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.
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.
Small Business Insurance
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.
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.
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 Technology
As your small business grows, the time will come when you'll need to install a computer server or upgrade your existing unit to handle the number of terminals, printers and other technical wizardry you now use.
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