WestWon complaints handling procedure

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Here at WestWon, we pride ourselves upon our level of customer care and quality of service. Therefore, we take all complaints very seriously. So, if there is any way by which you feel we could improve we would like to hear from you. We appreciate any form of feedback as we are always looking for ways in which we can advance and develop.

Our complaints procedure

To aid us in resolving your matter as swiftly as possible, please direct your complaint towards the department in which you have been dealing with. You may express your concerns via email, telephone or in writing. We will try our best to process your complaint immediately. Contact details for all previously listed contact methods can be found below. However, sometimes this is not possible. Therefore, please allow up to five days for us to proceed with this. We will then perform a full and impartial investigation for any issues you raise.

The nature of all complaints and our actions in resolving the problem are entered on to our internal database system. You will then be provided with a unique complaint reference number. Our compliance officer will then write to you with the outcome, this will either be by email or by post. We hope that the response will be satisfactory to you. If so, we will then close off the complaint. However, if this is not the case, a WestWon director will review the situation to see if any further action can be taken.

Received our response and still dissatisfied?

If you have a regulated agreement with us and are not satisfied with our final response, you may be eligible to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service. However, you must do this within six months of our final response. If you are not satisfied with our response, we will refer the matter to the FCA 8 weeks from the initial complaint (if no final response has been received) or if the final response has been received and you (the customer) are not satisfied. The service is free of charge, and they can be contacted via their website. This does not affect your statutory rights.

How do I register my complaint?

To register your complaint please contact us by one of the three methods listed below:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 01494 611 456
  • Post: The Compliance Officer, WestWon, 18 Manor Courtyard, Hughenden Avenue, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP13 5RE

How do I leave a review on my experience with WestWon?

WestWon have partnered up with Boom Reviews. They are a review platform whose mission is “to bring people and companies together to create experiences for everyone.” So, for every deal we make we offer our customers the opportunity to voice their opinions on us and our service on to this platform. We welcome all feedback!

The biggest challenges for businesses post-lockdown

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Within this blog I will be listing the biggest challenges that businesses will face post-lockdown. Now that national restrictions have been eased and we all strive to get back to normality, here are some matters we should all be aware of.

Employee Health Checks

The top priority for business leaders returning to offices post lockdown should be sustaining employee well-being. The absence of employees due to self-isolation periods have had huge effects on revenue. So, most companies (where feasible) have kept their operations running by going remote. Although, this might not be a viable option for your company. Or you simply might choose to get back into the swing of things, this is where you should be attentive and on the ball with regards to your Covid testing and precaution procedures. It won’t only ensure the health and safety of your employees but also benefit you long term.

Loss of connection

Getting back into the office even if you can work remotely is not a poor choice. It is important for many to get back to the more social way of life in the office. After all, in a survey conducted by Motivates, respondents were asked what the top five things that motivated them were:

  1. I have a good work life balance
  2. I have great peers
  3. My boss is good at saying thank you
  4. The office environment
  5. I have a motivating manager (Employee Benefits)

The loss of everyday social interaction can have detrimental effects upon the mental health of employees and can also be demotivating. Even now, for many, the richness of social interaction has succumb to zoom meetings.

Lack of Supplies

Many companies are still facing issues with lack of supplies due to the halt of production in China. Therefore, there is a global struggle with shortages after the easing of Covid-19 restrictions as prolonged disruption to international shipments, production stoppages and a lack of key components collides with increasing demand for goods and services. However, more nationally, Brexit and its disturbances upon EU trading have also had an impact upon these shortages.

Communication

Business leaders are having to examine the entire chain and resolve any part that may have collapsed during lockdown. It has been easier for executives to lose touch with what is taking place in different areas of the business as everyone is no longer in the same space. This places more importance upon leaders actively ensuring that they are updating themselves with the whereabouts of business movements- whilst also providing enough information to employees. Therefore, communication is key now more than ever.

 The New Normal

As much as everyone is trying to resume to normality, there are lockdown life habits that will stick around that will affect businesses for months to come.

These include:

  • People are more cautious with their money now due to the economic uncertainty.
  • Restaurants will suffer where more people want to stay safe and continue to get home deliveries instead of sitting in.
  • More people are online shopping now; so, brick-and-mortar stores will suffer from this shift.
  • More people are choosing to work remotely indefinitely as the pandemic has proved it possible.

