New kit released to help thousands more become their own boss At a time when the number of people starting a business is at a record high the small business publisher Brightword Publishing has launched a Start Up Kit to ease the process of going it alone.

Location, location, location: Choosing an office that’s right for your business As the new year has arrived many businesses will be taking a fresh look at their operating costs in light of the tough financial conditions that 2010 had to offer, and which show no immediate signs of improving.

Engage with your customers online - don't just broadcast to boost sales Websites are no longer simply the online ‘face’ of a business. Customers expect more from a company’s website than a home page. To use an analogy of buying a house, how many people make a purchase based on how attractive they find the outside of a building? Buyers want to be able to enter a home, have a good look around and get a feel of a house, before making a purchase decision

How to boost your will power to make your business a success You’ve got great plans for your business, fabulous ideas for new products or services, a marketing strategy that just can’t fail – and yet despite your best intentions you haven’t actioned any of them.

What will the company of the future actually look like? Today, economic changes are happening at a breakneck pace. The combination of technology, global marketplaces and the recession have forced many companies to re-examine their strategy and take a serious look at what the company of the future will look like. Neal Gandhi, the author of Born Global, offers some advice on expanding globally.

Marketing on a Budget: Motivating customers to spread the word When you have a great product, a product that you believe everybody could, or should, want, if only they knew about it, it is incredibly disheartening if you cannot find a successful way to get that product to market.

10 ways to build great relationships with overseas companies In this rapidly shrinking world we need to take advantage of the business opportunities of dealing with foreign companies and business owners.

The key to success – building a fantastic team At A Suit That Fits, we were lucky enough to have the support of some fantastic friends early on. Essentially, a few of our friends loved the idea of being part of the world’s first online tailoring company, and took a sabbatical from their careers to help out.

Firms urged to improve deal making skills Professional negotiator and media lawyer, Clive Rich, has urged SME’s to improve the negotiation and deal-making skills of their top executives or risk financial ruin as big business and the recession make it harder for SME's to get a foot in the door.

Saving money on business printing - Why compatible consumables are not the answer Graham Lowes, marketing director, OKI Printing Solutions, says If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. An over-used phrase perhaps, but in the case of cheap printer consumables, it could hardly be more relevant. The economy may be gradually pulling away from recession, but SMEs are still focused on running a tight ship and they can be forgiven for looking to save money at every opportunity.

Starting A Suit That Fits As the co-founder of a small business, I'm often asked for hints and tips when starting up as an entrepreneur. To be a columnist for Business Matters is a real honour and I hope to impart some of what I've learnt to fellow entrepreneurs!

A quarter of employees say trust in managers has deteriorated in the last two years New research has revealed the poor state of trust between employees and managers with a quarter of those surveyed saying that they are feeling that the level of trust they have in their manager has deteriorated. A further one fifth of respondents have reported that they are less engaged.

Email – modern-day welcome home from holiday heaven Many staff returning to the office from their holiday today will be greeted back with hundreds of emails demanding their attention, which according to research published today, is one of the biggest causes of corporate stress. The problem, says Emailogic, undermines the entire premise of providing paid holidays for employees so they can relax.

Mary Queen of Shops hits the nail on the head: local businesses need to specialise to survive For years now we’ve been hearing plenty about how our high streets are suffering at the hands of the supermarket giants and how their ‘evil plan’ to take over Britain’s streets is forcing local businesses to shut shop.

I am currently working with Mary Portas’ shop designer, Callum Lumsden, on a refit of one of our studios so I have been watching her brilliant latest series, Mary Queen of Shops.

She talks about how businesses need to improve in order to compete with supermarkets and I couldn’t agree more.

Make the most of your business this summer With summer having finally arrived – the flowers are in bloom, the BBQs are stoked up and the flip flops are out. However, while most of us look forward to balmier days, many business owners find the summer months a challenge. Not only does business tend to slow down, but employees and owners alike can find it difficult to focus and be productive when warm weather and the beach is beckoning.

Why you should look at taking apprentices into your business Apprenticeships are vital for our business and an attractive recruitment option for other employers, writes Lesley Bowen, Head of HR Delivery at Sellafield, winners of the Employer of the Year at the National Apprenticeship awards.

Top tips on staying in control of business debt Jamie Waller is the UK’s best known debt recovery and enforcement specialist. His company, JBW Group, work with businesses and local councils across the UK in debt management and enforcement. Jamie regularly appears on BBC Television and various others stations offering expert advice.

Here he provides his tops tips for businesses to ensure credit and debts are kept under control:

Running a rural business: Did you say bridal jewellery or bridle jewellery? As the owner and director of a successful rural business employing over 30 people across two locations in the East of England, l was approached recently by Business Matters who asked me if l’d like to become a regular columnist.

‘Localised’ Internet Marketing activity branded a scam Businesses are being warned to be on their guard following a string of cold calls from suppliers offering ‘off the shelf’ localised internet marketing campaigns which could leave struggling SMEs out of pocket by hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

The road to recovery Given our natural cynicism, it was easy for us Brits to get the sandbags out and put the defences up as we went into recession, but it has proved far more difficult to come out of it.