Managing the risk to my business
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Qualities of a leader
We look at the skills and qualities every entrepreneur needs to take a business through significant expansion
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Secrets of client retention
Growing companies focused on winning new customers shouldn't lose sight of the importance of those they already have
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Covid insurance: get what you’re owed
What does the recent Supreme Court judgment on business interruption insurance and Covid-19 mean for you?
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Brexit: recruiting overseas workers
As of 1 January, the rules on recruiting staff from the EU have changed. What do employers need to know about the new system?
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5 things start-ups get wrong
Richard Murray of business growth advisors Elephant’s Child looks at classic errors made by small businesses… and how to avoid them
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Choosing an online marketplace
Online marketplaces can be a fast-track route to grow sales. But meticulous planning and execution is essential for success
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Learning resilience from lobsters
What an unlikely alliance between a Welsh fisherman and a portrait photographer teaches us about business in the pandemic
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Managing Covid-19 debt
Businesses have borrowed heavily during the pandemic. Owner-managers face a whole new set of psychological and practical challenges
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Reintegrating staff
The Job Retention Scheme is now expected to come to an end next month when lockdown is eased, and many furloughed employees will be heading back to work for the first time since March
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The mental health challenge
Business psychologist Julie Brophy explains how leaders can manage workplace wellbeing and spot the signs when an employee is struggling
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Productivity and the pandemic
Now is the time to focus on strengthening productivity
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Adapting to the new environment
Graeme Quar, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Portsmouth, explains how you can thrive by pivoting your business model
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Recruiting remote workers
As Covid-19 forces changes to the way companies operate, how can you integrate new colleagues into the team when they are working from home?
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Thriving through a recession
Former KPMG Chief Restructuring Officer Stuart Lawson used to help some of the country’s biggest businesses overcome tough times – now he does the same for SMEs. We asked him for advice on navigating a recession
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Is your office too big?
Your office requirements could be permanently altered after the pandemic
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Marketing through a crisis
Why start-ups need to find new ways to reach customers
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Back to work
As the government’s furlough scheme moves into its second phase, many businesses are looking to bring people back to work. Here are some points to consider
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Winning business at a social distance
Being confined to our homes has created an unprecedented business landscape that is tricky to navigate. But there’s no reason to believe you can’t build relationships from behind a screen
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Thriving after lockdown
Martin Brown, CEO of growth advisors Elephants Child, considers how businesses can return to good health after the pandemic
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Covid-19: through investors’ eyes
Investors tell us how they’re still on the lookout for promising companies despite the coronavirus outbreak
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Get virtual advice for Covid-19
Take advantage of our Virtual Coronavirus Advisory Support sessions to help your business survive, stabilise and thrive
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Protecting your wealth
How can entrepreneurs secure their personal wealth in the era of coronavirus?
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Cash in a time of crisis
As the Covid-19 crisis engulfs the country, entrepreneurs are forced to consider the impact it will have on their balance sheets, and implement strategies that will help their businesses emerge from lockdown safe and well
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Bouncing back fast
Now is the time to plan for recovery.
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Key tools for remote working
The software that can keep your remote team working seamlessly together
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COVID 19 – Business Owners’ Advisory Service
In this time of crisis, the immediate focus is how to survive... and then, how to thrive
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Covid-19: get the help you need
We'll guide you to the support available to see your business safely through the pandemic
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Exit during a pandemic
There are still some buyers out there but most owners will have to navigate the Covid-19 crisis before considering a sale
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Entrepreneurs’ Relief changes from £10 million to £1 million
The March Budget saw the Chancellor announce that Entrepreneurs’ Relief is being scaled back from £10m to £1m – how does this affect you?
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Make your business more attractive
Academics at Nottingham University Business School believe start-ups and growth firms can boost their chances of success by becoming more attractive
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Five things you need to know
As a business expands it can be hard to keep up with company law – here are some of the compliance issues that might apply to your business
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Have you protected your IP?
Businesses that take care of their intellectual property rights are more likely to thrive
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How to keep cash flowing
Failing to manage cashflow could hamper growth
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Lacking interest?
Failing to shop around for better deposit rates to cost UK SMEs dearly over the next year
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Skills shortages – what’s the risk?
The UK’s skills gap is increasingly posing a challenge to growing businesses. How can they continue to attract the best talent?
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The bespoke approach to borrowing
How private banking can help throughout the business cycle
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Don’t cook the books!
Financial areas to address when selling a business
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When a key shareholder departs
Resignation, retirement, death or incapacity all need to be planned for
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Finding cutting-edge expertise
If you’re looking to move your business into the fast lane, a Knowledge Transfer Partnership could be the answer
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Do you know your SPOFs?
Can you identify your 'single points of failure' that could affect your sale?
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How to nurture clients
Looking after the customers you already have is a good way to drive growth
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Playing the long game
Growing a business to sell a business
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Attack of the cyber criminals
Criminals are getting more sophisticated. SMEs need to keep up
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Breaking down the barriers
A recent survey found that the most common barriers to overseas expansion were lack of finance, lack of experience and red tape. Here we ask two leading experts how to overcome them
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How to recruit and retain top talent
It's not all about offering great salaries and brilliant perks
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It’s about culture
Why diversity and inclusion is more than just headcount
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Volatility is here to stay
Is your business exposed to currency risk?
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Five things overseas customers hate
As UK companies increasingly look to reach new overseas markets in unpredictable times, here are five exporting mistakes it’s easy to make… and how to avoid them
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Over the line
how to successfully close the deal on a business sale
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Leading in changing times
Five practical tips for entrepreneurs in an uncertain business environment
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Fashioning a new business
We speak to a client about starting a new company and how St. James’s Place has helped her
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Retaining key staff
Some tips on how an expanding business can hold on to its most important employees
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How to stay agile
As your business grows how can you stay nimble – and why do you need to?
