Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
News
The majority of small companies that operate websites are exhibiting low levels of compliance with the Data Protection Act that came into effect in October 2001. And even those that show high levels of compliance are doing so "more by accident than design."
Accounting
A free online service allows employers to complete Pay As You Earn (PAYE) forms and returns and send them to the Inland Revenue via the internet.
Legal advice
A recent employment appeal tribunal ruling on holiday pay for employees on long-term sick leave could have serious implications for small businesses by potentially driving up costs.
Legal advice
Whilst running a business you may come across difficult employees. When you do it is essential to have an internal disciplinary procedure in place to deal with the problem and so avoid being taken to a tribunal, says employment consultant Jim Brown.
News
Small businesses should brush up on their employment practices after latest figures show that nearly half of all cases of discrimination in the workplace are brought against firms employing less than 24 staff.
Marketing
Rick Hopkins of the Forum of Private Business has sounded a note of caution to small businesses on using radio as an advertising medium.
Getting Online
A new dispute resolution service to help both individuals and organisations resolve disputes over .uk internet domain names faster and more fairly, has been set up.
Alternative finance
The number of small- and medium-sized businesses using factoring to get quicker access to cash they are owed has risen noticeably over the past year, according to new research from the Factors & Discounters Association (FDA).
News
Small businesses are not always able to compete with their larger competitors on price, but there are other ways to differentiate themselves and capture a potential consumer's eye.
Marketing
Big business knows that there are many commercial advantages to be gained by deploying the right kind of design.
Employing & managing staff
Too much red tape is preventing many small businesses from reclaiming the Statutory Maternity Pay they provide to their employees.
News
Help is finally at hand for Scottish and Northern Irish SMEs that are having difficulty understanding and implementing the burgeoning environmental legislation in the UK.