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.

Why sharing opportunities with competitors is a viable business option

In the first of a new three-part series, Peter Rouse argues that 'co-optition', when companies interact with partial congruence of interests, can be fruitful in business.

Advice

Business Ideas & Planning

Why a de-risking process is necessary for entrepreneurs

Simon Middleton outlines the importance of a rigorous de-risking exercise when approaching a business concept.

Work life balance

How working mums can simplify their day-to-day routine

Nicola Bird presents the case for the empowerment of more women to boost the economy with an army of flexible businesses.

Advice

Vesting schedules: What to know

In the third part of his first series of articles on sharing a business, Peter Rouse discusses the concept of vesting in relation to an asset and the shares in a company.

Business Ideas & Planning

Establishing ownership and reward in a start-up company

In the second part of a series, Peter Rouse investigates how entrepreneurs can navigate shared ownership in the early stages of business.

Advice

Ten tips for making your early stage company a success

Here are ten pointers to ensuring you maximise your potential as an early-stage company.

Advice

Six things small businesses need to know about image licensing

Unlicensed use of images can result in a big fine for small businesses. Rebecca Swift, head of creative planning for iStock, explains how to avoid trouble when selecting images for branding campaigns.

Advice

Sharing ownership in start-ups

In part one of a series, Peter Rouse discusses the concept of shared ownership in new businesses.

Advice

Six things small businesses need to know about image licensing

Unlicensed use of images can result in a big fine for small businesses. Rebecca Swift, head of creative planning for iStock, explains how to avoid trouble when selecting images for branding campaigns.

Advice

Sharing ownership in start-ups

In part one of a series, Peter Rouse discusses the concept of shared ownership in new businesses.

Startup Funding and Grants

Securing funding for a small business

From family and friends to business loans, we explore the avenues to consider when you are looking to secure funding for your small business.

Advice

What small companies can be doing to drive business growth

Tim Pat Dufficy discusses how small businesses can rebuild and re-evaluate following a long period of economic uncertainty.

Investing in a franchise

Adapting your business model to become a franchise

Beatrice Bartlay discusses the ins and outs of converting your company into a franchise format.

Business Ideas & Planning

What makes a successful entrepreneur?

Simon Middleton believes there is a specific pattern which highlights those entepreneurs most likely to succeed. He tells all to SmallBusiness.co.uk.

Business Technology

Why you should upgrade your tech now rather than later

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

Should I buy a franchise or go solo?

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

16 ways to improve your business cash flow

Read here for 16 tried and tested tips and tricks to improve potential cash flow problems

Business management

How to create good cashflow habits

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