Monthly Archives: July 2019

Looking to learn more before launching your business? From online courses to certification programs to schooling abroad, here’s a rundown of your options.

How Brian Cristiano Went From the Brink of Bankruptcy to Managing a Multi-Million Dollar Agency

by Terry Rice • July 22, 2019 • 0 Comments

Brian Cristiano shares his inspiring story of success, and the lessons he learned when faced with adversity.

How to Improve Your Business Writing

by Successful IBO • July 22, 2019 • 0 Comments

Focus on writing clearly and concisely to become a better communicator.

What Is Formjacking, and How Can You Protect Your Business?

by Successful IBO • July 22, 2019 • 0 Comments

The first step to protect your business from formjacking is learning the risks.

Co-Operative Bank offers new business customers 2½ years’ free banking

by Timothy Adler • July 22, 2019 • 0 Comments

Originally written by Timothy Adler on Small Business
The Co-Operative Bank has nearly doubled its free-banking offer for start-ups and SMEs from 18 months to 30 months.
New small business customers will benefit from free everyday banking – subject to certain transaction limits and a minimum credit balance of £1,000 – making it, says the Co-Op, the best introductory offer in the market.
The Co-Op bank aims to double its market share over the next five years, with a particular focus on supporting ethically minded businesses. One in five SMEs (22pc) are set up with a broader social purpose in mind.
In 2018, the Co-operative Bank had over 84,000 SME accounts, including 750 co-operatives, 5,000 charities and 218 credit unions, making it the seventh-biggest provider for business current accounts.
SME customers will then go on to the standard Business Directplus tariff once the 30-month period expires.

Official data indicates that businesses are most likely to struggle in their second year, says the Co-Op. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), one in four (26pc) of the approximately 380,000 businesses established each year are likely to struggle or fail within their first two years.
Existing Business DirectPlus customers currently in their introductory period will see it extended

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7 biggest challenges SMEs face – and how to overcome them

by Simon Willmett • July 22, 2019 • 0 Comments

Originally written by Simon Willmett on Small Business
Setting up a business is certainly not without its challenges and requires vast amounts of determination, patience and effort. With figures showing that SMEs account for 99.9pc of the 5.7 million businesses in the UK, standing out from the competition has never been more important. If companies don’t make the effort to distinguish themselves from their up and coming counterparts, they risk lagging behind.
So, how can SMEs overcome the challenges they face today?
Attracting new customers
According to research by Statista, 79pc of UK SMEs stated that their toughest challenge was attracting new customers. This is a problem that so many businesses struggle with, and this includes the big players too. However, larger companies with historic success behind them usually find it easier to attract new customers as they have a strong brand supporting them.
Smart branding is hugely important and with it comes greater recognition, increased business value and the ability to generate new customers at a faster pace. Attracting new customers while maintaining a high-quality service with existing customers can be tricky, but it’s vital in order to succeed in a competitive market.
Pro-activity is also crucial for any small business. This means making phone

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8 of the best electric cars for small business leasing

by Anna Jordan • July 22, 2019 • 0 Comments

Originally written by Anna Jordan on Small Business
In the UK, we’re inching towards electric cars as a viable alternative for both buying and leasing.
But the Government plans to be the catalyst in this change by pumping money into electrical charging points. A total of twelve eco-driven projects are set to receive almost £40 million to fund improvements like solar-powered forecourts and underground charging systems.
The hope is that these measures will encourage uptake of electric vehicles at a time where sales are declining. Drivers cite cost and availability of charging points as a barrier to switching, which suggests that leasing could be the better option for electric vehicles in the short-term.
Is leasing an electric car right for me?
We chat to Paul Barker, editor of Company Car Today, about the considerations small businesses should make when leasing an electric car and the benefits having one (or more) can bring to your business.
What considerations should small businesses make when leasing an electric car?
The key thing is an understanding of how you’re going to use the car. Electric vehicles make a massive amount of sense as long as you’re doing the right kind of mileage. As weird as it sounds, it’s about doing enough