Jan / 29
AI, Blockchain and The 4th Industrial Revolution: What’s in store for contracting?
Tech experts are predicting that by 2020 the impact of new technologies, such as AI and blockchain, will be felt like never before. Although these so-called ‘disruptive technologies’ have been around for a few years now, their combined capabilities are beginning to be felt across all industries. In this article, Contracting Scout takes a look
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Dec / 27
How contractors can get ahead in the New Year
A successful contractor understands that contracting is all about keeping yourself competitive. The contracting sector grew from the need for businesses to access specialist skills or extra manpower as and when needed. This meant that they could quickly respond to the demands of their market, keeping them agile and enabling growth. It’s this agility in
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Dec / 11
Registering your Limited Company for VAT & Making Tax Digital
For contractors operating through their own limited company whose turnover exceeds the upper tax threshold, registering for VAT is a legal requirement. The upper tax threshold is also the point at which you need to register for the government’s new digital tax scheme that has been introduced to make the VAT system more efficient. If
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Nov / 29
How to keep developing your skills as a contractor
Unlike full-time employment where an employee can reasonably expect to receive training that will progress their career and increases their salary, contractors don’t have the same opportunities to develop their skills on the job. Contractors are hired on the basis of their tried and tested skills, rather than their potential, and are only paid for
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Nov / 20
How contractors can market their personal brand
Last week, Contracting Scout looked at the benefits of creating a personal brand for contractors. This week we look at promoting your brand. Once you’ve created your brand, you need to make it visible, and this is where the real work begins. Start by thinking about your target audience and the best ways to advertise
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Nov / 13
Why contractors should create a personal brand
Despite ongoing concerns over Brexit and changing government legislation, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed’s (IPSE) confidence index report showed an increase in contractor’s confidence levels during the last quarter. Across all sectors, the top factor in increasing positivity amongst contractors was the value of brand and reputation in building a freelance business. Developing
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Nov / 8
Autumn budget announces two-year freeze on VAT threshold
It was widely speculated that Phillip Hammond would lower the small business VAT threshold to £50,000 in last week’s budget. However, the Chancellor announced that the current threshold will remain frozen at £85,000 for a further two years. This was a welcome break for small businesses and limited company contractors whose turnover is below the
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Oct / 25
Budget Update: What can contractors expect?
At the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, Philip Hammond stated: “The Conservative Party is, and always will be, the party of business”. Looking ahead to next week’s budget announcement, this assertion could be put to the test. In June Theresa May pledged £20 billion in additional funding for the NHS by 2023. Earlier this month
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Oct / 23
7 ways contractors can make the most of LinkedIn
With approximately 3 billion users, LinkedIn is the world’s number one business networking site, that’s why creating a LinkedIn profile should be at the top of any contractor’s ‘to do’ list. Here at Contracting Scout, we look at five ways that contractors can make the most of LinkedIn’s features to network, market themselves and win
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Oct / 9
Employment rights for contractors?
Mathew Taylor’s independent 2017 review into Modern Working Practices in Britain drew attention to an insecure ‘gig’ economy where many workers are at risk of exploitation. This led to Prime Minister Theresa May responding to the findings earlier this year by promising millions of workers better holiday and sick pay rights, in addition to stronger
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