Are You Thinking About Starting Your Own Business?
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many companies and their employees work forever. The pandemic has also made people focus on where and how they live. During this time of isolation and contemplation, many people have decided that they want to change their job. In this demographic, many have decided to pursue their ambitions by starting their own businesses.
Studies
A survey by Microsoft of more than 30,000 global workers showed that 41% of workers were considering quitting or changing professions this year.
A study from HR software company Personio of workers in the UK and Ireland showed 38% of those surveyed planned to quit in the next six months to a year.
Cendex, part of XpertHR, found that almost 58% are expecting to see an increase in resignations over the next 12 months. This research also found that 48% of employers only review their pay and benefits package once per year.
According to 54% of HR professionals, regular pay reviews may go a long way to helping retain employees. Cendex research found that 19% of employers reported making reward revisions once a quarter, 12% every month and 6% even do it weekly.
14% of HR professionals reported keeping up with salary expectations as a challenge
Research by DSA Connect found that around 13% of office workers have resigned or will resign from their job as a result of the pandemic with remote working.
What are the benefits of fuel cards?
If you have decided to pursue your dreams and set up a new business, what essential services do you need to ensure that your business gets a fair chance of survival?
Your main objective is to keep admin processes to a minimum allowing you to focus your attention on the money-making aspect of your business.
Tax
As a business, you can reclaim the VAT on fuel used for business purposes.
In this respect, if you are thinking about starting your own business, fuel cards are ideal as a business utility that enables you to put all of your vehicle fuel expenditures under one simple invoice. This means that there’s no need to obsessively collect and store the receipts from every fuel transaction for tax reasons. With a fuel card account, there’s one VAT compliant invoice every week and generous payment terms to ensure cash flow within your fledgling business. The invoicing system makes easy work for your accountant too as everything is clearly delineated.
Pricing
Many independent fuel card companies buy and fuel on the wholesale market and resell it through their cards. For the end consumer this means that, in addition to being able to consume VAT-free fuel, they can purchase fuel that is closer to the wholesale price than it is to the pump price. As fuel is purchased weekly by the fuel card company, prices are fixed weekly. This allows you to plan your fuel expenditure with greater accuracy.
Online Account
As a fuel card customer, you are given free access to a digital account portal were you can download and view all of your transactions. This is useful as it helps you identify the most efficient routes, vehicle defects, or over-eager driving. It also helps you identify fraudulent transactions easier.
Reward points
As an additional bonus, at many different stations, you can collect loyalty reward points. These reward schemes include Shell Go+, Tesco Clubcard and Nectar points.
Financial Options
Your spending limits are defined by your credit limit. Therefore, your line of monthly credit will not be beyond your ability to pay. If you have bad credit, you will be asked to sign a guarantee and secure any lending against a property.
Refuelling Options
There are currently just over 8000 petrol stations in the UK and the number of charging points will constantly expand as 2030 approaches. Currently, there are no fuel cards available that serve all these stations at a fixed weekly price. There are however fuel card networks that allow you to use your fuel card at multiple branded networks and supermarket chains. Fuel card advisors will help you find the right network for you based on your location and your travel routes.
At Cambrian we offer:
- Shell Commercial Road Transport – 1200+ sites (mostly shell and a selected Texaco
- Shell Fleet – Nearly 4000 sites (Shell, Esso, Total, Gulf, Pace, GB Oils, Texaco, Gleaner, Irish Topaz and Morrisons)
- Esso Card Truck – 1200 sites (Esso only)
- Esso Card National – 3500 sites (Esso, BP and Shell)
- UKfuels – 3400+ sites (major brands, supermarkets and independents)
- Keyfuels – 3400+ sites (major brands, supermarkets and independents)
- Texaco Fastfuel – 3600+ sites (Texaco, Esso, Morrisons, Shell, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, BP, Jet and independents)
- Shell Electric Vehicle – Nearly 4000 conventional fuel sites, Over 3000 charging points (Shell fleet network plus 17 major charging networks)
Why don’t I just use my credit card?
A credit card centralises all your outgoings but:
- you still have to pay pump prices
- collect VAT receipts
- purchases are unrestricted
- fraud is harder to detect and rectify
- pay variable APR on purchases
Ultimately, if you’ve decided to start your own business fuel cards will help to save time and money and enable you to focus on the most important aspect of your new chosen career path – turning your passion into a living and earning more.
To talk to one of our knowledgeable and friendly advisors, call us free on 0800 6126132 or go to www.cambriancards.com
About Cambrian
We are an independent, family-run business established over 45 years ago. We specialize in fuel cards and telematics solutions. It’s our aim to offer a transparent and accessible service based on a focus of providing the best customer service. An ethos that has sustained us for nearly half a century. With Cambrian, all you pay is the fuel.
Useful Links
https://timewise.co.uk/article/the-great-resignation-opportunity-or-threat/
Are You Thinking About Starting Your Own Business?