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.

Starting my own business: What do I need to know?

Here, we look at the basic considerations to reflect on before starting up.

Business Ideas & Planning

Business Ideas & Planning

Pop-up shops a common choice as millions aspire to start up

Some 11.6 million people plan to start their own business within the next two years. Some of these will utilise pop-up shops to begin their entrepreneurial journey.

Business Ideas & Planning

Why the sharing economy offers more opportunities than threats for SMEs

Here, Jane Ollis looks at the practice of sharing assets and how it has turned into a business proposition.

Advice

Majority of businesses optimistic with long-term growth aspirations

The General Election may be in the balance, causing uncertainty for company owners, but long-term aspirations are positive for small businesses, according to a report.

Advice

How the Budget affects northern business

Here, we look at how companies in the North are affected by George Osborne's pre-election announcement.

Advice

How to improve brand awareness with promotional materials 

Here, we look at the benefits of using promotional materials for marketing.

Advice

Top tips for making your small business a big success

In this piece, Rich Preece presents five critical pointers to getting your business right in its early stages.

Business Ideas & Planning

Why it pays to be different: Disruptive businesses changing the world

Whether it’s furthering the sharing economy or simply offering a more convenient version of an existing service, Michael Bruce asks, how can businesses create their own market-altering offer?

Advice

Top tips for making your small business a big success

In this piece, Rich Preece presents five critical pointers to getting your business right in its early stages.

Business Ideas & Planning

Why it pays to be different: Disruptive businesses changing the world

Whether it’s furthering the sharing economy or simply offering a more convenient version of an existing service, Michael Bruce asks, how can businesses create their own market-altering offer?

Advice

A look at CCTV drain surveys

Here, we look at what a CCTV drain survey is and what the benefits are.

Advice

Saving money on business vehicles

Here, we look at the benefits of leasing a business vehicle over buying.

Business Ideas & Planning

Five ways to disrupt a stagnant industry

Here, Jonathan Russell of SaaS company Bizdaq presents a guide to help small business owners make the leap to becoming a disruptive business.

Advice

Key strategies for SMEs to save money on foreign exchange

Jack Horton, CEO of Whites FX, presents some key strategies for all SMEs looking to save money on their foreign currency exchange.

Partner content

What are the funding options for hospitality businesses?

Hospitality businesses have faced a number of challenges in the last couple of years. Find out what funding and support is available.

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.

Employing & managing staff

The importance of vocational rehabilitation services for SMEs

In Aviva’s latest SME research*, 57 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that nowadays employees expect benefits to protect against loss of income or earnings. What do you offer your people?

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