Running a Business

This section takes you through every important aspect of how to run a successful business. It offers expert guides and advice articles on the key elements of business management such as employing staff, finding customers, marketing and sales, pricing, people management, office and home working, business technology and everything else an entrepreneur must tackle in order to succeed.

The essential IT tools for small businesses

SmallBusiness.co.uk sorts out the must-haves from the nice-to-haves in SME technology.

Business Technology

Finding and selling to customers

The customer – how to spot and ride their wave

Ken Thurber, author of new book Big Wave Surfing, Extreme Technology Development, Management, Marketing and Investing, explains how change can be an opening to opportunity.

Employing & managing staff

What I’m reading now: Get The Job You Really Want

Entrepreneur Michael Kraftman reviews James Caan's latest book on finding success in the job market.

Legal advice

Can an employee work while signed off?

I have an employee who is about to have an operation and needs six weeks off to recover. They want to do some work at home after three weeks.

Employing & managing staff

Finding the right recruit

SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to company directors about how to minimise the hassle of hiring staff.

Finding and selling to customers

Secrets of sales

Four seasoned sales experts tell SmallBusiness.co.uk what their experiences have taught them.

Employing & managing staff

The pros and cons of performance-related pay

SmallBusiness.co.uk investigates the benefits of having a variable element to remuneration.

Legal advice

Should I give away equity to staff for no investment?

I run a start-up business and want to offer 5-10 per cent equity to two members of staff, without requiring investment from them. How can I make this an exciting offer but what protection do I need?

Employing & managing staff

The pros and cons of performance-related pay

SmallBusiness.co.uk investigates the benefits of having a variable element to remuneration.

Legal advice

Should I give away equity to staff for no investment?

I run a start-up business and want to offer 5-10 per cent equity to two members of staff, without requiring investment from them. How can I make this an exciting offer but what protection do I need?

Employing & managing staff

Taking on an apprentice

During National Apprenticeship Week, SmallBusiness.co.uk provides some tips on making the internship work.

Employing & managing staff

Scrapping the Default Retirement Age

SmallBusiness.co.uk looks at the practical issues that will be faced by company directors when the Default Retirement Age (DRA) is binned.

Legal advice

How do I reduce hours and pay?

I run a small office of 12 people and wish to reduce hours and pay. There's no allowance for this within the contract. How much notice should be given to employees? Do contracts need to be revised or is an addendum to the contract enough?

Business Technology