Welcome to our first blog post! It’s taken us a little while to kick-off this part of the website, but we will be posting here on a regular basis from now on.
What have we been up to? Well, as you’ll see from our latest news section, we’re supporting the Chartered Institute of Public Relations at an event being held in Maidstone on February 25.
This is part of our aim to work alongside those organisations that support the UK’s freelancers and contractors as we do. If you know of any other contractor or freelancer-friendly organisations we should be partnering with or supporting, post your comments for us here!
We spent Friday being interviewed for CNN Business Traveller channel, for a feature about business travel during the recession. Apparently, business budgets are being slashed left, right and centre, with companies shunning four-star hotels for budget-friendly options. It will air on Wednesday 11 February at 0930 and 1830 but you’ll also be able to click here to watch it online).
The budget hotel industry is realising this and upping its game, offering special deals to appeal to the corporate traveller’s wallet, such as rooms from as little as £1 per night.
At Kingston UK, we’re trying to cut back on costs but without cutting back on travel itself. Why? In these uncertain economic times, we think it’s more important than ever to put yourself firmly in the mind – and sight – of your clients. Yes, talk is cheap and email is quick, but don’t underestimate the importance of ‘face-time’. It might seem like an expense you could cut back on, but it could be one you can’t do without…
Research from the Federation of Small Businesses found that its members were not reducing their corporate travel as they felt it was important for expanding their businesses and networking. They are instead looking for alternative ways to be green and to save money.
Plus, Kingston UK contractors and freelancers can claim back the cost of business travel, which includes mileage (without receipts) and rail/air fares and accommodation. Car sharing, choosing a friend’s sofa over a hotel room and opting for sandwiches over treating your clients to slap-up meals will keep your costs lower still, whilst ensuring you are nurturing your client relationships at a time when they matter most.
Don’t forget, you can still claim for all of these (including staying on your mate’s sofa) if they are expenses incurred in the performance of business activity.
