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.
Finding skilled staff is one of the biggest problems a small business has to face, but by not making allowances for disabled applicants you could be missing out on a large number of talented candidates, not to mention running the risk of legal action.
Employing & managing staff
Employing & managing staff
Dismissing an employee can be a difficult area to tackle for employers especially if the employee has worked for the company for 12 months or more because they attract Unfair Dismissal rights.
Finding and selling to customers
Winning a contract to supply central or local government can be a great way to grow your business and enhance your reputation. But be warned: it's a lot easier said than done.
Finding and selling to customers
We are in the process of opening a fruit and veg shop. We have never done it before and although we are prepared with a lot of things we don't know where to start pricing things.
Business management
Nearly half of the UK's franchisees are now solely or jointly female-operated, which does not surprise Cathryn Hayes, Head of Franchising for HSBC Bank, who believes franchising is a business model that particularly suits women.
Employing & managing staff
Employment law is a complex area. Frequent changes and amendments make it hard for busy business owners to keep abreast of their responsibilities. However, ignorance is no defence if you fall foul of employment legislation and it can have disastrous consequences.
Office & home working
The majority of start-up businesses begin life at home, but there may come a time when a fledgling enterprise deserves to stand on its own two feet, having grown to a size that warrants dedicated premises. Use our handy guide to help you choose property that fits the bill.
Marketing
You can't close your ears. That's the principle behind claims that radio is one of the best mediums for advertisers. Growing businesses in a range of sectors find it significantly boosts brand awareness, especially in conjunction with other media.
Office & home working
The majority of start-up businesses begin life at home, but there may come a time when a fledgling enterprise deserves to stand on its own two feet, having grown to a size that warrants dedicated premises. Use our handy guide to help you choose property that fits the bill.
Marketing
You can't close your ears. That's the principle behind claims that radio is one of the best mediums for advertisers. Growing businesses in a range of sectors find it significantly boosts brand awareness, especially in conjunction with other media.
Employing & managing staff
Whether you believe it could decimate the population or it's a lot of fuss about nothing, most big businesses have plans in place to deal with avian flu and pandemics like it. Can you afford not to protect your business?
Employing & managing staff
Some claim their company culture is 'young, vibrant and fun'. Others call it 'casual, yet professional and ethical', and there are even those whose culture is 'characterised by open doors and open minds';. But what actually is company culture and can it be measured? How can you ensure your projected company image corresponds with the actual workplace?
Business Technology
A study into web and email systems in SME businesses has revealed that organisations the length and breadth of the UK are wasting thousands of pounds every year by relying on badly managed and unreliable in-house server systems to deliver their website and email communications.
Finding and selling to customers
Effective management of the way you sell and market to existing and potential customers is vital if your business is to succeed. This is where customer relationship management, or CRM, comes in.
Investing in a franchise
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.
Partner content
Read here for 16 tried and tested tips and tricks to improve potential cash flow problems
Partner content
Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade