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.

How to take the uncertainty out of your business energy bills

Most small business owners take a forensic approach to cost-counting, so why leave business energy expenditure to chance?

Smart Energy GB

Business management

Claiming back childcare costs

I am self employed. Can I claim my childcare cost of part of it and offset it as part of my expenses?

Legal advice

GDPR three years on: make sure your small business is compliant

Many small businesses think if they just ignore the EU’s GDPR regulations, they will just go away. Lawyer Chris Cook warns SMEs they face crippling fines if they do nothing

Business management

Transition to a net zero future with green finance

Funding Options explain how your small business can become more environmentally friendly and how to fund those sustainability goals

Legal advice

How to avoid unfair dismissal claims

Simon Robinson, managing partner of RobinsonRalph, gives an overview of the basics to help you avoid paying any unnecessary compensation and explains the basis for claims of unfair dismissal.

Legal advice

Sick leave – Making changes to company sickness policy

Is it possible to make changes to our company sickness policy? Peter Done of HR consultancy Peninsula answers the question

Legal advice

Can I dismiss an employee for sending threatening text?

Two members of staff had an argument. One left the premises and I asked her not to return. She sent me a text threatening me with 'people to sort me out'. Can I dismiss her?

Running a Business

Do staff have to self-isolate if they’ve been pinged by the NHS Covid app?

Small businesses are having to close because of staff shortages caused by staff being pinged by the NHS Covid-19 app. Can you ask employees to come to work even if they’ve been pinged?

Legal advice

Can I dismiss an employee for sending threatening text?

Two members of staff had an argument. One left the premises and I asked her not to return. She sent me a text threatening me with 'people to sort me out'. Can I dismiss her?

Running a Business

Do staff have to self-isolate if they’ve been pinged by the NHS Covid app?

Small businesses are having to close because of staff shortages caused by staff being pinged by the NHS Covid-19 app. Can you ask employees to come to work even if they’ve been pinged?

Marketing

Why email marketing is still crucial in the 2020s

Jay Ripton explains why, even though social media has exploded over the past decade, email marketing is still worth your time and money

Export & Import

Top five tips for SME exporters in a post-Brexit world

Finding and selling to customers

Average small business makes £300,000 on Amazon

Employing & managing staff

Can I force my staff to come back to the office after July 19?

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