It's an all too familiar story - business owners taking on too many roles in their company and, inevitably, not able to give their full focus to the business. A survey by Bibby Financial Services found that, for example, 65% help with the cleaning and a slightly lower number do the stationary order. Other common tasks include chasing payment, dealing with suppliers and securing finance. This is all well and good, but when it's being done in addition to their role it can become a burden and detrimental to the business.

Edward Rimmer, UK chief executive for Bibby Financial Services says, "People go into business because they have a passion for something and a good idea, but it is easy to underestimate how many different roles need to be taken on."

The Business Buddy Scheme, set up by the Forum of Private Business (FPB), aims to provide MPs with first hand experience of the challenges small businesses face today. David Cameron has lent his support to the scheme, which came about when the FPM learnt that small businesses felt MPs needed to increase their SME focus. The Prime Minister has already spent time with businesses in his West Oxfordshire constituency and has been encouraging others to do the same.

So, MPs are to spend time, if they wish, with local businesses. However, the question remains what benefit this will bring to SMEs. Will it lead to a better understanding of their needs, which is surely the desired outcome, along with changes to regulations and more bank lending. Only time will tell if MPs becoming buddies with businesses will prove effective in creating long-term change and if lasting relationships will result.

Let us know if you would like to buddy up with your local MP and, importantly, what you would want to see out of the relationship.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) will be launching it Real-Life Entrepreneurs campaign, which will be encouraging the coalition to enact policies that will bring about tangible improvements for the economy and job growth. This follows the recent reports showing slow growth and unemployment on the up.

The FSB will be telling the Liberal Democrat Conference, taking place this week, that the government needs to create a stable environment for small businesses to grow. After all so many people are taking a risk to start their own business and, the government hopes, giving the economy a boost, and yet there are many barriers to them doing so.

According to the FSB the government can look at six measures to assist these new businesses. One of those most often cited by SMEs is regulation, which the government needs to re-examine to reduce the burden for businesses. Other areas that have been identified are improving cash flow and routes to finance.

You might think it's not all that important to have a good understanding of how much money is being paid out each month in expenses, but this knowledge actually allows businesses to keep their taxes in good order, identify trends and, where needed, put new policies in place.

A study by opinionmatters.co.uk has found that around 20% of small businesses don't know how much they are paying out in expenses, with 40% saying that only their accountant knows the monthly expenses costs. Relying on an accountant only isn't an ideal situation as they don't have as full an understanding of your business as you and it's important for business owners to see what the outgoings in their business are. How else can an efficient business be operated?

Do you agree? Do you know how much is paid out in expenses by your business every month? Let us know.

With the increase in university tuition fees due to kick in next year there was the inevitable rush to get a space at university this year, but did all those students consider the alternatives? With more and more young people starting their own businesses perhaps a (costly) degree is no longer as important as it once was.

Rather than getting themselves into thousands of pounds worth of debt - even those attending this year - these young people could be starting on the career ladder. Yes, there are costs to starting a business, but there are resources available to help and at least there wouldn't be the additional burden of a student loan to contend with. What do you think - entrepreneurialism now or in three years time with a degree and debt as well...

Whenever you do decide to make those first steps into business get in touch with Paper Mountain Solutions to find out how they can help by outsourcing key tasks and freeing up your time to build your business.

It has apparently proved successful during the trial run in Merseyside this year, but will the Government’s New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) prove itself as effective nationwide? The scheme works with the long-term unemployed (receiving Jobseekers Allowance for at least 26 weeks) to provide them with the opportunity to start their own small business by offering access to a business mentor who will work with entrereneurs to put together business plans. They will also receive a £65 per week stipend for the first thirteen weeks (reducing to £33 per week for the subsequent thirteen weeks) and in addition the entrepreneurs will have access to a £1,000 business loan.

Most businesses will have noticed their overheads increasing rapidly in recent years, but the truth is that overheads have actually risen by nearly a quarter in just five years with transport, energy bills and insurance the biggest offenders. Not surprisingly, this is having quite an effect on many businesses who simply can't sustain this kind of growth in costs and, in fact, see it as the biggest threat to their business. It's not surprising, considering this news, that so many businesses feel this country has become simply too expensive when it comes to doing business.

One of the really great things about Crowdcube is its simplicity. To start looking for investment create an online Pitch, promote it to people you think might invest in your business and start seeing the investment money come in. By promoting your Pitch online and encouraging people to spread the word you’ll be able to attract investors from all walks of life, and when you reach your target you'll receive the money to help grow your business. One small business owner that has already seen the benefits of Crowdcube is Bubble & Balm which, after being turned down for investment by banks, has raised £75,000 through the website from 82 different investors.

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