Articles

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.

It is an understood, and understandable, fact that people at all stages of their career work best when they are able to achieve an appropriate balance between work and all other aspects of their lives, not least because it reduces the stress and strain of keeping the domestic, professional and social plates spinning.

Breach of Intellectualy Copyright is a serious matter when large amounts of cash are put into creating and protecting a business' online presence. Owner of Carbon Voyage, James Swanston explains what happens whenhe discovered word-for-word duplication of his website.

Light engineering is an important industrial sub-industry and provides services to a huge range of sectors including power, consumer goods and manufacturing. Demand is therefore consistent and strong, but light engineering is very competitive, particularly for British companies competing with counterparts throughout Europe and the Far East. Start-up costs can also be high. However, finding a niche can help new companies establish themselves.

There’s been a lot of talk recently about how the great new lifeblood of the UK - and worldwide - economy is going to be fuelled by small businesses.

The impact of an effective benefits package on engagement levels can prove significant, with productivity and efficiency levels boosted, sickness and absenteeism reduced, and in turn, the company’s overall performance improves. In this article, James Malia of P&MM Employee Benefits provides advice to companies looking to create suitable packages for their employees.

No matter what type of enterprise you are building or what industry you’re based in, if they have not already, developments in technology are likely to affect your business at some point or another. However, as it continues to advance at a staggering rate keeping your finger on the pulse of the technological world is proving to be ever more difficult. We’ve selected 20 of the best UK technology blogs to help you stay one step ahead.

Talk to any business owner or read the business section of any newspaper and you’re likely to come across stories of struggles to access sufficient finance to grow or maintain their business. But we are beginning to witness a change in how business owners access finance with many now actively seeking out alternative sources.

Vashi started his first company aged just 20 in his home country of Tenerife, Spain. His love for his English childhood sweetheart led him to England, and his love of diamonds led him to set up Diamond Manufacturers Ltd in 2007. With no extensive former experience in the industry, Vashi had to teach himself, and to begin with was greeted with derision by the industry.