SME News

• Postal strike 'would hit SMEs hard'  (7 June 2007)
  Any strike by Royal Mail staff could be disastrous for small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK, a business group has warned.
• SMEs 'encouraged to focus on emerging markets'  (7 June 2007)
  Business groups have welcomed the findings of the Trade & Industry Select Committee's report on UK trade and investment (UKTI).
• Government acts to protect SME workers  (6 June 2007)
  The government has launched a pilot scheme to try and crack down on the bosses of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who treat their staff poorly.
• Bosses 'can say no' to flexible work requests  (30 May 2007)
  The bosses at the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises should not be afraid to refuse their staff's requests for more flexible working arrangements if they believe they will harm business.
• Manchester SMEs 'oppose road pricing'  (30 May 2007)
  The vast majority of small business owners in the Manchester area are opposed to the proposed road pricing scheme which could be introduced in the city.
• Paternity rules 'will harm SMEs'  (29 May 2007)
  New paternity regulation will harm the productivity of the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a leading industry group has warned.
• Workers 'want to quit if they can't progress'  (25 May 2007)
  The bosses of the nation's small and medium-sized enterprises need to do more to make sure their staff benefit from day-to-day training opportunities, industry experts have claimed.
  
• SME workers 'now more skilled'  (24 May 2007)
  The skills of people working in the nation's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have steadily risen in the last two decades, according to a new report.
• Business groups pan road pricing plans  (23 May 2007)
  Groups which represent the interests of the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have criticised the government's proposals to introduce road pricing schemes throughout the country.
• SMEs bosses 'must check workers are legal'  (22 May 2007)
  The bosses of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK need to make sure all their employees have the right to work in the country, according to legal experts.
• Scottish SMEs 'look to recruit temporary workers'  (21 May 2007)
  Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland looked to recruit more temporary workers in April, according to a new report.
• Retail sales 'pick up for SMEs'  (21 May 2007)
  Recent government figures show that the owners of retail small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enjoyed strong sale figures in the last quarter, despite a slight decrease in April sales volume.
• Reality TV is 'good for business'  (18 May 2007)
  The popularity of entrepreneurial reality television programmes - such as The Apprentice and Dragons' Den - is good for businesses, according to a new survey.
• Tory MP scoops business-support award  (17 May 2007)
  A Conservative MP has been named as the politician who has done the most to support the interests of the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• Better working practices 'would improve SMEs' competitiveness'  (17 May 2007)
  If the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not adapt their recruitment and working practices they risk losing out in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.
• Businesses 'confident about UK's economic outlook'  (15 May 2007)
  Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are increasingly confident about their long-term prospects and growth, new data suggests.
• Businesses 'should assess training like investments'  (15 May 2007)
  Businesses should assess their training schemes in exactly the same way as they look at any other form of investment, according to industry experts.
• NHS offers OH services to SMEs  (14 May 2007)
  Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in five areas across the country will be able to get advice and help from the NHS over health and safety issues in the workplace.
• SMEs 'need to improve recruitment practices'  (14 May 2007)
  Some businesses - including many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - are missing out on recruiting the best candidates because of delays between interviews and job offers.
• SME-championing politicians recognised by FPB  (11 May 2007)
  Seven politicians have been shortlisted by the Forum of Private Businesses (FPB) to receive the prestigious Business-friendly MP/MEP 2007 award.
• Speaker bursts business myths  (10 May 2007)
  A lead speaker at this year's Small Firms' Summit - organised by the Federation of Private Businesses (FPB) - will tell small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that they should ignore many common businesses idioms.
• Lack of planning 'harming SME success'  (8 May 2007)
  Many new small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fail because owners do not implement a sound long-term business plan from the start, a leading consultant has warned.
• SMEs 'must offer workers flexible working practices'  (4 May 2007)
  Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to offer their staff flexible working practices or risk losing them, a new report suggests.
