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Business Reality TV and why we love it
by Rosie Beasley | 06 Apr 2009
There's nothing quite like watching a bunch of business people fail miserably on television to make us feel better about our own working lives. Business-focused reality TV has become increasingly popular over the last few years and shows such as The Apprentice and Dragons' Den are now established staples on the television calendar. The genre seems to have tapped into the 'nation of shopkeepers' mentality that seems to be embedded somewhere in all British people's DNA, and a new generation of entrepreneurs has grown up in response.
Apprentice do's and don'ts for first time caterers
by Rosie Beasley | 02 Apr 2009
Are you a caterer? Here are a few tips on how not to do things from the 2009 Apprentice candidates.
Dealing with customer complaints - and profiting
by Josh Hall | 20 Mar 2009
Customer complaints are frequently a business owner's worst nightmare. Faced with an aggrieved customer many small business managers simply shut down, either avoiding the customer's communication or giving unhelpful or unsympathetic responses. This is, in many cases, understandable; receiving your first customer complaint can be a daunting prospect, particularly as many disgruntled punters tend to express their unhappiness in less than civilised terms.
VAT registration - is it right for you?
by Josh Hall | 20 Mar 2009
A perennial complaint for businesses of every size is the apparently vast regulatory burden imposed by the government. The red tape through which British businesses must cut in order to comply with the relevant regulations can seem impenetrable, and many companies fall foul of them through sheer confusion. VAT registration is one area which can seem complicated and which is surrounded by sometimes burdensome regulations.
by Josh Hall | 10 Mar 2009
Remote working enjoyed a lot of attention in the earlier part of this decade, as the technology required to make it possible really started to mature. As computer use became almost universal, and internet connections became a standard fixture in every home, the prospect of doing your job without having to go to the office became a reality.
Getting government help during the recession
by Josh Hall | 10 Mar 2009
The current downturn is making life very difficult for small businesses across the country. Corporate insolvencies are constantly rising and, while consumer confidence may have bottomed out, trading conditions remain tough in virtually every sector.
Choosing a legal structure for your business
by Josh Hall | 04 Mar 2009
The legal structure of your business will have a profound effect on the financial and legal realities of its day-to-day maintenance and administration. It will affect everything from the records you need to keep to the type and amount of tax you pay. Crucially, the legal structure of your business will also determine how much personal liability, if any, you would assume in the event that your business encountered financial difficulties. For all of these reasons, it is vital that you make the right decision.
Cut your overheads with serviced offices
by Josh Hall | 04 Mar 2009
Keeping costs down should be a constant priority for any business, but this is a particularly pertinent concern during a period of economic downturn. Even if your business appears to be coping well in these times of economic strain, it is certainly wise to ensure that your outgoings are kept as low as possible in order to maintain your margins and build up a contingency fund for any potential future difficulties.
by Josh Hall | 23 Feb 2009
Information is one of the most powerful tools available to a business. Regardless of the size of your business, it is vital that your knowledge of your customers is as deep as possible. Without such knowledge you cannot hope to effectively market your product. Similarly, you must have a comprehensive understanding of your own offerings and sales methods. Effective research can help you to identify aspects of these processes that need refining, and provide clues as to how you can improve your profitability.
Beating the downturn with public sector contracts
by Josh Hall | 23 Feb 2009
Private sector spending is drying up at a concerning rate. Companies that survive on private sector contracts are finding the security of those contracts more precarious by the day, particularly as they are frequently supported by a long chain of companies. If just one link in the chain collapses it can spell the end of that contract.
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