When you need to find business funding fast, what are your options and what are the quickest ways for you to secure more finance? We talk you through the most viable fast funding options for SMEs who need finance in a hurry, and include practical tips on how to ensure your funding application goes as […]
The area of tax for small businesses is not straightforward, in fact it can be a real minefield for the unwary. However, if you take a little time, and work with your accountant, it’s usually possible to find ways to save some tax. To help you think about ways you and your business could pay […]
Stress is an inevitable part of everyday life and our bodies are hard-wired to respond to it. However, it’s clear stress is taking a negative toll on businesses across the country.
Poor mental health costs employers between £1,205 and £1,560 per employee every year. This cost is for all employees, not just those who are ill, so we asked Brendan Street of Nuffield Health to show how employers can cut the cost of stress. (more…)
The coronavirus pandemic led to many UK businesses in the entertainment industry closing their doors. Only in the last few weeks have some started to re-open under strict social distancing guidelines (meaning significantly reduced capacity and revenue). (more…)
Financial mis-selling is surprisingly common. From mis-sold taxpayer-backed loans to problems with interest rate swaps, new cases appear in the public eye on an unsettlingly regular basis. (more…)
It won’t be news to any startup that the investment industry has taken a hit during the pandemic. Every new deal is being viewed with caution and the brakes are being put on by VCs, and angels alike, while so much uncertainty pervades the markets. (more…)
So far, 2020 has been a year to forget for those operating in a whole range of industries. But few have been harder hit than the travel sector. There is cautious optimism that the worst is behind us, but the industry faces changes that will linger for the long term, perhaps permanently. (more…)
Have you ever ended a presentation and wondered if your audience got the point or was convinced to invest in your venture? If you have, chances are you did not properly prepare your closing.
Here, Vinette Hoffman-Jackson of Toastmasters International explains how to close your speech, pitch or presentation successfully. (more…)
As small business owners, the switch to virtual communications means we’re spending big chunks of every week in online meetings, joining webinars as well as dealing with social media.
We asked Lyn Roseaman to share her advice and tips on how you can get the most from communicating online. (more…)
Your business is your lifeblood – you have poured your passion and determination into it to make it a success. You’ve spent countless late nights and weekends to create a business you are proud of, but how can you ensure your small business remains profitable as you grow? (more…)
Starting a business of your own can prove to be a very rewarding experience from a long-term point of view. Still, even the most successful ventures suffered from “growing pains” during their initial stages. These stressful situations can take a toll upon the mindset of any business owner or freelancer. (more…)
In two years, what decisions will you have wish you had made today?
It’s a question that leaders should continually ask. But the pressure of day-to-day business means that thinking about the future can feel like a luxury in many companies. (more…)
Employees need to know that leaders and managers at all levels believe the wellbeing of staff really does matter; that they are committed to providing the resources and doing whatever is necessary to make their workplace a good place to work. Here are five ways to help ensure that happens:
Getting noticed online is harder than ever. Not only are there more websites out there than ever before but the established players in most niches are firmly entrenched at the top of SERPs. If you want your website to get anywhere near those coveted top three spots you need to look at ways to improve […]
As the UK remains subject to strict measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has identified a surge in ‘coronavirus-themed’ malicious apps, websites, phishing emails and messages that seek to steal confidential or sensitive information. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has even suggested that the UK has been the most severely targeted country […]
Life is full of surprises, any one of which can knock us off our feet. In business this can range from the printer going on strike in the middle of a huge collation job, to a key customer taking their business elsewhere.
We now know that although the lockdown is being slowly lifted there are still plenty of businesses that will remain closed or at best will operate at a reduced capacity. Unless you are one of the lucky ones doing really well during lockdown, you may be wondering how you will survive.
From dodgy design, to a lack of information, instinctively when you land on a website you will know whether it feels like a website you can trust. Subtle cues as to whether you can trust a website become even more important if you are considering parting with your cash.
