Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
This section provides expert advice for a small business owner looking to start and run a successful business. Read about case studies and lessons learned from like-minded professionals.
Businesses should act quickly if they fear they’ve been mis-sold swaps, but should beware of 'going in blind', says Daniel Hall, managing director of the All Square Treasury.
Advice
Advice
In the third part of his series about working with competitors, Peter Rouse looks at the structures for business collaboration.
Advice
In the second part of his series on collaborating with competitors, Peter Rouse discusses how to identify and approach a potential partner.
Advice
In the first of a new three-part series, Peter Rouse argues that 'co-optition', when companies interact with partial congruence of interests, can be fruitful in business.
Advice
In the third part of his first series of articles on sharing a business, Peter Rouse discusses the concept of vesting in relation to an asset and the shares in a company.
Advice
Here are ten pointers to ensuring you maximise your potential as an early-stage company.
Advice
Unlicensed use of images can result in a big fine for small businesses. Rebecca Swift, head of creative planning for iStock, explains how to avoid trouble when selecting images for branding campaigns.
Advice
In part one of a series, Peter Rouse discusses the concept of shared ownership in new businesses.
Advice
Unlicensed use of images can result in a big fine for small businesses. Rebecca Swift, head of creative planning for iStock, explains how to avoid trouble when selecting images for branding campaigns.
Advice
In part one of a series, Peter Rouse discusses the concept of shared ownership in new businesses.
Advice
Tim Pat Dufficy discusses how small businesses can rebuild and re-evaluate following a long period of economic uncertainty.
Advice
Great ideas need funding - but raising money can be more complicated than you think. Ward Williams Creative examines a company that looked great on paper but faced significant obstacles to getting to market.
Advice
Katherine Evans, PR and marketing executive at 08 Direct, looks at how the main pitfalls of running a small business can be avoided.
Advice
James King, of venture capital firm Find Invest Grow, discusses why a more direct relationship between commerce and education is needed to help boost new business.
Business Loans
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Business Technology
To run an optimal business, you must have optimal tech. We explain why you must upgrade your business technology on a regular basis
Investing in a franchise
Starting a new business is an exciting venture. But – especially in well-established industry sectors – a key question is whether it would be better to buy a franchise or go solo.