Practice News

March 2010

Pancake mixture firmly stuck to the ceiling and resolutions made to forego a luxury until Easter, we wondered what you have decided to give up this year? How about red meat or biscuits, chocolate or possibly that restorative pint of beer, which all seem to have made our middles a little soggier than is altogether healthy?

Of course, you may have decided not to don the sackcloth and ashes but perhaps there are some things you really could do without, including leaving your bookkeeping until the very last minute. We know you could live without that last minute headache and the burning midnight oil that often goes with it.

If you always seem to find yourself late with your numbers talk to us; we've got lots of great tips and ideas to ensure that you'll always be on time and on top of all your figures. Just like our client of the month, virtual assistant Catherine Lee who's more than happy to take on the admin you'd love to give up, giving you back more time to work on your business.

Out & About...

A great way to meet like-minded professionals and potential suppliers, referrers and clients, this month's Business Network event will be on Wednesday 10th March at Burn Hall Hotel, Huby, York. The workshop this month will be presented by property lawyer Barbara Jacobs of Barbara Jacobs & Co together with Guy Musgrave of NBS Financial Planning. Chelle & Stacey will be there and if you would like to join them please contact alison@cga-york.co.uk.

Weekending...

This month sees Claire on a jaunt to the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup race meeting and also joining Chelle at Leeds Academy for N-Dubz - there's nothing like a bit of variety!

Stacey has a busy March with a number of gigs including Passion Pit, Ellie Goulding, Blood Red Shoes, The Joy Formidable (not once but twice) and Chelle is joining her at Sheffield Arena for the Sterophonics. Finally, chelle has managed to find someone to go with her to see The Stranglers in March.

And Finally...

Congratulations go to Andrew who successfully passed 3 ACCA Exams and to Jenna who passed her AAT Exam, plus, we've all been working on improving our IT skills and have enjoyed some fantastic sessions with Linda Buglass. A big thank you to everyone who attended our networking event on the 24th of February with special thanks to Craig Richardson of Brewin Dolphin for his talk about current trends and the Stock Market. Also Chelle & Stacey are attending the Yorkshire Business Market on 26th April 2010 in Harrogate.

And last, but by no means least, please think about giving up those late bookkeeping habits, it really could be the most productive thing you'll ever do… now, how about those biscuits?

February 2010

We're all in love. It may be with a person, a pet, an idea or a particular way of doing things, yet we can all recognise that intense, captivating feeling.

You'll probably have spotted by now that the team at CGA (as well as some pretty significant others) are all in love with numbers, passionate in fact – they just rock our world and through them we're going to help you. We're also in love with being 'green'; a bit of a nebulous word that simply means we're ditching wasteful systems, improving our online tools and reducing our CO2 while passing on the savings to you - yes, we love you too.

It's good to recognise what we love; to celebrate it, pamper it and improve how we treat it. And whatever it is, treating it properly is rarely wasted effort and can bring some great, long lasting rewards. How are you treating your business? How are you treating yourself?

Weekending...

Seems we're all a little too busy being in love this month to get out much!

And finally...

You are very welcome to attend our third client networking event at here at CGA HQ. The afternoon will feature a seminar with Craig Richardson from investment managers Brewin Dolphin. The event will be held on 24th February 2010, from 3 pm to 5 pm. Cost will be £5.00. Please let alison@cga-york.co.uk know if you would like to attend.

January 26th saw Tor's birthday and of course a big 'thank you' to all of you who got your information to us before the tax deadline. And a last reminder to spend a little extra time on the things you love this month and if that includes calling us up for a good chat we'd be delighted to hear from you.

January 2010

Mind, Body & Business Detox.
Back after our festive frolics, we hope this finds you rested/replete/in recovery [delete as appropriate] and to this end we find Chelle embarking on a 30 day detox regime to start the New Year in good shape.

Sit mens sana in corpore sano - yes, those who suffered Latin will know the old saying: 'a healthy mind in a healthy body' - often trotted out as a precursor to moral discussions on over indulgence and the benefits of clean living and it follows that just as we have enjoyed the holidays many of us will be counting the cost and making healthy resolutions but have you any resolutions for your business? We all should be playing to our strengths and eliminating the flab; giving ourselves the best possible start to the year. If you think your business could do with a health check let us know, it's the perfect time for some numerical therapy!