These are just a few examples of consumer behaviour that will continue beyond lockdown. The pandemic has forced companies into a virtual realm in which many will remain.

For funding support in these strange times please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Give us a call on 01494 611 456. Alternatively, email us on [email protected].

How asset finance helps you manage your Optical business?

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Here at WestWon we have several finance options that could help your optical business to grow. Whether it’s to acquire a new practice or purchasing new optical equipment and furnishings for your optician’s practice. At WestWon there are over 50 UK funders that we can work with to provide you with industry leading rates. At the same time, we can work with a supplier of your choice or recommend you with one and source the equipment for you.

Why choose WestWon for your optical business?

  • At WestWon you receive a decision within 24 hours, making the process quicker and efficient.
  • Here at WestWon we have industry leading rates from 2.5%.
  • There’s a 95% acceptance rate, so if your business meets all the necessary requirements, there is a very high chance that you will be accepted.
  • We pride ourselves on our 5* customer service that we provide to all customers.

Types of loans for opticians

Here at WestWon we don’t just finance optical equipment but also help you grow your business by providing you with loans. These include Professional Indemnity, VAT and Corporation Tax loans.

Professional Indemnity loans for opticians:

If you are looking to finance your professional indemnity loans, WestWon offer repayment terms between 3 months and a year. All you, as the client, needs to provide is the quote for the insurance and the loan term, then we can send you back a finance quote. This process will take a couple of days from your initial application through to paying your fees.

VAT and Corporation Tax loans for opticians:

At WestWon we can pay HMRC on your behalf after seeing your liability to pay VAT/Corporation Tax. This leaves you with the option to fund other investments to aid the growth of your business. This is because you know that this cost has been taken care of for you.

Contact Us

If you would like any information on the above details, or about optical finance in general please call 01494 611 456. Alternatively, email [email protected] for a free and quick finance quote.

Introducing the Newest Members of the WestWon Team

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WestWon are pleased to introduce the newest members of our team! We are currently expanding our team and have six new additions to our High Wycombe branch.

With two new additions to our sales team: Georgia and Freya- both bubbly and personable characters; we believe they will flourish in their new positions and enhance our business.

Additionally, we have also relaunched our marketing team with two youthful creatives in hopes of creating more of an innovative and vibrant brand image for our company. Marketing enables us to engage with clients, as well as prospects, promotes the growth of our business, and allows us to apply all different forms of marketing aspects into our work to reach a better outcome. An effective marketing team is key to any business as advertising is what attracts new clients in; therefore, as a company, we have chosen to place more importance upon this aspect of our business.

Furthermore, we have added two new business development managers: Imma & Nathan. Whom we believe will drive our business growth high!

A bit about our new sales members:

Georgia joined our sales team in March this year. Previously, Georgia worked for two years in recruitment which gave her the customer service skills that she uses competently everyday here at WestWon in her role as a corporate account manager. She spends her working days building and maintaining relationships with clients and caring for our existing clients by keeping in regular contact with them and meeting any new requirements of theirs.

newest members of the WestWon team

 

Freya joined our sales team in July. She works specifically for the furniture leasing sector. With a background in IT recruitment, this has given her great customer service and telephone skills in which she uses daily at her sales role here at WestWon. In Freya’s spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, she also has a passion for cooking.

newest members of the WestWon team

 

A bit about our new marketing team:

Millie is currently on a work placement year, away from studying Business Management and Marketing at Nottingham Trent University. Her passion for marketing has been driven by her course as well as wanting to learn how it can be integrated into a business, and WestWon is a large step in terms of her reaching this goal. Millie enjoys taking part in her university cheerleading society and spending time with family and friends.

newest members of the WestWon team

 

 

Jessica joined in July this year to embark on a career path in marketing. She believes WestWon is the best place to pursue her creative ambitions in marketing, with our nurturing and helpful team to support her growth. In her spare time, she enjoys activities that unleash her creativity, such as: reading, photography, sketching and spending time with friends.

newest members of the WestWon team

A bit about our new business development manager:

Nathan recently completed his course in Sports Science at BCA college. Whilst studying, he worked in hospitality where he gained experience in customer service; a skill that he now applies to his role here at WestWon when dealing with customers daily. In Nathan’s spare time, he enjoys playing football and spending time with friends and family.

