Business and politics

Politicians are often maligned for lacking any hands-on business experience. That’s set to change, however, as battle-scarred entrepreneurs step up to the parliamentary plate to show Westminster how things should be done.

Cloud computing

For ambitious companies with tight budgets, cloud computing can provide a cost-effective way to utilise the latest in business technology. Kathleen Hall reports

Healthy business

Promoting health at work can have huge benefits both for staff and companies looking to save money. Here entrepreneurs tell us how they have created a culture of wellbeing.

Dicing with disaster 

Given the UK’s history of fires, floods and pestilence, it’s curious to learn that so many CEOs lack a business continuity plan when calamity calls. Marc Barber reports 

Routes to the market

Received wisdom has it that when the going gets tough, the marketing team gets the chop – but that approach may be changing in this recession. Kathleen Hall investigates

The business of the future

While the 19th century had the factory, the 20th century became notorious for the office. Kathleen Hall takes a look at how the workplace is set to change as we advance deeper into the 21st century

Outsourcing HR

There are powerful cost-saving arguments for outsourcing human resources, but you need to have one eye on potential pitfalls. Nick Britton reports

Green machines

Eco-friendly vehicles are here to stay and there are plenty of options for switched-on chief execs. Kathleen Hall reports

Riding out the recession

The recession isn’t pulling everyone down with it: some companies are gaining market share and posting profits. Marc Barber meets the entrepreneurs behind these star-roving ventures

Designed for business

A strong design ethic will make a company stand out from the competition. Marc Barber speaks to entrepreneurs and designers to find out who does it the best

Goodbye to Woolies

Woolworths survived two world wars, the great storm of 1987 and an onslaught of Eurovision song entries. Now saddled with debt of £385 million, this Christmas could be the last for the high street stalwart for stationery, sweets and tat. Kathleen Hall reports   

Information security

Mounting public awareness of the way personal data can be abused means that companies need to make sure their handling of sensitive information is beyond reproach. Nick Britton reports

15 things to avoid in a recession

From crippling cost cuts to ill-considered discounting, Marc Barber speaks to CEOs and entrepreneurs to find out what you shouldn’t be doing in these uncertain times

Genius at work: The importance of IP

A well-constructed patent portfolio can make your business a commercial fortress. Marc Barber reports on why innovation and intellectual property go hand in hand

17 ways to boost your sales

High fives and a sales board will only get you so far when it comes to growing your business. Business XL reveals 17 tried and tested ways to increase your turnover

See you in court

Murder has one thing in common with dodgy commercial dealing: it’s much more likely to be perpetrated by someone you know. Nick Britton looks into the complex issues surrounding legal disputes with a client.

Black gold

High oil prices are driving up costs and squeezing consumers’ budgets. Nick Britton finds out how five different businesses are coping with the crisis

Service level agreements

You want to make sure you get what you’re paying for from your suppliers. Service level agreements (SLAs) can set agreed standards in stone so you’re not left squabbling over details. Nick Britton reports

Profiting from recession

A brave breed of CEOs are determined to come through the downturn leaner, stronger and more profitable. Marc Barber reports

Breaking into supermarkets

Getting your product on the supermarket shelf can turbo-charge your sales. Marc Barber finds out how it’s done.

Protecting your IP

Once your idea takes off, it is almost inevitable that you are going to be copied. Short of becoming a regular at the High Court, what can you do about it? Adam Jolly investigates.

Grand designs

The UK has come up with more than its fair share of iconic products. Nick Britton talks to inventors and designers about the sources of their inspiration, and how they have commercialised and protected their ideas

Gateway to the East

India has a burgeoning middle class with money to spend, a large English-speaking population and a government showing a steady commitment to liberalisation. Marc Barber meets the UK entrepreneurs who are cashing in on the world’s second-fastest-growing economy

Land of opportunity

The potential of exciting growth for businesses selling to China is matched only by the legendary difficulty of gaining a foothold there. Nick Britton talks to leaders of enterprises that have overcome the obstacles and are reaping the rewards

The enemy within

Forget criminal gangs and shadowy hackers, the prosaic truth is that most frauds are committed by an all-too-familiar face. Nick Britton finds out how you can minimise the risk of insider fraud damaging your company

Rich pickings

Don’t expect consistency when you look at the remuneration packages of chief executives on AIM. This year’s figures show a mix of admirable asceticism and outright flamboyance, with the emphasis on the latter. Oliver Haill reports on exclusive research on directors’ pay for 2007

Businesses which break the mould

Everyone pays lip service to innovation, but fostering creativity then harnessing it commercially isn’t as easy as it sounds. Nick Britton talks to five entrepreneurs with the passion and focus to have made it happen

Profiting from red tape

Red tape may be holding back ambitious British businesses, but an increasing number of wily entrepreneurs are making a pretty packet from new regulations. James Crux and Marc Barber report

The 21 tricks of marketing

A well-judged marketing campaign can leave the competition eating your stardust. Marc Barber speaks to the players who make the magic happen.

Inside joint ventures

A successful joint venture allows companies to draw on each other’s resources and expertise. Adam Wayland finds out whether two heads really are better than one.

Go your own way

Dissolving a business merger is sometimes a canny way of turning around your company’s fortunes, but separating from a partner can be challenging and costly. Andrew Chilvers reports

Playing with fire

Nobody believes outsourcing is the wonder cure for business woes it was hailed to be in the 1990s. Nevertheless, businesses of all shapes and sizes are accepting the risks of relinquishing non-core activities in an effort to achieve greater economies of scale...

Untangling the web

A website can be more than a description of what you do and how to find your office on a map. Indeed, many owner-managers are realising the technology is now available to integrate your website with different parts of your company, such as marketing and sales, to help generate new business...

Brand turnarounds

Can you re-brand your way out of trouble? Adam Wayland finds out how harnessing the power of your corporate image can turn your fortunes around...

Planning for disaster

Industrial accidents, acts of terrorism and natural disasters are never out of the headlines, so it’s more important than ever to have contingency plans in place. Oliver Haill talks to companies who learned important lessons when disaster struck...