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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.

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.

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 managing your cash flow

Effective cash flow management is vital so your business has the funding needed to keep trading. Our guide to controlling your cash with confidence.

Managing your cash flow - checklist

Read our list of tips for controlling your cash flow, including chasing debts and avoiding the dangers of overtrading.

How to control credit - checklist

To avoid the risk of late payment - or no payment at all - it's essential to vet the people you offer credit to and make your terms clear.

How to collect debts - checklist

Almost every business will experience late payment at some point. This practical checklist will help you recover the money you are owed.

Drawing up a budget - checklist

A helpful checklist on drawing up your business budget, including what to put in it and who to involve in the process.

Controlling a budget - checklist

Staying on top of your finances is vital if you want your business to succeed. Read our handy hints on controlling your budget.

How to control costs - checklist

Our helpful checklist will show you the areas to target when you're trying to understand or reduce business costs.

How to manage stock - checklist

Poor stock control can seriously impact your cash flow, lead to inefficiency in supplying customers, increased storage costs and wastage. Here's how to control your stock levels.

Essential guide to credit control

Credit control helps you optimise your cash flow and avoid late payment or non-payment. Read our guide to setting up a credit control system.

Essential guide to budgeting

While you can't know exactly what the future holds, budgeting reduces uncertainty and helps you anticipate problems. Here's how to create a budget.

Q&A: Supply contract disputes

Supply contracts set out key terms and conditions, but what should you do when a supplier's performance falls short of the mark? Here are some tips.

Five ways to improve cash flow

Cash flow is vital to every business. Rory MccGwire explores ways you can improve your business's cash flow from using accounting software to increasing sales, stock control to reviewing pricing.