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The 10 Steps you need to take to turn around a struggling business

February 20, 2017

Most companies will face some kind of cash flow problem at some point. Temporary cash flow problems or financial squeezes usually arise out of matters that are outside of the immediate control of the directors, but when problems like this happen it’s vital you take the right steps and move quickly to ensure the issue […]

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The secrets of getting a business bank loan

February 16, 2017

Borrowing money from a bank to finance your business is a lot harder than getting a loan to buy a new car or to improve your home. Banks have a number of tough rules that you need to know before you approach them for a business loan, and these rules have become even more stringent […]

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How to finance your new business – funding advice for start-ups

February 10, 2017

If you are looking to start a new business, there is a good chance that you will need some funding to get it off the ground. Most businesses will have start-up costs, whether it’s securing premises, stock, equipment or hiring people, and they will all need paying for. Some people might have savings, or a […]

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Why YOU need to understand the numbers of YOUR business

January 20, 2017

Understanding the numbers of your business is crucial to your success. If you have a grasp of key figures, and have an understanding of your business’ accounts you are more likely to make good business decisions. Knowing your way around business accounts isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone, but if you are serious about […]

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Why financial forecasting is important for startups, and how to do it painlessly

January 16, 2017

When you are launching a new business, it’s fair to say that planning your finances isn’t the most exciting aspect of of being a startup. However, it is a crucial part of understanding whether your business has a chance of succeeding And the good news is that there are now dedicated software, tools and apps […]

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What is the Bank Referral Scheme and why does it matter?

December 20, 2016

Many small business owners don’t know about the Bank Referral Scheme, but it represents a significant milestone for business funding in the UK. But what exactly is The Bank Referral Scheme, how does it work, and how will it help businesses? We asked Conrad Ford, Chief Executive of Funding Options, to explain;

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6 Things you need to know before launching a crowdfunding campaign for your business

December 12, 2016

You have a great business idea and you’re finally ready to make it a reality. However, the next obstacle you need to overcome is to find the funding you need to get your business off the ground. In recent years, the advent of alternative finance has brought startups new funding options, and driven an explosion […]

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A Guide to Company Administration for small business owners

November 28, 2016

The purpose of putting a company into administration is one that’s widely misunderstood by business owners. So to help de-mystify what’s involved and what it entails; here’s a guide to the company administration process;

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A Guide to ‘Alternative Finance’ – the new funding options for startups and small businesses

August 22, 2016

Young businesses and start-ups that are looking to raise funding have a dizzying array of choices nowadays. In fact, there has probably never been a bigger range of places to go for early-stage finance, from crowdfunding and angel investors through to government-backed start-up loans and P2P lenders. But before we take a look at the […]

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Concise guide to choosing a business bank account

April 9, 2016

One of the first things you will do when you set up a new business is to open a business bank account. The easy thing to do is to use your personal bankers to act for your new business, but this isn’t necessarily the wisest move as there are significant differences between the services you […]

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What’s my business worth? How to value a small business

January 31, 2016

When it comes to selling a business, the most important question you need to ask is – how much is it worth? There is no single formula that can be used to precisely value every private business. The seller will want to drive the price up, and potential buyers will want the opposite. Although there […]

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Bank loans and overdrafts becoming less popular as SMEs turn to alternative finance sources

December 21, 2015

The Albion Growth Report – a study of 1,000 SMEs which aims to explore the factors that help businesses grow and the issues that hold them back – has found that the popularity of bank loans and business overdrafts is declining. Instead, business owners appear to be turning to equity finance and other long-term financing options […]

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How to maximise your chances of securing a small business loan

December 3, 2015

One of the biggest challenges start-ups and fledgling businesses face is securing the funding they need to realise their potential. A majority of business owners feel that finding finance is difficult in the current climate, and in particular, that banks are reluctant to provide business loans at competitive rates. So to help you maximise your […]

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How peer-to-peer lending offers start-ups and small businesses a new funding option

October 24, 2015

If you need more finance to grow your business, there are a number of options which you might wish to consider. You could turn to your own personal savings, ask family members for help, get a bank loan, issue shares, or speak to some business angels or venture capitalists. Or you could consider peer-to-peer (P2P) […]

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What is “gearing” and how can you make it work for your business?

October 12, 2015

When people talk about ‘gearing’ in a business, they are usually referring to one of two types; Financial gearing Operational gearing Here’s a guide to what gearing is, and how you can use it to increase the returns your business makes;

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Low profit is no barrier to achieving a high price when you’re selling a business

October 9, 2015

For most business owners, selling their business is a once in a lifetime event. It’s also often the culmination of decades of hard graft so it’s important you get it right. When building up your business, you will have invested a huge amount of your time, energy and money so you will want to make […]

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How to switch business banking providers

September 27, 2015

Most individuals use the same bank for decades, if not for their lifetime. Many small businesses are the same, and stick with their high street bank even if they are missing out on far higher interest rates and lower bank charges which are available elsewhere.

