Growing Your Business
![Dr. Leah Totton](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/apprentice_DrTotton_small.jpg)
After The Apprentice
For Dr Leah Totton, winning The Apprentice was the easy part.
![optimistic small business owner](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/large/meaning-of-optimism-large.jpg)
Applying Optimism to Your Business
How taking positive action every day can keep you going on difficult days.
![employees meeting at networking event](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/Networking_Part_4_small.jpg)
Assessing the Value of Your Contacts
Meet Yvonne, a lawyer and experienced networker who has tips to help you determine where new business relationships will lead.
![employee networking event](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/networking-tips-small.jpg)
Beating the Fear of Networking
Try these tips to build your contact list, improve your networking skills and grow your business.
![illustration of Britis small business awards](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/1529335172365_small-biz-awards-small.png)
British Small Business Awards 2017
Get involved and raise the profile of your business.
![employees talking about business plan](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/business-plan-small.jpg)
Business Plans: Do a Risk Reality Check
When writing your business plan, analyse your approach to risks so you can stand behind your business forecasts.
![networking event](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/networking-tips-3-small.jpg)
Business Networking: Coffee Shop Conversations
When meeting business contacts in casual settings, stay alert to subtleties that can lead to opportunities.
![employees networking](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/networking-tips-2-small.png)
Business Networking: Fine-Tune Your Approach
Think of networking events not as one-off sales opportunities but as the foundations for new connections.
![crowdfunding infographic](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/Crowdfunding-infographic_small--(Get%20Original).jpg)
Crowdfunding: A Beginner's Guide
Find out what it is, how it works and what it can help you achieve.
![Richard Reed](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/focus-small.jpg)
Expert Advice: Staying Optimistic
Innocent Drinks founder Richard Reed focuses on what he can control in an uncertain world.
![illustrated puzzle pieces](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/mvp-small.jpg)
Funding Product Development
What are the best ways for a start-up business to fund its minimum viable product?
![Innocent Drinks founder Richard Reed](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/passion-small.jpg)
Launching a Small Business from the Ground Up
How Innocent Drinks founder Richard Reed turned a passion into a thriving business.
![small business worker talking with customer](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/networking-tips-6-small.jpg)
Making the Most of Your Follow-Up Coffee Meeting
You’ve gotten their attention. Now make sure your time with them counts.
![employees networking](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/networking-tips5-small.jpg)
Preparing for Follow-Up Meetings
Turn your new contact into a loyal customer.
![Matthew Wheeler](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/matthew-wheeler-small.jpg)
Small Business Optimists: Matthew Wheeler
Here’s what small business owner Matthew Wheeler learned in his mentoring session with Innocent Drinks founder Richard Reed.
![person presenting graph to co-workers](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/speak-up-small.jpg)
Speaking Up for Your Business
Even if you’re not a natural salesperson, you can still communicate effectively about your business.
![employee discussing new enterprises with co-workers](/iw-images/uk/thought-leadership/small-business-guide/small/new-enterprises-small.jpg)
Top Towns for Business
Which UK towns and cities started the most new enterprises in 2016?