Tag Private

Are you heading off to an exciting destination for a holiday, or do you have an important business trip to make? If you are looking to travel conveniently and comfortably, opting to travel by private jet may be the perfect solution.

Whatever the reason you are thinking about chartering a private jet, there are a few things you need to consider. This article will provide some useful tips to help you as you book.

Do your research

It’s imperative that you put time into doing thorough research before you book. Spend time looking into the different private jet companies that are available and reach out to their representatives to discuss what you are looking for and if they can provide the right service.

Safety is of the utmost importance, so make sure you are aware of the aircraft’s safety rating and the pilot’s qualifications.

Once you have chosen the right company to book through, it would be beneficial to familiarise yourself with the aircraft itself, especially if you are booking a long-haul flight. There are many different specifications to consider, including the size of the aircraft, what amenities you will find on board and what the fixtures and fittings are like inside the jet.

Choosing the right airport

You may not have considered this before if you have only previously flown on a commercial flight, but where you choose to fly from can have a big impact on the price you will pay for your private jet.

Unlike commercial airlines, you can opt to fly from much smaller airports if you choose to travel by private jet. Not only could this end up being more cost-effective, but it will also allow you to have greater flexibility, as the smaller airport could be closer to your departure or arrival destination.

Empty leg flights

It may not be common knowledge, but another helpful tip when booking to fly via private jet is to look out for ‘empty leg flights’.

When a private jet is chartered to make a one-way trip, often the aircraft is required to return to the original departure destination, and as such, the planes are sometimes making a return journey without any passengers on board.

Private jet charter companies will offer access to these one-way flights as a low-cost alternative, meaning you can enjoy all the luxury of flying private without the added expense.

Depending on the needs of your business, choosing to fly via private jet could be the perfect solution if you are looking to travel in complete comfort and at your own convenience.

Private jet ownership, however, comes with a hefty price tag, and by owning an aircraft you will be responsible for additional expenses such as insurance and hangar costs. If you are looking for a more cost-effective way to fly via private jet, you could consider choosing a private jet membership instead.

This article will highlight some of the benefits of choosing to join a private jet membership for your business.

Cost effective       

Purchasing and maintaining your own private jet requires a significant investment. Each time you fly, you will need to cover costs for things like fuel, hiring the onboard crew and fees to use hangars and airports for your departures.

With a private jet membership, you pay a flat fee that covers all of the above and more, meaning everything is taken care of for you ahead of your flight.

Flexibility

Choosing a private jet membership gives you and your business a greater sense of flexibility. You can gain access to a wide range of aircrafts, each with specific capabilities to best suit your needs. Depending on the amount of people you are travelling with, you could choose anything from a small helicopter to a large jet.

Private jet membership also opens you up to travel to more remote destinations that may only be accessible via certain airports or with certain aircrafts and are not serviced by commercial airlines. This means you can jet off to luxurious destinations far and wide, saving you time and avoiding longer transfers once you land.

Environmental impact

Owning a private yet can have a substantial impact on your carbon footprint. While this is true for all aircrafts, whether you fly commercial or not, flying private does have an unavoidable impact on the environment. Choosing to fly with a private jet membership significantly reduces emissions, as having access to a large fleet of modern aircrafts means you can opt to fly on a jet that is more fuel-efficient.

If you are looking to fly a large team of business associates to a chosen destination, you can also choose a larger aircraft which means that the carbon footprint is lowered per person, as opposed to choosing to fly in a smaller plane which limits the number of passengers on board.

Taking care of one’s health is an integral part of people’s lives across various ages and from all corners of the world. Currently, a significant number of consumers are paying more attention to engaging in sports, maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet, and selecting high-quality products based on safe ingredients.

This trend is also evident in the field of body care cosmetics manufacturing. Consumers want to preserve their health, beauty, and youth, hence showing significant interest in body care products. Such products can serve a wide range of functions, from moisturising the skin to addressing dermatological issues.

The increased demand for these goods is driving the interest of both experienced and novice entrepreneurs in body care cosmetics manufacturing. If you are also planning to start your own cosmetics business that would be popular among consumers, you will need to invest considerable effort in creating a high-quality and successful product.