 

Contact Info

If you would like to reach out to any of our newest team members or any professional we have here at WestWon, then please give us a call on 01494 611 456. Alternatively, email us on [email protected].

Step into the world of WestWon Rewards!

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We are pleased to announce the launch of our new supplier loyalty program! Welcome to WestWon Rewards, our brand new incentive rewarding our partners old and new for introducing business to WestWon. The scheme is open to all UK suppliers of equipment, with points awarded on paid out lease business starting at £1,000 + VAT.

Speaking on the launch of WestWon Rewards, WestWon CEO Jeremy Hall says “I am excited to introduce our new loyalty scheme to all existing and prospective partners. I feel as though it will only enhance our existing bonds with suppliers and show potential suppliers more about who we are. It’s our way of saying thank you.”

Are you interested in signing up to WestWon Rewards? Please see below more information:

How does it work?

It’s really simple, if you’re a supplier of equipment and you introduce a customer to WestWon, who leases through us, points will be added to your WestWon Rewards. These points can then be spent on a whole range of goodies, from kitchen utensils to iMacs. In other words, it’s a win-win situation really, you sell your equipment and get rewarded for it!

How many points do I get awarded?

You are awarded points for every £1,000 financed through WestWon. Please contact your Account Manager for more information. The more you finance, to more points you get! You can also build up your points total to buy bigger and better rewards.

What Rewards can I get?

The full catalogue of rewards can be found at westwonrewards.co.uk

How long will the scheme last?

Indefinitely is the plan, should the scheme be successful. Although it is still in trial. However, we have high hopes for this new scheme and hope that you will enjoy it too.

How do I get involved?

First your company will need to sign a trading agreement with WestWon. Then, once signed up, you’re ready to go!

Anything else?

You are personally responsible for declaring WestWon Rewards to HMRC for tax purposes. Therefore, full T&C’s can be found at the bottom of the westwonrewards.co.uk website.

Contact your Westwon account manager for more information on WestWon Rewards. Additionally, if you’re new to WestWon and don’t have an account manager please give our office a call now on 01494 611 456.

Why WestWon is a paperless office

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WestWon is dedicated to helping the environment, and one way we can prove this includes being a paperless office. In this blog, there will be many ways on how WestWon are striving to be more environmentally friendly. It also includes how you and your company can be more environmentally responsible.

WestWon’s paperless office

One of the ways that WestWon is contributing towards being more eco-friendly is by being a paperless office. Here at WestWon, we have managed to eliminate the usage of all unnecessary paper documents. We have done this by using our state-of-the-art online portal. This has meant WestWon is able to function almost entirely online. Additionally, any paper that we need to throw away is recycled or shredded. This is so that it can be of no extra harm to the environment.

Ways that you could contribute positively to the environment:

  • You too could make your office a paperless one. The benefits of using less paper around the office are huge. Whether it’s printing less and only when its necessary or taking paperless notes. Additionally, saving files to an online storage system is also very impactful. By reducing the amount of paper you use, the obvious advantage is the prevention of trees being cut down. This also eliminates the energy needed to convert these into paper. The process of recycling will also help reduce the amount that lies in landfills. You could even take this one step further by supplying your office with sustainably sourced recycled paper.
  • You can also introduce days in the working week where everyone works together to be more eco-friendly. This includes small changes such as sharing lifts to work to reduce vehicle emissions. Other ways are by having zero waste days. This is where you challenge your employees and colleagues to waste nothing for a day. A way to take part in this would be to bring your own lunch to work. This saves any plastic packaging that you would otherwise use.
  • Another, possibly larger, but therefore more impactful change that you could make in the office is LED bulbs. These are bulbs that are 90% more efficient than incandescent light bulbs. It works by passing an electrical current through a microchip which results in its visible bright light. According to market research, most of them cost less than £10. Due to the energy and time savings they can amass for you, they are well worth investing.

