Category

Running a Business

This section takes you through every important aspect of how to run a successful business. It offers expert guides and advice articles on the key elements of business management such as employing staff, finding customers, marketing and sales, pricing, people management, office and home working, business technology and everything else an entrepreneur must tackle in order to succeed.

Self-financing the purchase of a small business

I am looking to self-finance the purchase of a small business. Should I classify this as long-term loan or shareholder's capital?

Buying and selling a company

Marketing

Can a small business do its own PR?

PR can be a daunting prospect for small businesses, but it is possible to manage your own campaign. Kate Warwick, director at agency PR Savvy, explains how.

Business Technology

Choosing the right domain name for a business

Sham Hussain, marketing executive at digital service provider Yell, discusses the importance of choosing the most appropriate domain name for your business.

Business management

Carol Cork on starting private jet booking platform PrivateFly.com

Carol Cork launched online private jet booking platform PrivateFly.com with her husband in 2007 and the company now turns over £4 million.

Finding and selling to customers

The sales process of the future

Technologically enhanced, socially connected and fearsomely well informed about customers and markets, today's salespeople are a different breed from the pushy types who banged on doors and invaded shop floors. Ben Lobel looks at how the sales process is evolving.

Employing & managing staff

How to approach redundancies

SmallBusiness.co.uk looks at how to prepare for the process of letting staff go.

Employing & managing staff

Interim Management: What You Need to Know

Taking on an interim manager can be an advantageous move for SME's - their services often proving to be more than worth the cost.

Business Technology

Beyond information security

Matt Gordon Smith, director of security at Attenda, explains why information security isn't just about IT for businesses.

Employing & managing staff

Interim Management: What You Need to Know

Taking on an interim manager can be an advantageous move for SME's - their services often proving to be more than worth the cost.

Business Technology

Beyond information security

Matt Gordon Smith, director of security at Attenda, explains why information security isn't just about IT for businesses.

Legal advice

Can I replace my staff member?

I have to close my shop due to year-on-year losses. Can I make my current staff member redundant and employ my son on short-term contract on a much-reduced wage to help me close down the shop?

Business management

Toby Darbyshire on starting energy company Engensa

Toby Darbyshire started solar power company Engensa in 2009 and now employs around 100 staff.

Marketing

Optimising Twitter for business

In this age of 24/7 communication, your consumers are not only people who buy your product or services, but are vital to your online presence and valued members of your marketing team.

Marketing

The benefits of direct marketing

Writer and marketer Jenni O’Connor of Kaiku Communications asks if, in today’s economic climate, direct marketing is best.

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

Partner content

Small business owners: discover alternative funding solutions to help fuel your growth

Business Technology

Why you should upgrade your tech now rather than later

To run an optimal business, you must have optimal tech. We explain why you must upgrade your business technology on a regular basis

Investing in a franchise

Should I buy a franchise or go solo?

Starting a new business is an exciting venture. But – especially in well-established industry sectors – a key question is whether it would be better to buy a franchise or go solo.