Many start up companies hope to eventually get acquired but don't have a clear acquisition strategy or plan on how to get there. In order to create an effective acquisition strategy as a small business, there are several aspect of their business that must be carefully planned out. While transparency is important, the particulars concerning the companies finance and legal aspects play a vital role in the success of the acquisition. In addition, there are organizational concerns, communication tasks and stakeholder assessments required. Let's take a look at developing a good acquisition strategy:

We've got some excellent (even if we say so ourselves) free business downloads for our members and business owners to access and use. From financial spreadsheets to templates for pitching to checklists for your business, visit our Downloads section any time to access these. 

Competition is strong because everyone has their unique business idea, but the ratio of successful businesses is low. According to statistics regarding start-ups, as few as 30% of start-ups survive their 10^th year in business, while 50% fail in their first few years. A key factor can be the proper implementation of the business plan. Here are top tips for implementing a successful business plan.

What’s the best way to generate original and profitable new ideas for your business? We explore how large corporations nurture creativity and how SMEs can approach the same challenge. Here are 5 tips for Irish businesses to boost creativity in the workplace:

Terminating an employee's contract is never easy but on some occasions there may be no other alternative. There are certain steps that you should follow. Here's what you need to know about terminating a contract of employment:

Is your business ready to grow and take on new staff? Are you at the point that you need to increase your employees but are wondering how to attract the best talent to your SME? Here are some tips on hiring the best talent based on my experience. 

Let’s face it, no business owner relishes the prospect of providing a personal guarantee. As a small business owner I know the slightly sinking feeling of signing on the dotted line and the "what if’s" that run through your mind. However Personal Guarantees are simply a fact of life. Here are 7 vital tips if you are asked for a Personal Guarantee.

A great website is useless if it doesn’t serve its purpose. It should welcome users in, make them feel at home and guide them effortlessly in their journey from visitor to customer. They should be able to find answers to their questions and products that meet their needs, all without ever feeling a flicker of frustration. Before you launch your new website, run some tests to identify any potential problems. Here's how to conduct UX testing with a checklist you can use to deliver great results:

Trouble with focus and attention is a problem everyone has from time to time. However, work seems to bring it out the worst in some people. It often feels as if it should be easy. Just apply yourself and get to work. That's all you have to do. Yet it still feels difficult, almost as if "just apply yourself" isn't actually a solution! Here are 7 tips for greater focus at work:

Our latest Business Achiever is Ollie Walsh and PiP iT. We asked Ollie to tell us a little bit about his payment-focussed business and about his business journey to date. Read on to find out more in Business Achievers: Ollie Walsh and PiP iT.

Even though you're sedentary most of the day at work doesn't mean you don't have the power to stay trim and fit. You just have to incorporate a few simple lifestyle changes and alter your habits. So, here are 10 simple changes you can make for a more healthy time at work:

Chances are, you started your business because you’re ambitious, you have big ideas and a clear vision of how your company will look when it’s thriving. While all of these traits are important – essential, even - in a business owner, the nitty-gritty of day-to-day management and attention to unglamorous details can prove just as crucial if your business is to survive through hard times as well as the glory days. Here are 6 common money mistakes business owners make:

Understanding your target audience (essentially, your customers) is crucial to running a successful business. It should come as no surprise then that millions of dollars are spent every year on demographic research and, odds are, your business would benefit from better understanding your customer base. Here's what your customers know that you don't (and how to learn from them):

The overall winners of the 2019 US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards, jointly presented by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland and the Royal Irish Academy were announced at the recent Chamber’s Annual Dinner in the Clayton Burlington Hotel. Read on to find out who won:

Investor readiness is the process of getting your business to the point that equity investors are willing to invest in your business. Attracting equity investors requires an accurate understanding of what the investor is looking for and how the venture will be perceived along those dimensions. This is where the business plan is key. Read on for some business planning top tips for startups as well as details of InterTradeIreland's 2019 Seedcorn competition:

Running a small business takes a great deal of finesse. It’s a job that can be stressful and time consuming, but outsourcing can relieve some of the pains of management. Outsourcing is a much better option than overpaying a full-time employee for tasks that don’t require in-house attention. Here are 3 key tasks that small businesses can outsource easily:

Our latest Business Achiever is Karen O'Reilly and Employmum. We asked Karen to tell us a little bit about her recruitment-focussed business and about her business journey to date. Read on to find out more in Business Achievers: Karen O'Reilly and Employmum.

It's not hard to find quotes from top company CEOs on the path to success or the best way to enjoy life, but it's not very relatable, all things considered. It's possible to be happier amid the largely daunting task of running your own business. The autonomy it affords is incomparable to working for someone else. If you're a small business owner who wouldn't quite consider yourself happy, then here are a few ways to help improve your happiness levels.