After last year’s event saw £623m spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday, an increase of £119m or 24 per cent on the previous year, the nationwide event to support, inspire and promote small businesses is back for another year.
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According to new research by the CBI and international technology and consulting firm, IBM, a digital divide is opening up across the British Economy. Just over half of “pioneer” firms are adopting digital technologies, while the other half are falling behind.
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Yesterday’s announcement by the Electoral Commission saw ‘Vote Leave’ and ‘Britain Stronger in Europe’ designated as the two official LEAVE and REMAIN EU referendum campaign groups.
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Many SMEs leverage the power of the internet to broaden their horizons and trade with companies overseas. It’s also allowed micro-businesses and freelancers to compete with much larger suppliers, both in the UK and elsewhere, without the costly fees associated with a traditional merchant account.
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Many people see the idea of using ‘big data’ in business as something that is exclusively for large businesses, says co-founder of The Good Till Co., Oliver Rowbory. Surely the ability to analyse and use such information requires not only expensive data, but also numerous staff to maintain, support and work on these platforms, before translating what the data is really saying to the management team, right?
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From April 2017, 600,000 small firms will not have to pay business rates, while some 250,000 will pay less in business rates. Osborne said that the 600,000 small businesses relieved of paying business rates from next April would see an annual saving of nearly £6,000.
If you decide to buy a company car and use it for personal as well as business reasons, then you will be liable for a tax charge for the privilege. The amount of the benefit in kind depends on a number of factors.
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As work environments evolve, driven by the desire to realise company productivity and efficiency gains, offices or workspaces are now becoming increasingly activity-based rather than just somewhere you go to complete daily work tasks.
Business Analysts are often perceived as being part of a bigger corporate structure. However it is more common now for smaller businesses to utilise a Business Analyst skillset, whether that be permanent or contract – according to Matt Smith from BusinessAnalystjobs.co.uk.
The way small businesses and sole traders operate is changing. Online apps are now essential tools for businesses across the board, but with developments coming thick and fast it is easy to get left behind.
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Every day and all over the world, there are countless meetings taking place to determine the online strategy of companies. Almost every company has asked itself what role it should be playing on social media at some point, and while it is already a key discussion point, its importance only increases with every passing day.
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If your company has experienced late payment problems, a statutory demand may prove to be a very useful method to encourage clients and customers to settle any outstanding debts. Here we look at what a statutory demand is, and the steps you must take to ensure that your demands are issued correctly.
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Dannie-Lu Carr explains how to negotiate powerful personalities and get your voice heard at business meetings, in an extract from her book ‘Brilliant Assertiveness’.
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What happens when you venture beyond the art of successfully promoting your business, and venture into dangerous territory and risk bulldozing potential clients with sales messages?
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Shweta Jhajharia from The London Coaching Group provides answers to some frequently asked sales and marketing questions posed by start-ups, including making the most of social media, and how to retain customers.
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More and more people are setting up their own businesses from home, thanks to major advances in web technology, and the realisation that there is no such thing as a ‘permanent’ job any more.
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Issues surrounding employment law can be a potential minefield for employers – especially if you don’t follow the right procedures. Here, Kirsty Burgess from citrusHR explains what small business owners need to bear in mind if they decide to dismiss a member of staff.
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Every limited company in the UK has to submit an Annual Return to Companies House, usually on the anniversary of incorporation. Via Form AR01, the Registrar of Companies captures a current information about the company itself, its officials, and the breakdown of share capital.
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Quantum physics tells us that we are essentially huge clouds of atoms interacting with each other on a physical and personal level. Executive coach, Kieran Hearty, calls this ‘quarkiness‘. So, what does that mean for SMEs with growth ambitions?
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A record number of people set up on their own in 2015, and with the economy continuing to grow strongly, next year could be an even better year for start-ups. Here are 10 tips from the Company Bug team if you’re thinking of starting your own business in 2016.
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