
How Much Public Liability Insurance Do I Need?
Public liability insurance is very important because it protects businesses from being sued for negligence. If a customer or member of the public is injured

Tackling Inflation As An SME: 5 Strategies For Corporate Success
It’s no secret that inflation is on the rise. After the annual inflation rate across the United Kingdom rose to 7% in March 2022, Brits are seeing their highest price hike since 1992. In response, we have explored five key strategies that could be crucial to small business success on the back of inflation’s profit pressure. Read on as we delve into the effects of price rises on an SME landscape and discuss the small changes small business owners should make if they want to stay afloat.

HSBC Launches Lending Fund For Female Entrepreneurs
HSBC announces the launch of a Female Entrepreneur Fund, which will provide US$1bn in lending to female-owned businesses over the next 12 months.

What Is A HMRC Statement of Earnings?
HMRC’s Statement of Earnings, also known as form L17, is an important document that all employers are required to submit. It details how much money

How to find Inner Safety, Sleep Well and Increase Energy and Performance
In light of her latest book released, Finding Inner Safety, renowned Neurophysiologist and Sleep Expert, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan explains how you can find your inner safety, sleep well and increase energy and performance at work and at home.

Can You Run A Business From A Local Authority-Owned Or Rented Property?
There are many advantages to running a business from home, including lower overheads and greater flexibility. It can provide you with a better work/life balance

Preventing a Wage Spiral: How to Balance Talent Retention and Recruitment Post-Pandemic
The Great Resignation has presented a huge challenge for businesses that now have to balance retaining skilled talent with attracting new ones. As workers evaluate whether to stay with their current employer or move on, a Totaljobs survey reveals that 33% of UK working-age adults wish to review the current benefits and options their role offers. Therefore, organisations must take urgent steps to help them retain staff and succeed in recruiting – all whilst preventing an unsustainable wage spiral.

Hiring in a Neurodiverse World
Traditional hiring processes are not designed with neurodiverse candidates in mind. In fact, just 22% of autistic adults are in any kind of employment. But what businesses don’t quite understand is that having a neurodiverse workforce contributes to greater creativity and innovation, and encourages more unique ideas and perspectives. Evidence also suggests that neurodiverse employees have higher aptitudes for technical skills, as well as their ability to focus on tasks at hand.

E-commerce and Social Media: A Changing Role
Social media has become a significant player in e-commerce, and it’s not just because it’s the platform of choice for millennials. More people are starting to use social media platforms to make purchases, ask questions, hunt for coupon and promo codes, seek help with returns, shipping issues, etc.

Guide To The New Electrical Rules For Landlords
If you’re a landlord in England or Wales, you may or not be aware that your legal responsibilities surrounding electrical safety in your properties changed

How To Beat Loneliness In The Workplace
With Mental Health Week upon us, it is a timely moment to think about the way in which your business supports employees with mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. This is particularly the case in the light of recent changes that many have seen to their working model following COVID-19 and the growth in remote working.

How To Get Started In Property Investment
The UK property market has always been one of the most popular markets to invest in, as it remains a clear opportunity to build long-term returns. Popular with new business owners and experienced investors alike, while recent property forecasts suggest the UK could see prices grow by 21.5% up till 2025, UK investing remains a reliable opportunity for maximising returns amidst low-interest rates and incredible demand.

Buying A Van For Business As A Sole Trader
Buying a van for business as a sole trader has so many fantastic benefits. This can be a great way to transport your tools and

How To Redact Confidential Information From Bank Statements
If you have to provide a bank statement as part of a legal process, or if you just want to protect your privacy, it is

What Are Creditors Amounts Falling Due Within One Year?
When looking at a company’s balance sheet, one of the most important line items to look at is creditors’ amounts falling due within one year.

How the Move Towards Cleaner Transport Fails to Address Safety
Sustainable transport solutions are constantly in the headlines as a means to fight climate change, but there is a missing link. People’s safety perceptions and risks need to be addressed. Failing to do this will reduce their adoption of alternative forms of sustainable transport – and the environment will pay the price.

Conquering Dragons’ Den with cheesegeek Founder, Edward Hancock
Real Business chats with cheesegeek Founder and successful Dragon’s Den candidate, Edward Hancock, about making the leap from finance to food and his experience on the popular BBC show. Hancock launched cheesegeek in 2017, an online subscription service for the best cheese selection to suit any occasion or cheese lover’s tastes.

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular, as more and more people are realising the benefits of working in a collaborative environment. They offer both startup

How Small Businesses Can Capitalise on Demographic Changes
While we’d all hoped that 2022 would bring some respite to UK small business owners, the next few months look set to present a whole new set of challenges as inflation continues to rise. Amidst this disruption, prioritising anything beyond the day-to-day of keeping a small business afloat seems daunting. Marketing and growing new customers can easily fall by the wayside.

Lessons from the TV World: The Link Between Developing TV Shows and New Businesses
It may surprise you to learn that developing a tv show is remarkably similar to creating a new business. Every show idea, every production, is like creating a new business. They all require their own business plan. The key to success? Inspiration, opportunity, timing, network, ability, and a bit of luck.

What Is Class 4 National Insurance Used For?
Class 4 National Insurance is a tax that self-employed people in the UK have to pay. It is used to fund state benefits, such as

In Transformational Businesses, a Good CEO is a Work in Progress
What makes a good business leader? Confidence is, of course, an essential trait in a CEO – without it, there’s no aspiration, drive or belief in the company’s strategic plan. But how important is self-confidence? Is it necessary for a leader to have all the answers?

Understanding Mutuality Of Obligation In Business Law
Mutuality of obligation is a very important issue in UK business law. Put simply, it means that an employer has a legal obligation to provide

Branded Content Can Be Key To Protecting Your Reputation
For a lot of businesses marketing and PR is often seen to have one ultimate goal – drive sales. The equation is simple, the more people who see your brand and are engaged by your message or content, the more likely they are to buy from you. But there is another side to communications that we talk about less – reputation management.

The Pros & Cons of Employee Ownership Trusts
An employee ownership trust is a type of employee benefit trust that holds shares on behalf of employees. It is a way for businesses to

Elon Musk Buys Twitter: What Does it Mean for SMEs?
Elon Musk has succeeded in his mission to buy social media platform Twitter. The final bid? A massive $44 billion. As the world reacts, we want to think about how this move could both benefit and harm small businesses.

Converting Half Your Garage To Viable Office Space
Do you need more office space but don’t want to spend the money on renting an extra room? Or maybe you work from home but

How To Flip Houses Successfully In The UK
In the UK, there are many opportunities to make a profit by buying and selling properties. Flipping properties has been a tried and tested strategy

IP Disputes – What Should SMEs Consider?
This March, UK supermarkets Waitrose and Asda became embroiled in the latest IP dispute, with Waitrose sending a legal letter to Asda after it released a discount product range that looked – well, suspiciously similar to Waitrose’s according to the supermarket.

Eskimoz Conquers the European SEO Market
It is no wonder that Eskimoz has been able to conquer the European search engine optimization market. From 17 million euros raised by Momentum and more than 100 consultants working for them across 5 countries – they are truly a force in this industry.

Do I Need To Notify HMRC Of A Change of Address?
Do I need to notify HMRC of a change of address? The answer is a resounding yes, if you’re on the move, it’s absolutely necessary

How To Rent Out Property For The First Time
So, you’re considering renting out a property for the first time? Congratulations! This can be a great way to make some extra money, but it’s

Reducing the Risk of Innovation in B2B
The world is changing so rapidly that even established businesses need to act like a startup. Operational efficiency and agility have become the prerequisite for long-term success. B2B businesses must demonstrate to their end customers that they can deliver a quality product today and focus on developing their resources, systems, and capabilities to remain competitive well into the future.

“Inspire your team to excellence”: Interview with Marie Grove Walton
From promising new enterprise to working with Lacoste, Versace, and Goldsmiths, one of the UK’s leading quality jewellers to name a few, Marie Grove Walton has achieved significant success with her PR and marketing agency, Grove Communication.

Are You Due A Payment On Account Refund From HRMC?
When you work for yourself in the UK, there are a lot of things to keep track of – from your business expenses to making

Why Leaders Should Consider Grief Rituals in the Workplace
We’ve seen two years of relentless grief caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and the world is now truly shaking as the horrors in Ukraine unfold. The despair and anxiety has been so persistent that there’s a danger we could become numb to it. We constantly look at the news feeds, but we do not feel their horror. They are data, and we remain detached.

