The secret guide for small business success – from the experts themselves

If you’re an avid Twitter fan you may have seen that since the 1st December 2009, we’ve been asking our beloved Twitter followers and friends to tell us their top tips and tricks to help small businesses tackle some of the challenges they face today, and inspire budding entrepreneurs to grow and improve their business. Each day, over the 12 business days of Christmas (#12DOC) we asked topical questions that were significant to small businesses in the UK.

The response has been so good we wanted to share them with you all! So we compiled your fantastic insights into ‘The Secret Small Business Guide’, created by small businesses for small businesses. 
You can download it for free here .We asked about everything from coming up with a great idea and designing a top website, down to good time management and financial skills. The guide features tips from a range of entrepreneurs and small business owners and experts.

Some of the key tips include:

• Planning – one of the most important requirements for any entrepreneur is a business plan; not one that lives in your head or one that is consigned to an office cupboard, but a live business plan. (Alan Gleeson, Palo Alto Software Ltd)

• Be social – Social Media is a big thing right now and will only get bigger. Make sure you set up a Facebook page for your business and register with LinkedIn and Twitter. All this combined will generate results eventually, but it takes time. (Mark Adams, ACS Computer Services Ltd)

• Understand your customers – quality service arises from knowing what the customer wants. So question the customer to understand their requirements, only then can you meet them and exceed their expectations. (Mark Batchelor, Markman OTW)

• Run through the numbers - there is a saying that ‘what gets measured gets managed’. If you are managing a business, it is worth revisiting some of the fundamentals that are vital to your business. (Alan Gleeson, Palo Alto Software Ltd)

This is just a taste of some of the many top tips featured in our guide to help your business prosper.

We hope you find the guide useful and if you have any further gems of wisdom please feel free to contribute by:

- Commenting below
- Sending us suggestions via Twitter http://twitter.com/IntuitUK
- Emailing us at 12daysofchristmas@intuit.com

Comments

[Virtual Office]

My tip is embrace technology. If you can use it then use it. We have saved lots of money and improved our business by investing in technology.

Also implement a CRM system to better service your customers

[smallbizmatters]

Hello,

Thanks for sharing your tip with us. We agree, technology and customer service is fundamental to business success. With the news that the UK has stepped out of the recession, now is a great time to invest and plan for the year ahead, you can read our top 10 small business goals for 2010 here: http://bit.ly/diVffm

We wish you success for 2010!

The Intuit Blog Team

[gregory reyes]

I have been looking for the best article the will going to guide to success. I have read a lot of article but I think this article is the best. I wish this article put me on the right track.

[smallbizmatters]

Hi Gregory,

So glad you liked the small business guide and pleased it has helped you with your business. Do keep checking the blog for more tips and tricks to come and please keep letting us know your thoughts.

Best of luck for the future.

The Intuit Blog Team

[Insolvency Advice]

Its nice of them to think about others. On my part I plan to support their every move till they get their goals done.