• SME bosses 'not getting enough sleep to work effectively'  (3 May 2007)
  The bosses of the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often not getting enough sleep to run their businesses effectively, according to a new survey.
• High street SMEs 'confident about sales'  (3 May 2007)
  Retail vendors performed strongly in the first half of April, according to new figures from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
• New SME forum launched by government  (2 May 2007)
  The government has launched a new scheme to try to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to come forward and explain the problems they have when doing business.
• Government's SME policies criticised  (2 May 2007)
  The Conservative Party has criticised Labour's proposed tax reforms for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• More SMEs 'could get MoD contracts'  (1 May 2007)
  A new initiative could help more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) win lucrative contracts with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• FPB warns business to prepare for smoking ban  (1 May 2007)
  The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has warned its members to be prepared for the impending smoking ban or face severe financial penalties.
• Liverpool top for SME growth  (1 May 2007)
  The city of Liverpool is now Britain's most productive area for SMEs, according to a nationwide survey.
• SMEs 'want more bank holidays'  (30 April 2007)
  Half of the owners of the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would like to see St. George's Day become a bank holiday, a new study indicates.
• New immigration system 'could help SMEs recruit'  (27 April 2007)
  A new 'point-based' immigration programme - due to be phased in by 2008 - could make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to recruit foreign workers, according to a leading law firm.
• SMEs 'are failing to protect their intellectual property'  (26 April 2007)
  Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could be missing out on income from new technology and ideas because they are not good at protecting their intellectual property (IP).
• Bosses 'should tackle obese workers'  (26 April 2007)
  Bosses of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who do not act to help their staff lose weight could face more compensation claims in the future, a new report suggests.
• Workers 'should be given time off to quit smoking'  (25 April 2007)
  The bosses of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should give their employees paid time off work to encourage them to quit smoking, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has said.
• SME workers 'enjoy travelling for business'  (25 April 2007)
  The owners and employees for the UK's small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) who have to travel as part of their work do not consider it a chore, new research indicates.
• Government 'must recognise staff skills'  (24 April 2007)
  The government should reform the qualification framework to recognise valuable skills that UK workers gain from working for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), an industry group has said.
• Flexible working practice 'a reality for many businesses'  (23 April 2007)
  A new report has revealed the extent to which the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are offering their employees flexible working practices.
• Retail sales figures offer hope for SMEs  (20 April 2007)
  Businesses worried about the current economic situation in the UK, after recent figured showed inflation was on the rise, will be relieved to see retail sales have remained strong.
• UK entrepreneurial spirit praised  (17 April 2007)
  The entrepreneurial spirit is strong among the UK's small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners, according to an industry expert.
• Age discrimination 'timebomb' facing SMEs  (17 April 2007)
  Small business owners are putting themselves at risk of age discrimination problems, according to a new study.
• Tiredness 'is reducing the productivity of UK workers'  (13 April 2007)
  Workers at many of the country's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not performing at their maximum levels because they are not getting enough sleep, according to a new report.
• Cameron back business start-ups  (13 April 2007)
  The Conservative leader has set out his stall as a man who will pay attention to the needs of the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by endorsing a scheme to provide start-up funding to entrepreneurs.
• Mobile phone use in company cars 'still a problem'  (13 April 2007)
  The owners of Britain's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are ignoring the new rules about using mobile phones while driving, according to research.
• Businesses record 'relatively strong' March sales  (12 April 2007)
  Sun and the date on which Easter fell helped Britain's businesses - including many SMEs - post strong sales figures in March, according to new research.
• Small businesses 'not planning for the future'  (11 April 2007)
  Many of the country's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are risking their future operating efficiency by not having a written business plan, a new report suggests.
• Unauthorised staff sickness 'costs SMEs billions'  (10 April 2007)
  Staff sickness is costing UK businesses - including many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - over £13 billion a year, new research suggests.
