Funding Options Blog
Home of our blog articles on topics that will inform and educate entrepreneurs on topics such as lending, green finance, tax and financial matters.
14 last-minute Valentine’s Day marketing ideas for retail and high street businesses
Valentine’s Day can be the first burst of profitable activity high-street businesses experience after the Xmas and New Year activity fades. For some, the increased activity and sales are more achievable. You’d expect gift shops, card shops, chocolatiers, florists and restaurants to be busy on the days leading to February 14. Salons and barbers also enjoy more sales as we get groomed for the night out. Here we’re going to suggest 14 quick, cheap promotional and marketing ideas you can put into practice over the next few days with little effort. The suggestions will be generic, so you’ll have to select which ideas fit your business.
8 Feb 2022
February 5th is World Nutella Day, what can we learn from one of Italy’s most successful brands?
As you stock up on a jar to open on February 5th, World Nutella Day, it’s worth considering the impact the hazelnut and cocoa spread has had on our eating habits and how it’s become one of the most successful business stories ever. Ferrero, which owns the Nutella brand, has a fascinating history. How it’s grown and managed should be considered an object lesson in sound management and growth for many business students.
4 Feb 2022
10 monthly tasks for business owners
In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “it takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan”. Running a successful business is as much about being organised as having dreams and ambitions. How many of these 10 monthly tasks are you prioritising right now?
1 Feb 2022
5 myths about asset based lending debunked
Asset finance comes in many different forms. Some people use it to purchase equipment for their business, but it has lots of other uses too. In our latest mythbuster instalment we’re taking a closer look at the most common asset-based lending misconceptions.
27 Jan 2022
Business electricity and gas standing charges explained
Comparing your energy standing charge to other suppliers should be part of your continual energy cost audit. If you know all the charging elements that make up your bill, you’re empowered to make informed decisions. In this article, we’ll cover all aspects of your standing charge, including what it stands for, how to interpret it and how to judge if it’s a fair rate levied on your monthly or quarterly bill.
25 Jan 2022
Setting up a business bank account
Setting up a business bank account isn’t a complicated process. Some banks might still insist that you present the necessary documents face-to-face before opening an account. However, opening a business account nowadays can generally be completed online. Over recent years, many new niche banks have arrived in the business banking space, and they exist to serve business only; they offer no personal banking services. Most of these modern fintech business banks can approve your account in minutes if you supply all the relevant documentation and further details. Once your business account gets approved, you can set up direct debits, standing orders, and apply for loans, business credit cards, and overdrafts or alternatives. You can apply for extra debit cards for your staff and manage all your business account affairs online.
25 Jan 2022
Key tax dates and deadlines for 2022
For many, the beginning of a new year is a time for setting goals and getting organised. To help, we’ve put together a list of important tax-related dates to keep in mind throughout the year. Be sure to prepare for them in advance to avoid any unnecessary penalties.
24 Jan 2022
Funding Options partners with Greenr to become a climate positive business
We have offset our entire carbon emissions for 2020 and 2021 as well as our employees’ personal carbon footprint, and are now measuring our emissions for 2022.
24 Jan 2022
Understanding your business energy bills
Depending on the sector you work in, your business energy costs could be one of the highest cost variable overheads you pay. If you’re an energy-intensive business, you need to examine your current bill and begin to compare other suppliers to make sure you’re on the best tariffs and get the best value on the market. You can’t assume all suppliers are the same because the competition from suppliers and billing companies is vast. You should set aside time to investigate your options with your current supplier and then compare them with other suppliers. Business energy bills aren’t as simple as your domestic bill. There’s a lot more detail in a commercial invoice for energy so let’s examine the items and elements in your invoice to help you make informed decisions about your current deal.
20 Jan 2022
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