New platform launched to offer free tools for entrepreneurs

A new free online platform with tools and resources for people running a small business has been launched. Powered by AAT, the platform is called Informi.

Informi is designed to be the one-stop online community for a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owner's business needs. Business resources provided include a tool to help find an accountant or bookkeeper, corporation tax calculator, budget spreadsheet template, cash flow statement template, petty cash log, and National Insurance calculator.

Information for small business owners

Helpful and empowering information and advice for small business owners and sole traders is also included, with interactive articles written by subject matter experts and checklists for what to do at each stage of a business. Informi users can also build a profile containing an archive of reading lists, and downloadable content.

Information pages are organised by subject areas such as starting a business, managing finances, and the use of technology. They can also be divided by stage of business, including "Start-up", "The first year" and "Growth company", to help business owners at any stage to find the most useful information for their business. Users can also join in the discussion through the comments sections and forums. ?

Darren Nicholls, spokesperson for Informi, says: "The UK is a nation of entrepreneurs, with record numbers of businesses being started up this year. However, even the most confident entrepreneur will need advice and support from time to time. Informi has been created to provide a central hub for information, tools and resources for individuals at any stage of running their own business?

Henry Cooper, who set up a small accountancy practice in Buckingham, says: "As a business owner, there are many times you look for support and advice, whether you're just starting up or looking to grow. Informi provides all the information I need in a way that's clear and easy to understand. It gives me confidence knowing that I can refer to Informi whenever I need help with my marketing, sales, finance or general advice."

User Experience UK award nomination

Despite the platform only having just launched, Informi has already been shortlisted as a nominee in the 2016 User Experience UK (UXUK) Awards, which recognise excellence in user focused digital and service design.

Darren Nicholls says: "We are very proud to have been shortlisted for the award. We set out to make the platform as simple and easy to use as possible for business owners, and the nomination shows that we have managed to do that with our design."

Take a look at AAT short courses, which can help you run your business