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.

How four small companies experienced trade shows

Obtaining effective but good value marketing is always a challenge for a small company, but trade shows can be a cost-effective way to get the word out. Here, business owners share their opinions of the method.

Advice

Startup Funding and Grants

Are personal investors too emotionally attached to make a business impact?

Michael Hammond discusses the difference he experienced between raising money from family and friends and raising funds through private equity.

Advice

The ageing workforce: Adjustments, performance and pension considerations

Age is an incredibly sensitive subject to discuss, particularly within the workplace. The key to managing older workers is to treat them the same way as you would other members of the workforce.

Business Ideas & Planning

Key considerations for a start-up office 

What do you need from your first office? Here, we look at the considerations you need to make when looking.

Advice

Respirators for all needs with 3M

Here, we introduce the benefits of each of the products in the 3M respirator range.

Advice

Corporate FX: What you need to know when sending money overseas and hedging

Small businesses often lose out when it comes to transferring money overseas. Here's how to level the playing field.

Startup Funding and Grants

Funding your e-commerce venture

Andrew Weaver discusses the options to consider when injecting cash into an early-stage e-commerce business.

Business Ideas & Planning

Everything you need to know about forming a limited company

Chris Weston provides a comprehensive guide to becoming a limited company.

Startup Funding and Grants

Funding your e-commerce venture

Andrew Weaver discusses the options to consider when injecting cash into an early-stage e-commerce business.

Business Ideas & Planning

Everything you need to know about forming a limited company

Chris Weston provides a comprehensive guide to becoming a limited company.

Advice

Preparing your business for flooding

Storms have ravaged the UK over the past few weeks. Here, we take a look at the measures you need to take if your business becomes affected.

Advice

How to make company meetings worth your time

Here's how to make sure your company meetings are worth your time.

Sole trader

How to finance a business van for your small company

Do you have a small start-up and are thinking of buying a small business vehicle for the company? This quick guide covers the main options available for financing its purchase.

Advice

New business basics: Five tips for success

Beatrice Bartlay explores five fundamental business tenets for a new company owner to consider.

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

Partner content

How should I select my business broadband provider?

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?

Business Technology

Future-proof your business communications set-up

Landlines as we know them will be scrapped in 2027 – along with a raft of upcoming business changes. Here's how to ensure your communications set-up is fit for whatever the future brings

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.