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.

Top five tips for sourcing new suppliers

Ian Cowley gives some guidance on expanding your network of suppliers.

Advice

Investing in a franchise

How to build or run your own franchise   

There are hundreds of businesses in the UK that have grown using franchising but often we don't know how to tell them apart from non-franchise businesses. John Hoskin explains how franchises work.

Advice

Taking your SME beyond the start-up phase

This article explores how to be successful in the stage of business that comes after starting up.

Advice

London vs the rest: Where to build your business empire

Geraint Evans discusses the factors to consider when weighing up the location of your company.

Investing in a franchise

Buying a franchise: Resale vs virgin territory

A key decision to make when investing in a franchise is whether or not to take over an existing business, as franchise lawyer Kate Sargeant discusses.

Advice

What to do when suppliers let you down 

Nothing can be more frustrating than being let down by a supplier, but what’s the best way to deal with the situation as a business owner? Sean Blanks, marketing director of cartridgesave.co.uk explains his approach.

Advice

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.

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.

Advice

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.

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.

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

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