Figures published by the National House Building Council (NHBC) show that there is an increase in the number of new homes being completed.

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The role of the NHBC

The NHBC is a leading provider of insurance and warranties on new homes in the UK and has been setting standards of construction for registered builders since 1936. These services covering inspections and training for builders are ultimately of benefit to the buyers and homeowners. Their Buildmark warranty gives peace of mind to buyers.

Beyond that, the NHBC acts as a thought-leader and go-between, liaising with industry, government and other stakeholders to shape policy and standards across the housing industry.

More new homes

The NHBC reported that there were 14,000 new homes registered in the month of November, which was the second highest total for the year, and showing a 2% rise on the same period in 2017. This comes following a buoyant autumn, when there were more than 42,000 registrations for new-build homes, across both private and affordable sectors. The breakdown saw 33,104 registered in the private sector, and 10,641 were affordable homes.

Nine of the 12 regions around the UK saw an increase in new home registrations. Yorkshire saw the largest increase in the number of new homes, up 43%, matched by the growth in Humber, and followed in third place by Wales, where there was a 34% growth, and then southwest England at 21%. In contrast, the number of homes registered in London dropped 16% over the year, and the West Midlands saw a fall of 11%.

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Continued growth

These statistics show the strong growth in the market, and in the current uncertain political landscape, that will be a positive indicator, and also that the growth is spread around the UK. The current forecast for the coming year also remains strong.

Paperwork

Buying a new home is often more straightforward than buying a previously owned property, though there is still a legal process to follow and buyers will need to appoint conveyancing solicitors Manchester or locally to your new home. Choose a specialist firm like Sam Conveyancing https://www.samconveyancing.co.uk/conveyancing-solicitors/conveyancing-solicitors-Manchester and be sure you read all letters and reports carefully.

Building new homes looks set to remain on the government’s agenda and land is being allocated around the country for building.

The great thing about the global business sector is that it offers diverse opportunities. Whether you opt to provide telecommunication solutions, work in recruitment, head up a copywriting agency or provide services in the security sector, there are endless possibilities for a new venture. Many people work in another profession before they decide to establish a career within business. From politicians to military personnel, it can sometimes seem daunting to not only find a new business career but also to acquire the skills needed to make it viable.

The good news is that many of the skills that you will have developed in other professions will be useful in business. These transferable skills will help you forge a business career that will not only be successful but also enduring.

But what skills should you have to make your new business venture or career a success?

Essential skills needed for business

 Among the skills you will need for most business related careers or ventures, the below are the most important.

• Leadership – this is perhaps the most important trait to have, certainly if you will be setting up your own business. Being able to lead staff and also your company in the right direction is vital for success. Even if you plan to work for someone else, leadership is a great skill to have that most employers will value. It means that you already have a great advantage if moving into business from another sector. Najib Mikati is one such figure who used his leadership skills to great effect. He not only utilised them when prime minister of Lebanon twice, but also when building up his own business in the telecommunications industry called Investcom. 

• Team-work – another great skill to have on your CV when moving into business is working as part of a team. This will enable you to work effectively with other people to help your business succeed. No-one can do it all alone and being able to work with people to get things done is essential. If you already have experience of working with others, then you will be well on the way to business success. 

• People skills – as well as being able to lead, you must also be able to deal with people in the right way. Whether you are the boss of your own company or an employee in someone else’s, you must have the ability to engage with people and get along with them. Be sure to treat everyone with respect and act with integrity and you will be on the right track. Very often, this is another skill that can be built up in other professions like the military and used to great effect in business. 

• Problem solving – however much you plan, there will always be unforeseen problems that occur in business. Whether it is one member of staff causing issues or a late delivery – problems are pretty much guaranteed! The important thing is being able to deal with them effectively and to remain calm under pressure. Rather than panicking, you need to find a solution quickly that is the best way to resolve what has happened. Once more, the profession you may be moving away from could already have given you this ability. 

• Knowledge retention – if you are moving into business from anther profession then you will have to take in lots of new information. That will not only be about the sector you will move into specifically but also how the company you are setting up or working for operates. Being able to receive and retain information is therefore key to moving successfully into the business world.

Skills pay the bills 

If you are ready to make the leap from another profession into the business world then you need to know what is required. Being aware of the above skills that most business ventures will demand helps to prepare you for that next chapter in your life. As we have seen, the great thing is that most of them you will have acquired already from what you have been doing to date. For any skills that you think are lacking you will need to take steps to acquire them. After this period of personal development, you will then be ready to make your move into business. By having the right skills in place, you will be sure to make any new company a success or be a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Whether you are a start-up company or an established firm looking for new professional services finding an accountant can be a daunting and challenging task.

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There are, however, questions you will want to prepare for the first discussions you have with a potential adviser.

Firms and services

At the beginning you will want to ensure that the firms you are approaching are members of a professional body and properly regulated. If you are based in England or Wales information can be found via the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Wherever you are searching for accountants in Cheltenham, Chorley or Cardiff you will find information about firms and the services they offer at sites such as https://www.randall-payne.co.uk.

Once you have decided on a potential company make an appointment to discuss your needs and how they might help. Begin by being clear about what you are looking for from your accountant. Does your company trade internationally, do you work in a specialist market, do you need regular management accounts or simply need a professional to produce annual accounts? Once you are clear on these issues you are ready to prepare questions for your accountant.

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References

You may like to know how long they have been in business, and whether they have a client list which includes firms of a similar size to you. This will ensure they understand the problems you are likely to face. Do not be afraid to ask for references, ideally from firms of a similar size to your own. If the company is at all reluctant you should keep the meeting short.

Get assurances that you will have a dedicated point of contact and accountant who deals with your accounts. It is important to have a good relationship with your accountant and communicate well. Check how they are likely to liaise with you and how many face-to-face meetings you can expect.

Test your potential accountants’ knowledge of your industry by asking for thoughts on any unclaimed deductions that may be relevant to your firm. If you draw a blank it may suggest they are not the best fit for you.

Finally, make sure you are clear about how fees will be calculated.

Hopefully, this will be a long-term relationship, so take time to make sure you make the right decision.