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Present and correct
The best Christmas present Mike Southon can suggest is to encourage someone to start a new business.
Business Wisdom
CHRIS MURPHY, chairman of Balloon Dog, a marketing agency
“Have a clear view of your ultimate goal but be flexible about your journey.”
Principal content
A flexible friend saves enterprise pressed for funds
Cash is king in these credit crunched times. Lack of it will starve a business to death. So how does a company ensure that it still has some money to hand when orders are drying up and customers refuse to pay promptly?
Ask the experts: Managing cashflow
Clever cash flow managers act quickly
Row over maternity benefits
Government accused of undermining flexible working policies
VAT change is ‘causing headaches’ for small firms
Entrepreneurs claim that costs outweigh the benefits
Loophole benefits pension plans
Business owners have less than a month to act
Related content and features
Your Questions
Talk to staff before cutting their jobs
My small printing business is struggling due to the credit crunch and I am being forced to cut my workforce from 30 people to around 17. Would this be considered a mass redundancy and if so, are there any legal requirements to complete a review or consultation before selecting the unfortunate ones? Also, how do I go about announcing it internally?
Readers’ Q and A
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Business Life
Entrepreneurship
News, analysis and exclusive online material from the FT on starting up and running your own business. Includes case studies, expert advice and regulatory updates for business owners.
The tough medicine of bankruptcy
There are two possible directions to take if your business is bust: you can get an administrator, or you can ask the government to bail you out, writes Luke Johnson
Call off the bank-burning posse
The witch-finders have overreached themselves in claiming that banks are unreasonably cutting off credit to viable small companies, says Jonathan Guthrie
Roast pork provides way of scratching a living
The margins on a spit roast business are generous, but it suffers from high start-up costs and its seasonal nature, writes John Walter
Don’t be saddled with a pig in a poke
The costs of setting up a pig roasting business are considerable
Contracts review ‘falls short’
Small businesses still face hurdles when competing against large firms
Michelin rides to the rescue with loans fund
Michelin has emerged as a white knight to small businesses seeking bank finance
EU chemicals deadline looms
Companies must register online by December 1
Redundancy is the last resort for canny owners
In difficult times businesses may need to restructure to avoid cutting staff
Ask the experts: Cutting jobs
Be open and compassionate when you decide to cut jobs.
Late payers pile on debt for business
Longer settlement terms and tighter terms are squeezing cash flow.
Rise in cases to protect companies’ copyright
Rush by companies to defend designs and patents
Pre-Budget report fails to excite
Business owners pessimistic about fiscal changes
