The importance of small businesses in the UK economy
Here, we look at the challenges on the path to prosperity for small businesses, including regulation, red tape and access to finance.
Advice
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.
Here, we look at the challenges on the path to prosperity for small businesses, including regulation, red tape and access to finance.
Advice
Work life balance
Rebecca Bridges discusses the modern requirement to allow more flexible working arrangements for employees looking to have a family.
Advice
Beatrice Bartlay discusses why being honest with oneself and stopping making excuses is worthwhile behaviour as a business owner.
Advice
Here, Eugene O'Sullivan looks into exactly what to expect when embarking on your own venture.
Startup Funding and Grants
Melanie Luff explores the options to bear in mind when looking for funding as a start-up.
Advice
Ed Reeves, founder of Moneypenny, shares his thoughts on the key decisions that resulted in a step-change at his company.
Advice
Here, we look at how BSI (British Standards Institution) can help guide your business in the right direction.
Business Ideas & Planning
The UK's housing market shows no sign of slowing down: but supply is woefully inadequate.
Advice
Here, we look at how BSI (British Standards Institution) can help guide your business in the right direction.
Business Ideas & Planning
The UK's housing market shows no sign of slowing down: but supply is woefully inadequate.
Business Ideas & Planning
Hybrid companies which combine a digital platform and a real life in-demand service on the ground are on the rise. Here, Michael Bruce looks at this revolutionary business model.
Advice
Hiring someone decent for your design work can be tricky. Here are some pointers.
Advice
Here, we look at why regulation can actually be a booster for business.
Advice
David Lewis offers his perspective on the value for a small company of bringing interns on board.
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.
Partner content
Read here for 16 tried and tested tips and tricks to improve potential cash flow problems