We’ve been hearing from a number of BBC leavers asking about what’s happening to our rather well-known ‘setting up as a sole trader’ course. This is because the BBC Careerlink service, which has been buying in our courses, shut READ MORE >
Posted on 01 March 2017
2017 is well underway, and here at Thomas Towers we’ve been thinking about the main training challenges for the coming year.
Without a doubt, one of the big ones will be how READ MORE >
Posted on 16 January 2017
Well there’s not much more in today’s “clarification” from HMRC about how flat rate VAT will actually work for the newly conceptualised ‘limited cost businesses’.
One of the more interesting aspects is READ MORE >
Posted on 05 December 2016
The Chancellor’s Autumn Statements and Budget announcements seem to follow a set pattern.
We’re already at stage 5 with one bit of small print after yesterday’s Autumn Statement. The Treasury paperwork says:
Posted on 24 November 2016
I’ve been blogging now for over ten years. Over that time it’s been a great place to go into more depth on subjects we cover in our training. I’ve even had the occasional rant.
You can still find all the previous blogs by using the category list and the search box on this page.
I know (because you’ve told me) that some of the tax-related blogs have been useful. So what can you expect now that we’ve re-launched this site?
Posted on 12 September 2016
Media training can be a confusing term. It means getting the right skills to talk to the media; more specifically how to be interviewed by a journalist.
There are lots of great media trainers in the UK. And it can be confusing when you’re looking to buy some training for your organisation.
So here’s a checklist to help you make sure you get the right one:
Although the mechanics of interviews might be the same, the content and tone can vary hugely depending on the sector and the reason for the interview.
We focus on charities and NGOs (non-governmental organisations). That’s because my BBC background brought me in contact with lots of those, often working overseas.
If someone needs training but comes from another sector (like finance or banking) we’ll try find a trainer who has more experience in that area.
Every trainer comes at things from a different angle. So try to find out what’s different about any trainer you approach.
Posted on 12 September 2016
Listen to our podcast chat about my top time management tips with Veena V at Mum to Millionaire.
READ MORE >Posted on 28 September 2015
We had a great discussion in yesterday's 'Setting up as a Sole Trader' workshop about time management: when to be 'on duty' for your business; how to switch off without feeling guilty about work; how to concentrate on work without feeling guilty about all the housework, etc….
Then I read this article about a new phone, raising the same issues in a different context. As someone who has two phones – one for work and one for when I'm not working – I agreed with some of the suggestions. For example, I don't take my work phone on holiday because…er…I don't work when I'm on holiday.
What do you think? If you're freelance, running yourself as a small business, how do you decide when to be contactable and when to switch off? Are you using technology to help you do this?
Posted on 23 September 2015
David Thomas Media has been working with Stakeholder Forum and Civicus (based in South Africa) to produce guides that help journalists on the one hand and charities on the other.
READ MORE >Posted on 18 September 2015
I get a lot of questions on my self-employment training courses about the mysterious personal service company (PSC). Most people have heard the term in connection with working for yourself, but are confused about what it means. As I mostly work with people going freelance it's a very relevant issue.
This update from the CIPD provides a nice overview. The legislation around PSCs (IR35) is so opaque that there are constant rumours that it will be changed/clarified/abolished. Now the Office of Tax Simplification are trying to make things, er… simpler. They might also put the onus on the work provider (client or employer) to define whether the job is legitimately one that can be paid gross, or whether the worker has to be paid PAYE through the payroll.
Posted on 11 September 2015
Our training is mainly online. (Why?)
Check out our range of courses for freelancers and media training for charities.