Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
Alan was assistant editor at Vitesse Media Plc (previous owner of smallbusiness.co.uk) before moving on to a content producer role at Reed Business Information. He has over 17 years of experience in the publishing industry and has held a number of senior writing, editing and sub-editing roles.
Blog
Frank Hannigan was rejected by Dragons’ Den with his idea for online lost and found service Yougetitback.com. He sought alternative sources of funding, eventually winning twice the amount asked for on the show. SmallBusiness.co.uk caught up with Hannigan and asked for some pearls of wisdom on the major hurdles for start-ups.
News
The eighth HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards has been launched. The awards welcome any fledging firms less than three years old that can prove they have the determination, dedication, creativity and business acumen for success.
Marketing
Marketing experts still cite direct marketing as the most efficient way to reach both customers and other businesses, according to Precision Marketing.
Advice
For some, buying a property to let can generate a full-time income, and the task of managing more than one or two properties can become a job in itself.
Marketing
SMEs can benefit from direct marketing more than larger companies through getting to know their customers individually, claim business experts.
News
Although it is still hard for small retailers selling fair trade and organic produce, public interest is increasing and the number of success stories is growing, according to a fair trade business expert.
News
Setting up a SME is difficult for anyone and disabled people in particular struggle in business, according to industry experts.
News
The government should do more to encourage entrepreneurship and self-employment as an alternative career move for disabled people say industry experts.
News
Removing red tape will encourage SMEs to grow and budding entrepreneurs to start their own businesses, claim industry experts.
Buying and selling a company
As an entrepreneur, you start your company because of your passion for what you are doing. Yet, no matter how much you love your business, you will eventually need to sell it. This guide from SmallBusiness.co.uk offers three great ways to ensure you get the most money possible for it.
News
The majority of SMEs questioned in a new survey believe Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling are bad for business.
News
The close nature of small businesses' working environments often allows them to resolve workplace disputes without the need for an employment tribunal, a business association claims.