Day Nursery Ltd
League Of Friends Of The John Taylor Hospice
Leamington R F C Senior Rugby
Letham Sports Club
Lincoln City F C Company Ltd
Little Acorns
Littlehampton Cricket Club
Llandaff North R F C
Llandudno Community Radio
Llandudno Junction Community Club Ltd
Llandudno Juntion F C
Llandudno Parochial Church Council
Llandudno Rugby Club Ltd
Lo-Gy Ltd
Long Bennington J F C
Longridge On The Thames
Loughborough Gateway Club
Lyndhurst School Parents Association
M C Y A - Wych Centre
M G A
M K Arts For Health
Macclesfield D I B
Maghull Monthly
Manchester Adoption Society
Marinelife Ltd
Marple Cricket Club
Martlesham Leisure
Melbourne R F C
Merseyside Christian Youth Camps
Michaels Ltd
Micklefield School Ltd
Middlesex Association For The Blind
Midlands Greek Cypriot Association
Milton Keynes Hindu Association
Mini Junior Titans Rotherham Rugby Junior Club
Mossley A F C Ltd
Mosterton Village Hall
Nature In Art Trust
Netherhall House
New Jerusalem Apostolic Church
New Pastures Church
North Clwyd Animal Rescue
North Ferriby C E Primary School
Nottingham Rugby Club
Oasis Onelife
Our Lady & St Oswalds Catholic Primary School
Overdale Pre-School
P S U K - Hockey
Pamoja
Park Drive Health Club
Pedmore Panthers
Penkridge Cricket Club
Pet Dispensary For Sick Animals
Pil Primary School
Pinxton F C
Place For Hope
Plymouth Argyle Football Co Ltd
Polish Saturday School Preston
Print Point Of Hull Ltd
Proud
Queensbury Conservative Club
R F M I Mission
Radcliffe Borough F C Club
Rainbow House
Rainbow Trust
Rally World
Raw Kickboxing
Rehab U K
Renaissance Dance Troupe
Rhiwbina Primary School P F A
Ribblesdale Nursery School
Riding Vikings R F C
Riffs Uk Ltd
Rochdale A F C
Rochdale R U F C
Rotary Club Of Buckingham
Royal British Legion Oxtred & District Club
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Saltash Fire Cadets
Salto Gymnastics Club
Saorsa Ltd
Scottish Junior Chess
Screenreader.Netcic
Seaham Music Academy
Sharky's Community Gym
Shildon A F C Ltd
Shipley Juniors F C
Shropshire L T A
Silhouette Dance Club
Southampton Alpine Club
Spalding United F C Ltd
Sparc
Spartans Academy
Speak Easy Advise Centre
St Andrews Church Aysgarth
St Davids Foundation
St James The Great School
St Josephs P T A
St Marks Village Hall
St Martins Chat About
St Marys Church
St Monicas P T A
St Winifreds Catholic Church Welshpool
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Limited
Staveley Tae Kwon-Do
Step By Step Dancing
Stockport County Ladies F C
Stockport Hockey Club
Stockport School
Student Union At Bournemouth University
Sunnyside Kennels
T B Alert
Talyllyn Railway Co
Tan'gun Charitable Trust
Teach And Grow
Telford 1st S N U Church
Templemoor Infant School
The Barn Spiritual Church
The Big Issue North Trust Ltd
The Bridge
The Derby Playhouse Fund
The Gates
The Graze Trust For Horses
The Humberston School
The J's Hospice
The Marianettes
The Maundy Relief Trust
The Norman Laud Association
The Northwich Victoria Football Club (2004 Ltd)
The Olive Tree Project Ltd
The Order Of The Magi
The Richard Foundation
The Roy Pitman Society
The Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion Wombwell & District
The Thistle Foundation
Thomas Morley Trust
Thorpe Players
Thrapston Primary School P T A
Through The Window Theatre
Tobin Music Trust Ltd
Topaz Twirl Stars
Touchstone Projects
Trafford Junior Netball Club
Trinity Playcentre
Tyddyn Bach Trust
Ugborough Friends
Van-Volunteer Action Northamptonshire Ltd