TikTok for Business: How to Market to Millions
Rob Neander, the Performance Director at Spin Brands talks through how your SME can capitalise on the social media platform taking the consumer by storm. Acting as one of the most valuable marketing tools, Rob Neander tells us how we can take the next step in marketing to millions.

How Has COP26 Affected The Corporate Sector Six Months Later?
As we reach the six-month mark on the back of COP26, it’s clear that the corporate world is starting to hold itself accountable for its sustainable shortcomings. From prioritising bottom-up action to improving company transparency amongst a more active audience, a number of e-commerce giants are working towards a greener future.

How Do You Integrate a Multi-Cultural Hybrid Team?
There’s no doubt that the pandemic accelerated some trends which were already in motion before the virus struck. One of which is flexible working, and after two years of living with successive lockdowns and enforced working from home, many SMEs have made the decision to fully embrace working from home and enact policies which mean employees can work wherever they like.

Guide To Self-Assessment Payment On Account
While self-employment has many fantastic benefits, there is one issue that is a thorn in the side of many self-employed people: taxes. Unlike people in

How Can We Address the SME Funding Gap?
What if we lived in a world of abundance where all our basic needs were catered for? Set against the threats of climate change and geo-political tensions, this may seem fanciful but it has to be the ultimate aim of every nation. And prosperity through SME job creation is an absolutely essential part of this. Therefore, access to finance and the growth of confidence within the sector are the critical components required to achieve that.

What Happens if Britain’s Backbone Breaks?
Great British Businesses breathed a sigh of relief as pandemic restrictions were finally lifted. Their adaptability, ingenuity, and determination to survive, and even thrive, has been nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Contract Works Insurance Explained
Contract works insurance is an important type of insurance for businesses in the construction industry. It provides cover for companies in the event that something

It’s Time Businesses Reboot Their Employee Wellbeing Experience Tools
Employee mental health deteriorated as a result of the pandemic. In fact, a recent survey showed only half (52%) of employees would describe their mental health as good, compared to 66% in early 2020, showing a 14% drop since the pandemic.

How Much Does A Business Accountant Typically Cost?
When you’re running a business, it’s important to keep track of your finances and make sure everything is in order. This is where an accountant

The Formula for High Fashion: How Sunglasses Deals Became Big Business for the F1 Industry
Formula 1 is a sport that’s long been associated with high fashion and class, but it turns out that fashion and F1 is big business – particularly when it comes to the types of sunglasses that leading drivers are sporting.

Should Employers Provide Workers Access to Mental Health Services?
Did you know it is Stress Awareness Month? Stress can be incredibly challenging for people to cope with, especially in high pressure, fast paced work environments. It can cause long term illness, massively impact an individual’s productivity, and impact their performance and wellbeing in the workplace.

Guide To Handling HMRC Tax Errors and Mistakes
HMRC, or the Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, is a government department in charge of taxation in the United Kingdom. They are responsible for overseeing

Do I Need Landlord Insurance?
If you’re a new or existing landlord and own one property or more, it is your responsibility to ensure that it is properly insured when

Looking for Investment? Get Your IP in Order
For many growing businesses, at the outset, intellectual property IP may not be at the top of the agenda. It can be challenging to get your head around and, at times, the exact benefit it’s going to deliver is not always clear.

How To Benefit From The 18-Year Property Cycle
There is serious money to be made in property. But you need to have the right knowledge. Many property investors make their decisions based on

How To Access Prince’s Trust Business Grants
If you are looking for financial assistance to start or grow your small business, the Prince’s Trust may be able to help. The Prince’s Trust

How to Handle a ‘Will Smith’ Situation in the Workplace
For people managers and HR, the Will Smith situation underscores the importance of employees behaving appropriately at work events. Poor conduct could not only damage the employer’s reputation but also leave you with the hangover of a potential disciplinary situation to contend with.

What Is A CSCS Card And Who Is Required To Have One?
CSCS cards are a must-have when you’re working in the construction industry. But what is a CSCS card, and who needs to hold one? A

Essential Info For Compiling Year-End Accounts
Completing accounts year-end in the UK is a process that all limited companies must go through. This process is critical for ensuring your business is

Where is Forex legal and illegal?
While the global forex market is one of the most liquid entities of its type in the world, this sector remains at the mercy of numerous challenges and misconceptions. Incredibly, the practice is even illegal in some jurisdictions, with some authorities believing them to be highly damaging and vulnerable to rigging in the worst-case scenario.

The Best Tools for Creative Freelancers
With 44% of millennials freelancing in the past year and 36% of Gen Z workers freelancing since the outbreak of COVID-19, the gig economy in the UK is growing more than ever. We’ve put together a few recommendations on platforms you could use to make your freelancer projects run smoothly.

What To Do When Your Confirmation Statement Is Overdue
Seeing the words ‘confirmation statement overdue’ is enough to send anyone into a panic. But what should you do if you’re late filing your confirmation

How To Pay Someone Who Is Not VAT Registered
Paying someone who is not VAT registered in the UK can seem like a daunting task because you may be worried about having to cover

Can a New Communication System be a Game-changer for Your Company?
Today, all industries are so competitive, that the smallest advantage you can get on other companies from your industry, may make a great difference at the end of the year. Changing your communication system, to one using VoIP, is definitely one of these elements that will make you benefit and add to your revenues. Here is why.

What Are The Different Types Of Business Assets A Company Can Hold?
When you’re starting a business, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is what assets to hold. There are many different types of assets

The Chancellor’s Spring Statement 2022: The Summary
Chancellor Rishi Sunak stood before Parliament today to outline the financial plans to keep the UK’s economy steady and help households with the rising cost of living.

10 Inspiring UK Women-Owned Businesses
The UK is quickly becoming a leading hub for female entrepreneurs. From small businesses to major corporations, women are leading the way in terms of

Tips For Starting A Recruitment Business
2022 is set to be a year of growth for businesses. Many businesses are predicted to look to hire new staff in 2022 in an

Why Any Business Serious About Sustainability Should Consider Becoming a B Corp
Standing in the bleak torrent of 24-hour news at the moment, you’d be forgiven for not noticing that we’re right in the middle of B Corp month. But if you’re involved in business in any way and interested in a more equitable, sustainable future, then B Corp certification is something that needs to be on your radar.

Should My Business Accept Cryptocurrency As Payment?
Cryptocurrencies have been around for a while now, but they are still not as widely accepted as regular currency. However, more and more businesses are

Who Is Steven Bartlett? Our Guide To The New Dragon In The Den
Just last year, Steven Bartlett stepped up to become the youngest ever investor on Dragon’s Den. But who exactly is he and how did he

How To Find the Right Employees for Your Company?
A company is only as good as the sum of the qualities of its employees. No matter how great the product or the service it offers, if employees aren’t right, it will be difficult for the company to grow and thrive. Here are a few tips that will help you hire the right people for your company, in the future.

The Ways To Think Sustainably in Designing the Modern Workspace
After two tumultuous years of fighting a headline dominating pandemic, it’s easy to appreciate how the climate crisis was put on the back-burner. However, as life returns to a new ‘normal’ and offices reopen, everyone is now steering the conversation to how we collectively reach net-zero goals.

Is Your Brand a Great Design Story in the Making?
In owning the legacy of their design, brands from Apple all the way through to Burger King don’t just create recognisable and laudable visual stories over time, they create meaningful shortcuts to emotional connection with their audiences.

Is The Apprentice Spreading Unrealistic Ideas About Running Your Own Business?
As 4.6 million viewers tuned in to catch the launch episode of the most recent series of The Apprentice, the long-running business competition show can still garner interest from the British public, despite many critics suggesting it has run its course.

How To Create A Business YouTube Channel
Did you know that there are over 300 hours of video content uploaded to YouTube every minute? YouTube is by far the world’s favourite video

Opening of GOV G-Cloud 13 Framework Means Huge Opportunities for SMEs
In light of the hotly anticipated Government G-Cloud 13 tender framework – which opened for applications Wednesday 9th March – we look at how to maximise the consequent opportunities for SMEs.

