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I think it's quite a good idea albeit a bit gimmicky and clunky at present.

But fast forward a few years, and this will be no different from the "can I help you" annoying web chat boxes that pop up on websites. Instead we will have these things trundling around Tescos where you can ask them where the beans are, and they will no doubt have a library of FAQ questions and location map of all the inventory of the store. Give them a couple of arms and they can stack shelves as well.

That will free up all the youngsters who can work in the new generation battery nursing homes to look after the rest of us geriatrics 

Originally Posted by Barney

“I assume the link takes you to a payment site? Never bothered to click the link myself........

 ”

Never click it, it will be either payment or a malware link. By sheer co-incidence the first one of these I had was a day when Clive had a couple of meetings in London, so nearly caught me out. 

If they spell checked and used a more plausible link, you'd be more likely to fall for it. Hmm maybe a new arm for the business, scammer consultancy? 

This is my favourite one I've had recently. They are actually getting better visually, but the little scammers just can't spell!

What they need is a proofreader, there's a whole new market out there for you Rebecca 

No comment  (couldn't resist)

Having run forums for years I thought this was normal? 

Hi Kevin welcome aboard.

As a former truck driver, I read your post with interest

Been a long time since I was in that game, but the reason most newly qualified drivers did agency work was to build up a track record of proven experience, as insurance was horrendous for newly qualified HGV drivers. Plus the wide ranging work of agency work could see you driving for Sainsburys one week, trunking the next and multidrop round London the next. This gave rookie drivers a wide breadth of experience.

Personally I would do the same, build up a bank of experience you can full back on, but ignore the crew room warriors and examine how the bigger firms work, what tips and tricks you can use. Look through the eyes of a business owner not a driver. They have streamlined their businesses over years of trial and error, so hoover up any nuggets or useful information you can. Get a really good idea how the industry really works and stresses and pressures on drivers and transport managers alike.

Large firms (used to, assume the same is true) like to outsource to owner drivers as it cuts down their overheads. You are responsible for running costs, insurance, breakdowns. You are a subbie rather than an employee, so have less rights and they can dump you easier when there is a downturn. Larger firms may require you to lease you the wagon in company colours, but locked under their terms.

If you are going down the road of self-employment, then you have different options which have their own pros and cons. You are right, as a Limited Company you have Limited Liability, ie you are not personally liable (unless criminally). But you then have to conform to Company House reporting rules and have responsibilities. So factor in these costs such as end of year accounts, getting an accountant to do it etc.

Sole Trader is more simple, but as you say you will be liable for any debts.

Gov.uk has a good page explaining the differences and your responsibilities: Set up a business

My fivepence worth, don't rush into a self-employment. The reality can be different form the vision. Learn your craft, do your homework. Talk to successful owner drivers and find out why they are successful. Is it the type of work, employer, vehicle, location? Weigh up all the factors then make an informed decision based on facts and not the heart.

Wish you all the best and let us know how you get on.

Originally Posted by Barney

“So how does everyone think Mr President is doing in his new job? Or is that a silly question?”

4 years of sheer entertainment and endless comedy material until the CIA bump him off  

The trick is to set it to something you won't forget. But don't tell anyone in the security industry otherwise I'll get shouted at and burnt at the stake 

If you use Facebook, you can login via facebook and then you won't need to remember your password at all. Just click the facebook button on the log-in page.

Don't you think the app bandwagon has moved on?

With millions to choose from and only so much memory and space on peoples phones I think you would need a large community to make it worthwhile. I'm in a number of communities and don't use an app for any of them other than facebook.

Can't believe I've only just got round to responding to this, work is starting to get in the way of forum waffling!

Lets face it, Trump is as mad as a box of biscuits and few people ever imagined he would be tweeting from the Whitehouse. Meanwhile we have an unelected PM who has ended up doing a job she never expected to be doing.

So on the face of it I thought her visit went really well. If I was going to be unfairly critical, she sounded very nervous delivering her speech to the senate, where as as Cameron was always a polished and accomplished speaker. 

But she forced Trump into a U Turn about NATO, putting words in his mouth saying he has given his full support to the Alliance as well as sowing the seeds for a trade deal. Very clever diplomacy and good statesmen(woman)ship. 

Any bizarre executive order Trump comes out with or brash decision can be brushed off as it's got nothing to do with Theresa May, as she rightly said, she may disagree with his policies, but it is up to him to do what he think is right for his Country.

The state visit hoohaa is comical. People are really getting themselves worked up into a frenzy. Sir Malcom Rifkind summed it up when he said a State Visit is purely the means to maximise Britains influence on a Head of State, regardless of their politics. Citing examples such as Gorbachev from Russia and the recent China State visit. Even better when rebuffing that previous US Presidents aren't normally granted a State visit until they have been in office for a few years, he said if anyone was ever in need of some advice from the Queen and pointing in the right direction it was Donald Trump

We will always be closely linked to the States by virtue of history, language, economy and population. In the same way we are with Australia and New Zealand. Lots of us have family members living or working there making for  some interesting view points and political discussions 

We may trade more value with Europe or other markets, and be geographically closer, but I think we will always see ourselves closer to the USA than say France, Portugal, Spain or anyone else on our doorstep.

Our military may be shadow of its former self, but we still punch above our weight in diplomacy and influence, at times mistakenly placed, but there all the same.