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If you’re running a limited company, there are certain details you must include on your invoices by law and others which should be included. Your aim is to provide accurate information which fully describes what services are included, and concise company details to ensure that you get paid correctly, and on time. Writing an invoice can be straightforward, once you understand all the details that will need to be featured.
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Managing a remote team, while extremely rewarding can come with its own set of challenges. The good news, however, is that with the right tips on how to organise and manage your remote team, you can conquer the problems you might face and create a high-performing remote team.

As an entrepreneur who is considering opening a small restaurant, you have to think about whether you are to invest time, money, and hard work into making it a proper business.

It is not uncommon to experience delays in a business only to be slapped with the phrase, “that’s how we have always done it.” While some tasks need to follow a specific process, you will agree that other processes are complicated for no good reason.

Many business owners, including contractors, may have found it difficult to secure a competitive mortgage in the past. However, more enlightened lenders and mortgage brokers are happy to provide a mortgage for limited company directors, who may find it hard to prove income on a ‘traditional’ basis.

The year 2020 has seen a steep uptick in people working remotely. This is changing how businesses are communicating with customers. Many businesses have moved their communications to the cloud to make employee customer interactions seamless. Still, some businesses fear that having employees work remotely will inhibit their ability to successfully connect with customers.

Readers question: My wife and I are both independent sole traders. My wife is an artist and illustrator and I run a small cafe. My question is, how do we change from being independent sole traders to registering as one company so that we can trade as one entity as a limited company?

The last few months have been, shall we say, ‘challenging’ for many business owners and when you’re faced with constant stress and uncertainty it can be easy to lose the passion you once felt for your business. The good news is; you can reconnect with that passion, and use the opportunity to create a new balance in your life.

Reader’s question:  I have a limited company, formed in 2004 and believe we only have two ordinary shares of £1 allotted. I thought it was 100 but we cannot locate our articles of association. Assuming our accounts say 2 ordinary shares of £1 each presumably that is the case?

Venturing into the international marketplace provides you with the opportunity to sell products at a larger scale. You might have been long considering entering into this marketplace, or you may have recently decided that this step can help you to increase the business’s profits. In any case, learning some strategies for succeeding in the international market can boost your chances of success.

As businesses start opening up again in the UK, many small companies are asking themselves the same question: “How to really get my business going after three months of hardship?”

Today, more and more businesses are making the commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly business practices, not just to appeal to discerning customers, but to save money in the long term, too. Big or small, businesses can’t afford to ignore the growing climate crisis and the responsibility to do their part. Fortunately, giving your business a green makeover is easier than it sounds, and a little goes a long way.

A good sign of business growth is the need for more staff. As your business grows, one of the most important roles you will have to fill is an IT/Tech support professional within the business. Majority of the businesses in today’s world will need some sort of IT support for the business and its employees, in order to work efficiently. IT staff can ensure that your other staff are able to effectively work as well as finding new tech to support your business whether this is new software or new equipment.

Despite more shops opening as the lockdown is being eased there are still many businesses that will remain closed or at best will be operating at reduced capacity for a while yet. A large number of employees will stay on furlough until autumn.  All this means that ‘business as usual’ is a long way off. Unless your business happens to be one of those fortunate ones that have been doing well since the lockdown started, you may be seriously concerned about survival.

Running an eco-friendly business or office reduces the impact on the environment and preserves natural resources. Assess your current printing environment and identify areas you can improve. Are your printers energy efficient? Do they switch to standby mode? Does your business use recycle paper, remanufactured ink cartridges, or low-melt toner? Do you have printing guidelines in place such as printing on both sides of the paper, limiting unnecessary images and adjusting margins?  

There are several signs to suggest that as a nation we’re through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection rates have fallen from the highs seen in mid-April, and London – which was one of the worst affected localities – recently saw no new coronavirus cases for a full 24-hour period.

As a small business owner, there will be a number of business insurances that you will consider getting, from professional indemnity insurance to private healthcare insurance. Another type of business insurance you might consider getting is Keyman insurance, also known as Key person insurance.

Many small businesses are being to plan for their reopening, or if they have been maintaining their businesses during Covid-19 perhaps they are preparing for staff to return to their workplace.

As an entrepreneur, starting a new business and hiring employees to join your team can often be a daunting first move to make as your business expands. It can be difficult to create the right environment and culture as a start-up business whilst also developing your brand.