Category

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.

Rising Star: Paul Kelly

Championed by the likes of Delia Smith and Jamie Oliver, Paul Kelly started KellyBronze turkeys more than 20 years ago with his dad Derek Kelly.

Business management

Business Technology

Cost of building a website – expense or capital?

We are a start-up business currently having a bespoke website built (total cost will be around £10k). Will this be treated as a capital cost or trading expense by HMRC?

Finding and selling to customers

Retaining and developing existing customers

In the effort to win new business, it's often easy to forget what a significant revenue stream existing customers can be.

Employing & managing staff

Minimum working age

What is the legal age for a young person to work on a building site?

Marketing

How can I promote my small retail outlet?

Get people to pay attention to your window displays. An attractive shop window display should draw passers by to look and come in to buy.

Business management

Rising star: Stephen Brooks

Stephen Brooks started his events management company, PM Squared, after having worked for ten years for a conference and events firm.

Employing & managing staff

Training: the key to retaining staff

Learning on the job can lead to a more motivated and productive workforce and enable your staff to keep up with the latest trends in areas such as technology and people management.

Employing & managing staff

Redundancy: softening the blow

It is never easy making someone you know redundant. But it can be even harder when you've worked closely with them in a small business environment.

Employing & managing staff

Training: the key to retaining staff

Learning on the job can lead to a more motivated and productive workforce and enable your staff to keep up with the latest trends in areas such as technology and people management.

Employing & managing staff

Redundancy: softening the blow

It is never easy making someone you know redundant. But it can be even harder when you've worked closely with them in a small business environment.

Office & home working

Karen Bremner: beyond The Apprentice

It seems there’s nothing Apprentice star Karen Bremner won’t try. Having worked as a solicitor to the RAF, and trained as a stockbroker, she has now set up her own clothing boutique. One year on and her turnover has hit £250,000.

Business management

Saira Khan: nobody’s apprentice

Feisty Saira Khan shot to fame in 2005 as a finalist in the TV show The Apprentice. She talks to SmallBusiness.co.uk about her baby skincare company, Miamoo, and why the glass ceiling for women in business needs to be smashed.

Marketing

Six of the best SEO tips for your website

This top six list takes the highest average scoring SEO ranking factors on search engines, with my comments attached. If you want to do the right things to develop a successful website you should take on board this advice.

Employing & managing staff

Who pays for training?

As an employer, am I legally bound to pay for training courses for employees or can I get them to pay for it?

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.

Business Technology

Friendly guide – top tips for small businesses switching to VoIP

With the landline shutdown coming fast, there’s never been a better time to switch to VoIP. Don’t let your small business be left behind!

Export & Import

Avoid delays with exports and imports

Many factors can affect products’ journeys from A to B. Here are some tips for best practice for successful shipping in the modern world