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.

Employing migrant workers – Need to know

Employing non-UK nationals can bring with it a variety of benefits, may reduce workforce shortages and can help promote equality and diversity. Yet business owners need to understand how to comply with relevant legislation and make sure the candidate is legally employable in the UK.

Employing & managing staff

Small Business Insurance

What is Professional Indemnity Insurance cover?

Professional indemnity insurance cover could protect your business from financially crippling and often reputation-damaging claims by dissatisfied clients. Find out how.

Employing & managing staff

SMEs should take heart

While businesses of all sizes are starting to invest in the wellness of their employees by introducing company health schemes, gym memberships and stop-smoking initiatives, they are overlooking the UK’s biggest killer, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) says a campaign to raise awareness on the issue.

Marketing

Making a success of direct mail

The key to building a winning direct mail campaign is having a clear idea of your target market and selecting a list that matches this market.

Business management

Entrepreneur Lessons Learned: Mike Tobin, CEO of TelecityRedbus

SmallBusiness.co.uk asks a seasoned entrepreneur or inspirational manager to share their experiences and offer advice for SMEs. With the benefit of hindsight, what do they wish they'd known when they started? Charismatic Mike Tobin, CEO of TelecityRedbus offers his pearls of wisdom.

Employing & managing staff

How to deal with absence in the workplace

Staff absences can seriously affect the success of your business, your profits and your customer service, but it is possible to minimise the impact of absence by putting the proper measures in place to deal with it.

Business Technology

Top IT tips from the geeks

As we become more and more dependent on computers for business, it is important to keep up to date with changes in technology and to protect our private information. Read our top IT tips, written in conjunction with the folk at Geeks-on-wheels, to find out how to protect your business and save money on IT spending.

Employing & managing staff

Rule change could stop sickies

Proposed changes to the way official sick notes are issued may help reduce the number of non-genuine absences from work, say employment lawyers.

Business Technology

Top IT tips from the geeks

As we become more and more dependent on computers for business, it is important to keep up to date with changes in technology and to protect our private information. Read our top IT tips, written in conjunction with the folk at Geeks-on-wheels, to find out how to protect your business and save money on IT spending.

Employing & managing staff

Rule change could stop sickies

Proposed changes to the way official sick notes are issued may help reduce the number of non-genuine absences from work, say employment lawyers.

Marketing

Marketing on a budget

What is the difference between the businesses that succeed and the ones that don't? Quite simply, customers.

Office & home working

Advice on toilet and washroom facilities

What are the regulations for toilet and washroom facilities for a small, mixed-sex workforce?

Employing & managing staff

Cure needed for sick leave

Employee sick leave is proving to be a headache for nearly a quarter of small to medium-sized business owners and managers in the UK, according to research from Bibby Financial Services.

Legal advice

Starting up while still employed

It is tempting to set up as a sole trader while remaining in full-time employment, but it is wise to find out where you stand legally first. You will need to refer to your contract of employment with your current employer.

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