How To Forecast Cashflow For Your Business
‘Cash is King’ is a saying that everyone has heard, but if you are a small business owner, keeping cash flowing is about as crucial

Lewis Hamilton: Lessons in Resilience and Determination
Lewis Hamilton seems to go against the grain of conventional thinking, no emotional outbursts – rather appearing calm, composed, and gentle-natured. There’s no denying his steely determination to succeed, but this seems in stark contrast to descriptions of him as humble, caring, and altruistic – traits not often associated with pioneers.

How To Create A Brand For Your Business
Although the word ‘brand’ is commonplace, many people don’t know what the word really means. How can one create a brand without really knowing what

Adopting a People First Approach to Technology
In this article, business technology specialist The Access Group, explains how we can harness the potential of technology to deliver better, more human results.

Reinventing the Digital Employee Experience in 2022
Hybrid and remote working is now a reality for many and as a result, employees’ needs have substantially changed. Not only do employees now expect an environment of open communication with their employer, personalisation, efficiency and simplicity with processes – like timesheets or requesting leave – is also a necessity.

Why Algorithms Are Part of The Solution to a Carbon-Offset Future
In today’s complex and interconnected environment, it is fair to say that almost every business —in some way—contributes to increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Women-Led Businesses You Should Be Paying Attention To
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Real Business is casting a spotlight on six women-led businesses that are focused on innovation and wellbeing. These entrepreneurs are driving forces behind disruptive and unique companies you need to know about.

How To Set Up A Workplace Pensions Scheme
Did you know that it is a legal requirement for most employers in the UK to pay at least 3% of their employees’ salaries into

How Important Is SEO & PPC for Business?
Using the power of search engines to bring in business should always be a part of your digital marketing efforts. Search engines like Google have

Litalist: Building a Community Between Book Lovers and Booksellers
Last year, the UK book market enjoyed one of its best sales years in over a decade and this World Book Day, we hope that love of reading is still burning bright as we interviewed author and serial entrepreneur, Seni Glaister, about her new social and e-commerce platform, Litalist.

10 Ways To Make Money Online In 2022
Online businesses are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. With the advanced digital technology we have available, online businesses are not only possible, but they

Breaking into the Publishing Industry? Start Your Own Crowdfunded Publisher
This World Book Day, we’re diving into the world of publishing. Breaking into the industry the traditional way can be difficult and expensive as the

Consumer Lending Expected to Rise During 2022
“Consumer lending and borrowing is set to increase this year, according to two industry experts, who have seen a decline in consumer borrowing and lending

Marketing Strategies in a Technology-Driven Age
New York Times bestselling author and Founder and CEO of Genius Group, Roger James Hamilton, talks through which marketing strategies you should be implementing to align with the ever-growing technology-driven age.

How To Start Selling On Amazon
Amazon is known to be one of the biggest selling platforms in the world. According to Statista, as of April 2021, Amazon registered around 407

Business Leaders Are Under Unprecedented Pressure – But Have Unprecedented Opportunities
The huge pressure on Unilever CEO Alan Jope in the past couple of months characterises the unprecedented challenges today’s business leaders face.

Productivity Wars: How Managers Can Re-Inspire Their Teams
Business leaders have faced challenges and difficulties unknown to their peers in years gone by. Almost every aspect of our working lives has been altered or shifted by the pandemic and we have been introduced to new ways of working and collaborating at scale.

Russian Invasion of Ukraine Threatens Global Economy Amid Massive Recession
With the Ukraine reporting several explosions at its military bases and near major cities, Russia’s invasion brings further chaos and uncertainty to EU markets and threaten global economic recovery post-pandemic, while the UK and much of Europe are working through a significant recession.

7 Things To Consider When Starting A Remote Only Business
A remote business is an easy and accessible way to achieve financial freedom and flexibility. No matter where you are in the world, a remote

Side Hustle Ideas To Make Extra Money In 2022
As the cost of living continues to increase, making ends meet becomes more difficult for the average person. Even if your salary does cover all

Two-thirds of Surveyed SMEs Concerned Over Navigating Climate Action
First of its kind survey of businesses from UN-backed SME Climate Hub shows that small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) need additional resources and guidance to reduce carbon emissions.

HMRC Reveals Pre-pandemic Self-employed Pension Contributions Were on the Decline
Fresh data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed that the number of pension contributions made by Britain’s self-employed professionals was at record lows before the pandemic hit.

How To Deal With Poor Performing Employees
Poor performing employees can be a huge issue for any business. They can cause decreased productivity, poor quality of work, and even behavioural problems. It

How Can Employers Achieve Everyday Wins in Their People Communications?
In this new report, Working Wonders with Words: A guide to achieving everyday wins in your people communications, published by business technology specialist The Access Group, employers are encouraged to consider the link between language and emotions.

How a Digital Skills Gap Could Be Harmful to Your Business
A lack of digital literacy in any business could lead to higher costs, poor customer experience and low employee satisfaction. Dr Antonio Wiess, Senior Partner at The PSC and author of The Practical Guide to Digital Transformation, outlines what these threats could look like and how to combat them in an increasingly digitised world.

Queer-owned Small Businesses: How To Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month And People All Year Round
To celebrate this month, we’ve spoken to some queer business owners on what it’s like running a queer-owned business, what LGBTQ+ History Month means to them, and what advice they’d give non-queer business owners on supporting queer employees and celebrating this important month all year round.

Training Grants For Small Businesses In The UK
If you are a small business owner, you should always be looking for ways in which you can expand your skills as well as your

How To Set Up A Facebook Business Page
Social media is an integral part of any business’s marketing plan. Creating social media profiles for your business will provide you with more opportunities to

“Creators aren’t aspirational dreamers, they’re a critical part of the economy,” says Lotanna Ezeike, Founder and CEO, XPO
The financial impact of the last 24 months is hard to quantify. Incomes have been pressured and stretched to breaking point with distortion in the workplace. This is going to be hard for those in mainstream employment, so consider the challenges faced by the creator economy.

New Alcohol Duty Could Slam Small Wine Sellers
Outlined in October’s Budget, market leaders are expressing concern that the proposed changes to alcohol duty, specifically on wines, could leave smaller wine sellers struggling and give the UK public less choice at higher prices.

Who Is Ramneek Sidhu? Entrepreneur & Digital Kings’ Owner
If you follow business news and stories at all, then Ramneek Sidhu may be a name that is familiar to you. Although the 26-year old

Why Parental Leave Isn’t the Issue for Young Professionals
A recent survey has shown that poor parental leave policies have led to one in five younger workers to quit their job. The survey from Opinium also revealed that 84% of respondents thought that having a child had a negative impact on a person’s career.

How To Set Up A Company That Sells Successfully On eBay
For over two decades, eBay has been the number one online marketplace to buy and sell items. eBay is not only a great place to

Britain Remains a Global Leader in Foreign Business
Despite the concerns raised in regards to new customs rules that took effect last month and fears that the UK would lose its allure for foreign businesses post-Brexit, new data suggests Britain remains a global leader.

Pet Business Ideas That Could Bring You Success
Pets are an important part of many people’s lives as they provide companionship, unconditional love and entertainment. In fact, people love their pets so much

With Love – Taking the Opportunity to Care for Your Staff on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is globally recognised and celebrated beyond the office – but it is not, however, a holiday that’s on the radar of business leaders and managers. Behind the commercial aspect of this holiday, there’s often a genuine spirit that’s all about spreading a sense of appreciation and gratitude.

TALA Raises £4.2m in Funding to Champion Sustainability
Grace Beverley might be one of the biggest social media influencer success stories as her fitness fashion brand TALA has taken the activewear market by storm. With her latest announcement, she champions what young consumers are looking for in their clothing: sustainability and affordability.

What Happens If You’re Made Bankrupt?
Bankruptcy is a legal status that usually lasts for a year and can be a useful way to clear debts that you can’t pay. When

Oldest Pair Breaks Record Rowing Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge
Guy Rigby, 68, and David Murray, 56, have become the oldest pair ever to row across the Atlantic ocean as part of the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge. Founder and Chair of the Entrepreneurial Services Group at Smith & Williamson, Guy and his crew mate David, Director of Hotsmoked, investor, and sports enthusiast, set sail in December (2021) as part of ‘The Entrepreneur Ship’ to raise money for UnLtd.

Creating Skincare Brands for the TikTok Generation with Tiffany Salmon
Tiffany Salmon, Creative Director at Amelia Knight and Founder of Scientia, Glow Hub, and Soak Sunday, has experienced incredible brand success through TikTok, with #glowhub garnering over 7.5 million views.

