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 […]
Small businesses and start-ups often provide a more flexible approach to work. That might be working from home a couple of days a week, working remotely, flexitime on core hours, flexibility for parenting duties and perhaps a more relaxed working environment. (more…)
You know things, we all know things – some useful (i before e, except after c), some less so (only one King in a pack of cards doesn’t have a moustache). But sometimes we only think we know things. For example, if you need to go to court, you must employ a solicitor … right?
Wrong! (more…)
When starting out as a small business, hiring your first employee is a big milestone. With that comes great responsibility for you as a business owner as well as an employer.
As your team grows, many more challenges come in to play, such as finding like-minded people and building the right culture. But first, you must take care of the basics. (more…)
Starting your own business from scratch can be a terrifying prospect filled with self-doubt and worries about failure and going broke.
To help you safely negotiate the path of entrepreneurship, we asked business mentor and author Brian Marcel to share his blueprint for business success. (more…)
Architectural visualisation uses computers with powerful rendering capabilities and intricate modelling methods to create digital models of spaces, structures and buildings.
Often abbreviated to arch viz, this creative process is a powerful lead generation and communication tool. (more…)
The office environment is now the frontline of employee engagement, with businesses everywhere investing in their working spaces for the benefit of staff.
The right working space will improve productivity and the bottom line through a series of benefits that we’ll detail below. (more…)
So it’s February and chances are you’ve just paid your personal tax bill. Having already paid your corporation tax.
As a small company director, it’s always useful to look at your combined tax bill (both personal and company) to ensure you’re not robbing Peter to pay Paul. So we asked Jonathan Amponsah of The Tax Guys to uncover ways you can reduce your tax bills and boost your cash balance this year. (more…)
Becoming a business owner and an entrepreneur is deciding to become a leader. As a leader, your actions, behaviours and attitudes decide the ultimate fate of your business.
With leadership being vital, Florian Bay, explores some of the pitfalls leaders can fall into, and the steps you can take to lead your business to success. (more…)
More and more of our computing, whether it’s storing data or running applications, is being carried out in the cloud.
But what about the desktop? The collection of things that make up your day-to day computing. (more…)
Most UK businesses have just a few short weeks before finding out what the new legislation will be regarding IR35.
The Spring Budget is due on 11 March, and the thought of sweeping reforms for their payroll system. on top of Brexit uncertainty, is only going to cause more frustration for businesses. (more…)
With the UK finally set to leave the UK, businesses are now waiting to see what the post-Brexit trading relationship with the EU will be like. With a lack of clarity on what the future holds, Ritam Gandhi, founder of Studio Graphene, shares steps that UK tech companies can take to future-proof their business.
Tech Nation, the UK network for ambitious tech entrepreneurs, today reveals the 30 companies joining its prestigious Upscale programme for the UK’s most exciting and fastest growing scaleup tech companies.
A closer look at what bridging loans are, how they work and what you need to look out for
In many cases, acting as a broker and introducer for a business can be more profitable than being the company that actually lends the money. Typically, there can be 5 or 10 times more brokers than there are lenders in an industry and they will usually receive a fee for every application, or a commission […]
Getting funds together to accelerate your venture won’t be a quick task. Choosing the wrong fundraising activities can not only prolong the process, it can even deter investors from backing your business. So, what are the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to bring in funding for their companies?
Leadership is one of the most written about topics in business. You can be an ‘Authentic Leader’, a ‘Facilitative Leader’ or an ‘Agile Leader’. Some of these labels may have currency, others do not. What is true is that there is no one, indisputable, formula for effective leadership.
When it comes to buying or 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.
The betting industry has developed a significant relationship with one of the most popular games in the world – football. Through sponsorships, advertising and other various deals, football and betting have become strongly linked to one another.
The majority of small business owners recognise the power of digital marketing and that a website is a must have. With limited funds and marketing budget, most small businesses tend to buy their website from an agency or designer that does everything. However, as Tim Butler, founder of Innovation Visual explains, this might not be […]
For the past 3,000 years, money has become an essential part of the way we exchange goods and services. It has helped humanity to survive and grow, enabling people to exchange their hard work for food, shelter, transport and more.
Despite uncertainties over Brexit and a volatile political climate, the number of small businesses in the UK continues to grow year on year. According to the Federation of Small Businesses, there were 5.8 million new startups in 2019, representing a 3.5% increase on the previous year.
According to the founding father of Microsoft Bill Gates: “If your business is not on the internet, then your business will be out of business.” The statement is bold and even controversial, but the Internet is without doubt, an excellent opportunity to tell as many people as possible about your business.
The APPG’s (All-Party Parliamentary Group) chair for Gambling Related Harm, Carolyn Harris, has recently called for further reform of the Gambling Act 2005, and the UK Gambling Commission, to help improve the protection of vulnerable people from the industry.
The 6 steps you need to take to develop a coherent and realistic financial plan of your business
Complaints about poor service are increasing across the UK telecoms sector, by both consumers and businesses alike. Whether it is missed appointments, late setup, poor quality connections or simply “it doesn’t work”, customers can now seek redress for sub-standard telecoms performance.
whatever your business idea is, here are 5 things you need to do before you make the leap and start your own business
We no longer live in a Product Economy, where organisations are all powerful, we are now in the Customer Economy, which means rethinking your approach to business
It is virtually impossible to eradicate staff sickness absence. However, for small businesses, the costly nature of absenteeism can be extremely disruptive to the day to day running of the business.
As we head into 2020, one thing is for sure, and that is that 2019 was the year influencer marketing reached the mainstream. So how can businesses successfully use influencer marketing to reach more customers and grow sales?
You have a great business concept. Now you just need to sell it – not to customers, well, not yet. But to your backer. Your top sales tool is a business plan. But take care. Potential investors banish the vast majority of plans to the bin, so you need to make sure business plan does […]
A credit score is a reflection of a person’s or business’ creditworthiness. As a general rule, the higher your credit score, the more trustworthy you are to lenders. But does your personal credit rating affect your business credit score?
Out of Home (OoH) advertising are any ads you see whilst out and about in your daily life, such as fixed signage and billboards.
According to the Oil & Gas UK Workforce Report, there are around 280,000 people working offshore in the UK alone. If you’re interested in a career working offshore, whether it be on an oil rig or working, research vessel or servicing and installing wind farms, here are eight things you’ll need to know before you […]
It’s Christmas! Well, nearly – and that means festive gifts and the goodwill. If you’re smart, your generosity can be tax deductible, so we asked Jonathan Amponsah of The Tax Guys to explain how you can claim some Christmas tax reliefs, and reduce your tax bill whilst still keeping the taxman happy.
Tis the season for office parties and dinners and, for many business owners, speeches, pep-talks and toasts. Your Christmas party is an opportunity to bring everyone together as a group, and with the right words, inspire your team as you head into another year.
Some businesses will work on Christmas Eve but then close down until Thursday, 2nd January. It may feel as if everyone is off work and every office is closed (especially with many schools closed until the 6th or 7th of January as well) – but that’s not entirely accurate. As a small business owner you […]
