Accessibility links

Planning and strategy

Tips and advice when planning ahead

This section provides tips and advice for business strategy.

An introduction to strategic planning

Key elements of strategic planning.

Avoiding traps in strategic planning

Strategy errors to avoid.

Building strategic alliances

How collaboration can benefit your business.

Finding your market niche

Capitalise on your corner of the marketplace.

How to survive when times get tough

Protect your business in a downturn.

Innovate to grow

The three basic skills behind innovation.

Make your planning meetings count

Tips for effective planning meetings.

No business is an island

Understanding your place in the chain.

Pricing strategies

Different approaches to setting a price.

Six reasons why business plans fail

Business planning traps to avoid.

Six steps to an effective business plan

Review your business planning.

Small is profitable

The advantages of being a small business.

Strategies for increasing revenue

Including the product/market matrix.

The right kind of growth

Is growth always healthy?

Latest News

29 Jan 2026

UK lenders agree £11 billion SME package

Five major UK banks have agreed a £11 billion lending package aimed at SMEs to support small business growth, the government has announced.

28 Jan 2026

Pubs get 15% business rates relief

Pubs and music venues in England will be given a 15% discount on their business rates bills from April and will not see increases for two years, the government has announced.