Village Nursery
W S M Scout Group
Walsall Football Club Community Programme
Walsall People Ltd
Walsall Swifts F C
Warwick Rotary Club
Waterloo Rugby Club
Welshampton Church
West Midlands Neighbourhood Watch County Assoc
West Suffolk Headway
Westwood United F C
Wheatley Scout Group
Wheaton Aston Sea Scouts
Willen School Association
Willenhall Town Ladies F C
Wirral Autistic Society
Witney Buttercross Scout Group
Wokingham Cricket Club
Wolviston F C
Woodbridge Rugby Club Ltd
Worcestershire C C C
Wrexham A F C Football In The Community Programme
Wykem Adventure Centre
Ysgol Caer Drewyn P T F A
Ysgol Iau Hen Golwyn
Zoe's Place Baby Hospice
11th Barry Sea Scouts
19th Wallasey Brownies
1st Kennington Scouts
1st Tatsfield Brownies
1st Warminster Scouts
4th Willesborough Brownies
6th Stalybridge St Peters Brownies
88th Haymarket Scout Group
95 (Crewe) Squadron Air Cadets
A Breath For Life
Abandoned Animals Association
Abergele Youth Action Cafe Ltd
Aberystwyth University
Ability Sports Ltd
Acorn To Oak Foundation
All Creatures Great & Small
All Saints C E Marple
All Saints Micklehurst
All Saints' Church
Amber Valley Parkinson Support Group
Anselm Community Centre - M R E C A
Anyadwe Children & Family Welfare Assoc
Ashfield Nursing Home
Asperger East Anglia
Aylesham Heritage Centre
Ayme Ltd
Baildon Runners
Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary
Barcombe School P T A
Bedford Athletic R F C
Belarusian Ray Of Hope
Bewdley Rowing Club
Bibic Charity
Birmingham Association Of Youth Clubs
Birmingham Dogs Home
Bishop David Sheppard Primary School
Black Boys Can
Blackdown Support Group
Blesma
Blythswood Care
Borders Asperger & Autism Group Support
Bournemouth Sports Club Limited
Brabyns Preparatory School
Bradford (Park Avenue) A F C Ltd
Bradford Bulls R L F C
Brambles Respite
Branching Out
Breath Of Life
Breathe Easy (Telford And District)
Brickfield Rangers
Bright Beginnings Playgroup Creigiau
Bryn Deva School
Bucks Business Club
C D A North East
C F C Community Dev Project
Canalside Community Radio
Canceractive Ltd
Cardiff Concern
Carers Link
Carlisle United
Chapel Lane Surgery
Charity Support
Charms
Chasebell Ltd
Cheltenham Town F C Community Programme
Chernobyl Children Life Line Links Poole
Chernobyl Children Life Line Links South Wilts
Chesterfield Vineyard Trust
Children Of Romania
Chobham R F C
Chorley Football Club Ltd
Christchurch P C C
Christchurch School
Clach F C Youth Development
Clatterbridge Cancer Research Trust
Cobham Bowling Club
Cogenhoe United F C
Colin Smith Theatre
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Sunday, 17 February 2008
0208 485 8892 Hints and tips from the Voicemail 13.02.08 Linda Holland
Hints and tips from ID Linda Holland - via 0208 485 8892
Many thanks Linda for these......
- When you're out and about get your kids to write down five mobile telephone numbers from vans .... send them a text message inviting them to look at the business opportunity....
(Jimmy suggests something like
"I've just seen your van in Birmingham/at B&Q etc... would you like another stream of income? If YES, text me back or give me a call and I will send you some information, many thanks, NAME") .....
If they reply YES follow it up with "Have you got internet access today? If so, have a look at www. YOUR WEB ADDRESS & I will call you at 7pm/9pm tonight to tell you how the money works. What time suits you best? YOUR NAME Speak to you later & have a great day" .......