Out and about...

This month's Business Network event with seminar by VA Catherine Lee will be held on January 14th at the Monkbar Hotel, York. Stacey will be attending and if you would like to join her please contact alison@cga-york.co.uk. Remember networking is a great way to meet like-minded professionals, build trust and sow the seeds of long-term prosperity. If you haven't tried this kind of marketing before we'll be happy to 'guide you in'. Please do read about our Next Generation Networking group for young people.

Weekending...

January is a very busy month for us so we'll be burning the midnight oil and there are not many extra curricular activities planned; Claire, however, will be venturing out, determinedly shouting herself hoarse at York Theatre Royal's great Panto.

And finally...

Jenna reaches the great old age of 20 on the 10th and, if you weren't aware (!), the tax return deadline is the 31st of this month. If you think there is anything we should know about, have received or if you have any queries SPEAK NOW or forever hold your peace...

So, get out the metaphorical carrot juice and set about your business detox for a great 2010!

December 2009

Hot-footing towards Christmas & the New Year. Earlier in November we held our CGA team day at Milford Lodge, taking some time out together to talk about what our values and visions were, both personally and for CGA. We know it's important for us to review our work and set new goals and now could be a good moment to sit down and consider where you want to be in 2010 and beyond.

To cement our vision we took to the hot coals (… yes, we did, ALL of us) and even though we're not suggesting you take this particular route the process of working out what really matters, taking pride in your work, your team and their achievements, and setting goals is all part of developing a strong and sustainable business. Do you know where you're heading? Read more about our team day with inspirational business coach Lisa Clifford.

Out & About...

This month's Business Network event will be on Thursday 10th December at the Monk Bar Hotel together with a free workshop presented by Alan Terry of The Connoisseur Wine Company - there will be tastings! Chelle and Stacey will be there and if you would like to join them please contact alison@cga-york.co.uk

A big 'thank you' to everyone who came along to the Next Generation networking – we hope you enjoyed it.

Weekending...

Beware - we'll be in York enjoying our Christmas bit of a do on Friday 18th December.

And finally...

Please remember, as we mentioned previously, in keeping with our paperless philosophy you won't be receiving a Christmas card from us this year as we'll be making a donation to both Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Breast Cancer Care instead - A great way to make Christmas special for those less fortunate and a blessed relief for a tree. We'd be delighted if you wanted to do the same.

It's coming - the tax return deadline is 31st January 2010 and another big event prior that, Claire is 30on the 23rd December. It only remains for us to wish you all a very merry Christmas and here's to a great New Year for everyone!

November 2009

'Time marches on', yes, it's a hackney old phrase but none the less true and whilst you can't hold back time you also can't stop change. Funny thing change, love it or loath it, change is the driver of so much of what we do. Life changes arrive in the shape of births, deaths and separations; business change comes with shifts in interest rates and consumer taste, and of course climate change that affects every one of us.

What's bringing about a change in your life? A milestone, new responsibilities, desperation (we hope not!) or the nagging suspicion that it really is time to stop guessing and play a more proactive part in your future? At CGA we work at regularly reviewing and assessing how we change and how best to develop our services. Next on our shopping list is new-to-networking, for young people that haven't considered this route of promotion, the forthcoming launch of our new website and new ideas for communicating what we do.

Well, we didn't come last again but our deficient bowling in the Hunter Gee Holroyd competition meant another prize skittle for 'effort' – many thanks to all the team at HGH for hosting a great event.

Weekending...

Staying out of mischief during these darkening evenings, Alison will nodding along to the Backstreet Boys in Manchester on the 4th, Chelle and Claire will be engaging the Enemy on the 16th and Stacey joins Claire to enjoy the Arctic Monkeys on the 14th. Stacey is also at Kasabian this month.

And finally...

In keeping with our paperless philosophy, as with last year we will not be sending out Christmas cards but making donations to both Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Breast Cancer Care. We feel this is a great way to make Christmas special for those less fortunate and save trees. We'd be delighted if you wanted to do the same.

