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For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

News

March 2015

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Over one third of the people responsible for handling finances in SMEs don’t have a relevant qualification, according to findings from the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

Over 65,000 businesses have been set up with backing from the New Enterprise Allowance.

Next week sees the end of the Growth Vouchers scheme but it seems few businesses have taken advantage of the Government scheme despite its widespread promotion.

SME business owners are fed up with supply chain abuse and the fact that big businesses “hold all the aces” according to the results of a new survey by the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

Our round-up of other small business stories making the headlines this week...

Our round-up of other small business stories making the headlines this week...

The Government has launched what it calls “the most wide-ranging review of national business rates in a generation”.

George Osborne had promised a “no give-aways, no gimmicks” Budget. Even so, he has unveiled a number of new measures including the abolition of the annual paper tax return as well as confirming a “major review” of the business rates system.

Business groups have broadly welcomed the measures announced by George Osborne in his Budget speech, including cuts to corporation tax and the long-awaited review of business rates.

The Government has announced the largest real-terms increase in the National Minimum Wage (NMW) since 2007, set to benefit more than 1.4 million of Britain’s lowest-paid workers.

Up to two million sole traders and small companies are missing out because they have no online presence.

Small firms are taking on more staff and paying them more, according to the latest Small Business Index from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).