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.
I am a care worker and am required to incorporate my breaks into working with the clients, so I'm on duty throughout my shift. However, my smoking colleagues are allowed to go outside for smoke breaks. Am I entitled to additional payment as I do not have the opportunity of client-free time?
Legal advice
Buying and selling a company
I haven’t run a business for a number of years and am thinking of buying into a café that is already well established. What questions should I be asking and who should I ask?
Business management
Andrew Valentine and Brett Akker came across the idea for Streetcar after reading a magazine article about a similar scheme. The business launched in London in 2004. SmallBusiness.co.uk spoke to Valentine and asked him to share his experiences and offer some advice for small business owners and managers.
Legal advice
According to the latest figures released by business analyst and information service Experian, corporate insolvencies in the UK have fallen by 8.8 per cent during the first three months of 2007 compared to the same period the previous year.
Marketing
Putting in place a brand strategy is key to ensuring the success of your company and a genuine, solid identity has a direct impact on your bottom line. Small business owners tend to relate a strong brand and marketing strategy to high cost, but this need not be the case. Read on for our top tips.
Employing & managing staff
If a position of employment becomes available, does it have to be advertised or offered internally first?
Employing & managing staff
I run a bar and employ four part-time staff. Two of them have full-time jobs. Do I need to issue them with a contract of employment and how does holiday pay work in this instance?
Employing & managing staff
An employee's brother has unfortunately died. What are the rules for time off paid or unpaid?
Employing & managing staff
I run a bar and employ four part-time staff. Two of them have full-time jobs. Do I need to issue them with a contract of employment and how does holiday pay work in this instance?
Employing & managing staff
An employee's brother has unfortunately died. What are the rules for time off paid or unpaid?
Buying and selling a company
I started my business in partnership 15 years ago. Can you advise me on selling my half of the business, I understand my partner has first refusal.
Business management
SmallBusiness.co.uk asks an inspirational entrepreneur to share their experiences and offer advice for SMEs. With the benefit of hindsight, what do they wish they'd known when they started? This week it's Mark Chadwick, founder and director of carbon emissions management company Carbon Clear.
Business Technology
Setting up an online arm of your business can offer many benefits, not to mention a further route to market.
Employing & managing staff
One of my staff regularly smells of urine. Despite sympathetically asking her on many occasions to address the problem she has failed to do so. What is the position regarding her employment? If I have to, can I ask her to leave?
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