smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

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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.

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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

Business loans for starting up abroad

There is no reason in principle you cannot finance the purchase of an overseas business in the UK. The Business Banking Code says that before a bank lends you any money, they will assess whether they feel that you will be able to repay it.

Start A Business News

Closing of energywatch 'will affect small businesses'

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has stated many companies will not know where to turn following the closure of energywatch.

Closing of energywatch 'will affect small businesses'

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has stated many companies will not know where to turn following the closure of energywatch.

New regulations 'will hamper small businesses'

The volume of new legislation being brought in will cost small businesses money to deal with and may overwhelm some firms, an industry body states.

Nation gets rich on diverse business

The UK is getting richer as more people look for diverse ways to use their skills, resulting in a wider variety of companies.

Inflation 'significantly affecting profitability'

Rising costs are putting a serious strain on the profitability of small businesses, new research finds.

Business groups call for rate cuts

New figures demonstrate the rate of inflation has nearly reached its peak and so interest rates should be cut as soon as possible, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) believes.

CBI growth forecasts cut

Growth in 2009 will be at its slowest level since 1992, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) predicts.

BCC: Manufacturing decline indicates recession

The greater-than-expected downturn in manufacturing output indicates the UK economy is 'very probably' in technical recession, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) remarks.

Business confidence 'stable'

Confidence among British businesses has remained stable since May - the first time it has not gone down since April 2007, a poll finds.

Credit crunch 'pushes SMEs to administration'

A substantial number of small businesses will be forced into administration by decreased sales, according to the British Retail Consortium.

Business Link highlighting regulatory changes

Government start-up advisory service Business Link is highlighting the regulatory changes which are set to affect small firms from October 1st.

Events Calendar

Business Startup

28th November, Olympia, London

Protecting Your Business

6th September, Best Western Country Hotel, Caerphilly

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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.

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Two years completely free business banking

Get off to a flying start with two years completely business banking for your start-up business. Available with the Business Builder current account from Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank. Plus receive FREE business, legal and tax advice when you open an account from the alternative business bank. Fast track your application and apply online today

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

The challenge of growth for small business

The challenges of growth for small business

New business must be won by creating a good first impression with customers and procurement managers...

Creating a successful business plan

Setting out a plan for your business can seem like a daunting task, especially before you've even got it off the ground.

Top tips for startups

Every successful business has a few things they wish they'd known before they started...

What type of business should you start?

At what point do you decide you're in business...

Blogs

How to be a start-up success

Marc Barber 07/08/2008

There are three common elements to a start-up successfully negotiating those tricky first few years: an honest appraisal of ability, market research, and finance. 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...

Franchise information

Julie Waites, The Franchise Company

UK Franchise expert

Mark Scott, Natwest

Start-up tips

Philip Wilkinson, Business Link

166 posts

Latest questions answered

Q: Starting an aquatic shop Q: Franchise advice Q: What's the first thing to do to start a business? Q: Starting a second business Q: Starting a small business - finance & scoping Q: Setting up a business abroad. Q: Can you register twice as a sole trader?

Prize Draw

Enter our prize draw!!

You've probably noticed smallbusiness.co.uk has a brand new look. You can personalise the homepage to suit your needs and there's lots of new content including video, blogs and the small business resource centre.

We're interested to know what you think about the new small business site, so we'd like you to take this opportunity to have your say. All entrants will be entered into our free prize draw to win a bottle of champagne provided by our partners at Laithwaites! Enter here

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