Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
The banks aren't interested, but social lending websites are. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to three early-stage companies that have benefitted from the growing phenomenon in peer-to-peer SME fundraising.
Alternative finance
Business Ideas & Planning
National mobile bar and cocktail service Zest Mixology started trading in January this year and expects to turn over £145,000 in its opening 12 months. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to founder Murdo McLeod.
Alternative finance
The banks aren't interested, but social lending websites are. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to three early-stage companies that have benefitted from the growing phenomenon in peer-to-peer SME fundraising.
Business Ideas & Planning
National mobile bar and cocktail service Zest Mixology started trading in January this year and expects to turn over £145,000 in its opening 12 months. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to founder Murdo McLeod.
News
The Business Finance Taskforce has not yet achieved its aim of repairing the relationship between banks and small businesses, says the Forum of Private Business.
Small Business Banking
I am sure that like me, you have seen headlines about banks not lending to small businesses with depressing regularity.
News
The Forum of Private Business is calling for small businesses' patent rights to be better protected amid concerns that many cannot afford to sue companies which steal their ideas.
Government Grants
Louise Guinda, founder of baby product company Safedreams.co.uk, received help from Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise.
News
Lending under the government's flagship small business lending scheme, the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, has plummeted, falling by 42 per cent over the last year.
Employing & managing staff
Companies are empowering staff at all levels of authority to contribute key ideas and strategies and the resulting intrapreneurs can benefit businesses in multiple ways, writes Ben Lobel.
News
SMEs are turning to high-risk forms of finance such as credit cards and loans from friends and family to keep their business on track, research finds.
Small Business Banking
Have you taken out a loan or a credit card in the last 10 years? If so, you may have been mis-sold loan insurance, and could claim compensation for this.
Legal advice
Last week the controversial Bribery Act came into force in the UK, bringing with it strict consequences for companies deemed to have committed corporate bribery and corruption.
Export & Import
Former HSBC chairman Stephen Green has said a lack of financing options for businesses could threaten international trade.
Partner content
Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade
Partner content
As with any supplier, it’s important to do your research and ask important questions before you select a broadband provider for your business. But what are the must-have things you should take into consideration?
Partner content
Analogue phone systems are increasingly being replaced by smarter broadband based networks – here’s why you should consider switching
Partner content
David Malan, sales director of DocuWare for the UK and Ireland, explains how the platform can streamline your document management