Category

Business management

This section provides helpful case studies and guides on business reputation management strategies for UK start-ups and entrepreneurs.

Lessons Learned: Derek Browne, CEO, Entrepreneurs in Action

Derek Browne left a lucrative career in the City to start his own business, Entrepreneurs in Action, aimed at teaching students the value of entrepreneurship. He went on to win Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2006 and to act as coach and business mentor for Jaime Oliver’s four graduates on the Channel 4 ‘Jamie's Chef’ show.

Business management

Business management

The perfect pitch to invvestors

After your business plan has been written, the next stage often involves pitching it to prospective investors. Yet, it's not only the content of the business plan that is being scrutinised, but also the capabilities of the management team. Your pitch is the first step to showing you can succeed.

Business management

Lessons Learned: Andrew Valentine, Co-founder, Streetcar

Andrew Valentine and Brett Akker came across the idea for Streetcar after reading a magazine article about a similar scheme. The business launched in London in 2004. SmallBusiness.co.uk spoke to Valentine and asked him to share his experiences and offer some advice for small business owners and managers.

Business management

Lessons Learned: Mark Chadwick, Founder and Director, Carbon Clear

SmallBusiness.co.uk asks an inspirational entrepreneur to share their experiences and offer advice for SMEs. With the benefit of hindsight, what do they wish they'd known when they started? This week it's Mark Chadwick, founder and director of carbon emissions management company Carbon Clear.

Business management

Lessons Learned: Glenda Stone, Founder and CEO, Aurora

SmallBusiness.co.uk asks a seasoned entrepreneur to share their experiences and offer advice for SMEs. With the benefit of hindsight, what do they wish they'd known when they started? Glenda Stone, Founder and CEO of Aurora, offers her pearls of wisdom.

Business management

Entrepreneur Lessons Learned: Mike Tobin, CEO of TelecityRedbus

SmallBusiness.co.uk asks a seasoned entrepreneur or inspirational manager to share their experiences and offer advice for SMEs. With the benefit of hindsight, what do they wish they'd known when they started? Charismatic Mike Tobin, CEO of TelecityRedbus offers his pearls of wisdom.

Business management

Top ten tips to business survival

Statistics show that in the first quarter of 2006 the number of company liquidations rose by 17 per cent on the same period of the previous year. To improve your chances of survival, Bibby Financial Services is offering these basic business tips.

Business management

Handling interruptions

Busy owners of small businesses can be beset by constant interruptions: colleagues asking questions or presenting emergencies; pestering from overzealous salesmen; calls from customers and suppliers, and many more. Here are some tips and hints on dealing with interruptions.

Business management

Top ten tips to business survival

Statistics show that in the first quarter of 2006 the number of company liquidations rose by 17 per cent on the same period of the previous year. To improve your chances of survival, Bibby Financial Services is offering these basic business tips.

Business management

Handling interruptions

Busy owners of small businesses can be beset by constant interruptions: colleagues asking questions or presenting emergencies; pestering from overzealous salesmen; calls from customers and suppliers, and many more. Here are some tips and hints on dealing with interruptions.

Business management

Setting up business in France

For many Britons, France is the obvious choice to start a business, given its proximity, excellent transport links with the UK and the fact that many UK expatriates are located over the Channel, meaning a potential ready-made British market awaits. However, there are several things to bear in mind before you book your Eurostar ticket.

Business management

Managing your time effectively to help organise your workflow

Ask any business owner and they'll tell you time management is absolutely key. It's a fact of business life that there are never enough hours in the day to get everything done, so it's vital to make every second count. Here are some tricks to help organise your workflow and find clever ways to save time and be more productive.

Business management

Women suited to franchising

Nearly half of the UK's franchisees are now solely or jointly female-operated, which does not surprise Cathryn Hayes, Head of Franchising for HSBC Bank, who believes franchising is a business model that particularly suits women.

Business management

Explore your funding options

When it comes to raising money for your small business, it is worth looking beyond traditional funding options, such as bank loans and overdrafts, to more flexible alternatives.

Partner content

What are the benefits of business broadband?

Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade

Partner content

How should I select my business broadband provider?

As with any supplier, it’s important to do your research and ask important questions before you select a broadband provider for your business. But what are the must-have things you should take into consideration?

Partner content

Why your business should switch to a broadband-based phone network

Analogue phone systems are increasingly being replaced by smarter broadband based networks – here’s why you should consider switching

Partner content

Streamlining document management for your small business

David Malan, sales director of DocuWare for the UK and Ireland, explains how the platform can streamline your document management