Renting premises, purchasing expensive equipment, finding qualified staff, developing a marketing plan, establishing production processes, ensuring quality control, and building logistics chains for product distribution all require significant financial investment, time, effort, and attention to detail.

Fortunately, many of these challenges and difficulties can be avoided by finding a reliable partner. Private label body care cosmetics manufacturing is an excellent solution for entrepreneurs who want to create a quality, safe, effective, and attractive product under their brand in relatively short periods, even with a limited budget. This collaboration format allows you to turn to a contractor with the necessary production capacities to create a product according to the client’s requirements. What an entrepreneur needs to know before producing body care cosmetics will be discussed in this article.

Growing Popularity of Private Label Body Care Cosmetics

The growing popularity of private label body care cosmetics manufacturing is driven by various factors, both positive and negative.

Unfortunately, maintaining skin health and beauty becomes increasingly challenging with each passing year. Constant stress, unbalanced nutrition, environmental pollution, hereditary and chronic diseases, weakened immunity, and harmful habits all negatively impact the condition of the skin. Hence, consumer interest in this product category is steadily increasing.

There are positive factors contributing to the growing popularity of body care cosmetics. Rapid advancements in science and technology, extensive research on various components that can influence skin health, the rapid spread and easy access to information through the internet, and growing consumer interest in a healthy lifestyle and the beauty industry are among these factors.

Moreover, producing products under a private label also offers many advantages to retailers and entrepreneurs.

• Saving Time: You will not have to build a factory and establish all production processes from scratch. The contract manufacturer will take care of all the hassles related to the development, testing, and production of cosmetic products since they have all the necessary tools in their arsenal. As a result, creating a unique cosmetic product can take much less time than starting your own production.

• Budget Optimization: Body care cosmetics manufacturing will be much more cost-effective when using the services of a partner. The company owner does not spend money on purchasing equipment, obtaining all necessary permits, or renting premises. This allows for the creation of a branded body care cosmetics product even with a limited budget.

• Quality Control: The contract manufacturer is obligated to adhere to all standards and regulations related to the production of cosmetic products. By seeking assistance from a reliable manufacturing partner, you can be confident that your product will be of high quality, effective, and safe, confirmed by relevant certifications. Additionally, this collaboration format allows the client to independently oversee the processes at all stages of production.

• Full Range of Services: Typically, private label manufacturing includes the option not only to create a product but also to access a much larger list of services. For example, you can order the development of a unique formula, seek help from professional marketers to create a promotion plan and design unique packaging, and obtain ready-made solutions for storing, transporting, and selling cosmetics.

Quality Raw Materials for Exceptional Products

One of the first and key stages in creating any cosmetic product is the selection of raw materials. For body care cosmetics, it is crucial to choose high-quality raw materials from reliable suppliers with a good reputation and documents confirming the origin of the ingredients.

The effectiveness, safety, and sensory experiences of the products depend on the raw materials, so this stage requires special control. Here are some popular ingredients that can be used in the production of body care cosmetics:

• Acids such as lactic, citric, and others have exfoliating effects and many other beneficial functions.

• Vitamins A, C, E, and others can act as powerful antioxidants.

• Minerals have numerous beneficial properties, especially beneficial for the skin, nails, and hair.

• Amino acids are often used in body care cosmetics manufacturing with a cleansing effect.

• Panthenol improves moisture retention, softens, and soothes the skin.

• Essential, vegetable, and other oils are used to give cosmetics a pleasant scent and soften the skin.

• Extracts of fruits, berries, vegetables, and plants have a wide range of beneficial properties.

• Wax and paraffin act as emollients and protect the skin from moisture loss.

• Glycerin moisturises the skin and helps soothe irritation.

• Clays are often used in the production of masks and special spa treatment products.

• Silicones give cosmetics a soft and smooth texture.

• Antimicrobial agents combat the spread of microbes in the product.

• Emulsifiers, thickeners, and stabilisers help blend components on different bases and give cosmetics the right texture.

When choosing raw materials, it is also necessary to pay attention to consumer preferences. Nowadays, more and more consumers carefully study the composition of products before purchasing, so make sure that the raw materials you choose meet these requirements:

1. Naturalness of raw materials.
2. Organic origin.
3. Absence of harmful chemical additives.
4. Safety and hypoallergenicity of raw materials.
5. Effectiveness in addressing skin issues.
6. Pleasant texture, colour, and scent.
7. Eco-friendliness and sustainable use.
8. Presence of quality and safety certificates.
9. Stability during storage.
10. Eco-friendliness of raw material processing technologies.

