Expansion and acquisition
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Getting support to raise your game
We take a look at some government-backed schemes designed to make SMEs more competitive and resilient amid economic uncertainty
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Learning resilience from lobsters
What an unlikely alliance between a Welsh fisherman and a portrait photographer teaches us about business in the pandemic
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Should you invest now?
Why spending money on your enterprise during the pandemic could pay in the long-term
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5 steps to scaling up fast
The Covid-19 pandemic has battered the UK economy, but some businesses continue to grow fast
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Learning from the financial crisis
Lessons from the 2008 crash can be helpful if you’re considering exiting or acquiring a business in today’s pandemic-impacted world
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Recruiting remote workers
As Covid-19 forces changes to the way companies operate, how can you integrate new colleagues into the team when they are working from home?
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Growing by winning procurement contracts
It can be a daunting prospect for an SME to tackle a formal procurement process – but the rewards can be worth it
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Five ways to benefit from a growth market
Top tips on how entrepreneurs can reap the rewards
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Help… we’re scaling up!
Most entrepreneurs haven’t scaled a business before, so what do they need to know to turn from a mouse into a gazelle?
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Six steps to boost productivity
Martin Brown of business advisors Elephant’s Child offers some top tips on ensuring your business is as productive as possible
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Raising money to expand
Tips and insight into raising funds for growth through private equity and venture capital
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The opportunities of private equity
Private equity investors can help entrepreneurs grow, partially exit, or fully exit their business
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Do corporates want your start-up?
Large companies sometimes acquire smaller firms for their talented people
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The bespoke approach to borrowing
How private banking can help throughout the business cycle
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Ten changes to make at £1m turnover
As your business gets bigger you need to make some changes to stay ahead of the pack
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Playing the long game
Growing a business to sell a business
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Breaking down the barriers
A recent survey found that the most common barriers to overseas expansion were lack of finance, lack of experience and red tape. Here we ask two leading experts how to overcome them
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How to recruit and retain top talent
It's not all about offering great salaries and brilliant perks
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Five things overseas customers hate
As UK companies increasingly look to reach new overseas markets in unpredictable times, here are five exporting mistakes it’s easy to make… and how to avoid them
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The value of Brand Britain
Why ‘made in Britain’ is an essential label as we redefine our relationship with Europe
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Fashioning a new business
We speak to a client about starting a new company and how St. James’s Place has helped her
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Stay connected
With more workers taking advantage of the benefits that flexible and remote working can bring, Unum looks at how we can ensure these workers feel connected, valued and part of the team.
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Guide to IT Budgeting
Eight key considerations to help your IT budgeting
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Six steps to success
The chances of achieving sustainable growth are vastly improved with a strategic plan and the right people around you
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Choosing a CEO
Selecting someone who can run your business day-by-day can be critical. So how, why and when should you hire a CEO?
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Ways to combat stress in the workplace
Resilient individuals can mean reduced sickness absence and better productivity – all leading to enhanced company performance.
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How to crack the USA
A big, but challenging, opportunity for UK SMEs
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Is your business scalable?
The hows and whys of scaling up
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Improving staff performance
Shirley Wolfe of Boom Training discusses little-known government subsidies available to small firms
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Do you need a base in the EU?
Many businesses don’t know right now if they need an EU base. But they should know what their options are, just in case
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Excepted assets and their impact on IHT
A look at the rules surrounding excepted assets and how these affect a Business Relief claim
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Franchise or license?
If you aren’t equipped to grow your business organically, franchising or licensing could be the answer
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How To Win Public Sector Contracts
The Carillion scandal shone a spotlight on how the Government awards public sector contracts. The fallout could lead to better treatment of small suppliers.
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Brick by brick
Lego proved that making the right decision between focus and diversification can be a game-changer – and entrepreneurs need to take note
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Are you ready for an export boom?
UK exports rose by £59.4bn to £627.6bn between March 2017 and February 2018 (ONS, April 2018). And with HSBC predicting in April that exports will double by 2030, could you seize the opportunity?
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Joining forces
Many small business leaders are looking for creative ways of boosting sales while keeping marketing costs low - for these businesses, strategic partnerships could be part of the solution. Bivek Sharma, Head of KPMG Small Business Accounting explains
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How private equity can help you expand
Private equity investments have traditionally supported management buyouts. However, it is now also an increasingly strong source of growth funding
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How to export after Brexit
With just a year to go until the UK leaves the European Union we find out where opportunities lie elsewhere in the world
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Do you need venture capital?
An injection of venture capital can be a great way to help enterprises grow
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Maximising profitability in small consultancies
Bivek Sharma of KPMG Small Business shares some smart thinking on optimising your potential
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Look hard before you leap
The things you need to know before expanding your business
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What is Warranty & Indemnity insurance?
How W&I insurance can provide vital protection during merger & acquisition activity
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Fail to plan, plan to fail…
Although business plans don't guarantee success, Bivek Sharma of KPMG believes that you're more likely to succeed if you have one.
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That’s entertainment
Bivek Sharma of KPMG looks at how taking a potential or existing customer out for a meal can be a great way to establish good relationships and keep them strong…
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The gig economy
Thinking of expanding your business with gig workers? Find the facts and figures you need to know here
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Start building your brand
When your business starts to grow it’s time to reinforce your brand and create true customer loyalty
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Mind the gap
Gender Pay Gap Reporting is here... but what's the point? Kingston Smith study the details
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New Age Thinking
Members of Britain’s ageing workforce increasingly want to carry on beyond the State Pension age – and businesses are taking advantage.
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Going global
There are opportunities around the world for companies prepared to take the plunge and start exporting
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Crowd Pleasers
The success of Hybrid Air Vehicles’ Airlander 10 airship relied on crowdfunding. We look at the highs and lows of investing in this relatively new platform
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Risk and resilience
Most organisations conduct their operations on digital platforms so cyber threats and data loss scandals are not new phenomena
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The art of the deal
You may have a great product, but if you want to expand you’ll need great negotiating skills too
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Muscling in
Strategies to take when a bigger company tries to steal your market
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Direction of travel
How inward investment helped one entrepreneur grow his business and rebalance his life
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Professionalising your management team
Entrepreneurs have the vision to get a business off the ground but they may need professional managers to help them expand
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The value of non-executive directors
NEDs play a very different - but nonetheless vital - role in your business from executive directors
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Making Tax Digital – an update
The Government's Making Tax Digital project is intended to simplify tax for businesses and HMRC. But will it succeed?
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Making an acquisition
Acquisitions can help your business grow rapidly but how do you go about finding a company that is a good fit with yours and getting the deal done?
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Investing in your business
When seeking funding for your business, one option that is not often considered is unlocking finance from the company's pension fund

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