We have a selection of free to download business guides available to help with the running of your business. We have selected five common area's that you will find resources that have been prepared and written by our in-house advisors.
You can browse all guides or select the business area you require your guide for. All guides are available to download for free.
The Good Work Plan 2020
Significant employment law reforms took place on 6 April 2020, which will have a huge impact for many SME’s under the Good Work Plan 2020. Contracts of Employment Post 6th of April 2020 all new starter employees have a day one right to a contract of employment. Previously you had 8 weeks to provide a new starter with a contract. Now it must be given on the first day, if not before. In addition to the previous Section 1 employment particulars requirements, all statement of terms/contracts of employment must include: Full details of the hours of work, including days of (more…)
Grant funding schemes. Updated 07/04
Cash is now available at your local authority for grants. Every local authority in England has now received the full amount of grant funding they need to support local businesses. How do I access it? Eligible businesses will be contacted by their local authority, though some local authorities have decided to operate an applications process. Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the grants should be directed to the relevant local authority. To find your local authority, use this search tool. There are two grants available, each with their own eligibility. Click each link for more information. Small business (more…)
Guide to GDPR
Prepare your business for the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) that are replacing the Data Protection Act of 1998 from 25th May 2018. The new EU General Data Protection Regulation is the most important change in data privacy regulation for 20 years. The new regulations are vast and how they are to be implemented will be bespoke to each business. If you are experiencing problems downloading this guide you can obtain a PDF version here. (more…)
Forum of Private Business Compliance Guide (members only)
Note: New Compliance Guide 2019 will be available from April 2019 Compliance guide available digitally for all members of the Forum of Private Business as part of membership. Legislation and compliance is a minefield when you are in business. (more…)
The Responsible Business Workbook Preview
The Responsible Business Workbook is designed to help organisations work through the requirements of the Responsible Business Standards. Created with the Organisation for Responsible Businesses. This is only a preview and can be obtained in hard copy only via our Membership Advisors. There is a charge for this guide. (more…)
Forum of Private Business Start-up Guide
Note: The new 2019 Guide is now available. As a new business starting out the Forum of Private Business believe it is critical to have the right support, advice and protection in place and that means more than just the average one size fits all business advice that is currently available. View a preview of the Business Start-up guide which is included in a Forum Startup Membership. For more details about the Forum of Private Business Start-up membership, you can contact our Membership Advisors on 01565 626001 or find more details here (more…)
Tendering for Public Sector Contracts Guide
If your business regularly tenders for government contracts it may be worth seeing if you can gain a listing on the relevant approved supplier lists. (more…)
Matters of Testing MOT Guide
MOT modernisation has provided garages with a new up to date online testing system. From September 2015, garages started the switch over the process to the new, up to date web based system enabling testers to enter MOT results whilst testing a vehicle. (more…)
First Aid Requirements in a Small Business
Health and Safety legislation requires that all employers provide adequate first aid equipment, personnel and facilities to enable first aid to be given in the workplace when the need arises. the types of potential injury or illness that could arise and the degree of risk depends on the nature of the business. Failure to provide first aid could potentially result in a person’s death Recent statistics from the Health and Safety Executive state that 144 people were killed in the workplace last year. Without a health and safety management system in place, the likelihood of a costly accident increases dramatically. (more…)
Marketing Strategy Guide
The definition of a marketing strategy is a plan of action which is designed to promote and sell a product or service. The Forum of Private business has put together this guide on the elements of a marketing strategy and what we believe you need to look at to definite a strategy. This is a long term process and needs to be reviewed on a regular basis as your business develops and grows (more…)
Selling Your Business Guide
There are many reasons why someone might consider selling their business and selling a business can be a complex and lengthy process. The Forum of Private Business has put together a guide to explain how to prepare a business for sale. It covers the legal and tax issues, how to plan the sale, the process of finding a buyer and how to negotiate a sale. (more…)
Introduction to Business Rates
Businesses have to pay business rates as a contribution to the cost of services provided by local authorities. The guide will outline what business rates are and the types of premises on which they are payable. It explains how business rates are calculated and how the rateable value of business premises is determined in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. (more…)
An introduction to Corporation Tax Guide
Corporation Tax is charged on the taxable profits of limited companies, as well as on those of some clubs societies, associations and co-operatives. This guide provides an introduction to corporation tax for private limited companies. Corporation Tax does not apply to sole traders or partnerships. (more…)
Turning Customer Complaints into Sales Guide
The 7 golden rules for turning customer complaints into sales. Did you know that each unhappy customer will tell at least three current or potential customer about his or her experience? On top of that customers are now turning to social media to vent frustrations. The Forum of Private Business has put this guide together to help you change the way you look at complaints and identify huge untapped opportunities. (more…)
Making Tax Digital
From the 1st April 2019 Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a key part of the Governments plans to make it easier for individuals and businesses to get their tax right and keep on top of their affairs. The primary aim of Making Tax Digital is to make the administration of tax effective and easier for taxpayers through the fully digitalised tax system by 2020, which in turn will reduce the overheads for HMRC for managing tax. HMRC’s ambition is to become one of the most digitally advanced tax administrations in the world. Making Tax Digital is making fundamental changes to (more…)
Apprenticeships in a small business Guide
Find out what is involved in taking on an apprentice, including how to find a scheme and how much to pay apprentices. To help get you started the Forum of Private Business have put together some of the sources of help and information available to small business when looking to take on an apprentice. (more…)
A Guide to Briefing a Web Designer
As a business owner, you also need to be a website owner and have your unique web presence. A website is crucial to for your business to be successful, but a new website can be a substantial investment, so it pays to get it right. We give you the guidelines that you need to consider when looking to invest in briefing a web designer. (more…)
Forum of Private Business Health and Safety Guide 2018
Note: New 2019 Guide will be available from April 2019 The importance of Health and Safety within the workplace is so important. Every year the Forum of Private Business produce the Health and Safety Guide. Updated rules and legislation is introduced into each yearly edition. Preview our latest 21st edition guide, only available in hardback and available from April 2018 to our members. If you would like to purchase a copy contact our membership advisors today on 01565 626001. (more…)
Pensions Auto-Enrolment Guide
The law on pensions has changed and all employees, no matter how small a business, will need to put a pension scheme in place and automatically enrol all eligible employees. If you are still unsure how workplace pension auto-enrolment works download our free guide to find out what needs to be done to prepare your business. Not complying with staging dates can incur serious consequences to the employer. Members can obtain a free consultation and report on your pension obligations. (more…)
Choosing an Accountant Guide
Accountants provide small businesses with a range of services including bookkeeping, preparing financial statements, calculating tax and advice on minimising tax and other costs. Our guide explains the services offered by accountants, what to look for when choosing an accountant and how to find and appoint one. We provide information on monitoring and assessing the service you receive and give an indication of the likely costs to you and your business. (more…)
Importance of Protecting the UK’s Small Businesses Pocket Guide
Their importance for the economy – exporting, innovation and growth. The Forum’s comprehensive range of insurance and risk management solutions are designed to protect small employers and help them to survive traumatic events. A guide to the Importance of Protecting the UK’s Small Businesses. (more…)
Marketing Essentials Guide
The success of your business is based on attracting more customers and being able to incentivise them to return again in the future. Without marketing, your business will not develop, grow and prosper. We give you the reality, where to start and how to put your marketing planning into practice. (more…)
Forum of Private Business Pocket Guide for Start-up Businesses
Are you looking to start a new business? Do you have an idea and you’re not sure where to start? Our Forum of Private Business Start-up guide gives tips to starting a new business from scratch, showing you the basics of what you need to do. (more…)
The essential guide to automatic enrolment
The law on workplace pensions has now changed and under the Pensions Act 2008 every employer in the UK must put certain staff into a pension scheme and contribute towards it. If you employ at least one person you are an employer and you, therefore, have legal duties to comply with the automatic enrolment. (more…)
Forum of Private Business Employment Guide 2020
The Forum of Private Business Employment Guide 2020 is a comprehensive, detailed and up to date examination of procedures, practices and paperwork that every business needs in order to flourish and succeed in today’s competitive and challenging commercial environment. Operating in tandem with the Forums Member helpline the Employment Guide is an essential tool for any employer. This is a preview only and is not available to download. If you would like to purchase a copy contact our membership advisors on 01565 626001 (more…)
Promoting Your Business With PR Guide
The success of your business replies on reputation. PR (public relations) is all about getting your business name known and managing the information you give out about it. PR guide has been written with Journolink to promoting your business. (more…)
Writing a Business Plan Guide
A business plan will be one of the most important documents a new business owner will have. The business plan will show your ideas, targets and plans for the future for your business and it will certainly show if your business idea is a realistic and workable one. We give you some of the basic elements that you need to be considering for your business plan, how do you go about writing it and what you will achieve by having one. (more…)
Market Research guide for small businesses
Market research is imperative when launching a business, outlining a marketing plan or progressing your business to the next level. This guide is an introduction to market research for your business which gives you the basic tools. (more…)