Overview of the Manufacturing Process

If you have decided to use the services of private label body care cosmetics manufacturing, you need to be aware of the main production processes used to create the products. Typically, the manufacturing of cosmetics goes through several important stages.

• Formulation Development: If you have experience and knowledge in recipe development, you can create the product formula yourself. Otherwise, you can find an experienced technologist or consult professionals working in contract manufacturing. They can help create a unique formula or offer one of several tested formulas for body care cosmetics.

• Ingredient Selection: Pay attention to the quality, safety, effectiveness, and stability of ingredients. Always ask the supplier to provide documents confirming the origin of the raw materials. Give preference to natural organic components.

• Test Sample Creation: From the selected ingredients, it is necessary to produce test samples in a small volume initially. These samples should be examined and tested in a specialised laboratory to guarantee the quality and safety of the products.

• Mass Production: If the test sample successfully passes all tests, it is time to start mass production. The contract manufacturer now has the right to produce body care cosmetics in the volume specified in the contract.

• Packaging and Storage: Ensure that the packaging is not only attractive but also reliable, as its main function is to protect the cosmetic product from the external environment. The shelf life, quality, safety, and effectiveness of the product depend on it, so pay sufficient attention to packaging and follow all recommendations regarding the storage of cosmetic products.

• Marketing: Find reliable partners for logistics and marketing of cosmetics. The choice of sales channels often depends on the positioning of the product. For example, you can sell goods on marketplaces, in supermarkets and niche stores, beauty salons, spa centres, and premium-class stores, and in some cases, even in pharmacies if your product falls under the category of cosmeceuticals.

At all these stages, compliance with regulatory standards provided by legislation plays a significant role. Measures for quality and safety control are implemented in productions for this purpose. Adherence to all rules will help easily obtain the corresponding certificates confirming the quality of the products and giving you the right to sell them.

Creating a Diverse Range of Quality Products

In conditions of intense competition, it is crucial to offer consumers a wide selection of products that would meet their needs and help address even very specific issues.

When it comes to body care cosmetics manufacturing, the purpose of such products can be quite varied, and therefore, the composition of the products can vary significantly:

Skin Softening: Hyaluronic acid, allantoin, glycerin.

Skin Cleansing: Plant extracts, surfactants, essential oils.

Removing Dead Cells: Lactic, fruit, and other types of acids.

Skin Moisturising: Panthenol, allantoin, silicones, propylene glycol.

Reducing Inflammation: Camphor, plant extracts, omega-3 fatty acids.

Skin Rejuvenation: Vitamins C and E, caffeine, collagen, hyaluronic acid.

UV Protection: Vitamin C, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide.

Cellulite Combat: Caffeine, retinol, plant extracts.

It would also be a huge advantage if your product portfolio includes a wide variety of cosmetic product forms. For example, gels, foams, toners, and micellar water are often used for cleansing. Creams, lotions, and serums are suitable for moisturising. For exfoliation, you can create a line of scrubs, peels, or acids.

The greater the choice you provide to consumers, the greater your chances of successful business development and further scaling.

Creating an Attractive Brand Identity

Your product may be of high quality and effective, but without effective branding, you will not get far. When creating an attractive brand identity, pay attention to the following:

1. Product positioning: Choose a bright and memorable name, create a brand story, define its core values, and ensure that your key messages resonate with the target audience.

2. Packaging design: Dedicate time to choosing the visual style of the packaging, fonts, colour palette, and visual elements. The packaging design should align with the brand’s positioning and the preferences of the buyers for whom you are creating the product.

3. Labelling: Take into account that different countries have different requirements for packaging labelling. Typically, you must include the product name, expiry date, ingredients, instructions for use, precautions, and comprehensive information about the manufacturer.

4. Packaging convenience: Pay attention to the shape, size, and material of the packaging, as it affects its usability and the preservation of cosmetics. For example, amino acids are often produced in small glass containers, body lotion is better produced in plastic bottles, and gel suits packaging with a convenient dispenser.

