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.

Price hikes get the message across

If you are looking to announce a price increase, it’s important to test the market first with a few customers by telephone or face-to-face, to gauge reaction.

Marketing

Business Technology

Is your website legal and accessible to all internet users?

A report from the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) says that hundreds of businesses may face legal action because their websites are not accessible to disabled customers.

Finding and selling to customers

Ten ways to win new business

It's no secret that it costs a lot more to acquire new customers than to retain the ones you've got.

Marketing

How to set up a marketing database

Allocating time and resources to gaining new customers can be a difficult issue for small businesses – purchasing a database for marketing purposes can sometimes be out of the question.

Buying and selling a company

Buying a business – the rules for non-UK citizens

If you intend to buy or start a business in the UK and you are not a British citizen, there are certain criteria you must fulfil.

Employing & managing staff

Protecting your business when an employee leaves

You can't prevent an employee leaving your business but there are steps you can take to ensure that important clients do not go with them.

Employing & managing staff

How to make sure you keep your best staff

There are two ways of looking at high employee turnover rates: are you getting the right staff in the first place, and are you making sure that you are keeping your best staff? Losing staff can effectively kill a small business because your employees cover a range of tasks.

Business management

Raising finance with your business plan

A business plan is essential if you are seeking funds from outside investors.

Employing & managing staff

How to make sure you keep your best staff

There are two ways of looking at high employee turnover rates: are you getting the right staff in the first place, and are you making sure that you are keeping your best staff? Losing staff can effectively kill a small business because your employees cover a range of tasks.

Business management

Raising finance with your business plan

A business plan is essential if you are seeking funds from outside investors.

Legal advice

A guide to writing your terms of business

Terms of business (also known as terms and conditions) are vital, as they establish levels of responsibility for companies and their customers.

Business management

Valuing goodwill and rebranding

When it comes to dissolving a long-term business partnership, you may need to consider areas such as valuing goodwill and rebranding.

Legal advice

Dealing with contracts

Contracts are often perceived as long-winded documents, so it can be all too easy not to pay them enough attention.

Business management

Making a successful business presentation

Giving presentations is a daunting prospect for businesses, according to a survey carried out by executive communications consultancy The Aziz Corporation.

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?

Partner content

What are the benefits of business broadband?

Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade