Articles

We all know that if you keep doing the same things you generally get the same results. Similarly, if you keep doing the same thing in an ever-changing sector, you will probably suffer worse results. So there comes a time when you need to invest in something new to move your business forward. Any investment is a big decision. If it’s an investment in new technology, the stakes are even higher because the playing field moves so quickly.

Becoming self-employed is a big step to take, but it can provide many benefits such as freedom, intellectual fulfilment and flexibility. There are also financial benefits as some self-employed people earn more than they would as an employee. However, there are also higher risks and disadvantages if you are not prepared…

Studying for a Master of Business and Administration (MBA) in the UK remains incredibly expensive, those looking to pursue this option can expect to pay in the region of £15,000 for their course. However, a recent survey from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) revealed that job offers to executive MBA graduates were at an all-time high, with 76 percent of participants having received an offer of employment at the time of the survey (February 15 - March 18, 2012). With that in mind, can the advantages of holding an MBA really justify such a substantial investment in both time and money especially given the uncertain economic climate?

Scott Allison is the founder and CEO of Teamly, as well as the former co-founder and CEO of award-winning B2B telecoms virtual network operator, abica. It was during his time at the head of this company, Allison began experimenting with different ways of managing people which later inspired him to create Teamly. He is also a founding member of TechHub in London, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a contributor at Forbes.com. Until recently, he was also a board director of The Entrepreneurial Exchange and curator of the London Startup Digest.

Until 1st October 2011, most businesses adopted the default National Retirement Age (NRA) of 65 for their staff. Under the then law, employers had the right to retire employees at 65, provided they followed the statutory retirement procedures. If such procedures were followed, such a dismissal would be neither unfair nor amount to age discrimination.

Helen Jacobi is Director of The Inspired PA and winner of National Outstanding VA of 2012 in the over two and a half years in business category. She was an Executive Assistant for 20 years working alongside boards of directors in large corporations and with successful entrepreneurs. Being passionate about enabling businesses to succeed, in 2009 she took the plunge and started The Inspired PA, a virtual PA and business management enterprise which supports business owners and entrepreneurs globally.

The absence of women from many top jobs might suggest that the concept of a glass ceiling is still very much a reality.There has however, been an encouraging upturn of female entrepreneurs, bucking gender trends even in traditionally male-dominated industries. 10 of the UK’s most inspirational female entrepreneurs from a diverse range of backgrounds talk to inspiresme about overcoming the challenges they have faced.

All of us struggle to meet deadlines and goals at some point, and will inevitably fall back to short-term copying strategies – such as all-nighters – to get the job done. But these coping strategies often come at a price; lots of stress with a side order of exhaustion. In the long-term, planning and understanding are the keys to regularly meeting deadlines and goals without the nasty side-effects. Read on to find out more.

Understanding what is going on outside your business is an important part of strategic planning. There are some useful analytical tools that help to understand important factors in the business environment and competitive drivers in your industry as an initial step in undertaking competitor analysis. In addition to this, many businesses try to understand, in some detail, what its competitors are doing.

Litigation, it’s a word that strikes fear in to the heart of business owners and causes concern and anxiety for those involved. However it doesn’t have to. Learning how the tribunal process works and how it could affect you if you are called as a witness will make the process a bit easier and less scary, writes Zuraida Curtis, Regional Litigation Manager at Croner.

This article was written by Modwenna Rees-Mogg, founder and CEO of Pitching for Management and Angel News. The company matches senior executives seeking new roles with fast-growth businesses. The

The term ‘collaboration’ has been used in the world of business for many years, but more recently its use and meaning have evolved. We are now seeing more individuals and organisations using the word collaboration to encompass a wide range of meeting methods, whether it is a face-to-face, a telephone call or a virtual conference. This shift in definition is a direct result, and reflection, of the evolution in how we work.

It’s a polarised argument. Can you actually train someone to be an entrepreneur? Those who endorse mentoring initiatives resoundly say ‘yes’, while there are others who believe that entrepreneurial spirit is something you’re born with; that you will instinctively overcome any odds to make your business succeed.

Getting a business off the ground in times of economic stability is a challenging enough task; however, success stories of young entrepreneurs starting-up and running their own businesses despite the economic downturn are still hitting the headlines.10 of the UK’s brightest young entrepreneurs talk to inspiresme, offering their advice to other budding entrepreneurs and discussing their plans for the future.

"Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room" is a quote attributed to Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com.Traditionally companies have been able to control their brand message, by and large, through their communications and actions. But, as Bezos says, things have changed and brands, in effect, are now what people say about them...

Signing a contract is serious for any party – these are legally binding agreements and the content must protect your interests, even if things go wrong. You need to consider exactly what goes into contracts you sign, whether with suppliers, clients or other third parties. David Gordon, of DG Law, explores how to write a watertight contract to ensure your business is protected at all times.