Thursday, September 16, 2010

Japan Central Bank intervenes to prop dollar

Japan is wasting its money trying to push the yen down as it is in effect trying to push the dollar up. The dollar is going into long term decline as US consumption gets extra competition from the rest of the world.
It used to be said that if the US coughed the rest of the world caught a cold.
Not any more. The GDP of the whole world is $58.15 trillion (2009 est.), the US was $14.14 trillion (2009 est.).
It doesnt take a genius to figure out the US cannot keep consuming 45% of the worlds output.
This adjustment in US consumption is the long and short term problem that faces the US. The pressure on US consumption will really happen when Chinese workers wages and the renminbi's value increases as is happening now.
More cars were sold in China last year then the US.

It is possible that the US could maintain the 45% consumption rate by reducing the GDP of the rest of the world somehow. Maybe a new really destructive war? Iran maybe? Although I believe the rest of the world has absolutely no appetite for this option, It should be remembered that crumbling empires are the most dangerous.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Free UK Payroll Software


Today I started using 12Pay, a really useful alternative to Sage or TAS.
It is fully compliant with HMRC, and has all the bells and whistles normally only
found in much more expensive software.

It really is free for small business, however the paid version allows online submission, personalised payslips and advanced reporting. The paid version starts at £54.90 per year and will handle 30 employees. For more then 30 the £99.80 Bureau edition is the one to buy.
So go now and look at your current payroll costs and then consider if you really need to spend that much.

The philosophy behind 12Pay is ease of use for the first time user, although hardened
professionals will also be impressed at its quick setup and user friendly interface.

The website has lots of useful guides and video. An active forum testifies to its popularity with
UK business. Any business looking to cut costs, save time and maintain standards could not
have a better first step then signing up with 12Pay.

Take my advice and tell your accounts department to visit 12Pay and download a trial of the best free payroll software available in the UK today.