Business growth
Friday, 16 October 2020
What is the local lockdown grant?
While many Brits, us included, had hoped we’d have waved goodbye to the C-word before Christmas, it’s now clear that won’t be the case and businesses up and down the country are battening down the hatches and worrying what it might mean for their future. In some parts of England, the current state of affairs is tougher than others with local lockdowns in place for regions where the number of cases is higher than average, and for business owners within these zones it’s turning into a make or break situation.
Tuesday, 13 October 2020
Top 5 great documentaries every entrepreneur needs to see
A day in the life of a small business owner can be long and tiring. You have payments to chase, clients to impress and a ton of other stuff that can come at a moment’s notice. This was never designed to be easy which is what makes it so rewarding. It makes downtime so important. You should enjoy your leisure time doing things you enjoy. But, you might actually find that downtime (when you aren’t under pressure) can be the time where real ideas can filter through. We think, as well as doing things you enjoy, you should also be attempting to engage your mind by watching (some) documentaries. With so much on the telly and a plethora of streaming options (Netflix and Amazon Prime) available, you might find that you are spending more time choosing than you do watching - a real first world problem right. But fear not. At takepayments, we are here once again to save you from this dilemma of ‘too much choice’ with some of our favourite documentaries which make great viewing for enjoyment and maybe for ideas as well.
Tuesday, 13 October 2020
How to ask for business loans from family and friends
Let’s get straight to the point: borrowing money from close family or friends should not be your first port of call if you are looking for funding. Mixing business with your personal life can be a potentially lethal recipe for fall outs - particularly if you encounter problems with paying back the loan. However, this might be an unavoidable scenario and you may have no choice but to ask your nearest and dearest for a quick injection of capital. But, you need to treat this with an extra level of care. Particularly, as these are the people who know you best. This means they will know your weaknesses as well as your strengths. This level of intimacy is something you need to get over. This person might be someone you have shared history with, but this arrangement should be strictly business. That means you need to…
Tuesday, 13 October 2020
Make sure you get paid on time
Managing cash flow as a small business can be one of the most challenging tasks you will face. Not only do you have to keep on top of your income and outgoings, but you need to make sure you receive the money you are due at the right time. Firstly, consider whether you might be able to get paid immediately. Depending on the nature of your business, you might be able to take payment there and then using a card terminal. It may also be an option to process card payments via a virtual terminal without the customer needing to be there.
Monday, 12 October 2020
How to do your own PR for your business
PR, or public relations, is all about the way a business communicates with the general public, promotes itself, and tries to build a positive public image and reputation. The way a business is represented across all forms of media has a massive impact on how consumers perceive it, so ultimately the better your PR the more successful your business is likely to be.
Monday, 21 September 2020
Hiring your first employee
When starting your own business, there are lots of tasks to do and we’re always in awe of anyone who has the passion and drive to take it on. In the early days, you’re a team of one - responsible for everything - and wearing so many different hats can be pretty tough. So if you’ve reached a point now where you think you’re ready to hire your first employee, firstly let us say congratulations! You’re obviously smashing life as an entrepreneur, and for that, you deserve a pat on the back.
Tuesday, 01 September 2020
The best TED talks for small businesses
With everything that’s going on in the world right now, it can be easy to feel bogged down and lacking in motivation - even without a global pandemic, life as a business owner is hectic and there are never enough hours in the day. So, if you’re in need of a little inspiration and a kick up the proverbial, you’re in the right place. We love nothing more than watching es thrive, so let us take one thing off your plate and help inject a little oomph into your business with our guide to the 10 best TED talks to motivate and inspire.
Monday, 24 August 2020
How to boost your energy levels
Research suggests that many of us suffer from TATT - Tired All The Time - and it’s no surprise really when you consider how busy modern life is, how hard it is juggling work, social, and family responsibilities, it’s fair to say we’re exhausted. But it’s not all doom and gloom, there are things we can all start doing today to boost our energy levels and get our spark back, and here at takepayments we want to do our bit to help. So, buckle in for our eight top tips and we’ll have you feeling ready to smash your business goals in no time.
Monday, 03 August 2020
What does the rise of the 'staycation' mean for small businesses?
Businesses up and down the country have felt the effects of COVID-19, and one of the hardest hit industries was tourism, given that all non-essential travel was banned at the height of lockdown. Thankfully, lockdown restrictions are easing bit by bit, and now Brits have been given the green light to travel further from their homes and stay overnight, the UK’s tourism industry can begin to recover.
