SlimOndernemen saves managers time and money
From now on, 300,000 Flemish starters, independent professionals, and SMEs can find all the relevant information and tools to manage their business on one site.
Mechelen (6 March 2006) – Today, Kluwer, part of the worldwide group Wolters Kluwer and leading provider of information for legal, tax, financial, and other professionals is launching a new solution specifically for small businesses. Research shows that independent professionals and business managers of SMEs have a big need for information and administrative support in the daily management of their company. With SlimOndernemen, Kluwer is offering a specific, simple, and speedy practical service to provide business managers with reliable and up-to-date information. This online solution makes all the relevant information about intricate material such as taxation and social security legislation accessible without business managers having to build up extensive and specialised professional expertise.
In 2006, Kluwer carried out a survey about companies’ information needs and, in particular, the way in which they handle information and what information is most important to them. A total of 499 companies took part in the survey: a good half of the responses (255) came from SMEs with between 0 and 49 employees. A good 63% of business managers in smaller companies (0 to 49 employees) often ask for advice externally because they do not have the in-house expertise or they wish to save time. It is also noticeable that they themselves spend a lot of time searching for information. Over 67% of business managers search for information about tax legislation. Information about staff and social security legislation also score heavily: 53% for SMEs with fewer than 20 employees, 67% for companies with between 20 and 50 members of staff. Furthermore, information about insurance, starters advice, safety, and the environment is also in strong demand. Moreover, it has also emerged that business managers particularly need reliable information in clear and simple language.
“As a business manager, you experience a constant interplay between delegating tasks effectively and keeping yourself informed so that you can lead the company properly. Moreover, as business manager of a small company, you also need practical aids to help you manage the company more efficiently,” says Henri Van Engelen, CEO of Kluwer. “And that is where Kluwer can provide an answer in the form of SlimOndernemen. Our strong point is that we are able to communicate information, legislation, and comments clearly and simply. We do this to suit the business manager or self-employed worker. Our solution makes it easier for him or her to gather reliable information. Net result: he or she can, in turn, help his or her own advisers more effectively, and that saves time and money.”
SlimOndernemen: all the information on one site
SlimOndernemen offers a specific solution for self-employed workers and SMEs with between 0 and 20 employees. The practical and user-friendly site helps them with the many aspects involved in running a business. A major advantage is that all the relevant information is available on one site: information about accounting, tax and V.A.T., staff etc. Moreover, business leaders will also find a whole range of practical tools such as forms, examples, contracts, calculation tools, a calendar displaying useful dates (e.g. V.A.T. returns), and tips and news for business managers. Via SlimOndernemen, they also receive a newsletter which is geared to them and keeps them informed of new legislation, advice, etc.
SlimOndernemen in practice
You can try out this service free of charge for two weeks. You only have to register at www.kluwer.be/testslimondernemen. Users pay an annual subscription of € 195.00, excluding V.A.T.
About Kluwer (Belgium)
Kluwer is a market leader offering solution-oriented information services to professionals in law, tax, finance, the public sector, and management. It offers a wide range of products and services such as online databases, electronic workflow tools on CD-ROM, Internet services, books, newsletters, magazines, loose-leaf publications, training courses and software. Kluwer is part of Wolters Kluwer (LTRE) and has about 800 employees in Belgium. You can find more information on www.kluwer.be.
Contact:
Katrinka van Driel
Communications Manager
Kluwer
+ 32-476-442558
Katrinka.vandriel@wkb.be