One of the greatest challenges for entrepreneurs wishing to start their own business is that of raising capital.  The term ‘capital’ in this context relates to the amount of money required to launch a business and get it off the ground.   There are a number of ways you can reduce the amount of upfront capital you require and many early stage businesses find ways to bootstrap their business in the early days.  Indeed, many of the most successful businesses started out with very little … [Read more...]

If you have sustained an injury or contracted an illness that has left you unable to go to work, you may be feeling incredibly frustrated. If you are not covered by full sick pay, you are probably feeling very worried too. How are you going to pay the bills while you have not got an income coming in? Read on to discover some of the different ways you can make money while you are off work injured. Freelance – There is only one place to begin, and this is with freelancing. Thanks to the … [Read more...]

Don’t Underestimate customer opinion. It can and will kill your company if you’re not careful. This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Afterall, customers tend to only buy from businesses that they like. If you do anything that changes their perception, then you will see a drop in the demand for your business that directly impacts profits. So, what we need to look at here are the issues that can obliterate the opinion of your business. There are a few different possibilities you must be … [Read more...]

So, you’ve just got a new job - congratulations! Now you will enter the initial negotiation phase where you both need to agree on a salary. Plus, your new employer will probably want a lot of information from you, such as your date of birth and address, so that they can add you to their system. In some cases, they might even ask for information that you consider to be too personal to give them. But how much exactly do you need to tell them? There are different requirements regarding what … [Read more...]

Capital is vital for survival, and investors have the cash to keep the company afloat. After you’ve raised the perfect amount, it can be easy to forget about the money men and women behind the scenes. There is a stigma surrounding consumers and their happiness, yet investors don’t get the same treatment. They should because these people have the power to pull the plug. Because they’re a crucial part of the business, they want to know how the money is being spent and how the brand is developing. … [Read more...]

Sooner or later the time will come to spread your wings. Not just because you finally have enough funds that you can make your own mark in the business world. But it's also because you can and should. How long do you want to be cooped up in someone else’s office space and keep paying lease fees? It's just not becoming of a professional business to remain on the leash as a tenant. So how far can you go? You could rent an office building that’s small so you can still have your own space. You’re … [Read more...]

Earning a decent salary is only one aspect of protecting your money both in the present and the future. If you’re not careful with your finances then you can easily find yourself in a tricky situation. Excessive spending can quickly lead to excessive borrowing. Failing to pay back the money you owe on time can lead to a bad credit score and the inability to take out loans for the big purchases you need to make in life (e.g. a new car or even a new house). Additionally, you need to be … [Read more...]

Wherever you look in the current business world, the focus seems to be solely on ecommerce. Online stores and web page designs are all the rage. So much so that those branching into bricks and mortar stores can feel entirely out of the loop. Is there no place for physical business in this high-tech world? Of course, there is. Vast amounts of shoppers still prefer physical stores. But, it is worth noting that your traditional shop could still benefit from tech. While the bricks and mortar … [Read more...]

As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to do what you can to keep staff safe at work. It may be that you buy office chairs for back support, or do regular checks for trip-hazards. As well as keeping you on the right side of the law, this can ensure your workplace is a good place to be. But, despite your best efforts, there may come a time when an employee receives an injury. A malfunction of a chair, for instance, could lead to serious injury you couldn’t see coming. Even something as … [Read more...]

“Quick, call an Uber. If we don’t make it to this business meeting then we’re toast!”   Since cab calling companies started less than a decade ago, businesses have been using them to their advantage. Whether it’s for punctuality to keep costs down, Uber and Lyft have been at the forefront of success. So, the idea that the apps should be banned is a little strange. Why stop employees using services that are helpful?   The answer is short and sweet – they aren’t anymore. For … [Read more...]