One of the main benefits of all the technology that surrounds us these days is that it allows us to do things that would have been outsourced in the past. And when you’re running a start-up or a small business on a shoestring it makes sense to go down the DIY route for all sort […]
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme opened on 20 April, and the uptake has been huge; at the start of May, claims had been made for a quarter of private sector workers. Under the scheme, employers can claim 80% of staff wages from the Government, up to a cap of £2,500 per month; they can choose […]
Where do you stand legally if you have outstanding contracts that you cannot fulfil through no fault of your own, or have contracts with others for the supply of goods or services which they cannot fulfil? We asked Amanda Hamilton, Chief Executive of the NALP to outline the legal implications.
Many of us are feeling much more anxious than usual as lockdown continues to disrupt our lives and our businesses. Anxiety can make it hard for us to concentrate, be creative, and adversely affect our ability to adapt to the changing business conditions, to make the most of any opportunities, and to plan creatively for […]
With unprecedented numbers of people working from home, businesses have to ensure staff are safeguarded when working remotely. We asked Scott Lester, Cyber Lab Manager at 6point6 to explain how businesses can ensure cyber security for remote workers.
Coronavirus is changing how businesses attract and hire great employees. Charles Hipps, Founder and CEO of Oleeo, looks at how the recruitment process is having to adapt to COVID-19 and discusses the opportunities and challenges posed by the pandemic.
With most businesses in the UK now having a good portion of employees working from home, and with the likelihood of an increase in remote working going forward, we asked author Andy Salkeld to share his tips on how teams can stay connected when based at different locations.
Covid-19 came at us out of “left field“. It was sudden and brutal. A wave of disbelief followed that disrupted our normal working pattern significantly, and maybe, irretrievably. For all of us who run a business, there is a deep uncertainty right now. We are worried about what will happen to the business we’ve worked […]
There are many cost overruns which can cripple what might have otherwise been a successful business venture. For businesses operating in the delivery space, one of the most prevalent concerns involves the costs associated with shipping products to the end user.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a seismic shift in how we do business. With face-to-face meetings being replaced by online meetings, calls and conferences, many of us have had to rapidly adapt to new technologies. So how can you communicate more effectively online?
The coronavirus pandemic has meant businesses across the UK have had to rapidly embrace remote working. The scale and speed that businesses have had to adapt to employees working from home has meant a steep learning curve for many small business owners.
During the COVID-19 lockdown many businesses have discovered they are perfectly capable of working remotely and delivering most of what they do online. Sadly, this isn’t the case for millions of businesses working in fields like hairdressing, massage, physiotherapy, children’s parties, cleaning or catering. But this doesn’t mean that business needs to completely stop.
The economic impact of coronavirus is still unknown but is likely to be enormous. In this unprecedented time, there are many uncertainties regarding how businesses can remain viable. Ercan Demiralay, Partner at Wellers, one of the UK’s leading accountancy firms, discusses the measures SMEs can take to alleviate the strain of coronavirus without relying on […]
Recruiting is evolving with technology at a frenetic pace. The future will be more machine-driven than perhaps ever before in the ever-expanding quest for recruiters who have to ensure they are hiring the best quality candidates.
Figures released by the banking lobby group, UK Finance, showed that only one in five UK businesses who have formally applied for government-backed loans have been granted emergency funding during the COVID-19 lockdown. But is taking out a loan under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme the best option?
When done correctly, affiliate marketing can help generate sales and help you make more profits. If you’re thinking of trying affiliate marketing for the first time, here’s some advice to help you get it right.
If you are an athlete how can you create a startup and grow a business as you transition from your sports career? Former pro basketball player, Ferran Martinez knows exactly what’s needed, so we asked him to share his top tips on how to turn a sporting career into a successful business.
The current COVID-19 pandemic is presenting business leaders with some very difficult decisions. At times like these, there is an even greater spotlight on the actions and behaviours of those leading businesses. Here, we look at the key issues leaders need to keep in mind to avoid damaging their reputation and losing trust.
The UK Government has announced an array of support schemes to help businesses struggling to operate during the coronavirus outbreak. Here, Christina Nawrocki, Managing Partner at Wellers, one of the UK’s leading accountancy firms, discusses the range financial assistance available to businesses affected by COVID-19.
More than 750,000 self-employed people in the UK could miss out on Government support during the coronavirus pandemic, a new analysis has shown.
