Business News Online

Farmers in Northamptonshire have been urged to show their support for plans to build a new livestock market at Thrapston.

A formal planning application has just been submitted for the proposed mart, which forms part of a new rural agricultural centre. As part of the redevelopment, it is also planned to build a Sainsbury’s store on the existing cattle market site.

Henry H Bletsoe and Son, which operates the market, said the plans had been subject to considerable public debate and urged farmers to register their support. See www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk and click on “View planning applications” then search for application reference 11/01240/FUL or 11/01234/FUL.

Having the right insurance, covering your company is vital. The appropriate policy will provide peace of mind and support highly appreciated if something unpredictable happens. For people outside the insurance industry, the long lists of insurance companies and plans can seem difficult and confusing. They can’t find appropriate premiums and do not know what level of coverage they really need.

As with any major purchase, the owners must request a quote from a number of different insurance providers before settling on a policy. In addition to giving an idea of the cost and extent of coverage, it will also give the buyer the opportunity to observe how business insurance advisers and their quality of customer service are skills.

Despite the fact that more people are aware of the importance of having their business properly protected, there are still a number of organizations that are seriously under-insured. Read more…

For the Times-Union

It is the end of the world as we know it. The dollar is going to zero. Havoc is running the stock markets. The U.S. is on the brink of bankruptcy. At least that is what some in the media, a few of your neighbors and most of your co-workers are telling you. Watching your portfolio balance plummet gets your stomach in knots. You wonder if you will ever be able to retire, much less in the next five years as you initially planned.

What should you do?

Although some in the media might tell you differently, there is no need to panic and spend all your savings on Swiss Francs. Having a strategic plan may help those ulcers yet.
5 things to do now

1. Know your goals. This sounds simple but most people have no idea. When you are five years away from retirement, you should know the date you will walk away. Mark it on the calendar. Estimate what it will cost. How much will you need to spend on everyday expenses to live without a paycheck?

What if you have more than five years until retirement? Great!

Read more…

One News: Papandreou in Berlin for debt-crisis talks News At One: George Papandreou: Do not abandon EU project

The leaders of Germany and Greece met in Berlin today, buoying stock markets around the world with hopes they were finally preparing a comprehensive solution to the European debt crisis.

Greece must receive an 8 billion rescue loan before mid-October to stave off bankruptcy, a collapse that would send shock waves through financial markets in Europe and the world. But creditors have demanded more efforts to raise revenue.

In response, Greek lawmakers approved a controversial new property tax this evening, passing it 154 votes to 143 against in the 300-member parliament.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government downplayed speculation of bold new moves ahead of her meeting today with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou but the simple gathering itself buoyed spirits in financial markets.

The current plan is to have Greece implement painful debt-reduction measures in exchange for rescue loans.

Read more…

In a bid to extend its global footprint, Chinese business school Ceibs is to teach its first executive programme in Europe. The school, which started life in Shanghai but now has several campuses across China, already teaches an Executive MBA degree – an MBA for working managers – in Ghana.

The three-day programme, which will be taught in Zurich, is intended to bring the China expertise of five Ceibs faculty to a Western audience. Among those teaching on the “China Connecting Conversations” course will be Ceibs president and long-term China specialist Pedro Nueno and George Yip, co-director of the Ceibs Centre on China Innovation. Top business leaders will also participate in the delivery of the programme.

Fifty per cent of the participants on the programme will be Chinese executives, the remaining 50 per cent non-Chinese executives, from China and elsewhere. Ceibs is planning to launch further programmes in Europe in 2012.

www.ceibs.edu

I didn’t think I would live to see the day. And here it is. “Give tax breaks to those who create jobs” they say. “Don’t mess with the job creators” they say. They say it again and again. (‘They” in this case is the Republican Party.)

Well, here we are. It is small business — entrepreneurs even, like you and us — who create the most jobs in this country. Everyone agrees.

According to the Small Business Administration, there are 27 million small businesses in the US, of which about 19 million are sole proprietorships in one form or another. That’s us!! We are “small business”. In fact, any company that employes from one person to 500 people is considered a “small business”.

SO DON’T INCREASE TAXES ON US!!

Go tax those multi millionaires, the ones sitting in mansions, the ones who vacation in Barbados and the Riviera and exotics places I’ve never even heard of — all in the same year.

But small businesses? Not on your life. We are the ones sitting here day by day, working to kick start the economy. Read more…