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10 Top tips to ensure your crowdfunding efforts are rewarded

September 10, 2015

Business owners that are exploring some of the newer business funding options, commonly referred to as ‘Alternative Finance’, can sometimes struggle to distinguish between ‘crowdlending’ and ‘crowdfunding’, not least because they sound remarkably similar. Both describe ways of raising business finance, but there are huge differences between the two which need to be clearly understood […]

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What to do if your company is running out of cash

August 26, 2015

Starting up and sustaining a company is a tough challenge for even the most gifted of entrepreneurs or the brains behind the business world’s biggest and best ideas. Within that context, the margins for error tend to be slim, particularly when it comes to financial matters and the business of balancing your books. Here are […]

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Cashflow Forecasting – top tips to produce a better cash flow forecast

May 18, 2015

When you are starting a new business, you will most likely need to produce a cashflow forecast. If you’re looking to raise money, from either a bank loan or outside investors, a cash flow will be one of the financial forecasts that you will need to produce for prospective lenders and investors. As your business […]

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8 signs that a small business may be approaching insolvency

April 17, 2015

Although it does not necessarily herald the end of a small business, decline into insolvency can bring significant changes in company structure, operations and management style. It’s worth checking your company for characteristic signs that, if spotted and acted upon early enough, could help you to steer the business away from danger. Here are 8 […]

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Business angels or dragons – who do you trust to invest in your company?

March 30, 2015

Looking for an investor to help fund your business? You’d better make sure they’re an angel, not a dragon! Most businesses require outside investment at some point in their development. Whether you are a new business needing a cash injection to get started, or an established company looking to launch a new product or move […]

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10 late payment excuses used by customers – and how to deal with them

February 27, 2015

With late payment problems a constant burden for small business owners, we look at the most common delaying tactics used by customers, and how you can overcome these late payment excuses.

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ByteStart’s Guide to insolvency, liquidation and bankruptcy for business owners

November 27, 2014

If there’s one piece of advice to hold above all others while running your business, it’s this: cash is king. It doesn’t matter how much you are selling or the size of your profit, if your business doesn’t have enough cash to pay staff and suppliers you are in big trouble. Even successful and profitable […]

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7 ways to make sure your business gets paid on time, every time

October 14, 2014

Cash is the lifeblood of any business. And in the first few years of your start-up, the ability to get cash into your bank account faster than it goes out again will be one of the main measures of whether it is a viable business. Every year, many small businesses fail, simply because they run […]

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How to get your customers to fund your business start-up

October 10, 2014

While “entrepreneur” may occasionally be a euphemism for “out of work”, there are more and more individuals working in earnest to start a business of their own. Indeed, statistics show no fewer than 400 million such individuals globally, with over 2 million in the UK and 20 million in the US. Sadly, many of these […]

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What do you do when your business is struggling under mounting debts?

October 8, 2014

While it may be tempting to ignore a mounting debt problem in your business, it is the worst thing you could do. If your business is a limited company, there are many avenues open to you to resolve debt-related problems. So, where do you start?

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Business debt recovery – A practical guide for small businesses

October 8, 2014

If your customers do not pay you on time (or at all), then they are inflicting serious damage to your business. It is something that is so often overlooked as ‘one of those things’ small businesses just have to put up with, but with the right approach you needn’t let your business succumb to this […]

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Raising finance for your business

October 8, 2014

To raise money to grow your business, you have to convince likely lenders that your idea is profitable, or at least has the potential to be. Here, we take a look at two the two key elements that should drive your search for funding; The different types of finance available What lenders and investors look […]

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How to avoid late payment problems

August 28, 2014

The single biggest cause of small business failure in the UK is poor cash flow management, most often brought on by late payment issues. It’s therefore vitally important that you do all you can to ensure that your customers pay you on time. Here are 7 things a small or start-up business (or any organisation […]

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Using ‘Credit Limit Application Forms’ for new customers – the factors you need to consider

August 12, 2014

Credit limit application forms are a useful way of finding out the financial capabilities of a new client or customer, before you agree to provide them with any form of credit.

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How to get your business ready to sell – 10 things to do before you put up the for sale sign

April 30, 2014

So you want to sell your business? The place where you’ve spent more time than with your family; invested money which you’ve sometimes had to borrow in order to expand or buy new equipment; given your heart and torn out your guts; worked anywhere from 60 – 80 hours a week, maybe more; tackled a […]

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5 things you should know if you want to attract business angels

April 22, 2014

Angel investors can be a lifesaver for a small enterprise – not only can they supply capital investment, but they often have years of valuable experience to offer a fledgling business. As viewers of Dragons’ Den will know, securing angel investment is no easy task. Although much of the BBC show is put on for […]

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Factoring for small businesses – the pros and cons

November 21, 2013

If you’re doing well enough that your business is growing rapidly you would expect your finances to be healthy. But that isn’t always the case. If your firm is expanding quickly, you could find that your cash flow becomes a problem, even though your business is profitable. It’s a unique financial situation where you are […]

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The free tools businesses can use to credit check new clients

October 25, 2013

One of the big issues when you’re taking on a new client is whether you can trust them to pay you or not – so how best do you deal with this concern? Some people charge a deposit or part-payment upfront, but that can be off-putting to customers, who equally don’t know whether you’re trustworthy […]

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£100 million business funding scheme now open to all high growth potential companies

July 5, 2013

The Angel CoFund, which provides investment capital for businesses with the potential for rapid growth, can now be tapped by companies from all over the UK. Previously, only high-growth businesses in specific geographical areas of the UK were eligible for funding through the CoFund. However, a £50 million finance boost from the government’s Business Bank […]

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