Close X

Leave a comment


Name:
Email:
Comment:
  I have read and understand the terms and conditions
 

Please click the post button only once - your comment will not be published immediately

Business technology

Business Focus >>

The new manufacturers The new manufacturers

A great British renaissance has been taking place. From Aberdeen to the West Country, the zing is back in manufacturing. It’s about time this spectacular story was told.

  • hot
  • hot
  • hot 100
  • 50 to watch in mobile

UK’s 30 top businesses run from home: 1 to 5

by Charles Orton-Jones - Monday, 10th March 2008 -

UK’s 30 top businesses run from home: 1 to 5

The office is dead! Long live homeworking! Real Business and Brother reveal the 30 firms spearheading Britain’s homeworking revolution.

Do you really need an office? The instinctive response is “yes”, but the entrepreneurs behind these 30 businesses run from home beg to differ.

The firms profiled here are homeworking pioneers. Some, such as software firm Actinic, permit homeworking in order to retain employees. Without flexible working, staff would walk out the door. Others, such as WebExpense, are homeworking fanatics and have never looked back.

So why allow homeworking? Here are just some of the reasons cited by the entrepreneurs behind these 30 firms:

• Improves staff loyalty
• Reduces office costs
• Eliminates geographical constraints on finding recruits
• Offers customers a 24/7 service
• Increases likelihood of mothers and fathers returning to work
• Reduces time wasted in meetings
• Accommodates disabled workers
• Cuts carbon emissions

It is no coincidence that the fastest-growing law firm, travel agent and secretarial firm in the country are among the 30 firms profiled. The benefits of homeworking are more than “aesthetic”; in hard, capitalist terms they are winners, too.

What's stopping you? Discover that no matter which sector you are in, from manufacturing to venture capital, homeworking can be more than a lifestyle benefit – it can be a competitive advantage.

These are five of the best businesses run from home. Click on them to find out more.

• OutSec
• Future Travel
• Total Marketing Network
• Izzy Lane
• Depo Consulting

For more on successful business run from home, see:
UK's 30 top business run from home: 6 to 10

UK's 30 top business run from home: 11 to 15

UK's 30 top business run from home: 16 to 20

Picture source

BUSINESS NEWS >>

Online future is bright for Cornish auction house 

By Catherine Woods - August 21, 2008 4:31pm GMT

Auction houses mustn’t ignore the internet business revolution, argues art entrepreneur Barnes Thomas whose Cornwall-based company is alone in offering online bidding in the county.

Doing business in Russia? Get your arsenal ready

By Kate Pritchard - August 21, 2008 11:57am GMT

Despite its deteriorating relations with the West, Russia offers lucrative opportunities for entrepreneurs. But be warned: the world’s tenth biggest economy and second largest oil producing country has some of the toughest negotiators on the planet.

Local knowledge is key to success in the Middle East

By Catherine Woods - August 20, 2008 5:34pm GMT

The key to succeeding in the Middle East is having an understanding of local business practices and customs as soon as you’re on the ground, says BIW Technologies chief Colin Smith.

Celebrity endorsement for food entrepreneur

By Kate Pritchard - August 20, 2008 5:28pm GMT

Jennifer Irvine set up home-delivery meals firm The Pure Package in 2004 from her kitchen. Today she turns over £1.2m and has over 3,000 clients on her books, including Ruby Wax, Patsy Kensit and handbag designer Anya Hindmarch. “I’ve never marketed the brand to celebrities,” she says. “They’ve come to me.” So, what’s her secret?

Green award attracts clients to Fresh

By Catherine Woods - August 20, 2008 5:05pm GMT

Cheadle-based creative media group Fresh is upfront about its environmental credentials. Co-founder and director Julie Besbrode says the firm has become one of only a few in the UK to be granted a globally recognised environmental award.

Brochures on Saving and investing

BUSINESS COMMENT >>

Dragons’ Den: Where are they now?

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - August 21, 2008 5:02pm GMT

If you (like us) were wondering whatever happened to all those businesses that faced the Dragons’ wrath in the Den over the past six series, look no further.

How do you fund your growth?

By Zarrin Lilani - August 20, 2008 4:09pm GMT

As the economic situation worsens in the UK, we’re hearing reports that smaller businesses aren't managing their finances in the best way.

Ten lessons for entrepreneurs from Team GB at the Olympics

By Stuart Rock - August 20, 2008 11:59am GMT

Chris Hoy, Rebecca Adlington, Ben Ainslie: entrepreneurs can learn from all of them

Is Bob Dylan the entrepreneur's soundtrack?

By Matthew Rock - August 20, 2008 10:07am GMT

The chief executive of property developer Brixton yesterday quoted Bob Dylan's "All along the watchtower" lyrics to sum up the state of the property market. So which songs best sum up the life of the entrepreneur? Here are our suggestions.

Apprentice star gets nobbled by wall

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - August 19, 2008 4:57pm GMT

Nicholas De Lacy-Brown thought being fired by Alan Sugar was bad. Little did he know that a few months later, he’d receive a far more crushing blow.

Business Comment 

Click here to sign up for the Real Business newsletter
Real Business Front Cover