A LEADING legal firm has produced a handy guide for businesses planning for the future.

Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, who are members of the UK200Group, have created the ‘Top 20 Tips for SMEs’ guide which focuses on practical steps businesses can take.

The guide highlights the three key areas that businesses should focus on: their cash, their people and their customers.

Commenting on the guide, Sam Lyon, Head of Corporate and Commercial at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said: “Government support, from furlough and SEISS to tax deferrals and business loans, has helped SMEs over the past 18 months. These schemes have injected money into businesses, have enabled businesses to pay their staff and have held off the squeeze that may follow for many. However, 18 months on and it is still a challenging market for SMEs.

“SMEs need to ‘get back to basics’ and plan for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

“Our ‘Top 20 Tips for SMEs’ guide highlights the importance of ensuring you have enough cash in the business, the key things you need to do to look after your people and steps you should be taking with your customers.”

Sam added: “At the end of the day without cash, people or customers, businesses will fail. Focusing on these three vital areas and making informed decisions will provide a platform for business to come out of this crisis in good shape and look to the future with confidence. Our guide highlights the key 20 things every business should be focusing on.”