Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
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.
I have an employee who is about to have an operation and needs six weeks off to recover. They want to do some work at home after three weeks. Can they legally do this as I am under the impression that an employee cannot work while signed off?
Legal advice
Finding and selling to customers
Even Simon Cowell and Sir Philip Green are seeing the benefits of a joint venture.
Business management
Anthony Karibian, CEO of telecoms company XLN, shares his secrets on how to build a fast-growing business from scratch.
Business management
Grandmother of four, Sue Scott-Horne decided to start educational resources company Egar after a broken ankle ended her 25-year career– with a little encouragement from Peter Jones.
Employing & managing staff
It would seem logical that too great a workload is easy to spot. However, many working cultures seem to thrive on a deadline driven, pressured environment, and staff and managers alike can work for many months with an assumption that the stress they are feeling is normal.
Business management
After being made redundant, a chance encounter with an old friend led Matt Bingham to shift focus and set-up training company Red Cloud Photography Days – which has developed into a success.
Office & home working
With leading universities, good transport links and affordable office space, the Midlands is proving to be the destination of choice for entrepreneurial ventures.
Business management
Brian Burnie has spent £16 million restoring Doxford Hall in Northumberland to its former glory. But when the project is complete this month, the entrepreneur will sell the estate and give the entire proceeds to a cancer charity.
Office & home working
With leading universities, good transport links and affordable office space, the Midlands is proving to be the destination of choice for entrepreneurial ventures.
Business management
Brian Burnie has spent £16 million restoring Doxford Hall in Northumberland to its former glory. But when the project is complete this month, the entrepreneur will sell the estate and give the entire proceeds to a cancer charity.
Marketing
Seven tips on strategic use of online Pay-per-Click advertising that can really boost your e-commerce effectiveness and create a better return on your investment.
Business management
Taking a close, hard look at your business could mean the difference between sink or swim.
Office & home working
If you're based in the capital and are looking for funding, there are a number of options out there.
Employing & managing staff
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has turned its hand to the management of long-term sickness absence with a consultation on best practice.
Business Loans
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Business Technology
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
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.