Copyright © 2008 BusinessHighStreet.com Tue, 13 May 2008 20:07:01 GMT Tue, 13 May 2008 20:07:01 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/ SME business services, news and information http://www.businesshighstreet.com/ en 60 http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18174037/FPB+urges+SMEs+to+prepare+for+higher+interest+rates A group which represents the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK has advised its members to take advantage of the Monetary Policy Committee's decision not to increase interest rates, and look for good fixed-rate loans. Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:21:42 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18174037/FPB+urges+SMEs+to+prepare+for+higher+interest+rates http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18173611/Office+workers+waste+time+emailing Office workers - including those at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - spend nearly ten years of their working life dealing with emails, a new report suggests. Fri, 08 Jun 2007 08:55:35 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18173611/Office+workers+waste+time+emailing http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18173081/Postal+strike+would+hit+SMEs+hard Any strike by Royal Mail staff could be disastrous for small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK, a business group has warned. Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:23:50 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18173081/Postal+strike+would+hit+SMEs+hard http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18172623/Businesses+welcome+rate+decision Business leaders have welcomed the Bank of England's decision not to increase interest rates again. Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:46:24 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18172623/Businesses+welcome+rate+decision http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18172148/SMEs+encouraged+to+focus+on+emerging+markets Business groups have welcomed the findings of the Trade and Industry Select Committee's report on UK trade and investment (UKTI). Thu, 07 Jun 2007 08:56:14 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18172148/SMEs+encouraged+to+focus+on+emerging+markets http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18171208/SME+tax+case+goes+to+the+Lords The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has backed a small business as its case against HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is heard in the House of Lords. Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:44:49 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18171208/SME+tax+case+goes+to+the+Lords http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18171200/Spam+spikes+target+SMEs Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are being targeted in more 'spam spikes', which are harming their operations, a new report claims. Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:37:55 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18171200/Spam+spikes+target+SMEs http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18170738/Government+acts+to+protect+SME+workers 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. Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:00:30 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18170738/Government+acts+to+protect+SME+workers http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18169689/Rain+dampens+retail+sales+figures+in+May Bad weather during May was partly responsible for the poor retail sales figures which small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK recorded in the month, a new report argues. Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:14:59 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18169689/Rain+dampens+retail+sales+figures+in+May http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18169259/SMEs+still+not+acting+to+help+the+environment Less than half the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK have an environmental policy in place, a trade union has reported. Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:58:42 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18169259/SMEs+still+not+acting+to+help+the+environment http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18168859/Further+rate+rises+will+hurt+SMEs Ahead of next week's meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), a group representing the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has urged the Bank not to increase interest rates again. Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:01:38 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18168859/Further+rate+rises+will+hurt+SMEs http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18168434/More+SME+owners+apply+to+protect+their+ideas Television programmes like Dragon's Den are encouraging more and more people to try to start their own small business, official figures indicate. Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:11:25 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18168434/More+SME+owners+apply+to+protect+their+ideas http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18167830/Bank+offers+free+services+to+SMEs A leading high street bank has unveiled a new offer to try to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to switch their banking services. Mon, 04 Jun 2007 09:01:54 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18167830/Bank+offers+free+services+to+SMEs http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18167336/SMEs+think+customers+are+more+demanding+now The owners of the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) think that it is harder now to run a successful business than it was in the past. Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:57:13 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18167336/SMEs+think+customers+are+more+demanding+now http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18166668/SMEs+hurt+by+low-emission+zones The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has warned that a number of small businesses may be left with a costly bill after new proposals by London Mayor Ken Livingstone come into force. Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:22:54 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18166668/SMEs+hurt+by+low-emission+zones http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18166319/Professional+service+firms+enjoy+strong+growth New data shows that three month of strong growth in consumer services and high demand for business and professional services have caused employment in these sectors to increase rapidly. Fri, 01 Jun 2007 09:53:45 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18166319/Professional+service+firms+enjoy+strong+growth http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18165247/Bank+offers+advice+to+start-ups A leading high street bank has launched a new service designed to help entrepreneurs start their own small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Thu, 31 May 2007 12:23:30 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18165247/Bank+offers+advice+to+start-ups http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18164781/SMEs+missing+out+because+of+poor+banking British small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are missing out on over £1 billion of interest because they are not putting their money in sensible business accounts, a new report indicates. Thu, 31 May 2007 09:03:24 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18164781/SMEs+missing+out+because+of+poor+banking http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18164254/Bosses+can+say+no+to+flexible+work+requests 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. Wed, 30 May 2007 16:12:02 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18164254/Bosses+can+say+no+to+flexible+work+requests http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18163798/Small+businesses+not+acting+to+encourage+older+workers The majority of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK have not put in place measures comply with recent age discrimination laws, new research suggests. Wed, 30 May 2007 12:31:27 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18163798/Small+businesses+not+acting+to+encourage+older+workers http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18163325/Manchester+SMEs+oppose+road+pricing 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. Wed, 30 May 2007 08:51:09 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18163325/Manchester+SMEs+oppose+road+pricing http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18162517/Paternity+rules+will+harm+SMEs New paternity regulation will harm the productivity of the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a leading industry group has warned. Tue, 29 May 2007 14:36:30 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18162517/Paternity+rules+will+harm+SMEs http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18162324/SMEs+unhappy+with+company+websites The majority of the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not think that their company website truly reflects their brand, a new survey revealed. Tue, 29 May 2007 12:23:11 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18162324/SMEs+unhappy+with+company+websites http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18161869/Manufacturers+confident+prices+will+rise The UK's manufacturers - including many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - are confident that they can increase prices in the near future, a new report suggests. Tue, 29 May 2007 08:59:13 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18161869/Manufacturers+confident+prices+will+rise http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18160219/Workers+want+to+quit+if+they+cant+progress 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.
Fri, 25 May 2007 09:02:52 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18160219/Workers+want+to+quit+if+they+cant+progress http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18160209/SMEs+need+better+facilities+to+manage+waste Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are trying to reduce the amount of waste they produce, but there are not enough suitable facilities available to allow them to do so. Fri, 25 May 2007 08:57:29 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18160209/SMEs+need+better+facilities+to+manage+waste http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18159634/Bosses+dont+know+where+to+get+financial+advice Owners of small businesses in the UK do not know where they can get business advice, a new study found. Thu, 24 May 2007 15:55:29 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18159634/Bosses+dont+know+where+to+get+financial+advice http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18159293/SME+workers+now+more+skilled 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. Thu, 24 May 2007 12:50:37 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18159293/SME+workers+now+more+skilled http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18158782/FSB+welcomes+EU+action+on+mobile+phone+charges Small and medium-sized enterprises from the UK that do business in Europe have welcomed the EU's decision to cap the roaming charges levied by mobile phone companies. Thu, 24 May 2007 09:20:48 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18158782/FSB+welcomes+EU+action+on+mobile+phone+charges http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18158009/Future+rate+rises+on+the+cards Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are preparing themselves for further interest rate increases in the immediate future, after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) published the minutes to its meeting earlier this month. Wed, 23 May 2007 14:59:29 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18158009/Future+rate+rises+on+the+cards http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18157789/Business+groups+pan+road+pricing+plans 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. Wed, 23 May 2007 12:42:52 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18157789/Business+groups+pan+road+pricing+plans http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18157276/FSA+targets+SMEs The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has revealed that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should not believe that they are below the regulator's radar. Wed, 23 May 2007 08:56:50 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18157276/FSA+targets+SMEs http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18156256/SMEs+bosses+must+check+workers+are+legal 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. Tue, 22 May 2007 12:11:26 