We at SBREC see change every day. The economy zigs, technology zags, a new regulation drops from on high and suddenly, your perfectly good business plan has all the relevance of a fax machine. Let’s break down what adaptation looks like for your business. … More Adapting to Change: A Business Survival Guide
Within the past three years, advancement of large language models and artificial intelligence have revolutionised how we engage with the world. However, despite the rapid integration of this technology into business practices and the increase in AI-based start-ups it is essential that business owners do not become too reliant on its ‘promised’ utility. I believe it would be useful to highlight some of the drawbacks that AI can have on founders, entrepreneurs or anyone within our SME community. … More The risks of AI as a business owner
Being an entrepreneur is like being the lead actor, director, scriptwriter and janitor of a movie that’s being filmed live, with no budget and the plot keeps changing. Here are some realistic, slightly ridiculous but genuinely helpful time management tips that helped me and I am hoping it will help you stay sane, productive and maybe even get a full night’s sleep (but no promises) … More Time Management Tips for Entrepreneurs: How to Tame the Chaos Without Crying in a Cupboard
When most people hear the word “networking”, they think of lukewarm coffee, name badges and awkward conversations that sound like the start of a bad sales pitch. But if you’re a new entrepreneur, networking isn’t just a dreaded social obligation – it’s your secret weapon. So, what do you do? … More Networking for new entrepreneurs: How to work a room without breaking a sweat
Embarking on the entrepreneurial journey is an exciting experience with potential opportunities and pitfalls. However, most entrepreneurs are confronted with traps that can ruin their success and threaten the sustainability of their business. At the Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre, we have seen the errors entrepreneurs commit and we have provided guidance in how they can be avoided. … More Common mistakes entrepreneurs make – and how you can avoid them!
On 20 February 2025, we hosted the City of London Corporation’s first ever conference for SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), themed around Access to Finance. Finding funding is one of the biggest challenges many business owners face as they try to start and grow their business, so we wanted to bring together industry experts, businesses, and organisations to share knowledge and make connections that would make it easier for the SMEs in the room to access the finance they need. … More Access to Finance for Early-Stage SMEs: What we learnt at the conference
As we enter 2025, there is renewed optimism for businesses due to improved funding opportunities and market conditions following the pandemic. The new year represents a chance for change and innovation, encouraging entrepreneurs to embrace challenges and pursue their goals. With proper planning, 2025 could be a pivotal year for success. … More Why 2025 is the perfect time to achieve your small business goals
Starting a business is like embarking on a thrilling adventure. You’re the captain, the crew, and the treasure hunter all rolled into one. But just like any great adventure, a little planning can go a long way. Learn how SWOT and the BMC can help you create a solid business plan. … More Business Blueprint, part 3: Plan to Win – Why Business Planning Tools Are Your Secret Weapon
Prepare your business financials with cashflow and sales forecast planning. Understand what you need to think about when looking at your financials and learn about the tools to help you with these. … More Business Blueprint, part 2: Building your financial model
The article discusses the importance of having a concrete plan to start a business and the key areas that every startup should explore. It emphasizes understanding logistics such as legal status, suppliers, and customers, and the need for thorough market research. The article also provides resources for accessing business data and other places to get information and advice. … More Business Blueprint, Part 1: The practicalities of going from idea to launch
Market research is essential for succeeding with your business, but it can be tricky to know how to conduct useful research, where to find reliable information, and how to interpret your findings, In this article from our Business Adviser, Mohib, learn the basics you need to know to get started! … More Unleashing the power of market research: Boosting your chances of business success
Our workspace is important for our health, productivity and creativity – here’s some inspiration for creating a good one! … More How your workspace can impact your success!
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