When it comes to your eCommerce business, there is always work to be done. New technologies and trends are constantly changing how consumers shop, which means that we need to change with them or risk getting left in the dust by our competitors.
small business
In the latest Small Business Index (SBI) carried out by the Federation of Small Businesses, it was found that small business confidence has risen again. The confidence of small businesses has hit a one year high, which is great news for the sector across the UK. The steady rise in the confidence portrays a bright future for small firms that remain strong and positive despite adversities.
You may think that the success of established global companies is the most vital factor in the health of the economy. However, you should not underestimate the importance of entrepreneurs in the business world. They start up fast-growing businesses that are responsible for creating around twice as many jobs as established companies. Entrepreneurs also innovate; they need to question practices and think creatively in order to survive and thrive. Established major companies do not have the same impetus to innovate. As the Financial Times reported, we need the innovation and job creation of the entrepreneur community, to help keep the economy stable and to keep the status quo from taking over and hampering technological and creative progress.
Recruiting for a business is one of the most important milestones. It marks either the beginning (if you start with a team) or the growth of a business. There is no other predictor of success as prevalent as the team of people you employ to work for you. Having a good team, that moulds together and works hard, is essential to business success. Therefore, when it comes to recruiting for a small business, there are multiple factors that need to be considered.
Running a small business is by no means an easy feat. It requires so much from one person whether it’s emotional intelligence, being able to effectively manage and lead a team, or passion that will help you get back up after setbacks and failure. Naturally, you will have a heavy workload as a small business owner. Therefore, you will need to make sure that you manage it effectively in order to make yourself and your business a success.
It’s incredibly important to stand out as an employer when you are hiring. Offering potential and existing staff perks and benefits will create happy, loyal employees. The extra perks and benefits could be a deciding factor when a candidate is choosing between you and another employer. Attracting and retaining talent is essential, especially for small businesses as the recruitment costs could be steep.
According to the latest research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), it was found that small businesses are unprepared for some of the biggest disruptions a business could face. The issues that could arise from cyber crime to staff losses or severe weather, can have a huge impact on small businesses. Therefore, small businesses need to get prepared and have a contingency plan in place.
Does your business have more than one physical location? We understand that as an SME, it can be difficult to decide the best way to approach local SEO. You want your local branches to have a competitive online presence, but you don’t know where to start.
If you need some marketing inspiration, there’s no better role model than Apple. The marketing geniuses at Apple know that the secret to super-effective ads lies first and foremost in their simplicity.
Keeping staff happy is essential for a thriving, productive workplace. Making sure that your staff are happy will ensure that they are working hard to make your business a success. Scheduling and managing shifts can sometimes be difficult, especially when running a small business. However, by creating a ‘give and take’ relationship with your employees, it can be beneficial to you both. A good business leader will always keep employee satisfaction and happiness in mind.
If you are thinking about taking your business online or starting an online business from scratch then you will need to choose the right online payment system. There are a variety of online payment options to consider if you are setting up your business online. You will need to keep in mind the ease of using each method, the transaction fee rates, the help and advice available, as well as other factors.
It is not a widely known fact, but company directors can receive statutory redundancy pay from their limited company under certain circumstances. If your company becomes insolvent and has to be liquidated, whether this happens on a voluntary basis or forcibly via a creditor’s winding-up petition, you may be eligible to make a claim.
When small businesses owners are starting their business, the main aim and priority is to keep the costs low. It is likely, most of the costs will be spent on necessities, rather than luxuries. Some may think that HR professionals or an HR department are a luxury, however, they can help implement workplace policies and keep the business out of trouble. If it’s not possible to hire an HR professional, then outsourcing can also be an option. However, it is advisable to hire an individual to manage the HR of your business as soon as you can.
It doesn’t matter what size your business is, there will come a point where you’ll have to consider funding (such as a small business loan) in order to take it to the next level. This additional finance might be used for a number of beneficial investments, including hiring extra staff, buying additional equipment, or moving to larger premises.
Gus Bartholomew is the latest entrepreneur to feature in our success stories. Gus is the co-founder of SupplyCompass, a company that helps clients in the UK get in touch with manufacturers in India. In this success story, Gus discusses working with a partner and working in both the UK and India.
If you enjoy photography and have a good eye for architectural details, you may be a good candidate to start your own business as a real estate photographer. Photography has never been more important to selling real estate than it is today. High-quality images on websites, apps, and virtual tours are the primary way that people decide which houses to include in their search.
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The investment in the small business sector has fallen, according to the latest Federation of Small Business (FSB) research. The number of small businesses that are planning to invest in the future of their business in the upcoming months, has decreased. This decrease hitting an 18-month high.
The social and political landscape is changing. Driven by the digital revolution and gathering pace as the number of so-called ‘digital natives’ reach adulthood, this paradigm shift is a result of society shunning traditional leadership models and preferring direct connection instead of intermediation. It’s because of this shift that crowdfunding was born, and the effects it’s having on society are far more profound than many realise.
BT has announced it will be switching off its PSTN and ISDN networks in 2025 in favour of IP voice services, with a gradual phase-out of the older systems starting in 2020. At this point, BT will cease taking ISDN orders, and all businesses will be forced to find other IP-based options for their business telephone systems.
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Your company is never going to be successful unless you’re able to generate a steady revenue. For many businesses, it can be difficult to branch out and find more customers. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to boost your company’s sales. By making a few switches, you’ll have an easier time luring in customers and convincing them to buy your goods and services. Tips for doing just that will be explored in more depth below.