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18156256/SMEs+bosses+must+check+workers+are+legal http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18155808/Consumers+reveal+their+top+business+grumbles The owners of UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to make sure their businesses have excellent channels of consumer communication if they hope to be successful, a new study has revealed. Tue, 22 May 2007 09:01:29 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18155808/Consumers+reveal+their+top+business+grumbles http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18155358/CBI+welcomes+government+proposals+on+planning+laws Business leaders in the UK have reacted positively to a government white paper on planning which proposes to deliver a major overhaul of the UK's infrastructure system. Mon, 21 May 2007 16:42:38 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18155358/CBI+welcomes+government+proposals+on+planning+laws http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18154760/Scottish+SMEs+look+to+recruit+temporary+workers Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland looked to recruit more temporary workers in April, according to a new report. Mon, 21 May 2007 13:06:04 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18154760/Scottish+SMEs+look+to+recruit+temporary+workers http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18154283/Retail+sales+pick+up+for+SMEs 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. Mon, 21 May 2007 09:04:04 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18154283/Retail+sales+pick+up+for+SMEs http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18153075/Minimum+wage+clampdown+welcomed+by+most+businesses Business organisations have welcomed government plans to increase the fine small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) pay if their employees do not receive the minimum wage. Fri, 18 May 2007 12:04:51 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18153075/Minimum+wage+clampdown+welcomed+by+most+businesses http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18152705/Reality+TV+is+good+for+business The popularity of entrepreneurial reality television programmes - such as The Apprentice and Dragons' Den - is good for businesses, according to a new survey. Fri, 18 May 2007 08:56:41 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18152705/Reality+TV+is+good+for+business http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18152007/Tory+MP+scoops+business-support+award 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). Thu, 17 May 2007 15:05:36 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18152007/Tory+MP+scoops+business-support+award http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18151525/FSB+criticises+government+policies+on+SME+tax The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has slammed the government's taxation policy, saying that it harms small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Thu, 17 May 2007 11:17:06 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18151525/FSB+criticises+government+policies+on+SME+tax http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18151283/Better+working+practices+would+improve+SMEs+competitiveness 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. Thu, 17 May 2007 09:05:14 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18151283/Better+working+practices+would+improve+SMEs+competitiveness http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18150532/Business+insurance+important+for+home+workers People who work from home need to carefully consider whether they have adequate business insurance, a leading provider has warned. Wed, 16 May 2007 14:52:50 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18150532/Business+insurance+important+for+home+workers http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18150118/Red+tape+is+stopping+SMEs+green+initiatives Official red tape is preventing many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK from investing in renewable energy sources to reduce their carbon footprint. Wed, 16 May 2007 11:50:52 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18150118/Red+tape+is+stopping+SMEs+green+initiatives http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18149778/Meters+would+help+SMEs+cut+emissions An advanced metering system could be used by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK to reduce their costs and impact on the environment, a new report suggests. Wed, 16 May 2007 08:49:46 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18149778/Meters+would+help+SMEs+cut+emissions http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18148556/Businesses+confident+about+UKs+economic+outlook Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are increasingly confident about their long-term prospects and growth, new data suggests. Tue, 15 May 2007 11:09:14 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18148556/Businesses+confident+about+UKs+economic+outlook http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18148327/Businesses+should+assess+training+like+investments Businesses should assess their training schemes in exactly the same way as they look at any other form of investment, according to industry experts. Tue, 15 May 2007 08:51:38 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18148327/Businesses+should+assess+training+like+investments http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18147626/NHS+offers+OH+services+to+SMEs 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. Mon, 14 May 2007 15:44:58 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18147626/NHS+offers+OH+services+to+SMEs http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18147217/CBI+investigates+UK+tax+system The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has launched a new task force with the remit of examining whether the corporate tax regime in the UK is still suitable for businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises. Mon, 14 May 2007 12:10:16 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18147217/CBI+investigates+UK+tax+system http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18146843/SMEs+need+to+improve+recruitment+practices 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. Mon, 14 May 2007 08:54:54 GMT http://www.businesshighstreet.com/news/18146843/SMEs+need+to+improve+recruitment+practices