Category: <span>Small business</span>

Remember the old days of office work?

A 9 am-sharp start, trapped in a sectioned off workstation for the best part of day – save for the odd five minute conversation with colleagues here and there – before finally clocking off at 5pm.

Eight hours of mindless grind.

It’s not like that these days though, not only are people working from home on a more regular basis, they’re also sharing their work space with entirely different businesses.

So could co-working be an option for you and your business?

Flexible working Small business

Although Russia only ever seems to be in the news for all the wrong reasons – from allegations of meddling in elections to poisoning ex-spies – but there are very strong trade links between the UK and Russia – with goods and service exports worth around £7.6 billion to the UK.

The Top UK exports include:

  • Engineering products
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Chemicals
  • Consumer goods
  • Education

Even so, the UK’s share of the Russian import market is behind France, Germany and Italy, so if you want to help boost the UK’s profile over there, here’s everything you need to know about exporting to Russia.

Around the world Guides & How-Tos Small business

The UK’s place in a customs union seems to be the biggest test facing those in charge of the Brexit negotiations – while the most hardline Brexiters seem to want the UK to cut all ties with the EU, Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, has conceded that border checks within the UK may be necessary in the future as Brussels published a draft withdrawal agreement under which the Northern Ireland would effectively stay in the single market and customs union after Brexit.

But what is a customs union, and why does it matter?

Around the world News Small business

Inspiration Small business Technology

Around the world Guides & How-Tos Small business

No-one knows how Brexit will affect businesses in the UK, but there are some worrying signs of trouble ahead, as some big players are contemplating relocation, and the price of everything seems to be on the rise.

And with many businesses in the UK already operating on tight margins, any slight increase in overheads could be enough to see them slip into financial difficulties.

So, were going to take a look at whether energy prices will increase, if and when the UK does leave the European Union (EU).

Infographics Small business Technology

House prices in the UK have rocketed by an eye-watering 181% since the start of the millennium. Getting on the property ladder is now arguably tougher then ever, with prospective buyers now expected to stump up an average of £211,000 for their first home – almost three times than the amount needed back in 2000, when the average spend was £75,000.

Our expectations of what we look for in a property have also shifted in that time, and while things like off-road parking,  and a new kitchen or bathroom can all increase the value of a house, there’s another, less obvious factor that could push up the price of a property – a superfast broadband connection.

Small business Technology Work from home

It’s just over a year since the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU), and just over a few months since the government triggered Article 50 and start two years of negotiations to thrash out a deal for Britain’s exit.

It’s safe to say the whole affair has been something of a farce since the votes were counted, and while the leave vote was cast largely on NHS funding and immigration, the only thing that’s become clear since the vote is that these two issues will not be dealt with as promised.

And that means migration is still a hot-potato in British politics and among the electorate – those who oppose it insist it’s bad for the job prospects of British-born citizens, while those in favour insist it’s essential to grow a thriving and culturally diverse country.

So, is migration good or bad for the UK economy?

Around the world News Small business

You can do big things with a small team – as someone who has worked as part of a small team in every job I’ve ever done, and worked with some amazing people on some amazing projects, I confirm this to be true.

If you’re thinking of expanding you’re team, think carefully before you do and check out these 6 advantages of running a small team…

Inspiration Small business

If you’ve ever started up your own business, you’ll appreciate that one of the toughest decisions you have to make is what to call your new venture. A business name has to work in a number of ways – it has to be something that reflects your brand identity, says something about what you offer, and sets your business apart from the competition.

And getting this just right isn’t easy, especially when you consider there are 5.4 million SMEs currently trading in the UK, so the chances are that someone in your industry has already thought of the name you had in mind.

Vistaprint, the personalised business cards manufacturer, recently conducted a survey to see what makes a memorable business name – here’s what it found…

Inspiration Small business