Skip to main content
Guiding you to a better future

Search

For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Ten golden rules of home business

Thinking of setting up a home-based business? Intended to help you succeed, here are ten tips from one of the founders of Enterprise Nation Emma Jones

1. Do something you love.

Base the business on something you enjoy - when your hobby/passion/skill becomes your full-time job, it never really feels like work.

2. Have a plan.

Prepare a basic business plan to set out your vision, describe your market and explain how you propose to reach out and sell to that market. Include sound financials and review the plan every six months or so.

3. Find dedicated space.

Create space in your house that is your workspace. When in that space, family and friends should know you're in business mode, plus, you can walk away at the end of the working day. Invest in a good desk and chair, because you'll be spending quite a bit of time at and in them.

4. Take yourself seriously.

Create a professional front door - when customers come calling, be sure they're met with a professional welcome. This applies from the way you answer calls, to your website, company stationery and even the places in which you choose to meet clients.

5. Make the most of social media.

The home-business community has warmly embraced tools such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. They are free to use and act as a business development channel and a virtual water cooler for the moments when you miss the banter of an out-of-home office.

6. Become an expert.

Set yourself up as an expert in your field by blogging/tweeting about the subject, writing a report, publishing a book or hosting an event. Being an expert gives credibility, and with that comes customers.

7. Never stop learning.

Part of becoming an expert is continually picking up intelligence from those around you. Keep an eye on what others in your industry are doing, read about successful entrepreneurs and tune in to trendspotters so you can prepare for new market opportunities.

8. Get out of the house.

Attend networking events, work from the local café, sign up to a personal development course. It's good to get out of the home office, but be sure you can still be contacted and respond via your mobile/laptop/webmail, etc. This is your "road warrior kit".

9. Use others.

Do what you do best and outsource the rest - to grow the business, focus on the core product of the company and subcontract non-core tasks (eg admin, accounting, PR, fulfilment, etc) to others.

10. Focus your efforts.

Follow the golden triangle - to keep the business in balance, spend roughly a third of your time on each of three key things: customer care, business development and admin. That way, you'll have a smooth-running business with happy customers and new income streams on the way.

Written with expert input from Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation.

Stay up-to-date with business advice and news

Sign up to this lively and colourful newsletter for new and more established small businesses.