Where To Sell Your Business
As a business owner looking to sell your business, you’ll know that this can be a rather stressful time as you look for the right

How to Surmount Your Self-Doubt as an SME Entrepreneur
Do you ever have those days where you start to question what you’re doing? Not just whether this, that, or the other decision was right or wrong. But whether you should even be making those decisions in the first place. Externally you might appear bold and confident. But inside, you’re battling imposter syndrome. Because you’re an entrepreneur, and self-doubt is part of the package.

Upskilling for the Unknown Future with Amrit Sandhar
‘The Engagement Coach’, Amrit Sandhar discusses the clear need for upskilling, but is business ready for the uncertain world we have ahead of us?

5 Companies Committed to Hitting Net Zero in 2022
In 2019, the UK passed a law to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Since then, the Government has launched its Build Back Greener strategy which shows how businesses and individuals will be supported in their transition to renewable energy.

How To Write The Ultimate Business Plan
Whatever industry you operate within, creating an effective business plan is the key to success. Your business plan will include the vision and mission of

Social First, CV Second: How Gen Z is Changing the Hiring Process
If you’re older than 25, you’ll still clearly remember the days when recruitment success came down to your application form and interview performance. The hours spent honing your CV were worth it because that carefully crafted document could open doors. Your professional presentation was all that mattered. But slowly but surely, the hiring process has changed.

What Is FOB Pricing And How Does It Work?
If you’re a business owner or an aspiring business owner that’s involved in import and export, one of the concepts that you need to have

How To Estimate Your Business Rates
If you own a business of any size in the UK, you will know that there are many expenses and overheads that can diminish your

Ocean Club Holidays: Vertically Integrated, Organically Grown
As travel restrictions are lifted and the UK adjusts to a new normal post-pandemic, many holidaymakers who have missed the sun, beaches, and relaxation of a break abroad are clicking ‘book’ on escapes away. Family owned and run, Ocean Club Holidays, are excited to see the end of the travel bans, welcoming back loyal guests and new travellers.

How A Podcast Can Help Grow Your Business
Podcasts have soared in popularity in recent years, with around 25% of adults claiming to listen to podcasts on a weekly basis. There’s no wonder

Private Capital Could Help Drive SMEs Forward on the Road to Recovery
Now that those temporary measures are no longer on the table, businesses are having to think about what permanent solutions are available to them to sustain them through the next stage of recovery and growth. Whether further bank lending will be forthcoming on favourable terms, or at all, is by no means certain, as many SMEs found to their dismay after the financial crisis. One alternative funding option worth investigating is private capital. It could be a game-changer for smaller companies.

5 Things SMEs Have to Implement in 2022 to Thrive
Many small businesses have been hit hard over the last couple of years, and they must be resilient if they are to compete and thrive in the post pandemic world.

Access Group: At The Forefront of The Hybrid Working Future
Adaptability is key for overcoming challenges, but tech investment is needed to align the workforce of the future, says Access Group CFO Rob Binns. In a sentence or two, who is the Access Group? What do they do?

How Making Tax Digital Impacts Your Business
The government is currently in the process of rolling out Making Tax Digital to all aspects of taxes, from VAT to income tax. The aim

How To Set Up And Register An Overseas Company In The UK
If you have an international or overseas business and are looking to set up a branch in the UK, there are certain protocols that you

Covid Rules To Be Lifted In England Over The Next Week
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the Plan B restrictions implemented in England with the spread of Omicron are being lifted over the next

Pioneering Adtech Company Keeps TV Advertisers Informed and Adaptable
Real Business sat down with TVSquared Founder and CEO, Calum Smeaton, to discuss the world of data analysis, the benefits of using television advertising as part of your marketing campaign, and the future of traditional TV advertising in the face of booming online streaming platforms.

The New Year: The New Loyalty and Rewards Strategy
It is often true for any business that it is cheaper to retain existing customers than to try and attract new ones. Some of the best methods for encouraging customer loyalty is to offer consumers incentives to make repeat purchases or sign up for subscriptions. Using a loyalty and rewards program to drive sales, gather customer data, and improve customer retention is a tried-and-true strategy.

The Book Boom: Publishing Sales Soar
As the nation retreated inside under numerous lockdowns, it seems we have turned to the comfort of literature to keep ourselves afloat in another year of stress and isolation. Last year’s book sales leapt to the highest figure in a decade – 212 million print books sold – despite our restricted access to in-person retail stores.

How To Import Stock Into The UK For Your Business
Knowing how to import stock into the UK for your business can be difficult and time-consuming. It’s important to have the right knowledge and approvals

What Business Owners Need to Know about Workplace Mental Health Support
The third Monday of January, dubbed ‘Blue Monday’, is a day in which many are often more down. Pay day still feels like a lifetime off, and the blues have well and truly set-in. Leading chartered psychologist and founder of ‘Healthy You’, Dr Jan Smith, explains what you need to have in place to support the mental wellbeing of your staff in the workplace.

Planning to Upscale: How Can Enterprise Search Solutions Support SME Growth?
Keeping a coherent and accurate record of crucial information and important content can be a serious struggle for businesses, especially when working in separate teams and in different locations. This can be especially difficult when you set your sights on upscaling your business, adding more staff, more clients, and potentially more locations. Enterprise search solutions can help you and your workforce access necessary information and data quickly and easily, cutting down the time taken searching multiple systems for the relevant files.

Can You Afford To Retire?
Retirement is often seen as a period of celebrating your golden years. With no need to work, you can focus on your hobbies, family, and

A Guide To Employment Tribunals
If you are a business owner, employer or even employee, it would be prudent to have a basic knowledge about employment tribunals, as you may

Are Print Magazines Still Viable in our Increasingly Digital Lifestyles?
In the face of rising digitalisation and the popularity of the minimalism aesthetic, the viability of print magazines might be waning as we step into a more sustainable future. The pandemic restricted our ability to browse the supermarket and slip a last-minute glossy magazine with a scintillating title into our baskets, but will we return to picking up a GQ, Cosmopolitan, or Good Housekeeping with our weekly shopping?

How to Make the Most Out of the New Year
After the difficult hardships of the past two years, you may be feeling despondent about 2022, unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel and not finding much enthusiasm in this new beginning.

UK Business Owners: 7 Strategies for Quickly Expanding Your Business into the US
From Divido to Radical Tea Towel, HSBC to Barclays, Unilever to GlaxoSmithKline, UK businesses have been transitioning into the US markets for generations.

What You Can Claim As Expenses If You’re Self Employed
If you are self employed, there are certain expenses that you can deduct from your income to calculate the tax owed on your business profits.

Why Emotional Intelligence is Key to Successful Conscious Leadership
The title may sound complex, but to be a truly impactful leader in today’s world, Emotional Intelligence has proven to be where the real winners operate from and is the key to successful conscious leadership – which is crucial for any business success.

How To Start A Cleaning Business
While a cleaning business may not sound all that glamorous, there is certainly a lot of money to be made in the cleaning industry. There

What Benefits Can A Business Coach Bring?
Hiring a business coach is becoming increasingly popular amongst business owners, with many CEOs attributing their success to the support of their business coach. But

Ways to Avoid Burnout as a Freelancer
With over 15 years leading workplace mental health, Chartered Psychologist, Dr Jan Smith explains the steps you should be taking to ensure you don’t get burnt out as a freelancer as we head into 2022.

3 Easy Ways to Simplify Your Small Business For Streamlined Success
The world of entrepreneurship and operating a business is by no means an easy one, so making things as streamlined and easy as possible can only be a good thing. There are small changes that can be made and systems that can be implemented as a way to try and action this simplification and in the long run will save you time and energy.

Elizabeth Holmes Found Guilty of Fraud in Theranos Case
Once viewed as a rising star of Silicon Valley and a figure of inspiration for women in tech, the former CEO if Theranos has been found guilty of defrauding investors during the company’s fifteen years of trading.

How To Deal With Imposter Syndrome at Work
Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon that is experienced by many people in the workplace. It can be detrimental to both your personal and professional life

The Importance of Company Culture for Recruitment Agencies
The recruitment industry has seen change unlike any other year due to the coronavirus pandemic, leading to global skills and labour shortages. With over one in four workers planning to change jobs in what has been deemed ‘The Great Resignation’, securing the right candidate for a job is proving to be difficult.

