Start A Business News

Queen’s Award for Moneypenny Apr 30 2008
A company that answers over five million calls per year for British businesses has won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category. Read Banks put the squeeze on SME owners Apr 02 2008
Company directors face bankruptcy as banks tighten their grip on business loans, according to Mark West of London-based Berley Chartered Accountants. Read Calls made for more female entrepreneurs Mar 31 2008
Giving business advice at an event organised by Train 2000 in Liverpool, Professor Susan Marlow of Leicester Business School called for more female role models. Read More Start A Business News

Franchise News

Growing a business as challenging as starting up Mar 28 2008
Although the initial step to set up a business may seem like a huge challenge, one expert has suggested that being able to expand and grow a venture is proving difficult for many. Read Franchiser says businesses 'must adapt' to remain on top Mar 25 2008
Small businesses that see their profits fall or are not expanding as they hope to should adapt and consider moving into other product areas, advises businessman Naz Daud in the Franchise Shop. Read Healthy food 'a good investment for franchisees' Mar 20 2008
Increased demand for healthy food makes health food businesses good investments for franchisees, according to Franchise Magazine. Read More Franchise News

Small Business Finance News

Retailers 'to benefit' from revival of cash Apr 29 2008
Small businesses could benefit from an increased use of cash, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) claims. Read
SMEs 'not alone' against credit crunch Apr 21 2008
The National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) is holding a Credit Crunch Week to show SMEs that there is 'no need to feel alone or isolated' in the face of financial problems. Read
Enterprise investment scheme response to government consultation Mar 31 2008
The Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA) is planning to make a comprehensive response to the government’s consultation on how the scheme can be improved. Read
More Small Business Finance News

Business Technology News

Companies 'must do more to protect confidential information' Apr 25 2008
Some firms are leaving customers' details liable for ID theft and are 'still not taking the risks seriously', according to the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Read
Businesses 'need to protect their intellectual property' Apr 14 2008
The government is advising small business owners to ensure that their intellectual property rights are protected. Read
Business files 'need to be backed up' Apr 09 2008
Businesses should ensure their files are backed up to ensure that they can be retrieved in the event of emergency, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Read
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Sales and Marketing News

SMEs gain access to public sector contracts May 06 2008
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) is trialling a new service which will provide small and medium-sized businesses with the chance to view thousands of public sector contract opportunities. Read
Most businesses 'affected by sneaky sales practices' Apr 22 2008
A government study has shown that some 53 per cent of SME owners believe their business is affected by others' unfair sales practices. Read
Direct marketing 'still effective' and flexible Apr 01 2008
Direct marketing is still considered effective because of the flexible nature of its methods, according to an industry expert. Read
More Sales and Marketing News

Human Resources News

Medical insurance 'a good staff incentive' May 09 2008
More employers are using medical insurance as a perk to 'recruit and retain the best quality staff', according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Read
Work experience 'under threat' May 09 2008
The government's policies on child workers are putting work experience opportunities for youngsters under threat, according to the Federation of Small Business (FSB). Read
Employers risking staff insurance cover May 08 2008
Employers have to disclose all details of their employment practices or risk staff not being covered by their insurance, a group claims. Read
More Human Resources News

Legal Services News

London mayor 'has significant economic powers' to protect business Apr 29 2008
The new mayor of London will have significant power over the economic development of the city, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Read
Bosses face damages for third party sexual harassment Mar 31 2008
A top employment lawyer is warning employers they could face unlimited damages if they fail to protect employees from sexual harassment by third parties, under new laws now in force. Read
Small firms face 'difficulties' in taking a dispute to tribunal Feb 06 2008
Taking a dispute at work to an employment tribunal will 'definitely be more difficult' for employees and employers in small businesses compared with a larger company, according to an industry expert. Read
More Legal Services News

Business Premises News

Customers 'prepared to pay for plastic bags' May 08 2008
Most customers would be prepared for retailers to charge for plastic bags in a bid to cut down on waste and protect the environment, according to Waste Watch UK. Read
Small business must 'wake up to climate change' May 07 2008
The Small Business Consortium has announced the re-launch of its website designed to help SMEs reduce their carbon footprint. Read
CBI planning close relationship with new mayor Apr 30 2008
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is planning to have a close relationship with the new London mayor in order to make the city a 'pre-eminent destination to live, work and do business'. Read
More Business Premises News

Business Banking News

Legal issues threaten start-up finance May 09 2008
Entrepreneurs who do not include legal compliance in their business plan could miss out on investment, according to the Law Society. Read
Small business 'has not seen the worst' of the credit crunch May 02 2008
Continuing market volatility caused by the credit crunch could cause an increase in the number of businesses becomming insolvent, according to a business expert. Read
SME retail sector not doomed May 02 2008
Small retailers are not in 'terminal decline', it has been claimed. Read
More Business Banking News