For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.
Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.
It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.
Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.
Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.
Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.
Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.
Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.
Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.
It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.
Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.
With many businesses closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, we know that many of you will be looking for reliable advice to help your business navigate these difficult times.
We have a range of new resources to help you understand what support you are eligible for, how you can furlough staff or start a new business or diversify in the light of this new normal.
See the full range of coronavirus resources.
STANTA runs business training workshops on most Friday mornings.
The Business Planning Workshop (sponsored by Clydesdale bank, St Albans and held in their offices) and the bookkeeping course are considered essential for all start-up businesses and are free to all busnesses.
Other courses include: Moving on with Social Media, Search Engine Optimisation, Google Analytics, How to raise your company’s profile, Wordpress, Content Marketing, Employing staff for the first time
For clients signed up to the Herts Start Up Programme (available to pre-start, new and established businesses up to 3½ years old) these course are free. For those businesses not qualifying, or don’t wish to commit to 12 hours of support, courses cost £45.
Only need a small office? Need to stay flexible to grow? STANTA Business Centre is the answer
Space in STANTA Business Centre is charged as an all-inclusive monthly licence fee (that covers power, heating and business rates), so it’s easy for budgeting as you know what your outgoings are.
How to have a relaxing holiday when you run your own business
Working parents are entitled to time off to care for their children. This Acas guide for employers explains the rules.
Find out the limits on the number of hours employees can work per week and the minimum amount of paid holiday and rest breaks they are entitled to.
Top 20 employment facts you need to know to make sure your policies and procedures comply with the law.
UK businesses have to comply with auto-enrolment workplace pension laws. This step-by-step guide explains exactly what to do and when.
Becoming a franchise could allow you to maximise your returns, but what does franchising involve and what issues do you need to consider?
Hiring an apprentice can be good for your business. This guide explains how to hire an apprentice and outlines the responsibilities for employers.
In this video employers discuss the benefits of hiring an apprentice.
Find out how easy it is to hire an apprentice in this video with National Apprenticeship Service Director, Sue Husband.
Competing on price threatens your margins and your reputation. Ben Dyer explains why small business owners should avoid price-cutting.
Providing quotes for new customers is time-consuming and not always successful. Ben Dyer explains how to improve your conversion rate.
Louise Perry talks to Glenn Elliott of Reward Gateway about ways that small businesses can reward staff and motivate staff to keep them happy
You must pay your workers in accordance with the law and with their contracts of employment. This Acas guidance can help you get it right.
Personality clashes create a bad atmosphere at work and often impact on motivation and productivity. Mediation techniques can help resolve conflict.
Employing a relative is quite different to recruiting someone else. There are some important tax and legal considerations which we explore here:
The popular image of an accountant is of someone with an encyclopaedic knowledge of tax rules who spends their days tapping figures into a calculator.