Category

Starting a Business

Advice on how to start your own business, with guides to help you plan, develop and finance a start-up company, plus recommendations on registering the business, its legal structure and finding financial backing for growth. Whether you are just beginning or have already taken the first steps and want to keep everything on track, our expert articles will give you the knowledge to help lead you to success, whilst maintaining a good work-life balance.

Starting a business can initially seem daunting, but with good support and a strong idea you can quickly pass through the key stages of the setting-up process and be able to launch your company with a solid foundation.

Topics covered include: regulations and requirements for company owners, finding and selecting the professional services you may need (such as banking, insurance, accountancy etc.), legal structure options (self-employed person, sole trader, a partnership or a limited company), business planning, UK start up funding sources and finding your first customers.

Be flexible with funding if you want to see your business boom

Flexibility with funding sources is the key to securing long-term success in business, says Louis-James Davis, founder of VST Enterprises.

Startup Funding and Grants

Advice

How your business can thrive in a university city

If you are looking to start a business in a university city, you need to know how to sell to students, here are some top tips to get you started.

Investing in a franchise

The true cost of running a franchise

Many small businesses look to grow as soon as possible, but what is the next step? Here, we take a look at the true cost of setting up a franchise.

Advice

What route should your business take for its first car lease?

For small businesses, getting a vehicle can make a big difference, but what is the best option? Here we look at why car leasing is best.

Advice

To err is human, to forgive is not always organisational policy!

Here, David Cliff, managing director of Gedanken, explains why businesses should embrace and learn from failure.

Startup Funding and Grants

How to tell if trade credit is right for your SME

Here, Rachel Mainwaring, operations director at Creditsafe, examines why trade credit might be right for you.

Advice

Company directors can secure bigger mortgages by highlighting net profits

Here, Alastair McKee, managing director of One 77 Mortgages, explains how company directors can secure a higher mortgage through highlighting net profits.

Advice

How to get unpaid invoices settled within four weeks

Here, Shweta Jhajharia of The London Coaching Group, guides us on a 4 week plan to chasing up unpaid invoices.

Advice

Company directors can secure bigger mortgages by highlighting net profits

Here, Alastair McKee, managing director of One 77 Mortgages, explains how company directors can secure a higher mortgage through highlighting net profits.

Advice

How to get unpaid invoices settled within four weeks

Here, Shweta Jhajharia of The London Coaching Group, guides us on a 4 week plan to chasing up unpaid invoices.

Work life balance

SME work culture inspires a better work/life balance in healthcare

With the rise in gig-economy working among SMEs, healthcare workers are inspired to find a better work/life balance.

Work life balance

Time to take a break: Top tips for a better work-life balance this summer

Gary Turner, UK co-founder and managing director at Xero, gives his top tips to find a better work-life balance this summer.

Business Ideas & Planning

Inspiring ambition in the female founders of the future

Kate Jack, country lead for UK Innovation Hub, discusses what needs to be done to encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM subjects and entrepreneurship.

Business Ideas & Planning

How to jump on foodie trends without losing your brand identity

Here are a few key points to consider when choosing which trends to adopt, which to ignore and how best to implement your campaigns.

Business Technology

Why you should upgrade your tech now rather than later

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

Should I buy a franchise or go solo?

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.

Partner content

16 ways to improve your business cash flow

Read here for 16 tried and tested tips and tricks to improve potential cash flow problems

Business management

How to create good cashflow habits

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