Work life balance

Tax and home-based businesses

As a business you can claim tax allowances. This means you can deduct a proportion of certain costs from your taxable profits and reduce your tax bill. SmallBusiness.co.uk explains.

Blog

Bad managers? Survey of workers about how they view their managers

An effective boss doesn't have to be liked. If you're too close to staff you'll be regarded as a walkover, but if you go the other way and constantly criticise your employees, then they'll stop working for you.

Legal advice

New legislation and fines for breaching the Data Protection Act

New legislation means that companies could be fined up to £500,000 for breaching the Data Protection Act. Read our guide on how to stay on the right side of the law.

Accounting

Cash in hand

Question: If I'm paying a cleaner for four hours a week at the minimum wage, can I just pay them cash in hand without having to take into account tax and NI?

Business management

Fleet first

Whether you are looking to hire or buy, read our guide on how to drive your company forward with the right fleet.

Work life balance

How to handle maternity leave as an employer

The news that an employee is pregnant can be a bit like a surprise visit from the in-laws: you might not be ecstatic about the idea but it's one of those times in life you just have to put a brave face on things.

Finding and selling to customers

Small businesses v supermarkets

Whether it's squeezing suppliers or pricing shops out of business, small businesses are fed-up with the bully-boy tactics of the big supermarkets.

Finding and selling to customers

The winning sales pitch

Success in a sales meeting often needs a subtle touch. Here three entrepreneurs give us their top tips on how to close the deal.

Business management

Nadine Hill on founding and growing a virtual office assistant business

Nadine Hill founded her virtual office assistant business Dream PA five years ago and has benefited from the fast growth of the sector.

Finding and selling to customers

Ten tips on retaining customers and keep them coming back

Keeping customers coming back for more isn't always easy. Here are ten top tips on how to retain a loyal consumer base.

Small Business Insurance

Covering your Business Insurance essentials

Accidents can have damaging consequences for all parties involved. Here, Chris Slater, head of insurance at online comparator SimplyBusiness.co.uk, provides a guide to business insurance cover.

Small Business Insurance

How to claim on your public liability insurance

Claims made against SMEs can be particularly damaging. Here SmalllBusiness.co.uk and Chris Slater, head of insurance at online business insurance comparator SimplyBusiness.co.uk, offer some top tips to ensure you have adequate public liability insurance.