Conclusion

Private label body care cosmetics manufacturing is an excellent way to create your own unique product quickly and even under budget constraints. Such a business can be quite profitable, as the demand for skincare cosmetics is growing every year.

In the process of creating a cosmetic product under your own brand, pay special attention to the choice of raw materials, production technologies, quality and safety control, and the branding of the finished product. This way, you can be confident that your cosmetics meet all requirements, and you have every chance to gain the trust of consumers.

The UK job market has been incredibly competitive this year. Despite unemployment being one of its lowest rates in over 5 decades, most UK firms still struggle to find top talent. Not only is it difficult to find the right people but retaining them in today’s fickle market conditions is another challenge. Especially with many workers heading back into the office in recent months, people are looking for additional incentives and benefits from their employers.

Competitive salaries and enticing perks like free office lunches are a great place to start. However, for many, this is no longer enough. With a private healthcare scheme, employers can go beyond the traditional benefits package, stand out from the crowd, and make a significant difference in the overall health and wellbeing of their teams.

In this article, the UK’s leading company formation agent, 1st Formations, will delve into the top advantages of offering private health insurance in the workplace. They’ll also explain the potential business costs of this and highlight some of the top providers for small businesses.

Enhanced employee recruitment and retention

One of the biggest pros of offering your employees health insurance as part of their benefits package is strengthening your recruitment process and improving your staff retention rate.

A 2023 study by Zest, an employee benefits technology company, found that private medical care is the most in-demand work perk. Over a third of workers ranked healthcare as the most important benefit, followed by pension contributions, retail discounts, and a company car.

This data shows that health benefits are widely sought-after, particularly amid the cost-of-living crisis and intensified waiting times with the NHS. With private cover, however, your staff can get quicker and subsidised treatments without the worry of waiting several months for a hospital appointment or not being able to afford the medication they need.

On top of that, private healthcare can make your company a more desirable place to work. When you’re recruiting, this valuable benefit can make you stand out and attract more applicants. Your existing employees will appreciate this important perk, too, and it can significantly encourage long-term loyalty.

Finally, health insurance is representative of your company values, which can help you attract not only new hires but also clients and investors.

Competitive advantage

Private healthcare is not essential or common, especially among small companies. But by adding it to your employee’s benefits package, you can gain a competitive advantage and stand out from your competitors.

Polling company, Savanta, found that only 25% of UK SMEs currently offer private medical insurance. On top of that, only 20% said they plan to introduce it to their companies within the next year.

With intentions relatively low, there’s a considerable gap to be filled. Naturally, budgets are tight when running a small business, but there are various ways to adjust your premium to suit your budget, including the level of cover and the types of additional benefits you opt for. We’ll discuss this in more detail later in the post.

Reduced absenteeism/presenteeism

Absenteeism in the workplace is habitual absence. It refers to an employee who frequently fails to show up for work with or without an authorised reason. In contrast, presenteeism is when people come to work when unwell, both of which can be incredibly disruptive.

Absenteeism

A recent CIPD Simplyhealth study reported the highest levels of workplace absences in the UK in over a decade. Nearly two-thirds of respondents admitted to absenteeism in their organisation, meaning that nowadays, employees miss an average of 7.8 days a year – two hole days more than pre-pandemic. This figure equates to 3.4% of working time lost.

For start-ups and SMEs, these numbers are crucial and can considerably stall growth. It means that companies with fewer than 50 people lose roughly 5 days per employee each year, or 6.5 days in medium-sized organisations with up to 249 people.

In terms of causes, the study also identified minor illnesses (like colds/flu and migraines), musculoskeletal injuries (like neck strain and back pain), and mental health (like anxiety, and depression) as the top 3 culprits of short-term absence. These are closely followed by COVID-19, which continues to have a significant impact on workers’ health.

Presenteeism

The above study has concluded similar disruptions caused by presenteeism. The vast majority (76%) of office-based staff said they have been aware of presenteeism in their organisation within the past 12 months. Similarly, nearly 80% of those working from home have also noted the issue.

This year, only 41% of UK firms have actively taken steps to discourage presenteeism, down from 53% in 2022, implying that its importance is declining. However, it’s important to continue to promote good health in the workplace and encourage your employees to look after themselves.

