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How to start a business
In the second part of our guide on starting a business in 2010, we show you how to write a business plan and where to get funding.
News
Start-ups need family and friends
Small businesses say friends and family provide more support when starting out than banks and government agencies.
January sales on ice
Snow and the VAT increase have been blamed for the worst January sales in 15 years.
Dad’s the word
Small businesses should start preparing for changes in paternity laws, say legal experts.
Insolvency drop ‘calm before the storm’
Fewer companies went bust in the last quarter of 2009 than in the third quarter.
'You're hired'
Businesses are set to increase their staff levels by hiring more apprentices.
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Latest questions answered
Q: Final warning Q: Late payment penalties Q: Tax deductions Q: Reduced hours Q: Overdraft pulled Q: Paying for equipment Q: Paid leave Q: Setting up from abroad
Meeting menaces: The Interruptor
John Cleese reveals how to deal with serial interruptors without giving in or getting into a fight.
Meeting menaces: The Dominator
This short video with John Cleese has some useful advice about how to deal with people who throw their weight around in meetings.
Jamie's kitchen: part three
Jamie Oliver has to deal with a crisis in the kitchen as his team learn an important lesson about accountability.
Great British inventions
Marc Barber 26/01/2010
Being British sometimes feels synonymous with a resigned acceptance of disappointment. A feeling football, cricket and tennis fans know all too well. Having brought these great sports to the world, we can now quietly murmur into our pints that we’re ‘not bad’ at most of them. (1 comments) Have your say »
Brave new world
Penny Proffit 21/01/2010
As Spanish banking giant Santander completes its rebranding of Abbey National and Bradford and Bingley this month, and American conglomerate Kraft swallows up Cadbury, many may feel a pang of sadness as the darlings of British business keep diminishing. But like it or not the world moves on, and as a small business it could be beneficial to heed this message. Have your say »
How to improve your credit rating
Guest Blogger 04/02/2010
Credit makes the business world go round. And when it stops, you may find your plans to start up, stay afloat or expand come to a grinding halt. Now more than ever it’s important to make sure you have a good credit history. Annelies Van de Velde on behalf of Aqua Credit Card gives her top tips on how to get into your creditor’s good books. Have your say »
IT Trends for SMEs in 2010
Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with network support company Lifeline IT to ensure your business' IT systems are in the best shape for 2010. Enter our short survey and your company could win two hours of free IT consultancy. To take part click here