help

Exporting: Help for Exporters

Exporting: Help for Exporters

April 18, 2012 Exporting

There are a number of places where UK small businesses can seek help for exporting – from researching websites to organisations that provide support through to financial assistance – Below are listed a wealth of sources of help for exporters. Your Bank Your bank can provide a range of help on topics such as managing foreign transactions, trading overseas in sterling, owning assets abroad, exchange rates and managing foreign exchange risks. For more detailed financial advice and guidance on issues that affect you, you should talk to the international section of your bank. If you can’t find the right person to talk to, you could contact the following people at the one of the five major banks who will point you in the right direction: Barclays John Bevan, Head of Trade and Working... »

Employers Offered Free Redundancy Advice

Employers Offered Free Redundancy Advice

September 20, 2009 News

Employers who may be forced to make redundancies this autumn can now get free support following the launch of an online redundancy advice service, by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). While mainly aimed at employees, the Dr Redundancy service also offers a range of tools and support for business owners, including a legal advice telephone helpline, as well as access to free counselling and guidance on how to adapt the business following staff redundancies.     Employers are also encouraged to use the service as a means of support for staff being made redundant or those who are at risk of losing their jobs.  CMI chief executive, Ruth Spellman, said that in the current economic climate, redundancy was a reality that many employers and employees had had come to term... »

Post Offices Should Become Small Business Hubs

Post Offices Should Become Small Business Hubs

September 17, 2009 News

Struggling post offices around the UK should be transformed into small business hubs to safeguard their future, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which is urging the Government to support the move. Research from the FSB has found that 47 per cent of small firms use the Post Office at least twice a week, but that firms are not getting the local business support they would like to have. In the absence of business support in every community, FSB national chairman, John Wright, said that by becoming business hubs — through offering advice on banking, Government services and insurance, as well as access to dedicated Business Link advisers, Internet access and meeting room facilities for start-ups — the Post Office network would have a chance to become financiall... »

Website Provides Recession Survival Advice

Website Provides Recession Survival Advice

September 2, 2009 News

Small firms in need of business support to help them get through the recession can now use a new free website launched by accountant association AVN. Available at www.recessionresources.co.uk, the site includes a range of free tools, resources, training and guidance put together by more than 200 accountants and expert advisers. Practical support includes a comprehensive review tool, which is designed to help businesses strengthen their cashflow. Firms can also compare their performance against competitors or others in their sector with the site’s benchmarking reports. As well as identifying strengths and weaknesses, the report will advise businesses on how they can best survive the recession, based on individual results. Other content available to download includes videos of business... »

Four in Ten Entrepreneurs Suffer Sleepless Nights

Four in Ten Entrepreneurs Suffer Sleepless Nights

August 28, 2009 News

Stressed out small-business owners are feeling the brunt of the recession, with four in ten suffering from sleepless nights, research has revealed. A survey of more than 500 small-business owners by Close Invoice Finance found that 44 per cent were having problems sleeping due to worries about the downturn. Seven in ten also said they were significantly more stressed than last year because of the tough economic climate. “It is no surprise that so many business owners are feeling the pressure,” said Close Invoice Finance chief executive, David Thomson. “We continue to discuss the economic crisis in macro terms, ignoring the strain that managing a business through a downturn places on your personal life.” Work Wise UK chief executive, Phil Flaxton, said that one reaso... »

Small Business Help

Real Help for Businesses on Offer

February 6, 2009 News

Many businesses are preparing for tough times ahead. But there is real help available now to keep business fighting fit. Businesses are being urged to take advantage of a range of business support packages on offer to help them through the economic downturn as part of a public information campaign being launched today. The campaign, which will feature print, radio and online advertisements, has been launched to promote the new Real Help for Businesses Now guide (263K PDF) on the Business Link website – bringing together support from across Government in one easy-to-access place. Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said: "Businesses do not face this recession alone. I want to ensure that businesses know how to access the support they need to weather the current global economic sto... »

Help is at hand for SMEs

Help is at hand for SMEs

November 13, 2008 News

Small businesses are the backbone of Britain’s economy but these tough times mean a bumpy ride for many. For start-ups, the climate can appear especially daunting. Fortunately there is a wealth of business advice, information and help available for SMEs that need assistance in areas ranging from finance to business networking, from telecoms to training. By logging on to the webchat with Karen Hanton, one of Britain’s leading entrepreneurs, you can find out how to locate it, how to make the most of it, and how to make big savings for your business. Named as one of today’s top 30 entrepreneurs and the founder of Toptable Restaurants, Karen understands the problems that today’s small businesses face, and will be on hand with expert advice. Karen will coach start-ups an... »

London Start-Ups Offered Free Franchising Help

June 1, 2008 News

Small Business News – 1st June 2008 London entrepreneurs considering setting up as franchisees can find out more by attending a series of free seminars run by the London Development Agency’s Business London Franchise initiative. The 20 half-day seminars will provide impartial guidance on franchising in various locations around London from June this year to March 2009. “The workshops will include the fundamentals of franchising, because people know about the branding but don’t really understand the concept itself,” said Anne Stilton, project manager for business support specialist Exemplas, which is involved in delivering the seminars. “Then we help to evaluate whether setting up a franchise is right for the individual, which includes a SWOT analysis, and... »

Small Businesses Still Need Help in Going Green

October 17, 2007 News

Around 85% of the UK’s SMEs have put “going green” firmly on the business agenda during the next five years according to research by ISP Eclipse Internet. The figures suggest that our small & Medium Sized Enterprises are keen to cut their carbon footprint but also require more assistance from the government, saying that there is not enough support for their green business efforts. Having an environmentally friendly business, or at least “doing their bit” to cut down on waste and pollution, is apparently high on the list of priorities for UK small business and already many of them are putting into place measures to cut carbon. Mostly these efforts rely on: 76% of businesses now recycling or intending to recycle 67% of businesses reducing their waste or draw... »