Articles

If you've ever worked in an office or any other kind of workplace with more than one person in it, then you will have come across the inevitable workplace gossip. Gossip is defined as 'casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true' – Oxford Dictionaries.

Is your small business a consistent, smooth-running operation characterised by order, discipline and continuous growth? If not, improving your internal processes might be a worthwhile investment of your time.

Returning to work after a career break can be a difficult time for anyone. In this interview we talk to Angela Kennedy who took a nine year career-break to start a family and who decided to run her own business on her return to work. Angela acquired a Baby Sensory franchise in 2009 and she now manages a team working in three separate territories.

Richard Smith, entrepreneur and managing director of Search Office Space (SOS), considers when it’s time for a start-up or SME to rent office space and what office solutions are available, from the shared and serviced office to the virtual.

Returning to work after a career break can be a worrying time. It is also a great opportunity to take stock and make sure that you select a path that gives you the best chance of success and happiness.

Over the past 10 years, e-commerce has changed the face of retail, with shoppers’ habits altering dramatically and continuing to change as the sector itself evolves. High-street stalwarts like John Lewis are reporting that profits for the online arms of their operations are growing steadily in contrast to a slow-down on the high-street, while major names like Borders have been brought down by online competition.

As the visibility of business blogs online continues to expand further and further; identifying those that offer the expert points of view most relevant to your business and industry has become an increasingly time-consuming task. We’ve hand-picked 20 of UK’s best blogs to help you uncover the information and advice that is of most value to your business.

There is a certain sweat inducing twist in the stomach that is reserved solely for the moment any individual realises they have just lost digital data to … well, to wherever that seemingly priceless information disappears after the combustion of a hard drive or a misplaced, absent minded tap of the delete key.

Making the decision to become an entrepreneur and start your own business can be a little daunting, but you'll never know what you are capable of unless try. Here are twenty quotes from some of the most successful entrepreneurs in history, to give you that inspiration you may need in order to take the first step.

This article was written by P4D | Parcels for Delivery, who offer heavily discounted courier services to small-medium sized businesses. P4D partners with couriers you know and trust, like City Link, Fedex, DHL and TNT to provide an affordable parcel delivery service for those who send parcels infrequently or in smaller volumes.

There’s an old saying in business: “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. This may sound trite but it’s a good mantra to introduce into any entrepreneurial endeavour. Plan and plan again before execution and you won’t go too far wrong.

What the UK Government defines as micro and small business communities (less than £440,000 turnover and ten or fewer employees) constitute approximately 60 per cent of all companies registered at Companies House, plus there are the tens of thousands of sole traders and partnerships in Britain. So, it is no surprise – and indeed it is good news – that the Government is looking at how it can help small businesses play their part in steering the nation away from an economic abyss.

Find out options for the best business support for IT services. Whether it’s for delivering emails, despatching orders or just chasing unpaid debts. At some point the office technology becomes too important to muddle through problems and businesses look for an IT support service to provide some stability.

Securing significant investment is often crucial for a business’s development and survival. However, entrepreneurs shouldn’t be afraid to hold out for the right deal on the right terms. Even where the broad commercial deal appears favourable, businesses should make sure that the legal language in any transaction documentation doesn’t create long-term problems.

There’s still money to be made in property. With high house prices meaning that buying a home is out of the reach of many, lettings and property management companies are doing very well indeed.

Starting a day nursery is a popular entrepreneurial choice, especially so amongst parents who spot the potential this business offers after bringing up their own children. Working with children can be one of the most rewarding things in the world, although you will need to be highly dedicated and have lots of patience.