Tips

For small businesses, using a traditional bank account overdraft facility to overcome cash flow problems has become a much less readily available option. Thankfully, there are other alternatives to bank overdrafts emerging for SMEs and the following options are already helping thousands of small firms find financial flexibility when they need it most.1 – Invoice factoring and discounting&nbs...
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Why not start up a takeaway? For advocates of an uber healthy organic approach to eating, it might come as an unwelcome surprise that takeaway food remains one of the fastest growing areas of the UK economy. The appeal of the quick, easy and tasty shows no sign of abating, and for many fast food / takeaways seem the most obvious and appealing option to satisfy our inner grumblings. This is fant...
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So, you've had your business idea eureka moment, undertaken appropriate market research, worked out your business model (or at least a business model) and you feel you're ready to take on the world (or even your local market) with your fab new business / startup. But what of your business brand - pretty essential, but often an afterthought for many a first-time small business, freelancer or start...
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Digital connections are stronger than ever, and more businesses are taking to an online format every day. This means that networking among startups has become increasingly more important – but also, incredibly easier. What do you mean by networking?Simply put, talking with other businesses and possible investors, collaborating and even just getting inspiration where you can to help keep you...
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As with most internet technical terms ‘Web Hosting’ sounds much more complicated and frightening than it actually is. As we have discussed before, there aren’t many businesses that couldn't benefit from having their own website, but sometimes the technical jargon and seemingly complex notions can be offputting to the majority of self starters who feel out of their depth amidst s...
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Ideas for Convincing the Bank That Your Idea is Credible If you'd like to start a business and need the initial funds to get your idea off of the ground, you'll have to be persuasive.  Convincing a bank that your business idea is credible is quite the challenge.  Let's take a look at some tips to make it happen. Show How You'll Use The Money Bank lenders will be more receptive to your...
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With the age of the smart phone, the smart TV, and the ever plugged in consumer; information and services have never been more readily available. Not that this is a bad thing, but is staying online constantly even healthy? More so, can it affect your business?How could my always being available possibly affect my business, except in a positive way?You’re only human; sure - you have the most ...
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Twitter is unique amongst social media platforms for many reasons, not least of which is its relative obscurity when compared with the likes of LinkedIn and Facebook. Twitter is a much harder ‘sell’ than these platforms because the concept itself is rather difficult to wrap you head around. I can only speak from my own experience, but as someone who grew up alongside the explosion of ...
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PR. Public Relations. Publicity. For good or for bad* (*not in the main mind you) there is an awful lot to be said for getting a touch of publicity. And as a Startup / Small Business / Creative / self starter (call it what you like) there is great reward for getting some publicity for your business...it’s potentially priceless. However if like us, bootstrapping is one of your favourite o...
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Do you want to start a UK based dog grooming business? You are not alone, in fact dog grooming is fast becoming one of the most popular ways in which British people become self employed. The benefits of starting a dog grooming business There is no official training / qualifications required The startup costs are quite low with only minimal initial investment Monthly overheads are also r...
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Are you struggling to answer the question ‘Do I need business insurance?’. As Michael Jackson once famously sang ‘you are not alone’.  I’d wager dollars to donuts that this question is one of the most common that we get asked here at Startacus (along with “Did you mean Spartacus?”). It seems that as soon as the words ‘business’ and &lsquo...
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Tom Trainer BSc FCA, Chartered Accountant and owner of Chartered Accountant Online gives us the lowdown on the basic business tips that every startup should know... 1. Bank Account This is the simplest tip and the easiest one to put into practice. Get a bank account and a debit or credit card used solely for the business. It doesn’t need to be a business bank account, if you tell the b...
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