Problems affecting businesses in rural areas,
Oct 31 2007
Thinking about the recent spate of problems affecting businesses in rural areas, from the foot and mouth scare to the extreme weather, I want to touch on the issue of rural and urban enterprise and the apparent divide between them.
The state of UK retail sales
Oct 17 2007
UK retail sales growth in July was the weakest since November 2006, according to figures from the The British Retail Consortium.
British Association of Insurers expects £2 billion in claims
Oct 03 2007
The recent flooding during June and July 2007 has hit many businesses hard, with around £2 billion in insurance claims expected by the British Association of Insurers.
Working with other small businesses for mutual benefit
Jun 27 2007
It is well understood that starting and running a small business can be an uphill struggle. Even harder, can be trying to go it alone. There will be countless small companies in your area with which you could work for mutual benefit - not your competitors, but companies whose products or services complement your own.
How close is your business is to profitability?
Jun 13 2007
In our survey this fortnight, we asked how close your business was to profitability. While 12 per cent of you sadly fear that you may never be profitable, the vast majority is positive about the future, with 68 per cent either already profitable or expecting to be so by next year.
Does software help your business to grow?
May 30 2008
Our poll this past fortnight has concentrated on business software. We asked if you thought software could help your business to grow. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority (90 per cent) of you believes that, yes, software could benefit your business. Unfortunately, of that number, 14 per cent think that you don’t have the IT skills necessary to cope with such software.
Small firms be aware - Bank of England rise in interest rates
May 03 2007
With the news that the Bank of England may raise interest rates again by June, small firms need to be aware of the effect this may have on their business.
Continued expansion of the European Union
May 01 2008
Our poll this fortnight focused on the inevitable increase in migrant workers brought about by the continued expansion of the European Union (EU).
Small businesses - the importance of disaster planning
Sep 19 2007
Summer is officially upon us in the UK, even if you wouldn’t know it looking at the weather, but the recent torrential rain serves to highlight one thing for small business owners - the importance of disaster planning.
Displeasure with the charges levied by bank's
May 30 2007
Our survey over the past fortnight shows that the majority of you are displeased with the charges levied by your bank and are either reclaiming or thinking of reclaiming them, with 24 per cent having already done so successfully.
Reducing the complexity of taxation regulations
Mar 21 2007
Chancellor Gordon Brown made his Budget speech today to the House of Commons. During recent Budgets the Chancellor has announced initiatives to reduce the complexity of taxation regulations but progress has been limited.
Gordon Brown's budget for businesses and individuals
Mar 07 2007
With Chancellor Gordon Brown due to make his Budget speech to the House of Commons on 21 March, it will be interesting to see how he approaches the task bearing in mind that it’s widely believed to be his last.
Small businesses reveal their toughest challenge
Feb 21 2007
Opinion was divided among small business owners this fortnight. Of the 340 respondents to our poll, in which we asked you to reveal your toughest challenge, 39 per cent of you said that starting up in the first place posed the most problems.
Getting the right message across to the right people
Nov 27 2008
When you’re starting a new business or launching a new product or service, getting the right message across to the right people is imperative. Pitching your marketing material correctly is key and that demands a good understanding of your customers.
Mentoring – Now there’s a bright idea for business
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