smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

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Smallbusines.co.uk has teamed up with Robina Every, managing director at Card Connection, which specialised in the franchised distribution of greeting cards, to provide five east steps to make a franchise work.

A guide to franchise agreements

If you have decided to go down the franchise route, you need to be sure that the contract you are signing suits your plans and doesn’t tie you in to anything unexpected. To ensure that this is the case, the franchise agreement or contract is all-important. SmallBusiness.co.uk offers a list of things to look out for in the agreement.

How to choose a franchise

A good franchise scheme is not just about having a good idea, it’s about the franchisor’s ability to prove the idea, have the available resources, both human and financial, and build the infrastructure to ensure the brand can be replicated by franchisees. SmallBusiness.co.uk offers some practical advice on starting a franchise.

Don't Miss

Start-ups and universities

The UK is world-class when it comes to science and innovations. Increasingly, these great ideas are being turned into commercial reality

Rising star: Piers Daniell

Still only 26, Piers Daniell has taken internet service provider Fluidata from the confines of his bedroom to a £2 million business in the space of two years

Business loans for starting up abroad

There is no reason in principle you cannot finance the purchase of an overseas business in the UK. The Business Banking Code says that before a bank lends you any money, they will assess whether they feel that you will be able to repay it.

Start A Business News

'Spouse power' gives businesses £72bn boost

Partners of small to medium-sized business owners are contributing 230 million unpaid hours each year, helping these firms stay profitable, new research has found.

'Spouse power' gives businesses £72bn boost

Partners of small to medium-sized business owners are contributing 230 million unpaid hours each year, helping these firms stay profitable, new research has found.

Entrepreneurs 'need to make risky decisions'

The success of a business is down to the risky decisions the owner makes, according to new research from the University of Cambridge.

Half of small firms 'could lose everything'

Almost half of all business owners could lose their home or everything they own if their company goes under, according to new research.

Female-led start-ups 'need confidence'

Confidence is the main hurdle for women starting a business, as they have to earn it and build on it, says one female entrepreneur.

New Dragons' Den scheme could aid UK

Around 20,000 new businesses could be created in a Dragon's Den-style programme for the unemployed proposed by the Tories.

RDAs 'can lead businesses'

Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are in the best position to guide firms and help provide solutions for them, business secretary Lord Peter Mandelson says.

Banks must be flexible for start-ups

Small businesses are calling for government help to reduce interest hikes on overdraft charges, following a meeting between ministers and bank chiefs.

Small business owners 'delaying retirement'

Bosses of small firms are delaying their planned retirement, with almost one in five saying they will not give up work at all, according to a new survey.

Scarborough shines as enterprise capital

When it comes to business, the seaside town of Scarborough has washed away impressions of being built upon fairgrounds and candy floss shops, after being named enterprise capital of the UK.

Majority of SMEs are recycling

Recycling is the main priority for small businesses trying to help the environment, says a new report.

Events Calendar

Business Startup

28th November, Olympia, London

Protecting Your Business

6th September, Best Western Country Hotel, Caerphilly

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.

What Investment

What Investment is the leading and longest-established investment magazine in the UK.

Regular Small Business newsletters
Access to all our experts in the Q & A forum
Post comments on articles

Free and Unlimited Business Banking

When it comes to business banking, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank provides the UK's best business banking deal. Switch to the only bank to offer FREE and UNLIMITED free business banking and a market leading interest rate of 3.65% AER* (variable) credit interest. We’ve a proven track record – Business Moneyfacts has recently voted us ‘Best Business Current Account Provider’ for an unprecedented sixth year running. Fast track your Free Business Current Account application today!

The UK Franchise Directory - now online

Have you considered buying a franchise? Consider this: 90% of franchisees are still trading profitably after 5 years, whereas 20% of startups fail within 12 months. Franchises can provide you with the training, systems and support you need to succeed. To find out more visit theukfranchisedirectory.net

Buying a franchise Resource Centre

Get the latest franchise news

Franchise World is a premier franchise news magazine that includes news, features and listings.

Find a franchise

Franchise direct is a portal for franchise and business opportunities that lists franchises from an exstensive range of industry sectors.

British Franchise Association - Find a franchise

Here is a good place to begin your search for a franchise, it contains guidelines for choosing a franchise, a list of bfa membership categories and its members.

Franchise informaton, advice and opportunities

Whichfranchise.com contains free franchise information, advice and opportunities, and is the only website in the UK to be affiliated to the British Franchise Association (BFA).

Advice on buying a franchise

Start In Business give free adive on buying a franchise or business package.

Buy a franchise opportunity

Franchise Sales allows you to find your ideal franchise opportunity.

Franchise information

Specialist franchise consultants that offer franchise opportunity information, help and advice on everything relating to business franchising and licensing.

The UK franchise directory

The online version of the UK franchise directory contains information about more than 800 franchisors.

More Buying a franchise Resources

Other Start A Business Resources

Polls

Video

Flexible working: the leaders' view

At the 2008 Work Wise UK Summit, BT Business asked a number of leaders for their views on flexible working.

The challenge of growth for small business

The challenges of growth for small business

New business must be won by creating a good first impression with customers and procurement managers...

Creating a successful business plan

Setting out a plan for your business can seem like a daunting task, especially before you've even got it off the ground.

Top tips for startups

Every successful business has a few things they wish they'd known before they started...

Blogs

How to be a start-up success

Marc Barber 07/08/2008

There are three common elements to a start-up successfully negotiating those tricky first few years: an honest appraisal of ability, market research, and finance. Have your say »

Credit crunch: What does it mean for you?

Penny Proffit 25/01/2008

In the current global economic climate, small business owners are likely to be concerned about the consequences of the credit crunch. Penny Proffit has teamed up with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants to bring you ten quick tips for survival. Have your say »

Quality content is the foundation of Search Engine Marketing

Guest Blogger 21/07/2008

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is in essence the theory and practice of getting a website onto the first page of 'natural' (sometimes called 'organic') search results on the important search engines for important keywords. Have your say »

Q&A

Register or login to ask a question to our panel of experts...

Starts ups expert

Ashley de Safrin, Business Link in London

Franchise information

Julie Waites, The Franchise Company

Start-up tips

Philip Wilkinson, Business Link

169 posts

Latest questions answered

Q: I want to start a DVD rental business Q: Writing a novel: self–employed? Q: Do I need to consider IR35 in my new business? Q: Starting an aquatic shop Q: Franchise advice Q: What's the first thing to do to start a business? Q: Starting a second business

Prize Draw

Enter our short survey!

Smallbusiness.co.uk together with our partners at Ricoh would like to invite you to take part in a short survey. The questionnaire will take only a few minutes to complete (no more than 5 minutes) and all entrants who complete the survey will be entered in to our free prize draw to win a Ricoh Aficio™ GX2500 mono and colour liquid Gel technology printer. Enter here