Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
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.
There may be no guidebook to being a visionary but here, Christian Nellemann explores the things you can do to stir up creativity and generate ideas for your business.
Business Ideas & Planning
Business Ideas & Planning
Henry Catchpole looks at why putting shareholder agreements in place before the union can protect the company, the friendship and the future for everyone involved.
Business Ideas & Planning
David Bird discusses the character traits required to be successful in self employment and what to consider before taking the plunge.
Work life balance
Nicola Semple, founder of the Mum's Business Academy, shares her three top tips for managing a start-up with a family in tow.
Advice
Here, Maite Barón emphasises the importance of having a clear vision for your business, whatever its size.
Advice
Here's how good presentation of your product can be a marketing tool as of itself.
Advice
Amy Paxton, senior employment consultant at Croner, explores the course of action to take when an employee is connected to a criminal offence.
Advice
Making sure you send your direct mail in the right type of envelope may not be top of your priorities, but it's key to getting the most bang for your marketing buck.
Advice
Amy Paxton, senior employment consultant at Croner, explores the course of action to take when an employee is connected to a criminal offence.
Advice
Making sure you send your direct mail in the right type of envelope may not be top of your priorities, but it's key to getting the most bang for your marketing buck.
Advice
The short-term mindset of downsizing is more practical for larger businesses than small, argues David Cliff in this piece.
Work life balance
E-commerce expert Simon Horton talks about how he manages to balance work and home life as an entrepreneur running his own business.
Startup Funding and Grants
Craig Peterson looks at the investor's perspective in finding the most attractive businesses.
Advice
Ian Cowley reveals some low-cost ways of connecting better with your employees.
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