Author Archives: Helen

About Helen

Helen Martin (f.1943) er informationsspecialist med mange års erfaring inden for medicinske/biotek information centres i England, og Phd. i Knowledge Management. Driver den selvstændige mikrovirksomhed Helen Martin. Specialist i teknisk oversættelse fra dansk til engelsk, patent information (Freedom to Operate og Novelty) søgninger i tekniske og patent databaser, samt Marketing Intelligence

Retired – a negative image?

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A colleague asked me if I did not mind being labelled as ‘retired’.  At the time I did not think I would mind. But already, only two months after deciding to take it easier, I have experienced that being seen as retired seems to equate with being invisible. Not amongst friends – they are nearly all in the same age group – but certainly amongst younger people.  I almost get the feeling that today negative images surround those who grow old, despite all the hype about ‘experience’, ‘grey gold’ etc.
As an experiment, and to test people’s reaction, I have started to say that I have a business making garden mosaics as well as continuing with my previous business on a reduced scale. It seems to me that, simply because of having a title, a label, again, I have stopped being perceived as a drain on society. Or maybe I’m being super sensitive and misinterpreting people expressions… Very few have asked what exactly Garden Mosaics is – just as well, it is still just a theoretical project.

Closing down

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The first steps have been taken – I have talked with the income tax people, my accountant and the Danish Commerce and Companies Agency; all were incredibly helpful.
It is really very simple, I have to notify the Danish Commerce and Companies Agency of my desire to close my business – the required forms are easy to find on their site. The Inland Revenue person explained that I have to keep records of any work done, just as if I was continuing my present firm. But, of course, no VAT accounting.

 I still have to keep a record of car use, but when I explained that any work would be done from home, it was agreed that I just need to keep a record of the annual kilometres driven with a specific note of any business use. A lot simpler!
A hobby business can deduct genuine expenses -in my case -such as paper and printer ink cartridges, e.g. tax is paid on the profit of any work done. Hobby turnover must not exceed DKK 50,000 annually.

The importance of precise language

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It is no secret that I am not good at written Danish, and I have therefore taken great care over the Danish version of the various pages on my home-sites, getting them checked by others before posting them.
I was surprised – and pleased – to receive an unexpected e-mail from Anne Bjerre Braüner,  a Mikronetter, pointing out that the front page of LF-Sprog had a few errors which could give a less than favourable impression. Moreover, she offered to re-formulate the text to read better (without charge). That is a typical example of the great willingness and helpfulness of the network. It also emphasises just how important clear, grammatical writing is – in whatever language.
And, the front page does read much better having had a professional input!

Decisions and reflections

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This year has been marked by deaths – family and friends – and has made me think deeply about life – in general and specifically. Although my business is showing a healthy upturn and I still enjoy doing knowledge management and translation, I realise that I have been spending too much time just waiting for customers to phone or e-mail.  I dislike touting for new business and have stopped pro-active marketing of my firm. A small sign that the enthusiasm is declining I suppose.
Then I (like most businesses)  had a letter from the Council informing me that as a business I am liable to pay extra for the privilege of disposing of my business waste. I have none – ink cartridges are recycled. I have applied for exception (waiting to hear if it is accepted), but the annoyance of having to deal with such an outright extra tax demand was another contributing factor.
The news that the Fermen Belt connection is to be postponed by a further 2 years helped to make my decision clear. LF-Sprog will not be needed for several years  – and life is to be lived.
So I plan to close the business as from the New Year. It’ll be a change after 10 years of running an independent business, but I am looking forward to time with my husband, with time to sit and draw and paint and generally enjoy our beautiful country side and nature.
I realise that that there will be quite a lot of things to tidy up – and as other Mikronetters may benefit from my experience I’ll record the process in the blog.

LF-SPROG Brochure and business card

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The folder and business card has been designed by Influence. I think they look good and give a professional impression.
Contents of the individual modules are progressing really nicely. I had not realised before just how much time is involved in setting up such a course.  One of my networking friends who have set up several (very successful) IT courses reckons that it takes 40 hours for every one hour completed course material. Have any of you who run courses found this to hold true?
It has made me realise how spoiled I was with STN where the course material was prepared by them and we were given regular update training!
Next step – apart from completing the course content – is to preparing course hand-outs. Then – the acid test – contact to local businesses and educational institutions to gauge interest of participation at group level. I have already had very positive response from individuals.