• Managing a business

    Managing a business

    Guides for developing a successful business.

    Open a business account

    To open a new business account or switch to us please call on 0345 3001319.

    Growing your business

    If the time is right to expand your business, you'll find valuable information here on planning for growth and managing it through, including:

    • developing a strategy for growth
    • assessing your resources and capacity
    • monitoring your business performance.
    Find out moreabout growing your business

    A guide to business lending

    Business lending can help your business grow and thrive. We take a closer look at the different borrowing options open to businesses and the application process.

    Find out moreFind out more about business lending

    Becoming a director

    Being a director of your own limited company can be very fulfilling, but it also brings legal responsibilities and duties to your shareholders. We’ll take you through:

    • your duties
    • your legal responsibilities
    • your liabilities.
    Find out moreabout becoming a director

    Brexit FAQs

    Find answers to the most pressing questions you have about the UK’s exit from the EU. The questions cover:

    • general enquiries
    • business strategy
    • operations and business practices
    • supply chain management
    • financing and investments
    Find out moreBrexit faq page

    Financing for growth

    Growing your business can often involve spending more before you see that investment returned as increased profit. Our guide will help you:

    • Decide if your business is ready to grow
    • Be ready for the results
    • Find ways to fund your expansion plans.
    Find out moreabout financing for growth

    Business premises

    Taking on the right new premises for your business can be a daunting prospect. We take you through the essentials including:

    • The legal issues
    • Insurance
    • Where to find expert help.
    Find out moreabout business premises

    Employing staff

    Your staff are likely to be one of your key business resources. We look at the responsibilities and challenges of being an employer:

    • Employment law including the Equality Act
    • Helpful payroll systems
    • How to keep your staff, and keep them happy.
    Find out moreabout employing staff

    Contingency planning

    Good business management means planning for when things go wrong, as well as when things go right. See what you need to consider and how to set up a contingency plan:

    • Identify risks to your business
    • What to include in your contingency plan
    • Testing your plans and keeping them safe.
    Find out moreabout contingency planning

    Time management

    Even the most successful businesses and organisations look for ways to increase profits through improved productivity and efficiency. Better time management can help you do just that through:

    • Identifying your priorities
    • Reducing distractions
    • Using tools to help you manage your time better.
    Find out moreabout time management

    Marketing and customer relations

    Put very simply, marketing is about getting the right product to the right people. We can show you how to write a marketing plan for your business and deepen customer relationships through:

    • Identifying your marketing objectives
    • Planning your tactics and setting a budget
    • Improving customer service and encouraging repeat business.
    Find out moreabout marketing and customer relations

    Sustainability

    Becoming a sustainable business not only brings environmental benefits but economic and commercial benefits too. Our sustainability guide will:

    • Help you create an individual sustainability action plan
    • Advise you on how to make more of your green credentials
    • Link you to a range of national and local organisations that can help.
    Find out moreabout sustainability

    Support through difficult times

    Find out what support is available to you if you are experiencing financial difficulty including:

    • Helping you to review your financial situation
    • Working with you to develop a plan
    • Identifying external support
    Find out moreabout support through difficult times

    9 ways to improve cash flow

    Cash flow is the lifeblood of a business. See how to keep it healthy by improving forecasting, scenario planning, communication and effective oversight.

    Find out moreabout improving cash flow