Running your business
Organisations
4SmallBiz — very useful web site with links to many organisations and other resources for small businesses.
www.4SmallBiz.co.ukACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) — international body for accountants. ACCA also provides advice on choosing an accountant and you can search online for an ACCA member or an ACCA business adviser.
www.acca.org.ukbCentral — Microsoft’s website for small businesses. Offers free advice and free downloadable documents designed to help small businesses with a wide range of issues.
www.bcentral.co.ukb2b Business Directory — UK Business to Business Directory.
The Bag Lady — aims to be a comprehensive directory where women can find other women in business when they need a service or product. Women business owners can add their listing to the directory free of charge.
www.the-bag-lady.co.ukBritish Chambers of Commerce — local chambers seek to represent the interests and support the competitiveness and growth of all businesses in their communities and regions.
British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) — an independent insurance body.
www.biba.org.ukBusiness Link — an easy to use business support, advice and information service managed by the DTI. Free downloadable advice and interactive tools for running your business on a day-to-day basis.
www.businesslink.gov.ukChartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) — the professional organisation for the management and development of people.
www.cipd.co.ukChartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) — international organisation based in the UK serving the purchasing and supply profession.
www.cips.orgChartered Institute of Taxation (CTA, ATII, FTII) — the professional body for Chartered Tax Advisers.
www.tax.org.uke-Co — established by SME businesses for SME businesses, the e-Co provides an online business club that offers members a ready-made community of businesses with which they can trade, discuss issues and access business support online; also gives members information on public tenders across Europe.
www.e-co.co.ukEcademy — an online business exchange that connects people to knowledge, contacts, support and business. Ecademy’s cause is ‘to build the world’s premier Trusted Network, connecting business people to share knowledge, contacts and leads’.
www.ecademy.comElectricity4Business — electricity supplier for business. Reducing prices of commercial and business electricity; news, special business electricity promotions and advice on free electricity transfers.
www.electricity4business.co.ukEnvirolinkUK — the environmental information and support service provided particularly for small and medium-sized businesses by Business Links. Guidance notes and fact sheets on running a green business.
www.envirolinkuk.orgEnvironment Agency UK — the public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales.
www.environment-agency.gov.ukEnvirowise — free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact.
www.envirowise.gov.ukEverywoman — an online network and resource provider for women business owners and managers.
www.everywoman.co.ukFederation of Small Businesses (FSB) — a campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.
www.fsb.org.ukForum of Private Business (Head Office) — lobbies on behalf of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
www.fpb.co.ukFreelancers in the UK — provides help and information on freelancing plus a list of freelancers in the UK.
www.freelancersintheuk.co.ukForum4Business — an online business resource for business people to talk, share experiences and opportunities.
www.forum4business.comInstitute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) — provides advice on the role of being a Company Secretary in a limited company.
www.icsa.org.ukInstitute for Small Business Affairs and Entrepreneurship — membership organisation for researchers and policy makers.
www.isbe.org.ukInstitute of Chartered Accountants (England & Wales) — online directory of chartered accountants and FAQs relating to running a small business.
www.icaew.co.ukInternational Centre for Commercial Law — website for legal professionals; includes an online version of the UK Legal 500 with listings of leading chambers, barristers and corporate counsel.
www.icclaw.comJust Start Ups — practical advice, information and services for new business startups as well as established sole traders and growing businesses. Helping you move from theory to practice.
www.nowletsgetstarted.co.ukNew Business Communtiy Forum — help, advice and online chat about business issues.
community.newbusiness.co.ukOffice of Fair Trading (OFT) — business information and explanations of some of the laws that might affect you.
www.oft.gov.ukOpportunity Wales — a non-profit partnership supporting the development of e-commerce in small and medium-sized businesses.
www.opportunitywales.co.ukPaper Recycling— Offer technology for paper recycling and a complete overview of paper recycling.
www.greenerworld.comRoyal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) — excellent information about website accessibility
www.rnib.org.ukTrading Standards —‘See it right’ information - Advice that relates to specific regulations for different industries to ensure you are trading under the right licences. Online, you can find the nearest Trading Standards office to your postcode.
UK Business Forums — busy online business forum with over 1500 members. Share information, ideas and resources with other small business owners around the UK. Special offers for members.
www.ukbusinessforums.co.ukWaste Watch — information on waste reduction.
www.wastewatch.org.uk'Green' business
Friends of the Earth — briefing papers on recycling and legislation requirements.
www.foe.co.ukGreen business — free advice on reducing your energy costs and waste management.
www.thecarbontrust.co.uk/energyThe Green Office Manual — highlights the opportunities for achieving cost savings and environmental improvements, with specific guidance for small businesses.
www.earthscan.co.ukUK Green Power — a free service to compare prices on green energy tariffs.
www.ukgreenpower.co.ukThe Green Stationery Company — recycled paper and green office products supplier. A wide range of products which are environmentally benign or have environmental advantages over standard office products.
www.greenstat.co.ukGreenbiz — looks at such things as computer and paper recycling, how to make your building environmentally efficient.
www.greenbiz.comMagazines, newsletters and printed materials
Better Business — Published ten times a year and available by subscription only; provides ‘practical proven advice to small business owner-managers’. An excellent website also, full of resources and information for small business owners.
www.better-business.co.ukBusiness XL — For growing companies, published every two months. Specialises in informing businesses who are looking for growth and investment.
www.businessxl.co.ukDirectors’ Briefings — A wide range of practical business information and advice for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Not to be missed.
www.learndirect.co.uk then click on Learn Direct for Business and Free Factsheets
(For businesses who wish to offer these Briefings on their website, visit www.businesshotlinepublications.co.uk for more information and pricing)
EnterQuest — weekly e-newsletter from Cobweb which gives practical information to help you run and grow your business. A really excellent resource with genuinely useful advice and ideas. Back issues are also available by visiting their website archive.
www.enterprisequest.comFirst Voice — The official magazine of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Join the FSB (www.fsb.org.uk) and receive First Voice free with your membership.
www.firstvoice.co.ukReal Business Magazine — A business magazine for fast growing companies with ‘jargon-free advice on everyday issues’.
www.realbusiness.co.uk