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.
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.
Business management
Employing & managing staff
Keeping your employees up to speed with the latest training programmes can be time consuming. Outsourcing may be the answer.
Marketing
SMEs can benefit from direct marketing more than larger companies through getting to know their customers individually, claim business experts.
Employing & managing staff
Are there currently any incentives paid by Government to employers for employing school-leavers or 'first jobbers'?
Employing & managing staff
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
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
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
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.
Legal advice
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
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
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
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
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
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?
Business Loans
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Partner content
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
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?
Partner content
Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade