Welcome

A huge welcome to Cornelia and Cuchulain who have joined the AKM earlier this month.

Cornelia has taken up the role of our Office Administrator, with Cuchulain joining us as a Junior IT Support Engineer. Both are fast becoming a valuable asset to the business.

Sage Business Partners

Why go to Sage and give them your hard earned cash when you could be supporting a local business?

As a Sage Business Partner, we can provide you with exactly the same products as Sage can, the same upgrades, the same new products, the same stationery, and the same cover extra contracts, and in the vast majority of cases at exactly the SAME price as they give you.

We have access to the same promotions and offers as their direct sales team, and with Sage’s pricing for upgrades and stationery being standardised, we are all now on a level playing field.

So if you want to upgrade your software, get some more stationery, or look at increasing your cover level with Sage, why not try us first. We won’t try and sell you something you don’t need or don’t want. So go on, support your local Sage Business Partner.

Sage 2008

In the last 2 months we have seen Sage launch the latest versions in both Accounts and Payroll; version 2008

With both new versions, Sage have not included many new features to the software, however those that they have introduced will prove very useful to some businesses out there.

Sage 50 Accounts 2008 - new name, new features

As always, you’ll still be able to make light work of all those business essentials like your cash flow and day-to-day accounts, but now you’ll be able to:

• Manage all your VAT tasks in one place
• Submit your VAT return online
• Easily track your VAT returns
• Make simple manual adjustments
• Make the most of online banking
• Deal with “carousel” fraud legislation
• See your EC Sales List
• Stay up to date with RSS feeds
• View the figures that matter by choosing the way reports are presented
• Take card payments over the phone
• Make the most of deposits and discounts
• Speed up your invoices and orders

• The ability to provide written statements of employment particulars
• The ability to manage employees on the minimum wage
• Easy use of electronic payslips
• E-banking now comes as standard
• Better management of data

“Go and do a presentation ……. !”

Is this the opportunity you’ve been waiting for ……. or your worst nightmare?

Presenting to an audience or to unfamiliar team members is one of the Top Five lifetime fears – surprisingly the fear of death …. ranks lower!

1. Don’t try and be a comedian or politician at the despatch box – it won’t work – presenting is an art that has to be learnt.

2. Be sure why you are presenting e.g. is it to inform, persuade, propose, explain, motivate or reassure. If you are not sure, your audience won't be.

3. Know your subject – so you can watch-out for the “wide-balls” that will undoubtedly be thrown at you during “any questions”.

4. PowerPoint or Card Shuffler –it’s your choice. If you chose PowerPoint, don’t just read from the screen – you’ll lose your audience in seconds. If it’s cards - write down each key bullet point on a separate card. Then sort the cards into the most appropriate sequence.

5. Throw in a planned pause, even a total silence, especially before or after you make your key points. This is how you will build both interest and audience attention.

6. Interact and gain audience body language approval after each key point.

7. Always rehearse by practicing with a microphone or in front of a full-length mirror, then do it again and then again. When you think you’ve cracked it – try the whole presentation in front of a trusted business colleague.

8. Imagine that you are watching you ….. Watch your body language. Don't rock, shuffle or slouch and don't pace around. You may think you’re a “moving target” but all of these are distracting and will take away from your message.

9. Make sure you have got an attention-grabbing opener and a strong ending.

If you’re struggling with creating presentations, presentation techniques, styles or just scared stiff, contact Philip Dean at www.kütacon.com or call 0560 245 0793. Philip is an experienced business presenter, trainer and local radio presenter.

Windows Vista

Hello to everyone who I have met before and pleased to meet you if I have not had the chance to talk with before. My name is Colin and I am the new guy starting at AKM!

“Vista…What is it?” I hear you ask, well for those of you who have the memory of an elephant might recall that it was a feature covered in our January 2007 Newsletter. For those of you who may have forgotten or for our new customers, fear not! For in this section I will reveal all.

What is Vista?

Vista is the new version of Windows (which is replacing Windows XP) and offers to you, as a worker and as an individual many new and exciting features – Although there are some things to bear in mind!

Requirements – Can my PC be upgraded?

The truth be told, most computers which are bought today have the ability to run Windows Vista, with some of the more advanced features (Aero Theme) requiring a little more than your standard off-the-shelf PC.

There is a quick and simple way to ensure that your system is compatible with Windows Vista – The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

It is a program which you download and run from your Windows XP PC which will check all the hardware on your system and tell you if you can run Windows Vista on your current configuration. Couldn’t be easier!

Versions – Because one is not enough

As with Windows XP before it, Vista comes in a variety of editions – Ranging from the rudimentary ‘Home Basic’ to the workplace ‘Business’ edition, with the encompassing ‘Ultimate’ edition.

“So which one do I need?”

That depends on what you need to get out of your Operating System. To help you make the right decision take a look at the sites listed below:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/default.mspx

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it, Windows Vista in all its glory and the next step in the Microsoft Operating System range. Is it a step in the right direction? Well, that is something only time will tell, but I will say this – It certainly looks flashy!

And the penultimate question – Should I upgrade now?

Stop Press……

Do you want to learn more about Sage Report Designer and how designing your own reports within Sage can help your business?

Why not arrange a personal training session with AKM and we will show you how to get the most out of the software. From as little as £60 per hour or £350 per day you could have up to 2 people trained on how to use, create and design your own reports in Sage L50 Accounts.*

*all prices quoted are excluding vat and are based on the training location/business premises being less than 25 miles from AKM head office. Report Designer is available only in Version 2007 upwards.

Business Premises

One of our customers has recently finished refurbishing some business units on the Business Park next to Tescos in Ely.
If you are looking for premises from about 1,200 sq ft upwards, for lease or purchase, contact Sarah Perito on 01353 668385 for more information and to arrange to have a look around the various units.