Back to 'change' now and we welcome a new addition to our extended family in the bouncing form of baby Aaron, born on 11th October to Andrew and Helen Hudson. Plus, the big one is fast approaching for Chelle – 40 years young on the 25th November.

For all the financial changes you want to make in your life and your business, talk to us about how to make it happen.

October 2009

Negotiating our way through one of the deepest recessions for many years has left many business people struggling, not only with cash flow and orders, but also with deeper seated issues, surrounding their own beliefs and the ability to manage the change around them.

We all have barriers. We build them for defence, protection and security but what happens when the barrier itself becomes the problem? If you think you can't succeed, in all probability you won't. Ingrained reactions to situations may lead to an inability to see the choices and opportunities right in front of us. It's not always easy but facing our fears is the start of our ability to reach our full potential. Read on to find out about our skydive and Lisa Clifford's inspirational workshop at CGA's recent networking afternoon.

Weekending...

Stacey saw Florence and the Machine at Leeds Academy on 21st September, but our big event in September has to be our long awaited CGA Skydive.

Facing our fears plays a big part in our personal development and when the power of achieving a personal goal is combined with supporting a great cause it makes a compelling combination. Nervously, Chelle, Andrew, Liam and Amy headed towards Brigg on Saturday 13th… Organised via Skyline and Target Sky Sports at Hibaldstow Airfield, a gap in an otherwise cloudy day meant the jump was on and the intrepid team, together with their tandem divers, took off.

Once out of the plane doors it's an indescribable plunge, freefalling from 15,000 to 6,000 feet in around 25 seconds at 120 miles an hour with the rushing air trying to peel your face off. Then, once the shoot has opened, a more sedate descent for around five minutes as you drift back down to earth, goggling at the fabulous views.

Chelle said: "It was a totally amazing experience, the adrenaline rush as you jump out of the plane cannot be described - everyone should try it!

For anyone afraid of heights, well, you are just too far up in the sky to have any concept of just how high you are and if you are afraid of flying, then this is for you, you do after all have a parachute and instructor strapped to you - what could be safer?"

To date Chelle, Andrew, Liam and Amy have raised over £2,200 and donations are still coming in. If you would like to support them it's not too late, just visit www.justgiving.com/cgaskydive and, of course, to the many clients, friends and colleagues that have supported their efforts a massive THANK YOU!

Take a look at some of the great photos and heart stopping video from the day on CGA's Numerical Therapy Face Book page here.

And finally...

Our thanks go to Lisa Clifford who led an inspiring seminar on the 17th September during our networking afternoon based around facing our fears. Thanks to all who joined us, it was a great way to support and motivate each other. If you would like to find out more about Lisa and her work click here.

At CGA we see our role as helping you through the good times and the bad, encouraging you to value yourself and your development; after all a business isn't just its balance sheet. If you would like to talk to us about any fears and ideas for your business we'd be delighted to hear from you.

September 2009

As the summer begins to draw to a close (yes, we know, where did that go?), you're looking for matching pumps for PE kits, fending off new rucksack requests and digesting exam results … it's back to school for the offspring and back to business for the grown ups. Due to an often quiet summer period September sees are focusing of ideas, deferred decisions get made and the machinery of business starts to crank back up to speed. How do you feel you've progressed over the summer? What does your business need to grow and what are you going to do about it? Everyday we learn and develop, so let's get right back to business and grow yours.

Weekending...

We're happy to report that Alison, Chelle, Claire and Stacey had an 'amazing' time at the Leeds Festival bouncing around for the whole weekend and enjoying main head liners Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead and Kings of Leon with Amy joining the party on Sunday. Amy also enjoyed a brilliant V Festival with Stacey and Chelle dropping by on the Sunday. For a little light relief Chelle, Claire and Stacey enjoyed the delights of comedian Jimmy Carr in York.

And finally...

Congratulations go to Jenna who successfully passed her AAT examination and to Alison who will have been here five years on the 6th of September.

Not just here to tot up your numbers, if you've got ideas for your business, need to work out new ways to reach customers or better manage your finances please talk to us today.