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.

Rent guarantees when leasing retail business premises

I am currently looking for retail space and am concerned about the level of rent guarantee that seems to be required (12 months).

Office & home working

Business management

Jonathan Grubin – The teenage entrepreneur

At 19, Jonathan Grubin is the managing director of MiniG Media. He launched the ForFree4U online rewards network in 2006 when he was 16, and has just joined the joint online mailing venture SendSocial as CCO.

Business management

Father and son

Maurice and Tim Drake started a business back in the 1990s. The company evolved into Flipside Group, a digital advertising and marketing agency.

Finding and selling to customers

Get the most out of networking

Building relationships with businesses that are complementary to your own means they can pass customers your way and vice versa.

Employing & managing staff

Are freelancers entitled to holiday pay?

If I use a self-employed freelancer, but have paid them for regular hours each week for more than a year, are they entitled to holiday pay?

Legal advice

New legislation and fines for breaching the Data Protection Act

New legislation means that companies could be fined up to £500,000 for breaching the Data Protection Act. Read our guide on how to stay on the right side of the law.

Legal advice

Dismissing staff

What's the procedure for dismissal if an employee has been with the company for less than a year?

International Business

Go global for growth

The holiday season is approaching but consumers aren't the only ones looking to go abroad this year. According to the latest export figures, businesses are also venturing overseas.

Legal advice

Dismissing staff

What's the procedure for dismissal if an employee has been with the company for less than a year?

International Business

Go global for growth

The holiday season is approaching but consumers aren't the only ones looking to go abroad this year. According to the latest export figures, businesses are also venturing overseas.

Business management

Fleet first

Whether you are looking to hire or buy, read our guide on how to drive your company forward with the right fleet.

Finding and selling to customers

Small businesses v supermarkets

Whether it's squeezing suppliers or pricing shops out of business, small businesses are fed-up with the bully-boy tactics of the big supermarkets.

Employing & managing staff

Ways of reducing your staffing budget

There are other ways of reducing your staffing budget without having to take the axe to your workforce.

Finding and selling to customers

The winning sales pitch

Success in a sales meeting often needs a subtle touch. Here three entrepreneurs give us their top tips on how to close the deal.

Partner content

Benefits of switching to the right business bank account

In case you were in any doubt, here are five key benefits of switching your business bank account – and how to make the switch.

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

What are the funding options for hospitality businesses?

Hospitality businesses have faced a number of challenges in the last couple of years. Find out what funding and support is available.

Employing & managing staff

The importance of vocational rehabilitation services for SMEs

In Aviva’s latest SME research*, 57 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that nowadays employees expect benefits to protect against loss of income or earnings. What do you offer your people?