Contact Us

Just by implementing small changes throughout the office, it makes a big difference in the grand scheme of things. This is why here at WestWon we felt it was so important to become a paperless office. In the future, WestWon hopes to introduce more eco-friendly projects that comprise of the same green values we believe in. For more information on any of the information above please give a member of the WestWon team a call on 01494 611 456 or email us on [email protected]. You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

Donating to a very worthwhile cause, Action Medical Research

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After months of training, we set off on a seven-hour drive to Keswick in the Lake District last Friday to take part in the ‘Race the Sun’ challenge, organised by Action Medical Research for children.

Action Medical Research

Action Medical Research is the leading UK charity funding vital research to help defeat the diseases that devastate the lives of sick and disabled babies, children, and young people.  They were founded in 1952 with the quest to find a cure for polio. Their main focus is now on the young.

The Challenge

Our day started at 6.30am, just before sun rise with a 40-mile cycle ride. The rain did not dampen our spirits or those of the other forty-one teams who were taking part. Whilst some were there to win the race, our objective was to enjoy the day and get round in one piece!

The Race the Sun challenge is made up of three parts. The first is a cycle ride, then a 2.5 mile canoe across Derwent Lake. This was followed by an eleven mile hike up and down Skiddaw Mountain. The idea is to complete the event by sunset. We made it back in time finishing at 5.45pm. We arrived at the finish line to a loud thunderous applause by the other teams before us.

All of us have total respect for Action Medical Research. This event was very well organised and ran by an army of volunteers who put our safety first. As we were walking / climbing up Skiddaw Mountain (at 3,054 feet, the sixth highest mountain in England) I was wondering why they had so many marshals logging our team number. As we got nearer the top, visibility was poor, and the temperature dropped. I can see now why it’s so important to be well prepared when hike up a mountain!

As we retired back to our Bed and Breakfast lodging in Keswick, we reflected on what we achieved during the day. Dominic, Tony, and I had raised nearly £5,000.00 for Action Medical Research. Their team/organisation deserves every penny, such wonderful people.

For us, we have the honour of completing the challenge and spending quality time together.

Next challenge – Dorney Lake half Marathon, Sunday 12th December – I will be wearing my WestWon t-shirt.

6 day-to-day Money Management Tips for SME’s

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Below are some money management tips for SME’s (Small and Medium sized Enterprises). Whether you are a start-up, or if you are already an established business, these tips will help your business to grow and succeed even further.

  1. Frequently assess your financial forecasts

Clear projections are very important when creating a business’ financial plan. As a business owner, you should make sure they are kept up to date and are always accurate. This will ensure that the business is kept financially stable because poor planning can influence the cash flow to and from your business. This could harm an SME in any stage of growth.

  1. Late payments and account managers

It can be useful for you yourself to take a class or attend a webinar that teaches accounting, so that even if finding or employing an accountant is too expensive or difficult it can alleviate some of the work. However, having someone to manage your accounts may be a better step forward for the business. It’s important as it decreases any chance of the business making late payments. Loan payment and credit card fees can increase rapidly, and so keeping on top of these is vital. Even by setting monthly reminders for all your bills will help lessen some of the stress.

  1. Financial options

Choosing your financial options can be hard when operating as a SME, but it is important to carefully review them all. Different options can be chosen for different types of funding, for example, if you need funding to cover the cost of equipment, leasing and asset financing would be the better option. This can be a better way to finance rather than large all at once payments as this can cause large financial dents early in the business.

  1. Keeping track of costs

Money management tips for SME’s are based around reducing costs, and keeping track of them is therefore vital. It is important to keep track of your costs as issues such as overspending can lead to the misuse of funds. Keeping track of your accounts is important to also keep bills and overdrafts at a minimum.

  1. Cash reserve

A cash reserve is a good backup to have in case of emergency. To start your cash reserve, you must firstly open a business savings account. Make sure to regularly deposit some money into the account, and only use this when necessary. This will help you in the future if needed, and it can ease strain on your accounts.

  1. Budgeting

Having a monthly budget can save a business when calculating expenses. Before making unnecessary purchases, it ensures all important bills are paid first. Timing your purchases can also reduce your business’s tax liability. A budget will help you set clear revenue and expense goals too.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on anything above, please call a member of our team now on 01494 611 456 or email [email protected]

Computer Equipment Leasing – your questions answered!

