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 should I go about pitching to investors?

GrowthAccelerator business coach Keith Angus discusses preparing your small business for investment with a great investor pitch.

Advice

Business Ideas & Planning

Five things you should know before starting your first business

Abby Hardoon presents some words of wisdom to consider prior to setting up your own company.

Work life balance

How direct selling can help achieve a work and family life balance

In this article, Paula Gorry, UK business development manager at crafting company Stampin' Up! explores direct selling as a viable business model for mums.

Advice

Employees feel KPIs are unattainable

We started introducing key performance indicators recently. Many of our employees easily surpass targets, but two individuals believe the targets are unattainable. What options do we have considering we believe the employees are not up to the job?

Advice

Why England’s World Cup qualification could mean a boost to the economy

Rich Stevens at IG explains the positive spillover effect that England’s World Cup qualification could give rise to this summer.

Business Ideas & Planning

Escaping the city: Early-stage business tips from a former broker

Robert James left the city behind and bought a company selling shutters. Here, he shares his early-stage business journey.

Business Ideas & Planning

Does registering my company name give me trade mark protection?

I’ve just set up a business and registered it at Companies House. Does that give me protection and prevent anyone else from using my business name?

Advice

Getting to the forefront of your industry: Five pointers

Entrepreneur Beatrice Bartlay reveals the most important things to remember in the early stages of business.

Business Ideas & Planning

Does registering my company name give me trade mark protection?

I’ve just set up a business and registered it at Companies House. Does that give me protection and prevent anyone else from using my business name?

Advice

Getting to the forefront of your industry: Five pointers

Entrepreneur Beatrice Bartlay reveals the most important things to remember in the early stages of business.

Advice

LIBOR manipulation and small businesses

David Webster and Mary Hodgson of law firm Russell-Cooke discuss the considerations SMEs should make in relation to LIBOR and banks.

Startup Funding and Grants

Start-up loan secured by couple of 73 and 71

Royal Navy veteran David Pledger, 71, and wife Sandra, 73, have become Britain’s oldest entrepreneurs by securing a loan of £25,000 to start up their new company.

Advice

How a small business can construct an online brand

Marketing expert Kath Dawson assesses the key approaches to building a strong internet brand.

Advice

Put some thought into your Christmas party

The Christmas party is a good way of showing your appreciation for your employees' efforts during the year. Damian Clarkson gives some tips on preparation.

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.