Allowing people to come to work whilst unwell could have wider harmful effects on your company. Firstly, it can prolong illnesses and impact their output and energy for longer.

Secondly, they can spread infections to others, jeopardise their health, and reduce their productivity as well as their own. Lastly, having sick workers could mean that your business isn’t getting the attention it needs to thrive.

Private healthcare is a possible solution to a generally healthier workforce and a growing company. By offering your staff health insurance and quicker access to medical services, you can help reduce unexpected absences, optimise your working environment, and keep your workers healthy and motivated.

Enhanced productivity

Private medical care can unlock an array of additional services for your employees that can help them feel happier, healthier, and more productive. Many schemes include an array of rewards that promote healthier habits, such as gym memberships, mental health support, and access to health and fitness apps at a reduced cost.

While keeping sickness down is important, these additional services are just as important in promoting your employee’s wellbeing and engagement at work. For example, physical exercise helps:

• Improve your fitness levels
• Boost your energy
• Improve your mental health
• Reduce stress
• Improve your sleep quality

All of these factors have immense effects on productivity and engagement. Ultimately, if your employees feel good, they’ll feel more motivated to perform and do their best.

Potential downsides

Overall, private healthcare is an excellent workplace benefit with a multitude of benefits for both employees and employers. However, there are some potential downsides to consider before taking out a group policy.

Firstly, the costs could be high – or higher than you can afford. Some of the main factors that affect your premium are the average age of your team, your office location, and your industry. Also, costs can go up every year, either with inflation or as your company’s circumstances change.

Secondly, the perk could be difficult to manage. You need someone to run the admin of signing people up, liaising with the insurance provider, and being the company’s point of contact. If you have a particularly small team, you may not have the resources for this, or it could cause a strain on someone’s workload.

Lastly, you may not find the flexibility that you need. Some providers can tailor your package to your situation, and some offer fixed packages, so depending on affordability, your options may be limited.

The business costs of private healthcare

The financial implications of a private healthcare plan depend on several factors:

• Company size – how many people do you want to cover?
• Average employee age – Business policies are based on the average age of your team. Younger employees are typically cheaper to cover and those over 60 could cost you over 2.5 times more.
• Level of cover – Do you want to opt for a basic or comprehensive package? You can choose to include services like 24/7 GP access, dental and optical care, outpatient and cancer cover, and lots more. Premium packages are roughly 35% more expensive than basic.
• Your industry and employees’ occupations – Some jobs are riskier than others, and therefore more expensive to insure. For example, a construction worker is generally at a greater risk of injury compared to an office worker, so their premium is likely to be higher.
• Location – Your healthcare costs will depend on where you are based. Areas like central London tend to be more expensive to insure, unlike more remote areas.
• Excess – How much excess will employees pay for treatments? The lower the excess, the higher the premiums.

Example

To get an idea of how much health insurance might cost, research and personal finance data site, NimbleFins, provides the following estimated monthly health insurance premiums for small UK businesses:

• Up to 5 employees: £169 – £211
• 6-20 employees: £674 – £842
• 21-50 employees: £1,686 – £2,105
• 51-100 employees: up to £3,840

These figures assume an average group age of 41 and do not take industry or location into account.

Best private health insurance providers for small businesses

1. Bupa

Suitable for company sizes of 2-200, Bupa has a specific healthcare package for small businesses with a Defaqto rating of 5 stars. It includes benefits such as cancer cover, 24/7 access to a qualified nurse, and extensive mental health services.

Find more information on the Bupa website.

2. Vitality

Vitality offers small and medium businesses health cover for 1 to 249 employees. Their award-winning private healthcare scheme includes video GP appointments, mental health support, and rewards for healthy living.

Find out more on the Vitality website.

3. AXA Health

Get business healthcare cover for 1-249 team members with online GP services, physiotherapy support, and discounted gym memberships included as standard.

More information is available on the AXA website.

Wrapping up

There are several incredible advantages of private healthcare in the workplace for both employees and employers. It promotes healthier habits, reflects positively on your company, and promotes a resilient, happy workforce.

1st Formations is a top-rated company formation agent in the UK. Not only have helped form over 1 million companies to date, but also guided them through their post-incorporation journey with a range of comprehensive secretarial, compliance, and address services. Visit their website or contact their team to find out more.