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.

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.

Business Technology

Business management

Perfecting project management

If you are taking on a new contract or have an ambitious plan for growth, it might be handy to learn from project managers.

Business Technology

Top tips for WEEE compliance

Are you aware that your old PCs could be breaking the law? The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive finally became UK law in 2007.

Employing & managing staff

Top teamwork tips for SMEs

A recent survey has found that poor teamwork causes owners of small firms in Britain to stay late in the office, wastes valuable time and adds to employee dissatisfaction. But all this could be avoided by encouraging employees to work more effectively as a team.

Employing & managing staff

A unique approach to keeping businesses healthier

BUPA advertorial

No two businesses are the same. Having worked with more than 40,000 companies and millions of employees over the past 60 years, BUPA knows this better than any other healthcare provider, which is why we do things differently.

Employing & managing staff

Absence without leave

If an employee doesn't return to work and doesn't contact the employer with an explanation, is there a set procedure that the employer should follow before assuming they are no longer wishing to return to work?

Legal advice

Making staff redundant

If I have made someone redundant, can I hire someone else and give them a different job title?

Business management

Lessons Learned, Chris Mottershead, Travelzest

Chris Mottershead is a travel industry veteran. He was president and CEO of North American leisure group Airtours before changing course to steer online travel specialist Travelzest through a turbulent period for the sector to land record profits.

Legal advice

Making staff redundant

If I have made someone redundant, can I hire someone else and give them a different job title?

Business management

Lessons Learned, Chris Mottershead, Travelzest

Chris Mottershead is a travel industry veteran. He was president and CEO of North American leisure group Airtours before changing course to steer online travel specialist Travelzest through a turbulent period for the sector to land record profits.

Finding and selling to customers

Writing effective marketing copy

Writing clear marketing text or 'copy' helps to attract more customers, so it's worth honing your skills in this area. This article from SmallBusiness.co.uk and Nigel Temple, author of How to Get Clients to Come to You, will help.

Legal advice

Food hygiene certificates for sandwich shops and similar food businesses

Q: Do I need any health & safety qualifications and food hygiene certificates before I can open a sandwich shop?

Marketing

Search engine marketing explained

What can you do to ensure your website is reaching your target audience and isn't lost among millions of others? This introduction to search engine marketing from Smallbusiness.co.uk and Seamus Ryan of Optimease will point you in the right direction.

Employing & managing staff

How to become more efficient

Keeping a united workforce is certainly a challenge but many simple changes can be made that won't cost. SmallBusiness.co.uk and the CIPD have these tips to help you make improvements.

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.