• SMEs 'should take more responsibility for staff skills'  (10 April 2007)
  The UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should take more responsibility for the training of their staff, a new report argues.
• SMEs gear up for busy Easter  (5 April 2007)
  The UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) look set for a profitable Easter period, according to new figures.
• Flexible working initiative 'welcomed by SMEs'  (2 April 2007)
  Trade organisations that represent the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have cautiously welcomed Tony Blair's initiative on flexible working practices.
• SMEs 'need to combat ageism in the workplace'  (30 March 2007)
  Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should do more to ensure that they do not discriminate against potential workers on the basis of their age, a new survey says.
• Pregnancy 'not effectively dealt with' by SME bosses  (30 March 2007)
  The managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to do more to make sure pregnant members of staff are treated fairly, a new report says.
• SME owners reveal their motivation  (28 March 2007)
  The vast majority of the owners of small and medium-sized enterprises are driven by the sense of self-worth that their enterprise gives them, a new study suggests.
• Cooking facilities 'could cut staff illness'  (28 March 2007)
  The owners of Britain's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been urged to ensure they provide employees with the facilities to improve their diet while at work.
• Business confidence 'knocked by stock market tumble'  (27 March 2007)
  The recent volatility of the UK stock market has hit the confidence of the country's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to a new survey.
• Employees 'happy to talk about company secrets'  (26 March 2007)
  UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) risk losing trade secrets to rivals because employees are not careful about keeping company data secure, new research reveals.
• Retail sales boost UK's SMEs  (23 March 2007)
  The owners of Britain's small and medium-sized retial enterprises can breathe a sigh of relief as official figures show high street sales recovered after a poor January.
• Stressed employees 'cost UK businesses £9.6bn'  (22 March 2007)
  Stressed employees 'cost UK businesses £9.6bn'
  Employees, including those who work for the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), admit to feeling increasingly stressed in their workplace, according to a new report.
• EEF want government reforms to help SMEs  (22 March 2007)
  The Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) has called on the next prime minister to commit to modernising the government's business support services by creating a single department dedicated to promoting economic growth and productivity.
• Employees 'lack skills for SME work'  (20 March 2007)
  British businesses are finding it increasingly hard to recruit workers with the correct skills for the job, according to a new report.
• £50 million fund for new start-up businesses  (19 March 2007)
  A national organisation has launched an ambitious five-year project to help fund new business start-ups.
• More employees admit 'feeling stressed'  (16 March 2007)
  Employees are suffering higher stress levels because of working practices such as emails, according to a stress management consultant.
• FPB outlines small business hopes for Budget  (15 March 2007)
  Ahead of Gordon's Brown last Budget as chancellor, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has detailed its 'wish-list' of actions that would help promote business.
• SMEs 'must address' flexible working demand  (15 March 2007)
  Small- and medium-sized businesses need to start offering more flexible working options to working parents, according to a new study.
• Congestion zones 'could impact' SMEs  (14 March 2007)
  Proposed congestion zones in towns and cities across the UK could have a negative impact on small businesses in the area, according to new research.
• Cameron and Brown unveil green plans  (13 March 2007)
  David Cameron and Gordon Brown have gone head-to-head this week with their proposals for a cleaner, greener Britain ahead of the publication of the Climate Change Bill today.
• Aon urges SME risk protection  (12 March 2007)
  Consultancy firm Aon has warned that SMEs and other businesses in the UK should be preparing for what could prove to be a particularly risky year.
  
• SME employees 'work when sick'  (9 March 2007)
  Most workers at UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) go into work even when they are ill, according to new research.
• FPB urges EU to cut red tape burden  (9 March 2007)
  As the heads of state meet for the EU Spring Council, a group representing the interest of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is urging the leaders to commit to cutting red-tape for business.
• SMEs 'should move into environmental sectors'  (8 March 2007)
  Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are being urged to consider moving into the environmental goods and services sector as it is predicted to grow rapidly in the coming years, according to a new report.
