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.

Five ways to win government contracts

The Government recently announced the launch of an online portal to enable businesses to easily view and bid for contracts advertised by Government buyers at both local and national levels.

Business management

Legal advice

Business Partnership with friends? You’ll need a shareholders agreement

If you are looking to set up a business in partnership with friends, then it's imperative to get professional advice and draw up a shareholders agreement, says Nigel Lander, specialist finance adviser at Business Link for London.

Business management

Making a success of flexible working

Providing flexible working opportunities for employees is not only the law, it can also benefit the business, according to employed parents charity Working Families.

Employing & managing staff

Dealing with staff absenteeism

Tesco are currently piloting non-payment of sick pay for the first three days at some of their stores in a bid to reduce absenteeism.

Buying and selling a company

Valuing a business to buy

If you are looking to buy a business, there are several factors that can influence the price you will pay.

Business management

Improve your forecasting skills

Forecasting is one of the cornerstones on which your business is built, and as such, should not be a task that is hurried or completed without due care and attention.

Business management

Assess your security risks

Business owners are being advised to examine security risks to their staff and business by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Business management

Ten tips to reduce waste

UK businesses could save a staggering £3 billion a year by putting more effort into recycling and reducing waste, according to Government advice group Envirowise.

Business management

Assess your security risks

Business owners are being advised to examine security risks to their staff and business by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Business management

Ten tips to reduce waste

UK businesses could save a staggering £3 billion a year by putting more effort into recycling and reducing waste, according to Government advice group Envirowise.

Employing & managing staff

Avoid discrimination headaches

Business owners have to be extremely careful not to discriminate on grounds of age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and many, many more.

Marketing

Price hikes get the message across

If you are looking to announce a price increase, its important to test the market first with a few customers by telephone or face-to-face, to gauge reaction.

Business Technology

Is your website legal and accessible to all internet users?

A report from the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) says that hundreds of businesses may face legal action because their websites are not accessible to disabled customers.

Finding and selling to customers