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State of the UK Economy

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A four-part series on the state of the UK economy: international opportunities for UK companies, entrepreneurs, economic health and the future

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Build on your strengths, be brave and cut costs

Despite the sluggish economic outlook, there are plenty of opportunities ahead for companies that are prepared to make the leap, says Brian Groom

Saving struggling start-ups

Encouraging small businesses is laudable, but new ideas are required, not recycled policy, writes Brian Groom

A long and hard road lies ahead for the British economy

Big financial crises cast long shadows, and this one is unlikely to be an exception to the rule, writes Martin Wolf

Nurture Britain’s new generation of entrepreneurs

Although entrepreneurs face unique challenges, Britain is a great place for them to do business, writes Duncan Bannatyne

Untapped markets lie in the export crosshairs

But small and mid-sized companies say serious obstacles remain, in spite of the government’s plans to boost their efforts, writes Ian Wylie

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Case studies

Successful strategies for survival

Virginia Marsh profiles three companies that are defying the downturn through innovative thinking

Part three: international opportunities

Rising ambition turns the spotlight on exports

With the pace of economic recovery muted at home, UK companies are being urged to look further afield for new business opportunities, says Brian Groom

Trade impediments: tackling a business burden

Red tape remains a serious challenge, especially for small and mid-sized companies, writes Andrew Child

All eyes on exporters for a boost to economy

Hopes are high that the UK will be able to export its way to economic recovery. But, writes Daniel Pimlott, much remains to be done

A Russian reminder for those plotting an international campaign

How can UK companies avoid embarking on ill-judged foreign forays? Andrew Hill reports

    Germany: the engine of success

    German exports are much in demand. Daniel Schaefer asks whether the UK can learn from its EU partner

    Reaching out to new markets

    International expansion has played a vital role in the success of three very different UK companies

    Booming India is rich with opportunities for UK business

    Doubling the UK’s bilateral trade with India can become a reality, writes Patricia Hewitt

      Part two: the national stage

      Ways of avoiding the economic slow lane

      Mid-sized companies can take advantage of the government’s attempts to stimulate investment and expansion, writes Brian Groom

      On the troubled road to growth

      The Budget holds long-term benefits for businesses but offers little short-term relief, reports Daniel Pimlott

      The right time to draw up expansion plans

      The government has made the right moves to allow entrepreneurs to transform innovation into commercial success

        Striking a balance: economic growth versus fiscal discipline

        To manage the economy, the coalition government needs to employ a decisive and radical approach, writes Vince Cable

        We need flesh on the bones of the plan for growth

        The government has laid the foundation for private sector growth, but now the real work starts, writes John Cridland

        Creative thinking in tough economic times

        Virginia Marsh profiles three companies that report growing trade despite a difficult couple of years

          Part one: Boosting the regions

          Slow recovery at home for regional companies

          Although there are opportunities arising for healthy enterprises, many have struggled to obtain finance and grow, writes Brian Groom

          Beyond banks in search of funds

          Some small and medium-sized businesses are finding new financing models a better fit, reports Jonathan Moules

          UK north-south divide: geography is not a roadblock

          Companies all over the UK face similar challenges in the pursuit of growth, writes Brian Groom

          Regional companies succeed against the odds

          Four regional companies – Anglian Water, United Dairy Farmers, Union Electric Steel UK and Business Energy Solutions – work hard to grow following the recession

            The UK economy at a glance

            Brian Groom and Matthew Pountney report on regional prospects for business development and employment

            How to make the most of the economic recovery

            What the UK needs is a parallel supply-side plan to match the spending squeeze on the demand side of the economy, writes Miles Templeman

            Dynamic companies on the rise in north-east England

            The whole of north-east England is not staring down the barrel of impending spending cuts, writes James Ramsbotham