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.
We have just bought a small shop and Post Office, the shop employs three staff members, which we have inherited. The owners previous to us were not in good health, which is why they had more staff than we actually need and more than the business can sustain. Is there any way we could cut their hours by law, or to even get rid of them altogether? None of them have a written contract and all of them are 60+ in age.
Legal advice
Small Business Insurance
If it has been recommended you have professional indemnity, but you're a little unclear about exactly how this insurance works to protect your business, you may appreciate this simple, easy-to-understand beginners guide written by leading specialist insurer Hiscox.
Employing & managing staff
UK and European legislation has ensured that the days of an entrepreneur being master of his own house with regard to employment issues has long gone.
Legal advice
If you decide to get help to run your business while you're on maternity leave, even part time, it is important to have a short-term maternity cover agreement in place and allow ample time for training and a handover.
Employing & managing staff
Non-financial incentives, such as flexible working, training, extra holidays and a good working atmosphere all have their place in rewarding employees. But let's be honest, it's cold hard cash that's the main reason most staff come to work every morning. So, how do balance paying your staff enough to keep them happy while not breaking the bank?
Finding and selling to customers
The customer is always right, apparently. So it follows that listening to your customers and finding out exactly what they want is a sure-fire way of improving your product or service and consequently boosting revenue. But sadly, it is not usually that simple.
Marketing
Egotistical, gimmicky and grim. That is the description of millions of business cards creating a bad impression to prospective clients according to research from Lancaster University and print group The Entwistle Group. What does your card say about you and your business?
Business management
Handled well, importing can make a significant contribution to business success. For some businesses, using overseas suppliers is a key part of controlling costs. Others have built their whole business on the unique products importing allows them to provide.
Marketing
Egotistical, gimmicky and grim. That is the description of millions of business cards creating a bad impression to prospective clients according to research from Lancaster University and print group The Entwistle Group. What does your card say about you and your business?
Business management
Handled well, importing can make a significant contribution to business success. For some businesses, using overseas suppliers is a key part of controlling costs. Others have built their whole business on the unique products importing allows them to provide.
Employing & managing staff
The issue of providing job references is becoming increasingly problematic. Peter Done, founder of employment law specialist Peninsula, explains what you should and shouldn't do.
Employing & managing staff
The UK is one of the worst countries in Europe for stealing by employees, according to a report by the Centre for Retail Research. Even if you employ relatively few people, it's still important to consider the worst-case scenario of staff theft and put measures in place now to deal with it in the future
Office & home working
Some articles on the advantages and disadvantages of starting up a business from home.
Business Technology
What would you do if you lost your computer hard drive or company server due to age, catastrophic events or even a nasty virus? Make sure your company is covered for all eventualities by following these simple steps on how to back up data.
Business Loans
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Business Technology
To run an optimal business, you must have optimal tech. We explain why you must upgrade your business technology on a regular basis
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.