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.
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.
Business management
Finding and selling to customers
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
Q: Do I need any health & safety qualifications and food hygiene certificates before I can open a sandwich shop?
Marketing
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
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.
Finding and selling to customers
Many of us are nervous about asking for business but the truth is that if we don't ask then it will go to someone else. It is often the reputation that pushy sales people have that puts the whole process in a bad light. These tips from SmallBusiness.co.uk should help to point you in the right direction.
Marketing
Permission marketing allows you to develop lasting, profitable relationships with your customers and prospects, at a fraction of the cost of mass marketing techniques.
Employing & managing staff
I work a 12-hour shift but my company only wants to pay me for 9.5 hours for my holiday pay. Is this allowed?
Marketing
Permission marketing allows you to develop lasting, profitable relationships with your customers and prospects, at a fraction of the cost of mass marketing techniques.
Employing & managing staff
I work a 12-hour shift but my company only wants to pay me for 9.5 hours for my holiday pay. Is this allowed?
Employing & managing staff
What is the difference between Hard and Soft human resources management?
Legal advice
I applied for and was granted 10 days holiday from 2nd July until 13th July. I was taken ill on 28th June and my GP requested that I do not return to work until 23rd July. Can I re-take my 10 days holiday at a later date?
Business management
Three years ago Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones launched his food brand 'The Black Farmer', daring to take on the big stores and their own labels dominating the market at the time.
Legal advice
A recent research paper from The University of Warwick found small businesses are more likely to experience employee claims than large companies and more likely to lose if the case reach the tribunal stage.
Partner content
In case you were in any doubt, here are five key benefits of switching your business bank account – and how to make the switch.
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?