What Constitutes Discrimination In The Workplace?
Every workplace should strive to be an inclusive and fair place to be. But despite advances in equality in recent years, some prejudices still exist,

The 15 Best Part-Time Business Ideas For 2022
If we have learnt anything from 2020 and 2021 is that industries can be turned on their heads instantly. This is why multiple streams of

How To Defend a Call on a Personal Guarantee
A personal guarantee is an agreement between a business owner and lender, stating that individual or individuals who sign it will be responsible for paying the financial obligations of the business if the business fails to do so.

There’s Bias in Burnout, and Things Need to Change
In different workplace settings across the world, the strange and unsettling feeling of exhaustion – known as ‘burnout’ – has taken many workers by surprise. With cases on the rise in our society, following the fallout of a disruptive global pandemic, many have studied the phenomenon of burnout. Interestingly, the problem runs deeper. Burnout is, after all, biased.

At What Age Is It Too Late For A Career Change?
Most people that change careers are satisfied with their choice to do so, but is there ever an age at which it is too late

Are You Eligible For A Small Business Grant?
As a small business owner, getting any sort of grant is definitely advantageous and exciting and can really help boost your business. It can help

Is There a Correlation Between How You Sleep and How You Work?
There are few of us who are unfamiliar with the heavy feeling of a bad night’s sleep. The achiness behind the eyes. The tendency towards procrastination. And the yearning for sweet, or carb-heavy food.

4 Tips for Working Smarter, Not Harder
Have you ever wondered why you aren’t as productive as you could be? If so, you’re in the right place because we’re looking at a few surefire ways to boost productivity. There’s lots to cover, so let’s get cracking…

5 Mistakes Content Creators Need to Avoid When Monetizing Their Work
If the content you’ve been publishing on your own has attracted you an engaged audience, then it makes sense that you might be curious about finding ways to turn your hobby into a source of revenue.

How To Promote Mental Wellbeing In The Workplace
Work makes up a significant proportion of many people’s lives. It’s where we spend a lot of our time, how we earn our income and

Fashion’s Plagiarism Habit and The Impact on Small Brands
The fashion industry often plays it fast and loose with the idea of “inspiration versus imitation”. Plagiarism and design theft has been a recurring issue for the clothing retail market for decades and with the explosion fast fashion, the problem has only gotten worse.

How To Deal With Anxiety At Work
Depending on what type of workplace you find yourself in, you could experience your anxiety levels rising from the moment that you step through the

Everything You Need To Know About Closing A Limited Company
When it comes time to close a limited company, especially one that you put a lot of effort into starting up, it can be an

What Skills Are Needed To Be An Entrepreneur?
Being a successful entrepreneur is not as easy as some people may think. It takes a strong personality and a range of important skills to

Living the Laptop Lifestyle with Social Cactus
When we were told in March 2020 to ‘stay at home’, many businesses were thrust into an unknown world, fortunately for me and my team at Social Cactus Coaching, we have been practiced in remote working since I founded the company in 2017.

The Definitive Guide For Young Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship is becoming a much more popular and accepted career choice, with more and more people in the UK choosing to become entrepreneurs each year.

The Competition to Create the Best Christmas TV Advert
The hype that surrounds the release of Christmas adverts from brands like John Lewis, Waitrose, and Marks and Spencer signals the start of the festive shopping experience, as retailers fill their TV slots with short film-like adverts that seem to be getting bigger and more expensive each year.

Common Reasons Why Businesses Fail
For business owners, one of the most common and predominant fears is that their business will become a failure. Not only is business failure a

How To Crush Your Virtual Event
The pandemic shut the doors on in-person events and businesses had to adapt fast. Virtual events became the go-to option and proved incredibly effective. Now, a shift in approach appears to be staying for the long term, with one UK survey finding 72% of businesses will maintain virtual events going forward, and 77% will pursue a more hybrid approach.

Some Businesses Won’t Survive This Christmas Under New Omicron Restrictions
As the Omicron variant sweeps the UK, new restrictions to help slow the spread could be the final nail in the coffin for hospitality businesses. Many small retail, food, and hospitality businesses across the country were relying on the festive period to prop up their profits after a disastrous year of lockdowns and restrictions prevented them from trading at full capacity.

The Importance Of Having Proper Plant Hire Insurance
If you are a business owner that regularly needs to hire plant equipment for certain projects, it can be exceptionally frustrating when this hired equipment

Do You Need Sole Trader Public Liability Insurance?
Although not a legal requirement, public liability insurance is highly recommended for anyone who engages with members of the public and carries out work on

Putting Cyber Security First: Why the Latest Trends make this Critical for SMEs
With the ever-evolving and highly sophisticated cyber threat landscape, online security for SMBs is no longer an option, it’s a necessity. Hackers and other threat

Finding the Perfect Gift: Interview with Louise Doyle and Steph Scholes
Real Business sat down with the founders of the innovative gift service, needi, Louise Doyle and Steph Scholes to find out where their business idea came from and what it’s like to being part of an unstoppable duo in business.

How Innovation is Driving New Sustainability Goals
Sarah Swenson, Global Senior Manager Sustainability at Avery Dennison explains the art of collaboration and driving change for the better with the importance of sustainability and setting goals to benefit our future.

How your SME can capitalise on the Festive Season
It is clear that Christmas is the most wonderful yet hectic time of year for businesses. As the reindeers rally to Santa’s sleigh and the elves get to work, the excitement builds alongside the influx of anticipating consumers wondering what your SME has to offer.

How To Make A Company Dormant
Do you have a business that is not making any money? Is it taking up too much of your time and energy, but you are

Narce Media: Video is the Ultimate Content Currency
Narce Media, founded by Joseph Housley and Connor Watt, showcases how graduate entrepreneurship can build businesses that break the mould.

A Chanel Christmas Story: How Important Are Customer Perceptions of Value for Money?
TikTok outrage strikes again, and its latest victim is iconic, luxury brand, Chanel. In the age of instant video reviews and quick public scandal, Chanel may have just made the one mistake designer brands should do their utmost to avoid: looking cheap.

Why Businesses Need to Focus More on Recruiting Younger Professionals than University Degrees
When it comes to recruitment, conventional workplace wisdom tells an employer to value the basics like a CV, or a degree, often at the expense of the candidate’s potential. Hiring best practices, especially in 2021, are full of checklists. And one attribute most commonly in demand is a degree.

5 Unique and Engaging Team Building Ideas
Team building, whether for the workplace or with family and friends, is an excellent way to strengthen interpersonal relationships while strengthening a variety of essential skills. After all, teamwork is known to increase deep learning through human engagement, problem-solving, dialogue, cooperation, and collaboration.

The Skills Shortage Creating a Crisis in the Jobs Market
UK companies are always on the hunt for high calibre, talented recruits with a broad range of skills. As companies continue to expand roles to maintain profit margins, the fallout from COVID-19 has created a unique situation of highly marketable candidates that are difficult to attract.

Starting Out in a New Market
Founder and CEO of Alicia J Diamonds, Alison Cooper talks through what you can do as a business owner to start in a new market through the art of innovation and strategic planning.

How Much Capital & Reserves Does A Business Need?
More than ever, the last couple of years has shown business owners just how important it is to have sufficient cash reserves. The COVID-19 pandemic

Lush Exit: Can Brands Survive Without Social Media?
Lush, the well-known cosmetics brand, has announced its departure from social media platforms Instagram and Facebook as they insist Meta takes steps to create a safer and healthier environment for its users.

Buy To Let Limited Company Pros & Cons
If you’re thinking about purchasing a buy-to-let property, you might be wondering whether you should purchase the property in your own name, or through a

Introducing the Entrepreneur Who Has Banished Leathers for Making Timeless Sustainable Accessories
Real Business talks to Serial Entrepreneur and Designer, Jessica Kruger on where her love for sustainability came from and how her previous life lessons have carved her brand values into what they are today.

Increasing E-Commerce Sales with Website Analysis Insights
E-commerce is a high-growth, yet highly competitive space, and data analytics has changed the way companies interact with their customers. Consumers these days expect tailored experiences and will not hesitate to switch to alternative vendors if their needs aren’t met.

6 Tips for Selling your Business
If you’re planning to sell your business, for whatever reason, it is absolutely crucial to ensure that you start planning early. To attract the highest possible interest, it makes sense to put in the hard work as soon as possible to make your business appealing to prospective buyers.

Cybersecurity Business Leading the Charge Against Business Threats
Despite the prevalence of cybercrime and the cybersecurity industry, many UK SMEs do not have the right protection in place to safeguard their business and their customers. That’s where companies like Computer Network Defence Ltd (CND) play a vital role in helping small UK companies build the tools and knowledge they need to trade safely in the increasingly digital world of business.

What Is An Employer Reference Number?
As an employer, you have a wide range of responsibilities to take care of. Many of these are not merely responsibilities but legal obligations too.

What Is A Commodity Code? A Guide For Those Who Import And Export
A commodity code is a number that determines the type of goods you are importing or exporting. This number can be six, eight, or ten

“Diversity of thought” – Why it’s Crucial to Business Success
The volume of data showing that diverse organisations – whether neurodiverse, racially, gender or generationally diverse – perform better than their peers, shows there is enormous strength in diversity.

Did COP26 Inspire Business Sustainability Or Just Encourage A Future Of ‘Greenwashing’?
On the back of 2021’s yearly climate change conference, it’s no surprise that the world’s most influential meeting yet, COP26, has ruffled some feathers in the corporate world.

Is The VAT Flat Rate Scheme Right For Your Business?
The VAT flat rate scheme was introduced by the UK government to make it easier for small businesses to arrange their VAT payments. The scheme

“The Entrepreneur Ship” Takes on the Talisker Rowing Challenge
The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is known as “the world’s toughest row” with participants rowing over 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands to Antigua. Perhaps not a situation many entrepreneurs find themselves in but Guy Rigby and David Murray, the team members of “The Entrepreneur Ship”, decided to take on this immense challenge last year and are soon set to row the massive distance as the oldest (combined age is 124) team to complete the journey.

The Benefits Of Hiring An Apprentice
More and more businesses are choosing to hire an apprentice, with many finding it an effective way to recruit and train new employees. The benefits

What Lidl’s Pay Rise Shows Us About the Competition for Staff?
Last week, Lidl announced that, as of March next year, all employees outside of London will be receiving a significant pay rise. The new £10.10 entry level wage for all Lidl employees follows Morrison’s pay increase earlier this year, becoming the first supermarket in the UK to pay its staff at least £10 per hour.

A Guide To Raising Funds By Selling Shares To Investors
If your small business is looking at raising funds, selling shares may be a viable option for you. Selling shares is also often used as

Sole Trader Insurance & When You Are Required To Have It
Over the past few years, there has definitely been a significant jump in the number of sole traders in the UK. It appears as if

Speaking your Mind as an Introvert in the Workplace
You may have never experienced being in a boardroom, with the overwhelming feeling of paranoia that you aren’t speaking enough or like you are coming across as being disinterested in the conversation. However, for us introverts this is a daily struggle. Training consultant and Founder of ‘Flourishing Introverts’, Joanna Rawborne has over 24 years experience working with those who struggle with just this, and she explains her tips on what you can do to speak your mind when you feel like it’s “just not the right time”.

How SMEs Can Meet Transport-based Net Zero Goals Set at COP26
With a deal being reached at COP26 over the weekend, and a target to limit temperature raises to 1.5°C, what can SMEs do to help contribute to this?

Wonsulting and TikTok Resumes: Revolutionising Recruitment for the Future
Nearly six month on since the launch of TikTik Resumes, Real Business interviews Wonsulting CEO, Jonathan Javier, and Co-Founder/Chief Operating Officer, Jerry Lee, who partnered with TikTok to create and launch the pilot program.

How Can Small Businesses Protect Themselves Against Supply Chain Issues?
It’s been a difficult few years for small businesses. As we move towards the end of the second year of pandemic measures, we’re seeing interesting reports of the effects on SME, and a strong sense of urgency to introduce support measures for the uncertain months ahead.

How To Start A Clothing Business
If you are an entrepreneur looking to start a business, starting a clothing brand or business can be a fun, exciting, and potentially lucrative venture.

Could Rising Rent Prices Force Out SMEs?
Rising rent prices are increasing at a pace we haven’t seen in over a decade. The high rent costs could become unsustainable for small businesses with bricks-and-mortar stores or offices in London and other major cities.

The Quick Guide You Need For Opening A Takeaway
Are you an entrepreneur that is interested in opening up a takeaway? One of the great things about opening up a takeaway business is that

Make Your Rewards Program a Part of Your Festive Marketing
It’s nearly Christmas and the frantic shopping has begun. Using your rewards program as part of your festive marketing campaign could be the boost your sales needs moving into the new year.

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Rental Property
Financial investment in rental property is one of the best ways to earn income and still have a long-term wealth creation. If well managed, it should expand your finances and grow your capital base without incurring losses.

Avoiding a Workplace Drinking Culture: Alcohol Awareness Week
This Alcohol Awareness Week 2021, Real Business finds out what it means for the workplace to embrace a company culture which doesn’t involve social drinking habits, and what business owners can do to facilitate those who don’t drink within their workplace social events.

The Rising Wages Impact on Small Businesses
Last month, it was announced that next April (April 1st, 2022) the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage are set to increase. Subsequently, this has had a knock-on effect with the Real Living Wage now being raised to £9.90 for the 300,000 employees whose employers have voluntarily joined the scheme.

How is SSP Calculated? A Guide for Employers and Employees
If you find yourself suffering from a condition that means you need to take time off work, the last thing you want to be worrying

Black Friday Success: Ditch the Discounts and Get Creative
Real Business predicts what Black Friday will look like in 2021 and recommends what you should be doing in order to compete in the saturated market of retail. Now considered one of the most significant shopping events on the retail calendar, there is no denying that UK small businesses’ must not ignore the novelty despite it being over-exhausted by online retail giants.

Our Guide To Starting A Charity In The UK
There are many wonderful charities in the UK that do fantastic work all over the world. From philanthropic organisations to those which focus on the

Doing Business in the USA: ESTA or Visa?
The USA opened its borders again on 8 November, meaning business trips and holidays to The States are possible again. Here, we’ll briefly go over what travel permit you need for a business trip to the US: an ESTA or a work visa.

All you need to know about Business Asset Disposal Relief
As a business owner, you should be conscious and aware of all of the ways in which you can save money and access relief. All

The Man Helping Businesses Find Alternative Finance Solutions
A significant challenge for businesses is maintaining their cash flow. Daniel Bowsher, owner at Invoice Finance Connect, provides companies with the right advice and connections to secure the financial support they need.

Does the Demand for Perfection Decrease the Chance of a Good Business Outcome?
The all or nothing approach of wanting to be nothing but the best eliminates the opportunity for your business to be good or even great.

What does COP26 mean for UK SMEs?
Over half of the UK’s largest businesses have committed to moving to net zero by 2050, represented by 60 of the UK’s FTSE 100 companies,

The Pros and Cons of Prioritising Growth over Profitability
Entrepreneur and leader, Jessica Kruger discusses why it’s time to stop focusing on profitability and more on growth. Ultimately, the growth of a company is the point where you are reaching expansion and allows for you to seek additional options in order to generate more profit. So, if you aren’t considering growth within your business strategy maybe it’s time you should.

Facebook to Meta: The Risk of Rebranding
Just as another Facebook scandal hit our news waves with former employee Frances Haugen imploring regulators to take serious action against the social media giant, the company did their best to play the ultimate reverse card. A total company-wide rebrand. It unfortunately and understandably fell flat.

How Business Owners should start Looking at the Bigger Picture
When you own a business, it is very easy to get caught up in the small intricate details of running it. There is always something

Tax-Free Employee Bonus Options for UK Employers
As an employer, there may be many instances in which you want to provide your employees with some sort of bonus. Bonuses are usually encouraged

Respecting Both People and Planet with Amrit Bhogal
Real Business sat down with Amrit Bhogal, designer and owner of indie fashion brand, Dastaar Clothing, to discuss breaking into the fashion retail industry and prioritising sustainability throughout the product creation process.

Top Tips to Cope with Stress for SME Owners
Running your own business can be an overwhelming and lonely affair. In the early days, it is often just you in your home office, working every hour of the day to achieve your goals.

How Businesses Thrive as Community Champions
Admittedly bittersweet, the past eighteen months have reminded our, at times, fragmented world of the power of community engagement and what we can achieve when working together. Neighbours pulled together to support vulnerable community members, be it picking up their shopping or checking in regularly by phone; schools and other public institutions flung open their doors to act as vaccination centres; we stood together, weekly, to recognise our healthcare system and other key workers.

Why Accelerating the Pace of Tech Adoptions is Vital for Your Post-Covid Roadmap
Brendan Flattery, Managing Director, ERP, at The Access Group, discusses how technology was bringing about business change way before Covid and why it is going to be vital as we move into the recovery phase.

What can an Employee do when Contracted Hours are not being Met?
A contract of employment sets out the terms that both employer and employee must adhere to during the period of employment. This includes contracted hours,

Novuna: A New Name in Business Finance and Cash Flow Finance
Over the last eighteen months we’ve experienced unprecedented change, affecting the way we work, communicate and do business with the pandemic forcing businesses to operate

Recruitment in: Has the Outlook Changed?
After the past 18 months of economic uncertainty, it seems an odd time for unemployment rates to fall to record lows. Nevertheless, we have witnessed a significant downward shift in the availability of candidates since mid-July, with the number of job seekers applying for roles appearing to decrease almost daily.

Are Work Parties a Good or Bad Idea?
Work parties are often seen as an important part of office culture. Employers can often feel pressured to provide office parties for their employees every

The Highs and Lows of Working with Others
The majority of the working world needs to work with others as a part of their job. Whether you’re an employee, a manager, or a

Are Brands Perpetuating Fast Fashion with Trendy Halloween Items?
It happens every year. You are invited to a last-minute Halloween bash. You frantically pull out the witch, pirate, or zombie costume you wore last year, only to find it doesn’t fit, or maybe it hasn’t stood the test of time at the bottom of your wardrobe. Maybe it’s stained with last year’s fake blood.

Levelling the Playing Field for Diversity-Led Businesses
Entrepreneurship can be extremely rewarding. The opportunity to be your own boss, making money doing something you love or getting the chance to meet like-minded people — these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of being a self-employed entrepreneur.

How to Stop Living in the Past and be Happier at Work
Did you know that the average person spends over 90,000 hours of their lifetime working? This makes up around a third of your life. Your

Frightening Facts: How much do UK businesses spend on Halloween?
The UK is fast becoming one of the biggest markets for Halloween, so what ghoulish goods and services are British consumers buying this year?

Small Business Consulting & When to Use It
When it comes to small business owners, a lot of the time they want to try and do it all themselves, from picking out the

6 Tricks that will Treat your SME this Halloween
The spooky season is the perfect time of year for SMEs; it’s an exhilarating window of opportunity to enhance your business in so many ways. The festivities reaps much more than just tasty treats for enterprises. It can be both profitable and exciting for SMEs that choose to incorporate anything and everything Halloween.

Why Perfection is the Enemy of Progress for Entrepreneurs
“Perfection is the enemy of progress” is a famous quote by Winston Churchill, and this quote still holds a lot of meaning today. Other similar

How to be an Overnight Success in Business
It is the dream of most new business owners and entrepreneurs to have their business receive instant international attention and success and become an overnight

I Want To Start A Business But Have No Ideas: Your Problem Solved
If you are an aspiring entrepreneur but are battling to come up with a viable business idea, don’t worry… you are definitely not alone in

China’s Ban on Bitcoin and Crypto’s Bounce Back Ability
Bitcoin is on shaky ground once again, as China’s central bank declares all cryptocurrency transactions illegal. The change in law has effectively banned trading in cryptocurrencies across the country.

How Bringing a Dog into the Office can Reduce Stress Levels
Serial entrepreneur and founder of The Webinar Vet, Anthony Chadwick explains the benefits to having a canine friend in the office.

What are the benefits of Yell Business to business owners?
Yell Business is the business-to-business side of Yell, which offers a Yell.com listing to business owners for free.

Want to Build a Future-Proof Business? Here’s What You Need to Know
Many people are considering whether now is the right time to set up their own business. However, building a business isn’t easy, with around 20% of UK businesses failing within the first 12 months.

How to Start A New Career in Corporate Video Production
There are many reasons to start a career in corporate video production. Making videos is one of the most collaborative types of filmmaking, requiring everyone on set to work together for the best possible outcome.

How to become an estate agent – find out here
If you are looking for a career that is both challenging and rewarding, then being an estate agent might be perfect for you. As an

What can leaders be doing to encourage their employees to find their purpose?
Entrepreneur, author and educator, Eloise Skinner, talks through what you can do as a leader to help your team get their zest back through self-fulfilment and a purpose-filled life.

How to get your product in stores: the ultimate guide
Many people think that the hardest part of bringing a new product to market is the original idea or the development stage. The truth, however,

How Can Small Food Businesses Help Promote Food Sustainability?
Saturday 16th October 2021 is World Food Day. Yes, a day to celebrate the beautiful thing that fills our minds, days and of course stomachs.

How does gross misconduct affect future employment?
The majority of people will have heard of gross misconduct. Whether you’ve got a friend or family member who has been dismissed, you’ve heard the

Why “Going Independent” Means Quicker Lead Times and a Higher Level of Customer Service
Independents have been having somewhat of a revival over the past two years, namely due to the pandemic and Brexit but also thanks to consumers wants and needs for a higher level of customer service, the opportunity to be able to speak to someone and the need for a more sustainable product offering. Managing Director and Founder of Polypouch UK, Stephen Frankel explains why you should consider going independent to improve the logistics of your business.

The Importance of Prioritising Diversity in Leadership Roles
Recent research conducted by Workday, a leader in cloud applications for finance and HR, in partnership with Sapio, has found that despite the economics issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, 75% of UK businesses plan to maintain or increase their ED&I investment and introducing new initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion.

Be a leader, not a boss
In the world of business, we have bosses…and then we have leaders. If you are a manager, supervisor, or business owner, you should carefully analyse

How to buy an online business in the UK
Buying an existing online business in the UK may provide you with a better chance of success than if you had to start your own

Delivering Fairer Shared Parental Leave Policies
Shared Parental Leave (SPL) policies always seem more controversial when they fail to get effective take-up from fathers. But Nordic countries such as Sweden and

Why Team Mental Health Should Be a Priority for SMEs
According to the Mental Health Foundation, 14.7% of the UK’s employees have experienced mental health problems in the workplace. It can take the form of

Importance of problem-solving for potential managers
In any business model, problems are likely to arise frequently, and when you least expect them to. Problems can range from everyday nuisances such as

Future business ideas for UK entrepreneurs
In the UK alone, there are currently over 6 million businesses! While this number can be inspiring, it may also be daunting to the new

Growing Your Business Through Innovation and Sustainability
Paul Alder, Vistafolia’s founder and expert horticulturist and technical landscaper, details advice on how to promote innovation in a company culture and maximise growth potential. An experienced visionary, Paul is utilising sustainability to innovate a lacklustre artificial living wall market with a fresh product.

Are You or Your Loved One Tired of Being a Workaholic? 3 Strategies to Help You Heal
Addictions Therapist and Founder of Love With Boundaries, Candace Plattor, explains how you can overcome the inner compulsion of always working, as well as feeling guilty when you’re not working, in 3 simple strategies.

Is Your Business Too Reliant On Facebook?
Last night we saw the worst Facebook outage since 2008, only this time round, many of SMEs are now relying on the operations of Facebook and it’s apps, Instagram and WhatsApp. Has the outage underscored the reliance our economy has on the tech giant, and not just as idle entertainment?

Corporate Law Firms For Your London Business
No matter the size of your business, if you are a business owner, you will probably find the need for a corporate lawyer at some

Online business ideas UK – E-commerce opportunities for all
The Covid-19 Pandemic has forever changed the way we look at the world of work and the way that many businesses operate. Social distancing rules

Rethinking Work for the Digital Age: Why it’s Time to Consider Colocation
The last 18 months have proved to be a transformative roller coaster for thousands of organisations in every industry sector, thanks to the disruptions created

What is a business angel? – The ultimate guide to securing investment
A business angel, or angel investor as they are also known, is an individual who invests in a company, typically after seeing the startup pitch

The Top 5 Female Policies you need to have in your business
Dr Ghazala Aziz-Scott, specialist in women’s health at The Marion Gluck Clinic explores how the menopause can affect working women and how they can go about discussing this problem with their employer and create a more open and caring workplace.

How to Start a Business Post-Pandemic
Despite a global pandemic, the entrepreneurial spirit drove many people in the UK to decide this was their time to start a business in 2020.

Employers Urged to Prioritise Emotions in the Workplace as They Aim to Fill Ever Growing Vacancies
Harnessing the power of human emotions will be needed to fill job vacancies and stem the tide of resignations after the pandemic, say experts. In

How to be a good boss
We all know that having a good boss can truly change the life of an employee and provide them with the motivation and inspiration that

Green Finance: What are the common myths?
Although green finance is a relatively new concept, it is crucial that it continues to gain traction as the business community seeks to take accountability

Your Ticket to the City with Terry Burns
Real Business sits down with concierge and hospitality expert, Terry Burns, to talk about his extensive industry career and building his own brand through networking

UK Fuel Crisis Threatens to Hit SMEs
You may have seen the long queues forming outside UK petrol stations over the past 72hrs. But how will this effect the SMEs of our country? Real Business finds out.

How to Grow your Innovative Startup into a Business Eligible for R&D Tax Credits
Here’s how you can use the government’s R&D tax credits scheme as a launchpad for your new business, writes CEO at Myriad Associates, Barrie Dowsett.

How to start your own UK business with no money
There are so many benefits to starting your own business. You get to work on projects you care about, set your own hours, and be

What is an MVP?
In the world of business, MVP stands for a minimum viable product. It is a technique that was made popular by Eric Ries when he

Mindfulness Practices Leaders Should Encourage Their Employees To Take
As we celebrate International Happiness at Work Week 2021, Real Business are encouraging you and your workforce to be happy, starting at the place you probably spend most of your time. Spiritual leader and mindfulness expert, Arika Trimnell gives her take on what you should be doing to be more mindful in the workplace, and how you should encourage your team to be doing them same.

How to get your website noticed online & offline
A great website is more than just an online collection of your blog posts and products. It’s a marketing tool that can be used to

5 Ways to Increase Your Energy Levels at Work
We believe that one of the main priorities as a business owner is to look after your workforce, and as we celebrate ‘International Happiness at Work Week 2021’, we have been highlighting how you can do this. Renowned Neurophysiologist, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan explains how you can increase your energy levels through the simple things, which can make the biggest difference to you and your workforce’s happiness.

The Importance of Exercise to your Employees
We all know how important exercise is within our daily routines; not just for our body but for the sanity of our mind too. This is especially true with the busy schedule of our workforce. Founder of The Engagement Coach, Amrit Sandhar, describes the positive impact physical activity could provide within your work environment.

Growing a Rival Pub Game into an Internationally Renowned League
In 1984, Lashings Bar was challenged to a game of cricket in the famous Mote Park by another local pub, The Minstrel, after another team

10 skills to learn to make money – what is needed to be successful?
The money-making journey is different for everyone. Some people have a very well-paid job, and they never need to consider potential extra revenue streams from

E-commerce ideas: Our top six lucrative online businesses
If you’re thinking about starting a new business, have you considered e-commerce? E-commerce involves selling products or providing services online, and it can be highly

Advantages of proprietary software – Is it right for your business?
If you’ve ever purchased software for either personal or business use, it’s likely you’ve bought proprietary software. Whilst you will have purchased a license to

Business ideas for students
As a student, you may feel that you are strapped for cash and could do with some extra pocket money. In this case, you have

Why a Loyalty Program Revamp Could be the Secret to Boosting Customer Engagement
Celebrity hairstylist and founder of HNB Salon and Spa, Steph Stevenson says customer loyalty “is no easy feat” but successfully executing a loyalty program revamp can be something your SME may be missing. Stevenson explains to Real Business how.

What Small Businesses Can Learn From Space Exploration
Mission Commander and Billionaire, Jared Isaacman and his team, ‘Inspiration4′, are set to be the first all-civilian orbital mission to space this afternoon, nearly 50 years after the United States’ first space station was launched. What can a small business today learn something from a relatively unknown part of NASA’s Space Program? Dwight Steven-Boniecki, director of the film Searching For Skylab: America’s Forgotten Triumph explains.

Opening a shop in the UK? What you need to know for a successful launch
Opening your own shop can be a daunting task but it can also be very rewarding. A successful shop will enable you to be your

Job Vacancies hit a record high in the UK
Last Summer we prepared ourselves for a job crisis, instead businesses are struggling to fill positions. It was reported this morning by The Office of National Statistics (ONS) that job vacancies in the UK have risen above one million; a new record high.

How an Entrepreneurial Graduate is Battling University Loneliness
Founder and CEO of Umii, Georgia Wheadon, launched her app to try to combat on-campus isolation, a nationwide issue that has worsened during the pandemic. She now works with

Business survival strategies – what are they?
As a business owner, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. We live in volatile and unprecedented times, and there are so many variables

Why Your Team Needs a Coach with Joanna Howes
Leadership and Performance Coach and Founder and CEO of The Change Creators, Joanna Howes talks through why your SME should consider the learning and development of your team as a necessity and not just a perk.

How to Preserve Your Company Culture with a Remote Team
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we work and run businesses. Online teams are now a part of everyday life and this has brought

Real business’ contract review checklist
Are you a business owner that is writing up their very own employee contracts for the first time? Or perhaps you already have some experience

Office banter – when it’s no longer funny
The office environment is a place where people spend a huge amount of their waking lives so it’s important to have an atmosphere that promotes
Everything you need to know about George Campbell: Orthodontist from Glasgow
Adults are choosing to get orthodontic treatment to make their teeth straighter because there are a variety of options available to them, depending on the

Keri Jamieson: Women Are Not One Dimensional
Real Business recently sat down with Keri Jamieson, founder and director of KeriKit, to talk about launching her own online business, creating a fashionable accessories

How to make a future proof marketing strategy through influencer loyalty
Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Miappi, Toby Britton, explains how your SME can adopt an influencer loyalty marketing strategy to in a bid to keep up with competition and cultivate a strong customer community.

Is university a waste of time these days? Find out our thoughts
Not so long ago, there was a time in which you would need to get a university degree if you wanted to get the job

Discretionary bonus scheme – what is it?
Rewarding staff members with bonuses and incentives is a great way to encourage staff members to go the extra mile, push sales, and work to

Do employers have to pay shift allowance?
There are currently around 3 million shift workers in the UK alone, and this number is said to have seen a 5% increase since 2013.

“Let’s Talk Turkey” on Price Increases
Reading the latest business headlines makes for rather a surreal experience now. Previous predictions of financial freefall, mass job losses and overheating interest rates have been turned on their heads. The good news is that demand is well and truly back with a bang.

Self-Respect and Self-Care When Your Loved One is Overwhelmed in the Workplace
Addictions Therapist and Founder of Love With Boundaries, Candace Plattor, explains what you can do to help your loved one who is feeling overwhelmed at work, all through the power of self-respect and self-care.

Investing in shares through a limited company
There are many business owners out there that are completely unaware of the fact that they can invest in shares through their limited company. Mostly

From Virtual to Physical: How To Convert Your Crypto To Gold and Preserve Your Wealth
Real Business sat down with Michael Lillelund and Shaun Houghton from My Gold Platform, the bespoke gold company that trades physical gold internationally, offering customers reliable investing advice and secure delivery or storage.

Transferring business from sole trader to a limited company
Many businesses begin their life as a sole trader, with just one person working on a self-employed basis. However, if your business really takes off

Our guide on how to reduce business rates
If you’re a small business owner, you’ll know just how frustrating it is to see business rates eat away at your hard-earned profits. With all

How to start a franchise in the UK: Everything you need to know
A franchise is a type of business that offers an entrepreneur the opportunity to buy into a proven and successful business model. Buying a franchise

Top Strategies for a Successful Rewards Program
Loyalty and rewards programs can help businesses increase their customer lifetime value and customer retention. In order to, compete with high technology-driven consumer companies like Amazon, Apple, or PayPal, for repeated business and to build customer relationship by providing personalised content or discounts and value for money.
There are various types of loyalty programs but what are some of the key strategies for launching a successful rewards program?

How to Become a Morning Person
Renowned Neurophysiologist and Sleep Expert, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan explains how you can maximise your working-performance by doing these simple steps to ultimately being a morning person.

The advantages of litigation in business – The best way to resolve a dispute
In the business world, it is inevitable that disputes will arise. This is part and parcel of every competitive industry, but these disputes can be

Transfer of assets from sole trader to limited company: everything you need to know
Many entrepreneurs start their business as a sole trader, but want to grow and take on more staff. As your company grows, you may find
