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.

Paying staff for bank holidays

I am opening a new business, with regards to bank holidays, do I have to pay my staff holiday pay for them?

Employing & managing staff

Business management

The franchise safety net

If you don't have the necessary experience starting a business alone, your best bet could be to take advantage of the support that a franchise network offers. To find out what it takes, SmallBusiness.co.uk spoke to a franchisee and asked why he chose to go down that route.

Finding and selling to customers

From summer fête to supermarket: how to get your product on the shelves.

Getting your product onto the shelves of a major retailer is no mean feat. SmallBusiness.co.uk speaks to Maria Hellyer, co-founder of The British Curry Company, about how she managed to turn a few jars of curry sauce at a summer fête into Bombay Authentics, a brand that is now sold throughout the UK and exported to 12 countries throughout North America, the Middle East and Europe.

Business management

Rachel Elnaugh, former Dragons’ Den investor – Lessons learned

The well-publicised crash of her company Red Letter Days meant that Rachel Elnaugh's days as an investor on the Dragons' Den were over. SmallBusiness.co.uk caught up with her to ask what she has learned along the way.

Employing & managing staff

A guide to interviews

If you've never conducted an interview before, it can be a daunting task.

Business management

Podcast: Who’s afraid of the female entrepreneur?

At SmallBusiness.co.uk we are always eager to point you in the direction of useful resources that can help your business. SmallBizPod is the UK's first small business podcast and includes interviews and practical advice for start-ups and businesses of all sizes.

Employing & managing staff

Outsourced staff training

Keeping your employees up to speed with the latest training programmes can be time consuming. Outsourcing may be the answer.

Marketing

Direct marketing gives SMEs an ‘advantage’

SMEs can benefit from direct marketing more than larger companies through getting to know their customers individually, claim business experts.

Employing & managing staff

Outsourced staff training

Keeping your employees up to speed with the latest training programmes can be time consuming. Outsourcing may be the answer.

Marketing

Direct marketing gives SMEs an ‘advantage’

SMEs can benefit from direct marketing more than larger companies through getting to know their customers individually, claim business experts.

Employing & managing staff

Employing school-leavers

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

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.

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?

Partner content

What are the benefits of business broadband?

Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade

Partner content

How should I select my business broadband provider?

As with any supplier, it’s important to do your research and ask important questions before you select a broadband provider for your business. But what are the must-have things you should take into consideration?

Business Technology

Future-proof your business communications set-up

Landlines as we know them will be scrapped in 2027 – along with a raft of upcoming business changes. Here's how to ensure your communications set-up is fit for whatever the future brings

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.