Category

Running a Business

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.

Internet marketing: Search engine optimisation

Online marketing is becoming increasingly important to UK business, as recent research from the World Advertising Research Center (WARC) suggests.

Marketing

Finding and selling to customers

How to win business

The first step in gaining sales is to plan and organise.

Finding and selling to customers

Setting up a mail order business

If you are looking to set up a mail order business, there are several issues you need to be aware of, such as legislation that applies to distance selling, delivery of goods and returns and data protection.

Business management

Five ways to win government contracts

The Government recently announced the launch of an online portal to enable businesses to easily view and bid for contracts advertised by Government buyers at both local and national levels.

Legal advice

Business Partnership with friends? You’ll need a shareholders agreement

If you are looking to set up a business in partnership with friends, then it's imperative to get professional advice and draw up a shareholders agreement, says Nigel Lander, specialist finance adviser at Business Link for London.

Business management

Making a success of flexible working

Providing flexible working opportunities for employees is not only the law, it can also benefit the business, according to employed parents charity Working Families.

Employing & managing staff

Dealing with staff absenteeism

Tesco are currently piloting non-payment of sick pay for the first three days at some of their stores in a bid to reduce absenteeism.

Buying and selling a company

Valuing a business to buy

If you are looking to buy a business, there are several factors that can influence the price you will pay.

Employing & managing staff

Dealing with staff absenteeism

Tesco are currently piloting non-payment of sick pay for the first three days at some of their stores in a bid to reduce absenteeism.

Buying and selling a company

Valuing a business to buy

If you are looking to buy a business, there are several factors that can influence the price you will pay.

Business management

Improve your forecasting skills

Forecasting is one of the cornerstones on which your business is built, and as such, should not be a task that is hurried or completed without due care and attention.

Business management

Assess your security risks

Business owners are being advised to examine security risks to their staff and business by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Business management

Ten tips to reduce waste

UK businesses could save a staggering £3 billion a year by putting more effort into recycling and reducing waste, according to Government advice group Envirowise.

Employing & managing staff

Avoid discrimination headaches

Business owners have to be extremely careful not to discriminate on grounds of age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and many, many more.

Partner content

Benefits of switching to the right business bank account

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

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

Partner content

What are the funding options for hospitality businesses?

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

The importance of vocational rehabilitation services for SMEs

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?