Fake news and misleading or unreliable claims are causing serious issues for businesses across the world. It is estimated that online misinformation costs the global economy $78bn a year. Unfortunately, the UK is no exception, with a 2022 study finding that bad or misleading advice costs small UK companies an average of £9,225 each. At a time when every penny counts for start ups, that’s money that could be better spent on growing a business. It could even mean the difference between success and failure for a new venture.
As well as the online maze of misinformation, start ups and established businesses alike face a series of unprecedented challenges and opportunities today. The way customers buy goods and interact with businesses has changed significantly and rapidly. There have also been shifts in the way the UK does business with other parts of the world. And of course, doing business in the era of moving towards a more sustainable, net zero future is something every company must contend with, old or new.
Against this evolving, disruptive backdrop there is a need for reliable, accurate and up-to-date guidance that can help businesses avoid costly mistakes, stay on the right side of the law, and thrive in their chosen sector.
Business Companion is a free online resource that helps businesses do exactly that. Written by experts in consumer protection law and backed by the Department for Business & Trade and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), Business Companion is regularly updated to reflect changes in legislation, and it is constantly expanding to cover more business types.
Over the past year as part of its Business in Focus series, Business Companion has published guidance on topics ranging from alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to consumer vulnerability, delivery charges, net zero, domestic energy saving, holiday parks, selling online and hazardous materials. Other topics include expert advice on renewable energy and starting an online business.
All guidance and materials are written in clear, concise English. Designed for busy traders in search of information that can be accessed quickly, Business Companion sets out the facts about things like contracts and cancellations, marketing claims, complaint handling, best practice and much more.
Guidance is provided in a variety of formats, including web pages, downloadable PDFs and video explainers, in addition to other invaluable resources like checklists and useful links for further reading. Quick guides give the top-line facts about what the law says. Meanwhile, in-depth guides are designed to explore topics in greater detail. These include case studies and technical explanations of how the legislation applies in specific circumstances.
Business Companion is a one-stop-shop for accurate and up-to-date guidance, whatever sector you’re in — and it’s all completely free. Avoid the rumours, uncertainty and potential damage caused by unreliable information, and visit Business Companion today to find out how it can help you do better business.
About Business Companion
Business Companion is a free online resource produced by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) on behalf of the Department for Business & Trade.
The content on Business Companion is written and verified by expert contributors, but is not designed to be a replacement for professional advice and is intended only for guidance. Only the courts can give an authoritative interpretation of the law.
Business Companion covers Trading Standards law for England, Scotland and Wales. For guidance on the law in Northern Ireland, please see nibusinessinfo.co.uk.
Copyright 2024. Featured post from Business Companion.