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.
Here, Jennifer Baile discusses why it is so important for owners of start-ups to carefully consider how a robust IP strategy will help to safeguard the commercial proposition and future growth of their business.
Legal advice
Employing & managing staff
Workers say that they're only productive for up to two hours a day. Here's what's affecting staff productivity.
Employing & managing staff
Questions about the rules on overtime policy and pay rates are some of the most common enquiries in the SmallBusiness email inbox. We sifted through the main topics and got in contact with some clever folks who could provide clear responses. So whether you are an employer or an employee, you should find the answers to most of your overtime queries contained in the following wise words from employment law experts and practitioners.
Business management
Horizontal innovation offers SMEs an untapped growth opportunity, states Kieron Salter, managing director of high performance engineering consultancy KWSP.
Employing & managing staff
Here, Christian Brøndum illustrates the importance of putting the right systems in place to make sure you are managing staff rotas and wages effectively.
Business management
Here, Jennifer Janson looks at what small businesses can learn from Oxfam's perceived cover-up of allegations surrounding the improper conduct of its employees in Haiti in 2011.
Finding and selling to customers
Bidding for government work can be a lengthy and costly process, and many smaller businesses don’t have the same resources as larger companies to put together winning bids. Here, Martin Reed explores the issue.
Employing & managing staff
Rebecca James, head of academy living at Orbis Education and Care, gives small business owners some insight into how employing someone with autism can help their business.
Finding and selling to customers
Bidding for government work can be a lengthy and costly process, and many smaller businesses don’t have the same resources as larger companies to put together winning bids. Here, Martin Reed explores the issue.
Employing & managing staff
Rebecca James, head of academy living at Orbis Education and Care, gives small business owners some insight into how employing someone with autism can help their business.
Marketing
Studying the evolution of large, successful brands can be a good starting point for SMEs looking to launch or maximise their brand potential, says Sarah Turner.
Business Technology
Consider these important points when it comes to the use of business smartphones.
Employing & managing staff
The virtual business model is now well-proven and works well for all sorts of small businesses, but how can companies implement the system effectively? Here, Alex Lawrence discusses.
Finding and selling to customers
Focusing on the difficulties faced by major retail businesses means missing the wider picture on how the sector is evolving, argues Ambreen Khasru.
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