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Smallbusines.co.uk has teamed up with Robina Every, managing director at Card Connection, which specialised in the franchised distribution of greeting cards, to provide five east steps to make a franchise work.

A guide to franchise agreements

If you have decided to go down the franchise route, you need to be sure that the contract you are signing suits your plans and doesn’t tie you in to anything unexpected. To ensure that this is the case, the franchise agreement or contract is all-important. SmallBusiness.co.uk offers a list of things to look out for in the agreement.

How to choose a franchise

A good franchise scheme is not just about having a good idea, it’s about the franchisor’s ability to prove the idea, have the available resources, both human and financial, and build the infrastructure to ensure the brand can be replicated by franchisees. SmallBusiness.co.uk offers some practical advice on starting a franchise.

Don't Miss

Karin Ridges: Mad about ethical businesses

Rising Star: Karin Ridges

Karin Ridges founded Mad Promotions, a PR company for ethical businesses, back in 2005. Since then she has started internet TV company Veggie Vision

Start-ups and universities

The UK is world-class when it comes to science and innovations. Increasingly, these great ideas are being turned into commercial reality

Rising star: Piers Daniell

Still only 26, Piers Daniell has taken internet service provider Fluidata from the confines of his bedroom to a £2 million business in the space of two years

Start A Business News

Entrepreneurs 'need to make risky decisions'

The success of a business is down to the risky decisions the owner makes, according to new research from the University of Cambridge.

New start-up programme approved

Lord Peter Mandelson has given the go-ahead for a new £35 million scheme to create over 12,500 new businesses in the north-west.

North-east firms to get boost

Almost £2 million of European funding has been given to the Institute of Digital Innovation (IDI) to help start 90 new companies in the north-east.

Entrepreneurs want to be their own bosses

The main aim of European entrepreneurs is to be their own boss, as opposed to their US counterparts who say making lots of money is their main motivation.

Start-up numbers drop

November saw the lowest number of start-up companies created since the dotcom crash in 2001, dropping by over a third compared to two years ago.

Super SMEs emerge from downturn

'Super' small businesses have emerged from the economic slowdown and are outperforming the rest as they have not fallen into the 'classic pitfalls' some companies do.

Disabled people 'should be supported in start-ups'

Disabled people should be supported in starting their own business, with many choosing to do so because they have difficulty finding paid employment, one organisation says.

Mandelson unveils £30 million tech fund

Technology firms who want to expand their business and raise equity finance of up to £2 million have been given access to £30 million in a new technology fund.

Dragons' Den 'dumbs down business'

Small firms feel shows like Dragons' Den and The Apprentice dumb down the public perception of businesspeople.

UK needs to help start-ups

The country needs to work collectively to help people with good ideas to start up their own business.

Events Calendar

Business Startup

28th November, Olympia, London

Protecting Your Business

6th September, Best Western Country Hotel, Caerphilly

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.

What Investment

What Investment is the leading and longest-established investment magazine in the UK.

Regular Small Business newsletters
Access to all our experts in the Q & A forum
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Free and Unlimited Business Banking

When you're starting a business its vital to choose the right bank. One that offers great value for money and all the support you need to give you every chance to succeed. Get up and running with the Business Builder Account and receive: 2 YEARS FREE and UNLIMITED day -to-day banking including: FREE and UNLIMITED Direct Debits and standing orders; FREE and UNLIMITED cheques deposited and issued; FREE and UNLIMITED automated transactions; FREE cash deposits; FREE online start-up advice, business guidance and business planning software; FREE legal and tax advice.

The UK Franchise Directory - now online

Have you considered buying a franchise? Consider this: 90% of franchisees are still trading profitably after 5 years, whereas 20% of startups fail within 12 months. Franchises can provide you with the training, systems and support you need to succeed. To find out more visit theukfranchisedirectory.net

Buying a franchise Resource Centre

Get the latest franchise news

Franchise World is a premier franchise news magazine that includes news, features and listings.

Find a franchise

Franchise direct is a portal for franchise and business opportunities that lists franchises from an exstensive range of industry sectors.

British Franchise Association - Find a franchise

Here is a good place to begin your search for a franchise, it contains guidelines for choosing a franchise, a list of bfa membership categories and its members.

Franchise informaton, advice and opportunities

Whichfranchise.com contains free franchise information, advice and opportunities, and is the only website in the UK to be affiliated to the British Franchise Association (BFA).

Advice on buying a franchise

Start In Business give free adive on buying a franchise or business package.

Buy a franchise opportunity

Franchise Sales allows you to find your ideal franchise opportunity.

Franchise information

Specialist franchise consultants that offer franchise opportunity information, help and advice on everything relating to business franchising and licensing.

The UK franchise directory

The online version of the UK franchise directory contains information about more than 800 franchisors.

More Buying a franchise Resources

Other Start A Business Resources

Polls

Video

Fivium - The challenges of growth

Matthew Fletcher of IT systems company Fivium talks about the challenges of being part of a fast-growing business.

"The business is out there"

Entrepreneur Neil O'Connell has built his business , Sulis Interiors, up from nothing.

"There's no such thing as failure, only feedback"

The challenges David Ferry faced when starting and growing his business, Ferry Financial.

Flexible working: the leaders' view

At the 2008 Work Wise UK Summit, BT Business asked a number of leaders for their views on flexible working.

Blogs

Trying to hire staff

Marc Barber 11/12/2008

There’s no getting round the fact that great ideas are always made or ruined by other people. Have your say »

Credit crunch: What does it mean for you?

Penny Proffit 25/01/2008

In the current global economic climate, small business owners are likely to be concerned about the consequences of the credit crunch. Penny Proffit has teamed up with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants to bring you ten quick tips for survival. Have your say »

Quality content is the foundation of Search Engine Marketing

Guest Blogger 21/07/2008

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is in essence the theory and practice of getting a website onto the first page of 'natural' (sometimes called 'organic') search results on the important search engines for important keywords.

Have your say »

Q&A

Register or login to ask a question to our panel of experts...

Business development expert

Ashley de Safrin, Business Link in London

Franchise information

Julie Waites, The Franchise Company

Start-up tips

Philip Wilkinson, Business Link

172 posts

Latest questions answered

Q: Starting up abroad Q: Business grants Q: Is a limited company for me Q: I want to start a DVD rental business Q: Writing a novel: self–employed? Q: Do I need to consider IR35 in my new business? Q: Starting an aquatic shop

Prize Draw

Free prize draw!

Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with Avery® Quick&Clean™ Business Cards to offer five lucky readers the chance to win a copy of BBC Dragons' Den James Caan's new book The Real Deal and a pack of Avery® premium heavyweight business cards. To enter the prize draw, simply answer our question here