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.

How to win new business

The focus in this article is on winning new business. Tony Wilford of Plan-it UK asked for tips on becoming a preferred supplier.

Finding and selling to customers

Business Technology

Campaign to save the cookie

Small media companies operating websites would have to restrict or abandon cookies, a widely used web advertising and e-commerce tool, if proposed legislation from the European Union is implemented.

Legal advice

Holiday pay for sick workers worries employers

A recent employment appeal tribunal ruling on holiday pay for employees on long-term sick leave could have serious implications for small businesses by potentially driving up costs.

Legal advice

Set out clear guidelines for dealing with problem employees

Whilst running a business you may come across difficult employees. When you do it is essential to have an internal disciplinary procedure in place to deal with the problem and so avoid being taken to a tribunal, says employment consultant Jim Brown.

Marketing

Using radio as an advertising medium

Rick Hopkins of the Forum of Private Business has sounded a note of caution to small businesses on using radio as an advertising medium.

Getting Online

A faster and cheaper way for SMEs to resolve .uk domain name disputes

A new dispute resolution service to help both individuals and organisations resolve disputes over .uk internet domain names faster and more fairly, has been set up.

Marketing

Free SME guide to the power of effective design

Big business knows that there are many commercial advantages to be gained by deploying the right kind of design.

Employing & managing staff

Simplify reclaiming maternity pay!

Too much red tape is preventing many small businesses from reclaiming the Statutory Maternity Pay they provide to their employees.

Marketing

Free SME guide to the power of effective design

Big business knows that there are many commercial advantages to be gained by deploying the right kind of design.

Employing & managing staff

Simplify reclaiming maternity pay!

Too much red tape is preventing many small businesses from reclaiming the Statutory Maternity Pay they provide to their employees.

Marketing

Royal Mail provides insight into direct marketing

The Royal Mail has launched a new website service to assist businesses that use Direct Marketing (DM) as an integral part of the their overall marketing strategy.

Marketing

Spamming directive could harm SMEs

Internet marketing may have become an essential plank of many businesses' growth strategies, but it is an activity attracting increasing controversy.

Marketing

Calls go up for independent audit of website ‘hits’

Obtaining independent and accurate information on internet traffic at websites is now one of the biggest concerns for managers at advertising and media companies.