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.

Employing school-leavers

Are there currently any incentives paid by Government to employers for employing school-leavers or 'first jobbers'?

Employing & managing staff

Employing & managing staff

New obligations for employers that hire overseas workers

Radical new obligations for employers that hire overseas workers are set to come into effect next year that could have a major impact on small business owners.

Finding and selling to customers

The value of effective branding

Having a strong, easily recognisable brand can make all the difference in raising your profile and setting you apart from your competitors. SmallBusiness.co.uk offers some answers to commonly asked questions on effective branding.

Employing & managing staff

Incentives for employing school-leavers

Are there currently any incentives paid by Government to employers for employing school-leavers or 'first jobbers'?

Legal advice

Grievance and disciplinary procedures note taking

At an employee complaint hearing, handwritten notes were made by us and then transcribed. The original notes were shredded by our HR manager and the employee has now indicated that we have broken the data protection act and is going to make a complaint. Is he right?

Buying and selling a company

Get your business ready to sell

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.

Office & home working

What do landfill regulation changes mean for you?

New rules governing the landfilling of non-hazardous waste came into force on 30 October 2007 as the final change under the Landfill Directive. So what do the changes mean for your business?

Employing & managing staff

Employers hit by changes to migrant worker laws

Radical new obligations for employers that hire overseas workers are set to come into effect next year that could have a major impact on small business owners.

Office & home working

What do landfill regulation changes mean for you?

New rules governing the landfilling of non-hazardous waste came into force on 30 October 2007 as the final change under the Landfill Directive. So what do the changes mean for your business?

Employing & managing staff

Employers hit by changes to migrant worker laws

Radical new obligations for employers that hire overseas workers are set to come into effect next year that could have a major impact on small business owners.

Finding and selling to customers

Tips from the top – finding your niche

SmallBusiness.co.uk caught up with Tim Slatter, co-founder of speciality cake-maker www.thecakestore.co.uk, a company that took on the larger stores and, in the face of strong competition, has now achieved sales of around £1.5 million.

Legal advice

Legal advice for small businesses

I run a small business and we may have to go to an employment tribunal regarding an ex-employee for unfair dismissal. He is using the Citizens Advice Bureau to help him, is there an equivalent for businesses? If not, where can I get advice?

Employing & managing staff

How to discipline a member of staff effectively

If you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance of having to discipline a member of staff, you have to ensure the process is fair, especially if the result is that they are dismissed.

Business Technology

Guide to identity theft protection

The outcry over identity theft on social networking sites like FaceBook and MySpace serves as a reminder of how the openness of the internet can mean rich pickings for fraudsters. Educating your staff about the dangers is key to protecting your business.

Partner content

Attracting and keeping top talent through Total Reward

Employment benefits specialist, Drewberry, explain why you should base your benefits around a Total Reward Strategy

Partner content

5 things every small business owner needs to know before starting

HSBC - Advertising feature

Partner content

What is professional indemnity insurance?

Professional indemnity insurance provides cover if somebody sues your business and they allege that your advice caused financial loss or damaged their brand. It’s not just for accountants and lawyers but for anyone offering a personal service, even web designers

Partner content

Benefits of switching to the right business bank account

We've teamed up with the Current Account Switch Service to explain the benefits of switching your business bank account.