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A large number of businesses in the UK are now considering leasing their computer equipment. Several of the benefits include helping your business’ cash flow, planning budgets and being able to afford the latest technology. This is also important for new start-up businesses who are looking to minimise costs and spare their budget. However, even bigger businesses such as schools, hospitals or other workplaces need computer equipment. So what better option is there than to lease!

Here at WestWon, we are experts in providing finance and leasing options within the IT and computer equipment sector. We work together with some key suppliers and manufacturers in the industry. So you know you are being offered the best of the best when we recommend a company to a client! WestWon can also provide the most competitive prices, leading to our view that giving cheap lease rates ensures we do more business together in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can a lease for computers be arranged?

Applications can be accepted within a few hours. This means that once the documents have been signed, your computer equipment is delivered. The agreement is then activated within 2 working days. In this instance, we aim to get this done as soon as possible.

At the end of the lease can I decide to keep the equipment?

In short, yes, you have the option to pay for and own the equipment at the end of the lease. However, you are also given the option to continue leasing from us as well as return the equipment back to us. WestWon provide all these options to keep you, our customers, happy!

Can WestWon recommend a supplier or manufacturer from the sector?

Yes, we work alongside several providers and producers of computer equipment. Therefore, we would be happy to assist. At the same time, we are more than happy to work with a supplier or manufacturer of your choice.

More information

At WestWon, it is imperative that we offer high quality customer service. This is why you can easily lease or finance computer equipment for your business. This includes installation and setup. Nowadays, computer and IT equipment is becoming more and more used, as well as ever-changing. This is why leasing is so important. We can deliver your equipment smoothly and efficiently. There is a high probability that here at WestWon we will be able to provide you with what you are looking for. This can be in terms of our large range of funders and IT equipment finance.

Contact Us

To view other assets we finance then please click here. We have been authorised and are fully licensed by the FCA. Alternatively, to get in touch with a member of our team, please call 01494 611 456 or email us [email protected].

5 simple ways to lower your overheads

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Throughout this blog I will be listing 5 simple ways for your business to lower your overheads. A fundamental way of keeping healthy cash flow is to ensure the money coming out of your business aligns well with the margin being made. Therefore, it is key to make sure your overheads stay lower than your margin. Lower overhead ratios provide business owners with a competitive advantage. A low overhead rate will allow you to better price your products/services; thus, making you a more appealing option than your competition. Likewise, small overhead costs are more likely to allow you to increase your profit margins!

Frequently evaluate company costs

To begin with, you need to ensure that you are keeping on top of all your existing costs. You can do this by evaluating them each individually and diligently. This allows you then to review where you could be making cuts. Keep an eye out for expenses that are not imperative, too expensive and could be found cheaper elsewhere. Finding better alternative deals for your companies overheads could make all the difference to your outgoing costs.

Elect/hire an official purchaser

An effective way of finding these above-mentioned deals would be to propose the idea to a bold member of your team to be assigned to become an official purchaser. Alternatively, if your business has the funds, you can employ an experienced buyer with existing negotiation skills. Benefits of having your business its very own bargain hunter is that they are far less likely to settle for your local mundane merchant. Even better, they will not be afraid to search around and negotiate for the best deal.

Go paperless!

Another way to cut down on your costs would be to go paperless as a company. Not only does this help the environment and as a bonus to this also build your brand image; but this also eliminates the costs of the paper itself. In addition to this, the storage your company pays to store the plethora of files and documents. These documents could instead be more efficiently stored onto a network drive. This space can now be put to better use or better yet be sublet out for more cash for your business.

Sublet free space

To add to my above point, subleasing is a wise way to raise your funds if you have the facilities for it. Your office may have empty space, such as rooms or potentially even floors! So, if this applies to you and you haven’t already considered this income option, you definitely should!

Invest in energy-efficient lightbulbs

Another environmentally friendly method of lowering your overheads is to change to energy-efficient lightbulbs. Although they are expensive to begin with, it won’t be long until these gems start to pay for themselves. With the payback time being “10 weeks if you use lights for four hours a day” says retired engineer Rodney Birks in the Guardian.

Alternatively, if you are struggling with your overwhelming overheads and could benefit from instant relief, we are here to help with our range of loan and financing options. Please feel free give a member of our team a call on 01494 611 456 or email [email protected], we would be happy to chat with you!

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