• Healthy snack entrepreneur prepares for lift off  (7 March 2007)
  A retired Welsh entrepreneur has gone back into business with the imminent launch of a helicopter firm, icWales reports.
• Govt gets 'green' boost from business  (7 March 2007)
  Over 40 businesses have signed a new manifesto aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
• UK frontrunner in 'environmental solutions'  (6 March 2007)
  UK business is at the forefront of the world's £400 billion environmental goods and services market, according to new research.
• New legislation for tenancy agreements  (5 March 2007)
  A new law controlling housing deposits will be implemented from April 6th 2007 - and is predicted to affect thousands of tenants, letting agents and property landlords.
• Companies act welcomed by FSB  (5 March 2007)
  The planned implementation of the Companies Act has been greeted with strong approval from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
  
  
• Businesses encouraged to 'go green'  (2 March 2007)
  A new investment readiness programme is been launched to help promote 'green' entrepreneurship, growingbusiness.co.uk reports.
• SMEs more aware that marketing is 'vital'  (2 March 2007)
  Marketing is being taken more seriously by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to new findings released this week.
• Free advice for budding entrepreneurs in Whitby  (2 March 2007)
  A free advice workshop for groups or individuals interested in starting a business or social enterprise will be held in Whitby next week, whitbytoday.co.uk reports.
• SME finance directors targets for FSA  (1 March 2007)
  The Financial Services Authority (FSA) could be targeting the finance directors of small businesses as part of its continued attempt to enforce the fair treatment of consumers.
• SMEs 'not helped enough' by Government  (28 February 2007)
  The government is failing to do enough for small businesses, according to new research.
• New publication for small businesses  (28 February 2007)
  A new bi-monthly magazine is being launched for small businesses, thepublican.com reports.
• Entrepreneur praised for regeneration  (27 February 2007)
  Regeneration chiefs have praised a Staffordshire businessman after he bought a notoriously unattractive building - and restored it to a modern, mixed-use complex.
• Rural businesswomen given boost  (27 February 2007)
  A conference and networking event to celebrate the achievements of businesswomen from across the Yorkshire region in rural enterprise will be held next month.
• Smaller firms less likely to have female board members  (26 February 2007)
  Businesswomen stand a better chance of being appointed to the board of a FTSE 100 company than to an AIM listed firm according to the business advisory firm Deloitte, the BBC reports.
• South-west entrepreneur to be UK digital ambassador  (22 February 2007)
  A Cornish businessman has been selected by the British Council to be a representative for the UK digital media industry.
• EU red tape cuts indicate 'time for action'  (21 February 2007)
  Signs that the European Union (EU) intends to instil a reduction on re-tape related administrative burdens has been welcomed by the Forum of Private Business (FPB).
• Pets hates of phone use revealed  (20 February 2007)
  Small and medium sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) are dissatisfied with their current telephone service, according to recent research.
• SMEs benefit in borough of Windsor  (20 February 2007)
  The Royal Borough of Windsor has been placed fourth in a league which ranks local authorities by their treatment of small businesses.
• SMEs welcome EU mutual recognition proposal  (19 February 2007)
  A proposal from the European Commission to strengthen the enforcement of laws that maintain product standards across the internal market should be welcomed by small businesses.
  
• Congestion charging harmful to small business  (19 February 2007)
  The extension of the London congestion charge has been criticised for being a "misnomer" and a "road use tax" by a lobbying and benefits group for small businesses.
• Small firms "stifled" by rents  (14 February 2007)
  A property expert has claimed that increasing numbers of small enterprises are finding their business opportunities stifled by high rental fees.
• Drive for more women to launch SMEs  (13 February 2007)
  Women will be encouraged to found their own SME under the guidance of 1,000 inspirational female entrepreneurs.
• SME employees are happiest  (12 February 2007)
  People who work for SMEs are happier than their peers employed with larger organisations.
