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Start up business ideas

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.

Set up a business

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

Skills and wellbeing

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

Business planning

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

Start up funding

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.

Tax and National Insurance

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.

Business law

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

Sales and marketing

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

Business premises

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.

Employees

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

Business IT

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

Grow your business

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.

Business planning

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

Resource topics

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How to take card payments

Most customers these days will pay using a payment card. Discover how you can start taking card payments for invoices, online orders or in person.

Five steps to turbo-charge your business in 2025

If you plan to grow your business in 2025, you need a plan of action. We share five ways to turbo-charge your growth and help you achieve your goals.

The future of business plans: the benefits of using AI

Writing a business plan can be daunting and time consuming for novices and seasoned entrepreneurs alike. In this blog, we look at how AI is revolutionising the business planning process.

The best tips for using AI to plan your business

AI is becoming increasingly important to businesses and these days it can help you improve your business planning. We learn more in this blog.

Four ways to earn more money on the side

If you need to get your hands on some extra cash, there are some ways of doing so in your spare time. Want to learn more? Read this.

Tips for managing unexpected expenses

Unexpected expenses can arise at any time. However, all is not lost. There are several ways you can navigate these financial hurdles.

Eight simple steps for business survival during hard times

Eight business survival tips. As inflation and the cost of living crisis pushes up business costs and puts a squeeze on cash flow small businesses need to act now before it's too late.

Can you get car finance when starting up a business?

If your start up business needs a vehicle to operate, you might need car finance to purchase it. Here's a guide to car finance for small businesses.

Cutting costs: where do I start?

When your business is ticking over nicely, you can keep spending focused on the right areas. Limiting expenditure could keep you in the black.

Essential guide to writing a business plan

Are you starting a business? Learn how to write an effective business plan with our essential guide. Create a solid foundation for your success today.

Q&A: Calculating start-up costs

Martin Dunne of Sayers Butterworth chartered accountants explains how to work out how much starting a new business will cost from the outset.

Essential guide to selecting and negotiating with suppliers

The right suppliers will make a big difference to the cost and quality of your products and services. How to choose suppliers and get the right deal.

How to write a business plan - checklist

A business plan is the roadmap for how you run your business. Here's how to write yours.

Start up business jargon buster

No-nonsense jargon buster explaining many of the key start-up words and terms you might come across when starting, forming and running your business.

Purchasing effectively - checklist

Effective purchasing can make the difference between business profit and loss. Our helpful checklist explains how to get the best from your purchases.