AI can do incredible things, but it's only as good as the information you feed into it. This is what's known as 'AI prompting'. Learning how to prompt AI correctly can help you get faster, better outcomes from the tools you're using.  In this guide, we'll take a look at everything you need to know about AI prompting, including how to do it well and top tips to help you ask the best questions and unlock the full potential of AI tools for your small business.  What is prompting

AI usage has exploded in recent years, and with good reason. Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini are all advancing rapidly and can now perform many tasks quicker and more accurately than humans. According to Our World in Data, AI systems can even outperform humans in some language and image recognition tests. While the idea of this can be frightening to some, when used correctly AI tools can be extremely advantageous for small busin

Whether you're hiring your first employee or expanding your team, find out what you should include in a successful staff induction. Bringing new staff into your business means you need to align them with your business practices, and your way of working. The first step to doing this is via your staff induction. However, your induction covers much more than just training - it’s the formal introduction of the new staff member to your business. HR essentials As soon as possible,

Finding the right small business funding can be a game-changer, whether you're launching a start-up or scaling an existing business. But with so many options available - grants, investors, crowdfunding, and alternative finance - it’s essential to choose the right funding source for your needs. In this guide, we’ll break down different funding types, explain how to find investors and highlight opportunities such as government grants for businesses. By understanding your option

Find out why it pays to be protected if HMRC starts a tax enquiry into your business and discover the comprehensive cover available to...

If you’ve lost count of how many reminder letters you’ve sent and phone calls you’ve made to chase late payments, learn more about the legal action you can take to recover debts. There is undoubtedly a balance to be struck by businesses between maintaining a good relationship with your clients (ensuring long-term income) and receiving prompt payment for the goods and services provided (preserving short-term cash flow). Whilst payment plans and deferred payments will be the ri

Whether you’re just starting out in business or are used to filing your tax return every year, our tax experts from FSB Tax Investigation Protection explain what business expenses you can claim as a sole trader or limited company. What is a business expense? From stock and staffing costs to travel and training courses, there are lots of everyday outgoings when you’re running your own business. Understanding the allowable expenses you can claim can help to reduce your tax bi

Make your tax return less stressful with top tips for filing your self assessment from our specialists at FSB Tax Investigation Protection. Running your own business means you get to do what you’re passionate about every day, but for most people, the thought of finances and filling out tax paperwork fills them with dread. If you’re new to self-employment or want to make the process less daunting,  FSB Tax Investigation Protection  are here to help.  1. Don’t miss the deadline

Ready to register your small business for VAT in the UK? Our guide covers when you need to register, VAT thresholds, and the process to follow to stay compliant. Not sure if you need to register for VAT, or unsure how to go about the process? Don’t worry - our VAT experts from FSB Tax Investigation Protection answer your commonly asked questions about VAT registration for small businesses. As your business grows, you may reach the point where you need to register for VAT wit

Discover top tips to help you make the most of social media, and tackle the issues of a lack of time, inclination, and knowledge. This article was first published in First Voice. Written by Vicky Laffey, Director, The Content Quarter. Keeping up with posting on social media can be a big stress for small business owners. Let’s face it, there are a million and one things that you’d rather be doing than thinking about what to post on your Facebook or Instagram page. You know you

Sadly, late payments can be a big issue for small businesses, but there are steps you can take to deal with them and mitigate the effects. When a customer doesn’t pay, they’re hanging on to money that is rightfully yours. Chasing debt can be stressful for a small business owner, and unfortunately with a third of payments to small businesses being late, it’s an all-too-common occurrence. If you’re unsure where to begin, we’re here to guide you through the questions you might h

Find out how you can get the best deal on your business insurance without compromising on protection for your small business, with five top tips for reducing your insurance premiums. When looking at your cash flow and expenses, business insurance premiums can be costly, especially after you add up all the other costs associated with running a small business. There are many types of business insurance cover you can buy to improve your business resilience. Some you are legally

As cybercrime continues to rise, businesses of all sizes are increasingly vulnerable to scams. From phishing to identity theft, discover how you can protect your small business against scams and fraud with our top tips. The number of scams designed to trick consumers into handing over their personal details and cash-in on current financial uncertainties has also been on the rise. A 2023 report by Cifas, the UK's leading fraud prevention agency, showed that £7.5 billion was st

The Employment Allowance lets eligible employers reduce their National Insurance liability by up to £5,000 for the 2024/25 tax year. It’s designed to support smaller employers with their employment costs. In April 2022, the allowance increased from £4,000 to £5,000 and from April 2025 the allowance will increase to £10,500 a year. Employers’ Class 1 National Insurance contributions, rates, and thresholds for the tax year can be found on the government website. Am I eligible t

Working for yourself can be freeing, but all the paperwork falls onto you, including insurance. You’re the expert at what you do, but you...