• Strong growth for SME manufacturers  (7 February 2007)
  The small to medium sized enterprise (SME) manufacturing sector posted strong numbers in the final quarter of 2006, according to recently released figures.
• Women encouraged to start SMEs  (7 February 2007)
  It is hoped that a new network of female activists being launched today by the government will inspire more women to start their own small to medium sized businesses (SMEs).
• SMEs 'need more government support'  (6 February 2007)
  A leading Liberal Democrat MP has called on the government to provide more support for small to medium sized businesses (SMEs).
• SMEs given cancer advice  (5 February 2007)
  SME employers are being offered advice on handling employees with cancer thanks to a new group.
• Free intellectual property checks for SMEs  (2 February 2007)
  The minister for science and innovation, Malcolm Wicks, today announced that small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) are to be offered free intellectual property audits.
• Microsoft cracks down on SME illegal software use  (1 February 2007)
  Microsoft has announced that its latest attempt to crack down on the illegal use of its software by small to medium sized enterprises is underway.
• Google launches SME focussed service  (1 February 2007)
  Google has announced plans to launch a search service specifically with small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) in mind.
• SMEs want to benefit from socially responsible approach  (31 January 2007)
  SMEs want to benefit from a socially responsible approach to their work, but are getting put off by terminology geared for big businesses, according to a new report.
• Strata office schemes help SMEs start up  (31 January 2007)
  Strata office schemes, in which businesses can buy a floor in an office building, are helping SMEs to start up, according to analysts.
• Small businesses thrive on efficient postal service  (31 January 2007)
  Small businesses thrive when the postal service is efficient, according to a report form the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
• HSBC launches new SIPP for SMEs  (30 January 2007)
  HSBC has teamed up with Standard Life to launch a new self-invested personal pension (SIPP) to SMEs.
• New website evaluates different SME types  (29 January 2007)
  New research claims to have unveiled three different types of small and medium sized (SME) internet-based businesses in the UK.
• SMEs come to terms with Companies Act  (26 January 2007)
  Passed into law last year, the effects of the Companies Act are now being felt.
• Competition commission 'must consider SMEs'  (24 January 2007)
  There are fresh calls for the Competition Commission to consider the needs of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in its investigation in to the groceries sector.
• SME leaders 'hail Cameron as hero'  (23 January 2007)
  Nearly two in five SME employers claim that they are overburdened by 'red tape'.
• Bosses aspire to SMEs in the country  (17 January 2007)
  The UK's managers are harbouring fantasies about moving to the countryside and setting up their own SMEs, research found.
• SMEs set for 'happy 2007'  (17 January 2007)
  SMEs in the UK are set for a "happy new year", according to the Bank of Scotland.
• Small firms issue profits warning  (15 January 2007)
  An increasingly large percentage of profit warnings are being received from small businesses, it has emerged.
• Bosses see perks of "annual cull"  (15 January 2007)
  Nearly three-quarters of UK bosses would like to sack a quota of underperforming staff each year, a survey found.
• Half of Britons 'could set up own business'  (12 January 2007)
  Nearly half the country believes they have the skills necessary to start a business, the largest global survey of entrepreneurs has found.
• SME owners 'overworked and underpaid'  (10 January 2007)
  Many small business owners in the UK are overworked and underpaid, according to a new report.
• SMEs urged to undertake new year review  (10 January 2007)
  SMEs should take the new year as a prompt to review their practices to improve productivity, experts advise.
• Govt announces £200 fines for minimum wage evasion  (9 January 2007)
  SME businesses that fail to pay staff the minimum wage will now be liable for a £200 fine for each worker they underpay, the government announced today.
• SME business failure rate increases  (8 January 2007)
  Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were among the increasing number of high street firms that are said to have failed in the past year, claims a new report.
• SME retailers report strong online growth  (4 January 2007)
  Small and medium sized retailers in the UK predict better growth online rather than off, according to one survey.