Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
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.
Many people regard salespeople as liars, cheats and commercial vultures. Some salespeople may be like this; while others can be more successful by being honest and responsible. Either way, you will have to become a salesperson if your business is to survive.
Finding and selling to customers
Finding and selling to customers
This guide will help to get you thinking about who will want to buy your product or service, why they will buy, and, perhaps most importantly, how much they are willing to pay.
Business Technology
Most businesses are aware of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which aims to stop discrimination faced by disabled people in accessing a company's goods or services, but many don't realise that accessibility also applies to their websites.
Marketing
Online marketing is becoming increasingly important to UK business, as recent research from the World Advertising Research Center (WARC) suggests.
Finding and selling to customers
The first step in gaining sales is to plan and organise.
Finding and selling to customers
If you are looking to set up a mail order business, there are several issues you need to be aware of, such as legislation that applies to distance selling, delivery of goods and returns and data protection.
Business management
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.
Legal advice
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
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.
Legal advice
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
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
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
If you are looking to buy a business, there are several factors that can influence the price you will pay.
Business management
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 Technology
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
Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.
Business Technology
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
Many factors can affect products’ journeys from A to B. Here are some tips for best practice for successful shipping in the modern world