Business
Is Your Finance System Holding Back Business Growth?
A finance system that worked well at £10 million in revenue doesn’t always keep pace at £30 million. That’s rarely because the software broke. It’s because growth changes what a finance system needs to do, and the gap between what it does and what the business now needs widens quietly, month by month, until someone […]
Everything we know about… starting a freelance business
There’s no better way to round off season one of Sound Advice than with two incredibly talented and experienced freelancers. And they just so happen to be our hosts of the podcast. We’re saying a brief farewell to the lovely Bex Burn-Callander as she goes on maternity leave. But luckily, she’s handing over the mic […]
What Is AI in Business? A Guide for Modern Employers
Right now, you’re likely hearing endless chatter about artificial intelligence. Every software vendor claims to have it, every LinkedIn guru says you need it and you’re probably wondering how to cut through the noise. What does using AI in business actually look like on a Tuesday afternoon when payroll is due, and you have three […]
How AI Is Changing Business: Expert Advice
AI isn’t just for large corporations but for small businesses, too, offering the power to transform operations, improve customer experiences, and boost efficiency. One expert in the use of AI for business is Heather Murray, who specialises in training non-technical people in the use of Microsoft Copilot. Heather talked to Sound Advice podcast host Bex Burn-Callander to demystify […]
How MTD quarterly updates can supercharge your business. Yes, really.
Key takeaways MTD’s quarterly updates means you’re in the best position to know about your tax bill, thanks to HMRC’s estimate. MTD’s focus on better accounting and up-to-the-minute records could help you get finance such as loans or mortgages. MTD is your time to finally get on top of your accounting by making it digital—and […]
How to Get Funding for a Business
From The Apprentice to Dragons’ Den, we’ve all seen TV shows where would-be entrepreneurs pitch for funding to start a small business (or scale a company later down the line). While these shows make for great entertainment, they can make the idea of getting investment seem rather scary. In the real world, there are several ways to get funding to start a business […]
How to Tame Your Business Tax
All businesses registered for VAT now need to follow Making Tax Digital for VAT, even if they’re below the VAT registration threshold (currently £90,000). The MTD for VAT rules say you have to use compatible software for VAT accounting and keep VAT accounting records digitally. It’s a significant change. But it’s simply that the government wants to help businesses move into the digital age—with […]
SME Workforce Pulse research & how to recruit for an expanding business
In partnership with Smart Data Foundry and The Centre for Economics and Business Research, Sage has published its latest SME Monthly Workforce Pulse research. This is drawn from anonymised payroll data from approximately 200,000 small businesses and provides unheralded insight into pay across the UK. The data is part of Data for Good, Sage’s commitment to help Small […]
How to identify useful growth opportunities for your business
Growth is a tricky business. Companies must continuously strive to identify new growth opportunities to achieve long-term business success. That’s why it is essential for your business to develop fresh insights that will ultimately help to generate ideas that the competition has failed to see. This fascinating subject is what we cover in this article, […]
Free template: How to write a business plan
Whether you’re starting a business or planning to expand, having a business plan can help to get you on track and get some detail behind your ideas. However, research frequently shows that most businesses lack one: A 2025 Grow London Local survey of more than 800 entrepreneurs found that more than half (54%) of early-stage […]