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.

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?

Office & home working

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.

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.

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 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?

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