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It’s far easier to change your home energy provider when compared to switching a commercial energy supplier. The process is similar but involves a little extra work on your part as a company owner or manager.

Business energy tariffs have a number of additional variables that need to be adjusted to get the right deal. Typical questions you’ll be asked include the nature and size of your business, where you’re located in the UK and your current gas and electricity consumption figures. This information will enable a commercial energy provider to offer you a suitable contract for your business’ needs. Fortunately, the process has now been made a lot easier, especially with the advent of online business energy comparison sites such as Utility Saving Expert. You’ll be able to obtain a hassle free no obligation quote in under 10 minutes. The price comparison engine will be able to sort deals by total price, tariff type and contract length, making it easier to compare each option. You’ll even be able to view renewable energy tariffs that can significantly reduce carbon emissions.

In this article, we will go through the information you’ll need to compare and switch business energy suppliers.

What do I need to obtain a free quote?

When using an online comparison site such as Utility Saving Expert, you’ll need the following information to get a business gas and/or electricity quote:

• A copy of your most recent energy bill
• The date your current business energy tariff is due to expire
• The date you will enter the renewal window
• Company registration information
• MPAN and MPRN numbers (these can be found on your bill)

Once you’ve got the above to hand, it should take around 10-15 minutes to input the details to obtain a quote. If you’re unsure about anything, there is a detailed guide available giving you answers to the most frequently asked questions. Alternatively, you can also contact your existing provider.

How long does it take to switch business energy suppliers?

Most commercial energy providers will have a target to switch you to a new tariff within 17 days. The renewal period for your existing deal will be around 49 days in most cases. Furthermore, you can expect your new supplier to supply gas, electricity or both from the date your current contract is due to end. Your existing supply will not experience any interruption.

Note: Gas and electricity isn’t available as a duel fuel option on commercial energy contracts, although you can purchase both fuel types from the same supplier.

I’ve heard about renewable energy, what exactly is it?

Simply put, renewable energy is energy generated through a renewable source. Solar and wind power are two of the most popular examples. Other examples include: hydro energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy and biomass energy.

At this stage, you’ve likely already come across solar panels attached to roofs and wind turbines with spinning blades. These all generate power, sometimes referred to as ‘green energy’. Renewable sources are considered to be sustainable as they can be replenished and do not deplete over time in comparison to their fossil fuel counterparts. Government legislation and historic agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement are driving us forward to a more sustainable future, helping protect the planet by reducing overall carbon emissions.

Due to these changes, business customers and energy suppliers are shifting their focus to this alternative fuel type. Costs will continue to decline as investment in the research and development of renewables continues.

How can I save even more money?

Switching to a cheaper business energy tariff is just the first step. However, further action can be taken by businesses and their employees to reduce power consumption, further reducing monthly or quarterly bills.

Some firms may choose to invest in solar panels that can generate electricity. The initial cost may be high, but over time you will save money and this is even more beneficial when you consider that fuel prices continue to rise year over year. Did you know that solar panels can still generate electricity even without sunlight?

Other ways to save money on your business gas and electricity usage include the following:

• Install energy efficient LED light bulbs throughout the office, these consume less power and are rated to last much longer.
• Install sensors that automatically dim or turn off the lights for areas that are unoccupied.
• Reduce your indoor temperature by one or two degrees, even a small drop in temperature could save you hundreds of pounds each year.
• Use power efficient electronics and turn off computers and other equipment when not in use, especially at the end of the work day.
• Open blinds and curtains to benefit from natural light, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
• Conduct an energy audit to better understand your energy usage, allowing you to implement the necessary changes to reduce total power consumption.

To summarise, comparing and switching business energy is now easier than ever. You’ll be able to see offers from a range of providers, along with the essential information needed to make an informed decision. Your company could be saving hundreds or even thousands of pounds annually by switching to a better deal.

The truck insurance industry is a growing one and continues to be an important part of transportation services. Trucks play an important role in how products are moved from one place to another and this means understanding how to protect them.

One of the ways trucks are protected is with the help of trunk insurance policies.

For those wanting to look at what this industry is all about and working with the HGV industry, it’s time to understand what the industry is all about.

Comprehensive Protection

Protection is the top priority in a situation such as this and it’s what the industry looks out for. There is no reason to go with a solution that isn’t going to offer complete protection based on what the truck is being used for. Working with the HGV insurance industry means understanding these details and making them a part of the setup. This is the only way to ensure the solution is a strong one and is going to help out over the long-term when it is time to put in a claim.

Countless Options

There are several options to go within this industry and that alone is what makes it powerful. People are able to look at the various choices in front of them and see what opportunities lie in front of them. This is what working with the truck insurance industry is all about. It offers a chance to explore and see what is out there for you to take advantage of.

Professional Insurance

The coverage that is offered is professional and that alone is a major plus. It is a great way to see what is out there and make sure the coverage is in line with what a person would want.

This professionalism is a must over the long-term.

Customised

The insurance industry has always been about making sure clients are getting what they want out of the relationship. This means putting together a viable plan that is going to keep the truck driver safe and ensure proper compensation comes out of the process. This varies from situation to situation but personalisation is what makes these insurance policies stand out in the end.

These are the qualities associated with the insurance industry and why it is doing a good job of keeping trucks safe. With the right insurance policy, it’s possible to remain protected even when something goes wrong.

One of the key traits of successful business owners is multitasking. If you’re not proficient at multitasking, you will lose out on opportunities to grow your business. Besides the daily operations of the business, an enterprising business owner needs to be able to leverage social media for the benefit of the business, must be a great customer relationship manager and more. This is especially important for small businesses that don’t have the resources to hire multiple people to handle each of these departments.

It’s equally important for a business owner to build a good relation with the staff. They are often the first line of contact with the customers and you want your staff to embody the values and qualities your business stands for. In order to do so, you need to imbue them with confidence and make them part of the larger objective of the business.

Custom workwear or uniforms are an effective way of making your staff feel an important part of the team – they were perfect helping us customise our staff uniforms, and we’re sure they will be exhibiting at Printwear & Promotion this year. It helps improve team spirit and enhance productivity, which in turn leads to an increase in confidence. If your staff is confident, their interactions with your customers will be more precise. Your customers will notice the difference as well. You will have a greater chance of turning your customers into repeat customers.

How you select the right uniforms for your staff will determine if you get the desired results or not. To begin with, you need to have a clear idea of the image your business wants to portray. Who are your primary customers? Are there common elements between your customers and your business? How can these translate into tangible characteristics? These questions will help you identify what type of workwear best suits your business. For example, a restaurant with a youthful ambience can’t have staff dressed in restrictive formal clothing or a financial services company that advises people about investment options can’t have staff dressed in casual t-shirts. In these examples, the values of the business aren’t accurately represented by the choice of workwear.

Now that you have a better understanding of the type of clothing that’s best suited for your business, you need to consider personalising the workwear further. The best way to do it is to get the business logo or brand image embroidered or printed on the workwear.

Business owners often ignore or simply forget one key aspect of workwear, which is comfort. If you want to help your staff become more confident and put in all of their effort towards growing your business, you need to be thoughtful about them as well. Yes, they are your employees, but they are members of your work family as well. The workwear you select will be worn by them for a number of hours everyday. So, don’t skip comfort and quality. The clothes should be comfortable to be in for long hours and should be of a standard quality.

Do not hesitate to experiment and explore. Try out a few different options till you find the ideal workwear for your staff.

Social entrepreneurship is fulfilling in a couple of ways – you not only get the opportunity to bring out the entrepreneur in you but also have a platform to work for the impacting the society at large with your business model. But when thinking about social entrepreneurship, most of us want to do something, but don’t know how to start – what idea to capitalize on. This post is all about a few ideas to give direction to your entrepreneurial mind. Read on:

1. Child-care services:
   With the increasing number of working professionals and nuclear families, children don’t get the care they deserve. Even when it comes to normal day-care services, the assurance that your child is safe and sound in the hands of a stranger is still missing. This is a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to provide affordable, secure and reliable child-care services. Believe me; reliable day-care centers are hard to find – so if you come up with one, you’ll definitely be in demand.
2. Handloom industry:
   No, we’re not asking you to set one up! But what’s known to all is the fact that the handicrafts and handloom fabrics crafted by local craftsman often don’t fetch them the value they deserve. But, when sold in the market to buyers like us, these very handmade items are sold at a much higher cost. This is where you enter – start off with extensive research and look out for handcrafted items that will have a potentially good market and also a great revenue opportunity for the craftsman as well as you! This way you tick all the boxes of social entrepreneurship.
3. Women’s organization:
   One of the major issues plaguing our society is the constant conflict of the society against the growing independence of women. Starting off with such a center will give women a backbone, a support that will help them achieve anything they set their mind on. Also, conducting courses and classes that will equip women to go out and fetch employment for themselves. Such centers are given aid from the government too, not forgetting the contribution from the private sector.
4. Organic farming:
   This is one golden opportunity to create a brand in a world where chemicals contaminate almost everything. Organic agriculture is steadily gaining importance and acceptance from people at large too. Tying up with farmers who practice organic farming or making sure their product reaches the right hands at the right rates is what you can do. Or even better, get into the fields and start with your own organic farm!