It’s that time of year again when our thoughts inevitably turn festive. Here in the UK, we spend millions of pounds decking out our homes with Christmas sparkle – and this trend seems to be expanding into our offices and work premises.

The popularity of fairy lighting and decorations has grown considerably in the last decade, with more and more businesses wanting to wish their customers – and employees – a Merry Christmas by kitting out offices, shop facades and receptions with impressive lighting or Christmas trees.

However, as with all decorative lighting there are hazards whether it’s indoor and outdoor, and to avoid a Christmas ruined by fire damage, businesses are being warned to take basic safety precautions.

Manchester-based Loss Assessors Cherry and Griffiths have some tips for you…

Geoff Williams, director of Manchester-based professional loss assessors Cherry and Griffiths, said: “We’ve all read cases where faulty wiring or overheating cables on Christmas lights have caused catastrophic damage so businesses would be wise to ensure their decorations this year are safe and are unlikely to put their premises or staff at risk.

“Business premises are exposed to an increased fire risk when it comes to Christmas decorations as by their very nature they are left empty at the end of everyday when everyone returns home and also for up to a week over the Christmas break. Accidentally leaving on lights could result in a fire which will give you more than a headache in the New Year. Instilling a culture of safety among your workforce this festive season will help you avoid becoming a victim of fire damage.”

Tips to keep your business safe this Christmas

1)    If your office or commercial premises has been using the same old lights year after year, it would be wise to consider upgrading them this year so they are less likely to fail.

2)    When purchasing Christmas lights, only purchase those which display safety marks such as the BS Kite mark

3)    Inspect any bulbs or cables for damage and dispose of them safely if this is the case.

4)    Don’t run cables under carpets where they can be damaged

5)    Do not place lights in contact or close to other decorations and flammable materials.

6)    Always switch lights off when nobody is in the building.

The Green Deal will present many opportunities throughout the UK for thousands of organisations.  The Government is putting in billions of pounds worth of investment over the next 10 years, and business opportunities will be many and diverse.

Your organisation, no matter what size, whether specialist or generalist, will have an opportunity for business growth under the Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).

According to the Government: 

“The Green Deal will be the biggest home improvement programme since the Second World War shifting our outdated draughty homes from the past into the future, so it is vital people can trust it.”

Time is running out to get qualified or accredited!

Time is running out to get your business Green Deal ready for its launch in October 2012.  With a number of certifications, accreditations and qualifications, organisations are well advised to start preparing now and decide which business model fits.

Organisations will be able to decide for themselves which functions they want to provide in the Green Deal value chain.

Example models can include:

Partnering with other organisations and choosing who to partner with.

Delivering every part of the Green Deal plan in-house using own employees.

Specialist organisations in one function, partnering other specialist organisations in another function.

To help organisations to achieve the best possible opportunities for Green Deal and ECO work, our Green Deal expert Phyllis Boardman has designed a ‘Passport to Green Deal’ which is a menu of options available to all types of organisations.

To receive a copy of your ‘Passport to Green Deal’, please email your name and contact details to  info@m3publishing.co.uk

Finding suitable business premises is a hugely important task not only because of the financial commitment it represents but also because of the impact it could have on your profit margins.

Identifying a conveniently-located warehouse, for example, will save you thousands in operational costs and also increase your accessibility to suppliers while choosing the ideal venue for a potential trade counter business will increase your custom.

In normal circumstances, securing a commercial property will involve the signing of a lease outlining a commitment to rent the premises typically in excess of five years (although they can be longer).

Peter Knight, director of Manchester-based property management company Knight Site Solutions Ltd, said business owners should think very carefully before signing on the dotted line, particularly if the business is relatively new…

If your business has faced a fire, flood or burglary, but you’re having difficulty persuading your insurance company you have a valid claim, it’s never too late to instruct an experienced loss assessor on your behalf.

Ideally businesses should consult an insurance loss assessor immediately after an incident affects their business, but there’s always an opportunity to bring them on-board at a later stage of your claim – particularly if it’s proving contentious.

Business interruption claims are notoriously complex and require a sound understanding of accountancy procedures to assess how this could potentially impact on policy wordings. Quantifying projected losses is also a difficult task and any mistakes could result in your business getting much less than it deserves…

When electrical installations in the home fail, it’s usually regarded as minor inconvenience. In business it’s a completely different story. For every minute a production line is down or an entire office’s computer equipment is unworkable, money is going down the drain – and in some instances, reputation.

Most businesses whether commercial, industrial, retail or leisure rely heavily on electrical installations of some description. Even a small shop will find it virtually impossible to trade without lighting or working fridges.

When faults occur, it’s imperative that the problem is addressed quickly and professionally to minimise impact on production and workflow…

Identifying suitable commercial premises for your business can be a headache especially if the area in which you intend to locate them is totally unfamiliar.

One of the biggest concerns to businesses when they search for new premises is whether the property is in a good condition or is likely to entail a hefty annual maintenance bill. It’s important that the rental charge offered matches the condition of the property however if you have no experience in commercial property, negotiating a more favourable price can be tricky.

However, much of the anxiety that comes with sourcing commercial property can be avoided by appointing a professional property management company to take on that responsibility for you. Experienced property managers will not only filter what’s available so that you’re only presented with the best options, they will also carry out comprehensive vetting of the premises in question on your behalf to ensure there are no nasty surprises with the building later down the line…

Fire damage to commercial premises costs UK businesses more than a billion pounds every year yet the total of insurance settlements paid out is significantly below that figure.

Time is critical to a business faced with the devastating consequences of fire damage. As well as the physical losses, fire causes severe disruption to productivity and can put the survival of the business under threat. It is crucial a claim is dealt with promptly by a claims handler and comprehensively to ensure the business is back on its feet as quickly as possible.

Insurance companies will explore every possibility to reject a claim but these delays will cost businesses further in loss of income and reputation as well as add to the stress of the business owner…

Seeing your business destroyed by fire damage is probably one of the most traumatic and stressful life events you will ever face.

The devastating emotional consequences of fire damage are long lasting and can severely affect a business owner’s ability to concentrate amid such widespread disruption.

With so much to organise and salvage, the hassle of dealing with your insurance company only heightens the stress and for that reason it is much wiser to consult a commercial loss assessor specialist who can take on this burden for you.

 Electrical contractors are an important ally to any business providing them with the expertise  needed to meet their legal safety obligations.

Most business owners admit to finding rules and regulations whether it’s employment law or health and safety red tape difficult to deal with and rather overwhelming, which is why it’s important to  offload the stress on to someone who is better qualified at helping you meet the correct  requirements.

All employers – regardless of the industry or size of a business – are responsible for ensuring that all the electrical installations and equipment in a place of work are safe under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

If you’re a small business and not taking advantage of business rates relief then it could be time to consult a commercial property management company.

Small businesses are eligible for small business rates relief if they occupy a single property and their rateable value is below a certain level. However, many businesses are not taking advantage of the scheme.

Business rates calculation can be a complex process, which could be putting off many businesses from reassessing their rates or claiming any discount they’re entitled to…