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By Phil Orford February 27, 2012
With almost two thirds of UK SMEs being family owned and run, the country’s economic future is hugely reliant on the success of such firms....
By Phil Orford December 09, 2011
With a ‘double dip’ recession a very real possibility, a new survey shows business confidence has fallen compared to a year ago, with just 1%...
By Phil Orford December 07, 2011
Desperate times call for desperate measures – but do not ditch the all important Christmas party this year for the sake of a few pounds...
By Phil Orford June 17, 2011
Small businesses are being warned that their websites could fall foul of new EU rules governing the use of ‘cookies’ unless urgent alterations are made....
By Phil Orford April 15, 2011
Under Article 22a of the forthcoming EU Consumer Rights Directive, web-based independent traders could soon be obliged to sell their products to almost every country...
By Phil Orford April 05, 2011
A small business support organisation is urging business owners who feel they have been unfairly denied bank lending to put a new appeals process to...
By Phil Orford April 01, 2011
I welcome new guidelines explaining firms’ liabilities under the forthcoming Bribery Act. I believe the revised guidancewill be make it easier for smaller companies to...
By Phil Orford February 10, 2011
Government measures to help smaller businesses sell their products and services overseas are welcomed. Yesterday’s Trade and Investment White Paper, unveiled by business secretary Vince...
By Phil Orford January 14, 2011
Small firms need to keep proper financial records or face fines in excess of £3,000. Despite recently promising a ‘light touch’ approach to mistakes made...
By Phil Orford January 12, 2011
Symantec announced the findings of its 2011 SMB Disaster Preparedness Survey, which measured the attitudes and practices of small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and their...
By Phil Orford December 21, 2010
A business support organisation is warning firms that the January VAT rise could leave them with a new year headache if they fail to prepare...
By Phil Orford December 06, 2010
Government plans to clamp down on tax avoidance have missed out a Channel Islands VAT loophole costing the Treasury hundreds of millions of pounds per...
By Phil Orford November 22, 2010
Redundancy and workforce disputes remain the biggest staffing headaches of small businesses but, with fewer entrepreneurs seeking help as the economy recovers, new figures suggest...
By Phil Orford November 08, 2010
Many small business owners doubt the new Government’s ability to free them from the shackles of red tape, according to new research. A study found...
By Phil Orford October 20, 2010
Some small business owners’ are more pessimistic about the future because they fear the impact of imminent public spending cuts, according to new research. In...