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When buyers come knocking
What do you do if someone asks to buy your business?
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The clock is ticking
Taking the right steps before tax year-end can provide a financial boost for you and your business
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A start-up born from life’s experiences
George Bell, development partner at Sanctus, discusses how his company’s mental health coaching helps businesses.
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Is your supply chain fit for purpose?
A robust supply chain is essential for expanding businesses, so exactly how should entrepreneurs make sure theirs is ready for anything?
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Stay connected
With more workers taking advantage of the benefits that flexible and remote working can bring, Unum looks at how we can ensure these workers feel connected, valued and part of the team.
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Five resolutions for expansion
As your business matures, you need to ensure it’s in the best possible shape for exit. Richard Murray, Chief Commercial Officer of business growth advisor Elephants Child has five New Year’s resolutions that will keep you on track
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New year, new growth plan
Looking to grow your enterprise this year? Then you should consider these five New Year’s resolutions suggested by Richard Murray, Chief Commercial Officer of business growth advisor Elephants Child
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Six steps to success
The chances of achieving sustainable growth are vastly improved with a strategic plan and the right people around you
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Choosing a CEO
Selecting someone who can run your business day-by-day can be critical. So how, why and when should you hire a CEO?
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Does your business culture matter?
Aligning culture with strategy is essential to keep the business on track
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Ten basic (but essential) security tips
IT security tips to create a safer network for your business
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Time to hire an apprentice?
Developing talent for the modern economy
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What is your business worth?
We look at three factors which could affect the value of your company, so you can address these and improve.
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Improving staff performance
Shirley Wolfe of Boom Training discusses little-known government subsidies available to small firms
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The secrets of productivity
British workers are producing less than those in other countries but there are ways that SMEs can tackle the issue
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Do you need a base in the EU?
Many businesses don’t know right now if they need an EU base. But they should know what their options are, just in case
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Risks on your radar
How can growing businesses best identify the risks on their horizon and respond effectively?
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Writing smarter employment contracts
Taking care of the small print can prevent people who work for you from damaging your business
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Friends for life?
Even Facebook made mistakes in the early years – the way the relationship between its founders soured is a lesson for all entrepreneurs
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Brick by brick
Lego proved that making the right decision between focus and diversification can be a game-changer – and entrepreneurs need to take note
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Knowing when to take advice
An entrepreneur's passion is perfect for launching a business but as it grows you do need advice and professional support
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How private equity can help you expand
Private equity investments have traditionally supported management buyouts. However, it is now also an increasingly strong source of growth funding
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Do you have the right management team?
When your company is for sale, it’s important to remember potential buyers will always look very closely at the key people running it
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Winning new clients
If you want to achieve real growth you will need to find new clients. But how and where can you find them?
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How to export after Brexit
With just a year to go until the UK leaves the European Union we find out where opportunities lie elsewhere in the world
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Managing a social media crisis
Entrepreneurs can learn a lot from Greggs the bakers when it comes to reputation management
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Cyber risk – is your business prepared?
With trade dominating future concerns, cyber threats are rapidly rising up the risk agenda.
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Ready for new data rules?
The EU is introducing new legislation to protect personal data. But are SMEs ready to comply?
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6 ways to approach your finances….
Bivek Sharma, Head of KPMG Small Business, considers the different approaches to financial management.
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The future of employee benefits
Benefits that concentrate on tackling employee ill-health and helping people stay in work are gaining political traction.
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Succession Planning
Succession planning is critical to the long term success of any business. Put your plans to the test.
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Changing the status quo
The drive for more diversity on boards is as relevant to growing businesses as it is to FTSE giants. It can help you understand your customers better and boost profits
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Are your prices too low?
Bivek Sharma of KPMG Small Business Accounting asks whether you’re underselling your business
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Is cyber insurance for you?
As your business expands, it’s time to consider the implications of a cyber attack and whether you can afford to be without protection
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What is Warranty & Indemnity insurance?
How W&I insurance can provide vital protection during merger & acquisition activity
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Fail to plan, plan to fail…
Although business plans don't guarantee success, Bivek Sharma of KPMG believes that you're more likely to succeed if you have one.
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Become your own boss for £500?
Bivek Sharma, KPMG Small Business, discusses how it pays to be frugal in the early days
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Are you ready for the increase in employment costs?
Kington Smith considers the impending impact on employers
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Don’t panic
Auto-enrolment may be just another thing on your long to-do list, but the key is to prepare in advance.
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Rules of disengagement
Can a family business survive a family breakdown?
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Focus on the basics first
Developing a strong brand can wait until a start-up has got the business fundamentals right
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Are all small businesses lifestyle businesses?
People start businesses for all sorts of reasons. Bivek Sharma of KPMG looks at whether the dream matches the reality.
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Mind the gap
Gender Pay Gap Reporting is here... but what's the point? Kingston Smith study the details
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Protecting your bright ideas
Getting professional legal advice to make sure your intellectual property is properly protected is an absolute must
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On the front foot?
Is your business ready to manage the introduction of tighter data protection rules? Stackhouse Poland look ahead to next year’s regulatory change
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Back on track
Early intervention and rehabilitation services are now helping to return more than one in four employees back to work
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Risk and resilience
Most organisations conduct their operations on digital platforms so cyber threats and data loss scandals are not new phenomena
DNA of an entrepreneur
Business leaders can be defined by the issues they are juggling. Click on one of these hexagons to read more about a topic that is key to our entrepreneurial clients