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 […]
At some point in your journey as a small business, you’ll probably come across a common dilemma – you need an accountant.
But what’s the best solution for your business? Should you hire an in-house resource, outsource the work to a third party, or try and manage it all yourself? (more…)
Got time, money and effort to waste? I thought not! Whether you’re working on something totally new or improving something that already exists, whether you are thinking about a marketing campaign, entering a market or set of features, I am going to recommend that you test before you invest. (more…)
To think we started 2020 relieved that we had made our businesses GDPR-compliant and believing the biggest challenge for the year ahead was Brexit. Then there was talk of a deadly virus in China and, within a few short months, it became apparent that we were in the grip of a global pandemic. (more…)
A manager’s main role is to ensure that everyone else in their team is capable of doing their job to the best of their ability. Whether that be giving them the tools and equipment they need or cultivating the work environment that will allow creatives to thrive. (more…)
As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the economy and forces the UK into a second lockdown, the housing market is booming. However, while demand and house sales are high, it is taking longer for transactions to complete because of the backlog from the first lockdown, limited availability of surveyors and increasingly stringent lending criteria for borrowers. (more…)
With the UK set for its first digital Black Friday following a second national lockdown, many companies are hoping to capitalise on what is usually the busiest shopping weekend of the year. (more…)
Business accelerator programmes have become increasingly popular over the last decade. Governments are looking to support new businesses and private companies, often involving angel or VC investors, in the hope of finding early-stage opportunities they can help grow, and subsequently invest in when the time is right. (more…)
The second lockdown is causing uncertainty and worry for many business owners. However, lockdown 2.0, as it’s known by many, is the perfect time to ensure that your digital marketing campaigns are performing well, to help you gain the results you need to get through these troubled times. So, how do you make the most out of lockdown 2.0 with digital marketing? (more…)
From full national lockdown and the gradual easing of constraints, to a three-tiered regional system of restrictions and then back into another national lockdown. It’s been a long and arduous time for everyone since Covid-19 first reached our shores earlier this year, and even more so for the many hardworking business owners up and down the country trying to keep disconnected workforces operating smoothly. (more…)
When it comes to writing a business plan, there is one single golden rule that dwarfs all others – your business plan must address each of the key concerns of your potential backer.
If you fail on this first point, all the other things you should and shouldn’t do pale into insignificance and even a great business idea might fail to get backing it needs. A good business plan keeps the investor happy, so follow these 10 Dos and Don’ts to ratchet up your chances of success: (more…)
With COVID cases again on the rise and the world bracing itself for months more of strict social distancing measures, for many, the remote working environment is here to stay. While the first priority during the pandemic has been crisis response and emphasising the importance of health and safety, over time, naturally attentions have turned […]
Leading during a global pandemic is like learning to ride a bike again. You may already know how to ride a bike or how to lead your organisation, but do you know how to ride a bike – how to keep yourself and your organisation upright and moving forward – when the ground around you […]
The various devastating events of the past year have taken a significant toll on the mental health of countless people across the nation. For many, this has been made worse by the necessity to work remotely. Where some have thrived whilst working from home, many others have found that this isolation has had a detrimental […]
It’s been a bruising year for small business not just as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic but also because of the endless uncertainty around Brexit. With so many challenges, and so many unknows, it can be hard to know what to do for the best.
My new book, The Book of Real-World Negotiations: Successful Strategies from Government, Business and Daily Life not only focuses on real world negotiation examples, but a subplot that clearly comes through in the book is the power that stories possess when it comes to negotiating.
There are now more online business ventures in existence than ever before. This only stands to reason, as we have already witnessed countless shoppers migrate to the digital community when purchasing everyday goods and services. While this creates opportunities for budding entrepreneurs, there are many challenges to overcome for an online business to become a […]
Although the sole trader route, which is commonly referred to as being self employed, is the most popular way of running a business in the UK, there are significant advantages of operating as a limited company. Here, we highlight 10 of the biggest benefits a limited company gives you over working as self-employed.
Starting a business may be exciting, however there are a few things that you need to make sure that you get right from the beginning. Here are eight top tips for startup success that business expert, Carl Reader, shares in his new book, BOSS IT;
Raising investment is no walk in the park, especially in the current climate, but thorough preparation will make capturing the attention of investors and ultimately convincing them that your investment opportunity is right for their portfolio much easier.
What do I mean by “Leadership Simulator”? A Leadership Simulator is a situation where we can hone our skills, make mistakes without catastrophic results, celebrate our innate qualities and those of our teams, and initiate new ways and ideas without suppression or consequence. Developing leadership skills is important for start-ups and other small businesses to […]
Small businesses look to be facing very precarious times for at least the next year. The pandemic of 2020 has brought with it serious financial uncertainty and a global recession that it will no doubt take a while to recover from. Arguably, it is more important now than it has ever been for businesses to […]
It is often said, both interms of technology and life in general, that if you want something done well, then it is best to do it yourself. And for startups developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), this is very true.
The COVID-19 pandemic has given businesses around the world a lot to consider. As the virus has upended the lives and livelihoods of many, there are few sectors that have been immune to its effects. And naturally, many business leaders have been thinking long and hard about how they can best adapt to the circumstances […]
We live and work in unprecedented times. The term VUCA – an acronym developed by the US military to describe the state of affairs post cold war, sums it up well. VUCA – which stands for, Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous – is as true today as it was then.
2020 has been a struggle. Covid-19 has caused chaos at home and at work and it has been a particularly testing time for small business owners and startup founders. It is hard to plan for the future when we are having to deal with more changes from the government regarding Covid restrictions and we still […]
Starting one’s own business is a desire that many people have. Some harbour the ambition from a very young age, while for others it is something that grows throughout their working lives; for some, the lure is the opportunity to be their own boss, for others there is a very clear issue or gap in […]
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been around for ages, which means it’s a little ‘yesterday’ surely? Not according to Shon Alam, founder of Bidwedge, who argues that CSR is now more important than ever and outlines how small businesses can capitalise on the opportunities it offers.
As entrepreneurs, when we have an idea for a start-up, we want our business to succeed and grow. Defining your products and services is part of the journey and having responsive and agile processes is a key part in this. Just remember not to lose sight of your initial idea or concept.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has posed great challenges to the world at large: with social distancing measures transforming our day-to-day lives, upending the economy, and driving businesses into the ground, no corner of society has been left untouched by the disease.
Across the globe, we trust scientists, doctors and teachers. Over half of us consider these professions to be trustworthy (Ipsos Global Advisor). Business leaders don’t fare so well. Just one in five are described as trustworthy and, perhaps not unexpectedly, politicians are at the bottom of the heap with a mere one in ten of […]
“I don’t like promoting myself online.” I have heard this from so many people and I even used to say it myself. I’ve changed my tune, however, because there is so much that can be gained from strategic self-promotion, if done correctly. During these strange times, when we can’t network inperson, it is more important […]
Financial crises are not like your average recession or corporate fraud. They involve firms and people overborrowing, usually to speculate on shares or real estate. They turn legitimate economic booms into gluttonies of lazy assumptions, hucksterism, and recklessness. Because they’re based on debt, the loss of confidence in one specific area of trouble quickly reverberates. […]
As this period of Covid-19 continues with no obvious end in sight small businesses and startups have a lot to contend with. Many businesses are operating in a hybrid mode with some staff back in the workplace while others remain working from home. We are all having to deal with ongoing uncertainly and it’s important […]
The Government has made significant financial contributions to British business since the outbreak of COVID-19, however, now the country is reopening, it will want to recoup as much of its £330bn investment as possible through taxation. It is therefore critical that businesses are on top of their tax liabilities to ensure they don’t land themselves […]
Striking the right balance between work and play is an issue that most business owners have always had to wrestle with. And now the coronavirus pandemic means business owners and leaders are re-evaluating their work-life balance further, so we asked Sid Madge, author of ‘Meee in a Work Minute’ to share his experience on how […]
As a restaurant entering the post-Covid world , delivery and click & collect services are no longer a ‘nice to have’, they are a fundamental part of the revenue streams of the future. Get it right now, and you will effectively future proof yourself for years to come.