If they say NO send a text and say "Ok thanks for the reply but if you know anyone that wants to make or save money tell them to have a look at www. YOUR WEB ADDRESS Have a great day" )
- As it's half term and you may be out with your children, always have some business / recruitment cards with you, give out five a day and say to people "That's for you, it's about money".
- As it's half term and you may be at events - have a look for some business stands at shopping centres and craft fairs etc ....... hand out two DVDs to people staffing these display stands ... they are at work and trying to earn money - we can help them earn more!
- Text the business voicemail to two mobile hairdressers (yellow pages/Yell.com ) - 0208 955 5678 with a message along the lines of the above .... "Would you like another stream of income? Listen to 0208 955 5678 then call me and I'll tell you how the money works".
- Do your children have a paper-round? If so/if not, why not pay them/pay them extra to deliver 100-200 Independence newspapers around the local streets?
- Know when your local COP is being held. Use Yell.com and invite two mortgage advisors or IFAs (who are both feeeling the pinch in the current economical climate).
- Do something every day that scares you!
- Do something every day that gets you out of your comfort zone!
- Aim high!
Many thanks to Linda for these hints and tips.
Many thanks Linda for these......
- When you're out and about get your kids to write down five mobile telephone numbers from vans .... send them a text message inviting them to look at the business opportunity....
(Jimmy suggests something like
"I've just seen your van in Birmingham/at B&Q etc... would you like another stream of income? If YES, text me back or give me a call and I will send you some information, many thanks, NAME") .....
If they reply YES follow it up with "Have you got internet access today? If so, have a look at www. YOUR WEB ADDRESS & I will call you at 7pm/9pm tonight to tell you how the money works. What time suits you best? YOUR NAME Speak to you later & have a great day" .......
If they say NO send a text and say "Ok thanks for the reply but if you know anyone that wants to make or save money tell them to have a look at www. YOUR WEB ADDRESS Have a great day" )
- As it's half term and you may be out with your children, always have some business / recruitment cards with you, give out five a day and say to people "That's for you, it's about money".
- As it's half term and you may be at events - have a look for some business stands at shopping centres and craft fairs etc ....... hand out two DVDs to people staffing these display stands ... they are at work and trying to earn money - we can help them earn more!
- Text the business voicemail to two mobile hairdressers (yellow pages/Yell.com ) - 0208 955 5678 with a message along the lines of the above .... "Would you like another stream of income? Listen to 0208 955 5678 then call me and I'll tell you how the money works".
- Do your children have a paper-round? If so/if not, why not pay them/pay them extra to deliver 100-200 Independence newspapers around the local streets?
- Know when your local COP is being held. Use Yell.com and invite two mortgage advisors or IFAs (who are both feeeling the pinch in the current economical climate).
- Do something every day that scares you!
- Do something every day that gets you out of your comfort zone!
- Aim high!
Many thanks to Linda for these hints and tips.
Saturday, 16 February 2008
SimplySwitch Website Closes
This article appeared in the Guardian on Saturday 2nd February 2008 on P37 of the Financial Section.
The Daily Mail group has announced the closure of its price comparison website, SimplySwitch, after paying £22m for the business only 18 months ago. DMGT said it would close in February with the possible loss of 65 jobs at its Croydon call centre.
The move, in effect an admission that SimplySwitch was not making sufficient profits, has left rivals, including the market leader, uSwitch, looking vulnerable. DMGT paid £16.5m upfront, making millionaires of the former call-centre workers Karen Darby and Alistair Tillen, who founded the site in 2002. But since then revenues have fallen away. It is understood that the remaining £5.5m was not paid out by DMGT.
Andy Hart, a Managing Director in DMGT's Associated Northcliffe Digital, said: "Last year saw a sudden and unexpected fall in the energy price-comparison market. Despite the best efforts of the SimplySwitch team, it is with considerable regret that we are entering into a collective consultation process with employees."
