Summary Why this is important If you find that there is too little time or you have not got all the necessary skills, it may help you to delegate or pass things on to other people. To do this you need to know how to ask others to do work for you in the way […]
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Summary Why this is important You may well feel that there are just too many things to do and too little time to do them. It may be that you need to look at how you manage your own time and work out how to get things done more efficiently. This will help you to […]
Summary Why this is important There are many instances when you may need to get some advice or support to help you in your business. There are lots of different people, agencies and organisations that can help you in your business. They may provide general advice and information about setting up or running a business […]
Summary Why this is important You need to make sure that your skills meet your business needs and keep pace with your business as it grows or changes. Improving your skills will help to keep your business successful. Who might do this You might do this if you: are just starting a business or social […]
Summary Why this is important You are the most important thing in your business, so you must know what you are good at doing. It’s also important to look at how you can get better at the things you don’t do so well. This will help you avoid problems later. Who might do this You […]
Summary Why this is important You are the most important thing in your business so it is important to make sure that your business is supporting your chosen lifestyle, you are getting what you want from it and are enjoying what you are doing. Who might do this You might do this if you: are […]
Summary Why this is important To make sure that your customers are satisfied with the service you provide, your business needs to be meeting and exceeding their expectations. However, even if your service to customers is excellent, some customers will experience problems. How you respond to problems is particularly important because many customers judge the […]
Summary Why this is important Good customer service makes a business successful. Whether you are a sole trader or you employ staff your business can benefit from good customer service. Satisfied customers are more likely to use your business again. Who might do this You might do this if you: are concerned about the quality […]
Summary Why this is important You may need to make presentations to win work, sell your products or services, get funding or support, promote your business or promote changes and new strategies to staff or board members. Making successful presentations is important as it may help to boost your sales, bring more investment to your […]
Summary Why this is important Businesses are often asked to prepare bids about the products or services they can supply to customers. Presenting a proposal of work with a quotation may be necessary when customers want to get the best deal by comparing proposals from different businesses. Who might do this You might do this […]
Summary Why this is important A website is increasingly becoming an important part of any business. The functions that businesses can now build into the website and the use of the system can often be a large part of business processes. Through the website, many businesses have developed a virtual ‘shop front’ and use the […]
Summary Why this is important Businesses use the Internet to carry out business, market, and buy and sell products or services to a wider audience. E-commerce, e-business and e-trading are terms used to describe business on the Internet. The Internet provides a valuable form of communication and is a valuable source of information that can […]
Summary Why this is important There are many things that are different about trading abroad than trading locally or in the UK. It is important to identify these differences and make sure that the effects on your business are positive. Who might do this You might do this if you need to: widen your range […]
Summary Why this is important No business can survive without selling its products or services to its customers. The selling may take place on your business’s premises, the customer’s or any other environment. Who might do this You might do this if you are: setting up a new business or social enterprise; expanding your business […]
Summary Why this is important There are many benefits to your business from advertising. It helps you to make people aware of and interested in your products or services, increase your sales and/or launch new products or services. It can also be used to reassure existing customers that they are making the right choice in […]
Summary Why this is important You must sell enough of your products or services to keep your business running. You need to understand your market to sell your products or services at a profit. You need to investigate how you sell your products or services to improve your sales. This information will help you to […]
Summary Why this is important You need to understand your market to sell your products or services at a profit. You will need to investigate how you market your products or services to improve your sales and marketing. This information will help you to prepare plans that will persuade people to buy a product or […]
Summary Why this is important It is important to know who your customers are and what they need. This will help you to: make sure you meet their needs so that they use your products or services; plan how to best market or sell your products or services develop a customer service policy; or review […]
Summary Why this is important Social enterprises can be directed by many different kinds of governing body, including boards of directors, management committees and trustees, depending in part on whether or not the social enterprise is an incorporated body. Whatever they are called they have an important role to play in social enterprise. Working closely […]
Summary Why this is important Stakeholders are very important in any social enterprise. Stakeholders could be board members, sponsors, funders, customers, members, staff members or volunteers. Making sure that you maximise their involvement in the social enterprise and their links with you and each other will ensure the social enterprise gains the most benefit from […]
Summary Why this is important If you employ five or more people and do not have an occupational pension scheme to which all workers are entitled you must provide a stakeholder pension scheme. Stakeholder pensions were introduced to encourage more people to save for their retirement. While your staff do not have to join a […]
Summary Why this is important Sometimes, because of changed economic circumstances or re-organisation of your business, there is a need to review and revise staff roles. This can arise because there is over-capacity in part of your business, your business requires staff with a different skill set or where your business merges with or transfers […]
Summary Why this is important Most businesses encounter problems with the conduct, capability or behaviour of individuals. Employers are required by law to have procedures for dealing with discipline and grievance. A formal procedure for conducting interviews can take the heat out of the situation and help resolve problems. It is important therefore to have […]
Summary Why this is important Helping people to improve their skills will help your business to increase productivity, improve the quality of the service or products you offer and support the continuing development of your business. Who might do this You might do this if you need to: make your business or social enterprise more […]