Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
News
Despite a modest improvement in the economy, small businesses are still being refused bank loans.
Accounting
There are fears that the government has plans to end its tax deferral scheme, leaving many owner-managers in the deep end. Here we speak to businesses and experts about why it's crucial to keeping SMEs afloat.
Business management
At 19, Jonathan Grubin is the managing director of MiniG Media. He launched the ForFree4U online rewards network in 2006 when he was 16, and has just joined the joint online mailing venture SendSocial as CCO.
Work life balance
As a business you can claim tax allowances. This means you can deduct a proportion of certain costs from your taxable profits and reduce your tax bill. SmallBusiness.co.uk explains.
Blog
An effective boss doesn't have to be liked. If you're too close to staff you'll be regarded as a walkover, but if you go the other way and constantly criticise your employees, then they'll stop working for you.
Legal advice
New legislation means that companies could be fined up to £500,000 for breaching the Data Protection Act. Read our guide on how to stay on the right side of the law.
Accounting
Question: If I'm paying a cleaner for four hours a week at the minimum wage, can I just pay them cash in hand without having to take into account tax and NI?
Business management
Whether you are looking to hire or buy, read our guide on how to drive your company forward with the right fleet.
Work life balance
The news that an employee is pregnant can be a bit like a surprise visit from the in-laws: you might not be ecstatic about the idea but it's one of those times in life you just have to put a brave face on things.
Finding and selling to customers
Whether it's squeezing suppliers or pricing shops out of business, small businesses are fed-up with the bully-boy tactics of the big supermarkets.
Finding and selling to customers
Success in a sales meeting often needs a subtle touch. Here three entrepreneurs give us their top tips on how to close the deal.
Business management
Nadine Hill founded her virtual office assistant business Dream PA five years ago and has benefited from the fast growth of the sector.