Across the market the number of households switching gas and electricity suppliers fell dramatically in 2007 because prices were falling. On Thursday, EW Scripps, which owns uSwitch, said in its preliminary fourth-quarter financial results that "continued weakness in energy-switching activity at uSwitch held back the division's overall operating results."
Industry analysts said yesterday there were rumours that the internet's biggest switching firm had been quietly put up for sale, although this was quickly denied. Christina Rebollo, a spokesman for uSwitch, said yesterday: "We have seen challenging business conditions throughout 2007, particularly in the energy-switching market, which have resulted in reduced earnings for the financial year."
Coincidentally, the SimplySwitch closure comes as demand for switching services is likely to increase in 2008 after steep rises in energy prices. Npower, EDF and British Gas have all introduced double-digit rises in gas and electricity charges in the past month, causing consumers to search for cheaper deals. However, the price-comparison website industry suffered a blow last week when the Financial Services Authority said that it was investigating the market amid claims that the sites mislead consumers.
The Daily Mail group has announced the closure of its price comparison website, SimplySwitch, after paying £22m for the business only 18 months ago. DMGT said it would close in February with the possible loss of 65 jobs at its Croydon call centre.
The move, in effect an admission that SimplySwitch was not making sufficient profits, has left rivals, including the market leader, uSwitch, looking vulnerable. DMGT paid £16.5m upfront, making millionaires of the former call-centre workers Karen Darby and Alistair Tillen, who founded the site in 2002. But since then revenues have fallen away. It is understood that the remaining £5.5m was not paid out by DMGT.
Andy Hart, a Managing Director in DMGT's Associated Northcliffe Digital, said: "Last year saw a sudden and unexpected fall in the energy price-comparison market. Despite the best efforts of the SimplySwitch team, it is with considerable regret that we are entering into a collective consultation process with employees."
Across the market the number of households switching gas and electricity suppliers fell dramatically in 2007 because prices were falling. On Thursday, EW Scripps, which owns uSwitch, said in its preliminary fourth-quarter financial results that "continued weakness in energy-switching activity at uSwitch held back the division's overall operating results."
Industry analysts said yesterday there were rumours that the internet's biggest switching firm had been quietly put up for sale, although this was quickly denied. Christina Rebollo, a spokesman for uSwitch, said yesterday: "We have seen challenging business conditions throughout 2007, particularly in the energy-switching market, which have resulted in reduced earnings for the financial year."
Coincidentally, the SimplySwitch closure comes as demand for switching services is likely to increase in 2008 after steep rises in energy prices. Npower, EDF and British Gas have all introduced double-digit rises in gas and electricity charges in the past month, causing consumers to search for cheaper deals. However, the price-comparison website industry suffered a blow last week when the Financial Services Authority said that it was investigating the market amid claims that the sites mislead consumers.
0208 485 8892
Are you listening to the voicemail number - it is updated every two days with various hints and tips to develop and grow our businesses.
I will try and summarise many of the great tips on the site .... but please listen every coupld of days to keep yourselves up to date with what's going on, what works and loads of ideas to try just while out and about carrying out your day to day business.
Good luck and why not add a comment saying what worked for you?
Best wishes
Andy
I will try and summarise many of the great tips on the site .... but please listen every coupld of days to keep yourselves up to date with what's going on, what works and loads of ideas to try just while out and about carrying out your day to day business.
Good luck and why not add a comment saying what worked for you?
Best wishes
Andy
0208 485 8500
Learn how to present a 'Martini' presentation..... phone 0208 485 8500 and listen to Gary Robertson and his simple approach to presenting the 'money' side of the business.
Why is it called the 'Martini' - well for those older members of the team ... there were adverts in the 70s and 80s and the catch phrase for Martini was "Any Time, Any Place, Any Where" - simple eh?
Many thanks to Gary for this presentation and great voicemail.
Why is it called the 'Martini' - well for those older members of the team ... there were adverts in the 70s and 80s and the catch phrase for Martini was "Any Time, Any Place, Any Where" - simple eh?
Many thanks to Gary for this presentation and great voicemail.
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