http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/news/ The latest news from Empower - Support for the Voluntary Sector. 2013-05-22T11:56:05+00:00 http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-vats-the-world-coming-to-/ http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-vats-the-world-coming-to-/#When:11:56:05Z This week may well prove to be one of the busiest on record for yours truly - in terms of VAT speaking engagements and events – and the charity sector looms large in it! Click here to read the full article. 2013-05-22T11:56:05+00:00 http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-align-staff-goals-to-improve-efficiency-focus-and-accountability/ http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-align-staff-goals-to-improve-efficiency-focus-and-accountability/#When:12:29:08Z In the Third Sector, efficiency, focus and accountability are always important. Organisations need to demonstrate the value they deliver to stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries. And they often need to be wiser with their finances than private or public sector organisations. But how do you do this in practical terms? Click here to read the full article.  2013-05-17T12:29:08+00:00 http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-give-me-inspirationa-possible-explanation-of-what-not-to-do-when/ http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-give-me-inspirationa-possible-explanation-of-what-not-to-do-when/#When:14:03:49Z Writing can be an immensely pleasurable and rewarding experience but, as with any such hobby, start to make it something that others rely upon and it swiftly loses its lustre... Click here to read the full article. 2013-05-14T14:03:49+00:00 http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-the-secret-truth-about-business-plans/ http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-the-secret-truth-about-business-plans/#When:08:42:50Z There always seems to be an underlying assumption that whenever you start to talk about trading or doing business that the universe demands you create a business plan, or else your venture will automatically fail, you'll be subject to horrible plagues and the world will end ... But I have a rather unusual view as a business advisor - you don't always need a business plan. In fact, I think that there will only ever be three reasons why creating a business plan would be a good use of your time (and if you identify with them, they can often help you to focus your thinking and efforts to make the process a lot easier too)... Click here to read the full article. 2013-05-14T08:42:50+00:00 http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/brand-new-job-opportunities-in-the-third-sector/ http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/brand-new-job-opportunities-in-the-third-sector/#When:11:36:04Z Take a look at our job opportunities page on our website to view the latest Third Sector job vacancies we are advertising. To view click here. 2013-05-09T11:36:04+00:00 http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-charity-seminar/ http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-charity-seminar/#When:11:30:54Z The future is bright for organisations in the third sector, but they have to adapt to a brave new world of funding if they are to remain financially stable. That was the conclusion of a major debate that we recently held with charities in south Wales. We wanted to identify some of the key issues concerning charities across the country in an era in which reducing public sector expenditure is combining with increasing scrutiny of charity accountancy practices in the wake of some high-prolife scandals... Click here to read the full article. 2013-05-09T11:30:54+00:00 http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-do-i-really-need-a-website/ http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-do-i-really-need-a-website/#When:12:07:21Z Do I really need a website? Wow, now that’s a blast from the past: it wasn’t that long ago when many businesses and organisations were asking themselves that very question. These days it’s expected; after all, everyone’s online these days... CLICK HERE to read the full article. 2013-05-03T12:07:21+00:00 http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/mutilated-for-your-viewing-pleasure...-help-us-end-the-pinioning-of-bi/ http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/mutilated-for-your-viewing-pleasure...-help-us-end-the-pinioning-of-bi/#When:10:19:07Z In zoos and wildlife parks up and down the country, thousands of birds stand in large open enclosures, serenely surveying their surroundings. Flamingos pick their way delicately through shallow water and cranes stand on slender legs watching the world go by. The occasional flurry of wings flapping is seen but, strangely, none of the birds take flight.Are these birds simply content with their surroundings, choosing to stay conveniently within the boundariesof the zoo? Is it a deep connection to their keepers that stops them from taking to the air? Or is it something else that holds these birds in the unnatural environment of a UK zoo?Look closely as wings are spread and you will find the answer... Click here to read more. 2013-04-25T10:19:07+00:00 http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-impac/ http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-impac/#When:09:04:04Z You may be starting to think about writing your trustees report and to keep things simple you may well be thinking about rolling it forward, changing some figures, swapping a few things here and there, but essentially churning out the same report as last year. Could there be a better way? Could you make the document a useful window into the work of your organisation? CLICK HERE to read the full article 2013-04-16T09:04:04+00:00 http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-pictures-paint-a-thousand-words/ http://www.empowersvs.co.uk/eng/index.php/company/news/article/guest-blog-pictures-paint-a-thousand-words/#When:12:07:04Z On Monday Natasha and Julie were running the first day of a bespoke Digital Storytelling course.  It was the day centred on the story circle, which is the most important day of the training.  As we mentioned last time, the story is key to the process.  Fantastic pictures and fancy editing will not make a poor story good, but too much in way of effects can spoil even the greatest story. But to get back to the point: during the day they mentioned some of the rules of digital storytelling.  Hang on a minute we hear you say, you told us last time there aren’t any rules as such.  Well, being arty types we like to cause, even court, controversy.  Some of the rules they gave to the trainees were: CLICK HERE to read the full article: 2013-04-15T12:07:04+00:00