Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
Adam was Editor of SmallBusiness.co.uk from 2006 to 2008 and prior to that was staff writer on sister publication BusinessXL Magazine.
Finding and selling to customers
Just thinking about giving a presentation can make you feel nervous but for a small business owner, presentations are an excellent marketing tool that tell potential customers what you do and why they should use your business. Here are some tips from SmallBusiness.co.uk and procedure and training specialist Sarah Dobson to help you prepare.
News
A report from BT claims to have identified three key areas that help one small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) succeed over another.
News
Employees waste over an hour a day looking for company information, according to new research by Information Builders, and this lack of information is costing millions of euros a year in lost productivity.
Blog
In our survey this fortnight, we asked how close your business was to profitability. While 12 per cent of you sadly fear that you may never be profitable, the vast majority is positive about the future, with 68 per cent either already profitable or expecting to be so by next year.
Business management
Ian Merricks began his career as a record promoter in 1996, specialising in youth media. In 2007, he raised private equity for the MBO of media and marketing company Itchy Group, for whom he has overseen five acquisitions and several million pounds of private investment. SmallBusiness.co.uk sat down for a cup of tea with him to find out the secret to his success.
News
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has attacked HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in a family tax case heard in the House of Lords.
Business Technology
According to data recovery firm Ontrack, 89 per cent of companies fail to allocate budget for data recovery and 78 per cent have experienced data loss in the past 12 months. SmallBusiness.co.uk offers the following tips on handling data.
News
The news that Lloyds TSB has successfully fended off an attempt to claim back overdraft charges in a county court has again thrown the issue into the spotlight.
Buying and selling a company
My business has been for sale with incompetent agents. I must sell as soon as I can due to severe health needs. The business is solvent and profitable but needs total commitment. I am a sole trader with no family and cannot afford to walk away. Are there other options open to me?
News
The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has launched an investment competition and business education programme, 'Running the Gauntlet', with up to £2 million on offer for entrepreneurs with businesses in the East of England.
Sole trader
When raising an invoice as a sole trader, do I have to raise it in my name or can I use the title I am trading under. For example if I am John Smith t/a JS Associates, can I just use JS Associates?
Advice
Many companies don't want to buy freehold premises, preferring to take a lease for a set number of years or 'term'. Nicola Heaney of Sherrards Solicitors explains what to look out for when taking a leasehold premises.