RAF_Louvert 101 Posted November 24, 2011 . Oh that's an easy one to deal with WM. Si just needs to enter every conceivable relevant word in his home page's metatag, then ask us lot to do a Google search three times a day for the services he offers and click on his website when we find it in the listings. We could drive him up into the top rankings within a month. . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted November 24, 2011 I might just get you guys to do that for me!..lol...when my new Pet food business is up and running! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themightysrc 5 Posted November 25, 2011 Well, I bobbed down the Job Centre this morning, full of facts, figures and projections in order to get my self onto the New Enterprise Allowance scheme - basically, it's some financial support whilst you get your business off the ground (£65 a week for 3 months then £35 a week for 3 more months), and to try and get a loan for 'capital equipment' - new PC, advertising, web domain, etc. I've been unemployed since February - 9 months - which fulfills the 6 months out of work criteria. So no problem then, I hear you say. Unfortunately, not so. I turns out that, because I (honestly and foolishly) signed off for a week in August to go on holiday abroad with my wife, that means that it's not a continuous 6 months signing on, and hence, under the qualification criteria of the scheme, I'm disqualified until I've spent 6 months from August signing on. So, no support, no advice, no loan, no business and no prospect of anything until late February, because I can't even afford to take a temporary job over Xmas, as it would knock back the 6 months again. Merry f***ing Xmas, eh? The woman I spoke to at the Job Centre did, to her credit, look about as embarrassed and crestfallen as I've ever seen in that loathsome building and she promised to raise the case with her line manager, who, I'm sure, will tell her that he can't intervene and use what is called common sense. So, basically, because I was honest with the DSS and declared the holiday break, that's me f***ed until next year. Great isn't it? I've written to my moronic, drone-like, Thatcherite Tory MP, pointing out that if DSS staff were allowed to use their discretion (that common sense thing) to determine qualification for the scheme, I would soon be earning, off the unemployment statistics and paying both tax, NI, VAT, etc and contributing to the economy. Does that make sense to you? It did to me when I wrote it. Instead, Xmas will be somewhat less than jolly and I'll be utterly skint until February at the earliest - assuming, of course, that the finite funding for the NEA scheme hasn't run out by then. I expect nothing from the man - he's as thick as s**t, and lobby fodder - so if anyone knows of a rich benefactor somewhere. I can't even get a bank loan - the minimum I could get is £2500, and they're really not going to lend that amount to someone who's on the dole, given that there's over 2,600,000 of us in the UK, and I can't promise repayments regularly. If I didn't see the irony of this ridiculous situation, I would sit down and cry. Instead, I'll have a short and bitter laugh at it, and treat with absolute and utter contempt the next one of the Tory vermin I see on TV, pontificating that the unemployed are feckless and workshy. f*** them, and the horse they came into town on. Lower than vermin - Bevan was right. Rant over. When's P4 coming out? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted November 25, 2011 What a pisser m8! I'd start your business up anyway..and just don't tell the twats...cash in hand, in ya pocket...and f*ck the HMRC (they'll all be out on strike anyhow!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tranquillo 10 Posted November 25, 2011 I feel for you, Si. I've had my problems with DSS in the past too and the red tape and the hoops you have to jump through can get to be too much. I was a volunteer advisor for the Citizens Advice Bureau whilst trying to find a job. Part of my job there, as you can imagine, was helping people to fill out the many DSS and other benefit forms etc. Guess what. The DSS told me that I could no longer volunteer for the CAB because it meant I was not available for work whilst I was there. It no way interfered with my job searches and interviews because it was only a few hours a week. I was helping the community with something that, to my mind, should be government funded in the first place, but I had to give it up because of "The Rules". Your case simply underlines why many people are not strictly honest with the DSS. Those that are get penalised. My advice, for what it's worth, is to do the minimum required to qualify for what you need, take all the cr*p they throw at you, and when you've got what you need, take it, give 'em the finger if you like, and never look back. I wish you luck m8. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Von Paulus 8 Posted November 25, 2011 (edited) And I thought that only in Portugal would happen all theses craps. This reminds me that our Europe, our economic system, our political system is in the right path to collapse. Our system is far from being ruled by the people to the people. What a pisser m8! I'd start your business up anyway..and just don't tell the twats...cash in hand, in ya pocket...and f*ck the HMRC (they'll all be out on strike anyhow!) This. And don't look back, Si. Edited November 25, 2011 by Von Paulus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themightysrc 5 Posted November 25, 2011 Thanks all - good sentiments and advice. I've almost calmed down now, so it's thinking head back on to see how I can get this off the ground. Cheers, Si Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themightysrc 5 Posted January 20, 2012 Hi peeps, Just a quick nte to say that not only have I submitted by business plan and it looks like it'll get approval, but also the rest of the arrangements are well in hand - all I need now are customers! On a slightly separate note, I ended up with Lenovo H420 with an i3 processor, 4gb of RAM, a whacking great HD and W7 on it (which I'm getting to like). I've finally loaded up OFF and all the other bits and thought I'd try a quick combat flight to see how the graphics look (not a specialist graphics card, sadly, but the whole box was only £330). Whizzing around in a Pup against an Alb DII, I thought I'd check the FPS. 59 FPS! f*** me! I've now ramped the graphics up and I'll let you know in due course how it all looks. Vic rides again! Cheers, Si Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted January 23, 2012 Hi peeps, Just a quick nte to say that not only have I submitted by business plan and it looks like it'll get approval, but also the rest of the arrangements are well in hand - all I need now are customers! On a slightly separate note, I ended up with Lenovo H420 with an i3 processor, 4gb of RAM, a whacking great HD and W7 on it (which I'm getting to like). I've finally loaded up OFF and all the other bits and thought I'd try a quick combat flight to see how the graphics look (not a specialist graphics card, sadly, but the whole box was only £330). Whizzing around in a Pup against an Alb DII, I thought I'd check the FPS. 59 FPS! f*** me! I've now ramped the graphics up and I'll let you know in due course how it all looks. Vic rides again! Cheers, Si Great news m8..... The hard work starts now! (but, you have OFF to play in those quiet moments) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flyby PC 23 Posted January 23, 2012 Stay out of debt Themightysrc, that's the best single bit of advice I can give you. Soon as you owe money to a bank, THEY have a massive input into how you run your business, but their number one priority is definitely not the welfare of your business. Don't believe the hype and assume they're trying to help, - that's just the sugar on the bitter pill. Improvise with your money, be patient, think creatively, and solve your problems with income, not borrowing unless you absolutely cannot avoid it, and even then think twice. Income is not the same as profit, and if you've no income, then your business isn't a business but a personal indulgence, and it will quickly evolve into a slow lingering death for your hopes and ambitions. If you get the correct mindset early on, you'll find self employment rewarding, but you must make your business pay it's way, and the quicker the better. Income is oxygen for businesses, and there are no substitutes for it. If you want to invest money in your business, invest profit, because that's the only money which belongs to you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted January 23, 2012 Very wise words flypc... my Wife, whose a Business Adviser (well, was...she's now redundant)says exactly the same as you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Von Paulus 8 Posted January 23, 2012 (edited) Yes, indeed. Wise words from Flyby PC. Best of luck, Si. Edit: If you need anything, you know you can email me. Edited January 23, 2012 by Von Paulus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themightysrc 5 Posted January 23, 2012 Thank you all, gents. It's posts like the above that constantly remind me why I come here, and just how excellent you all are. I really wish I could buy you the many, many virtual beers I owe you by now. I look forward - one day - to meeting some or all of you. Cheers, Si Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
