As Valentine's Day fast approaches it appears love is in the air
for the UK's SME population, according to research conducted on
behalf of Premierline Direct, the business insurance specialists.
The research found that a third of business owners run their
company as a partnership, with one in five working side-by-side
with their spouse.
In a tough business climate and with a growing trend among those
flying solo to draft in business coaches for advice and support,
more and more business owners are now deciding that two heads
really are better than one. Nearly a quarter of those polled who
chose to go it alone when they first set up would now consider
taking on a business partner and 80 per cent of those already
'coupled' up say they have no regrets and wouldn't change a
thing.
Having your spouse working alongside you could also work wonders
for your marriage as you start to spend more time together. SME
owners highlighted that running a business on your own can have a
number of the ill effects on a relationship, sighting changes to
their sleep patterns, an adverse affect on their sex-life and in
some cases saying it was the primary cause for divorce.
Chris Little, managing director of Premierline Direct, said:
"Running a company can be lonely and its easy to feel isolated, so
its great to see that many business owners have successfully found
a partner who they work well with or are already working alongside
their loved ones. Finding the perfect partner is also important
when it comes to service providers. For example, when shopping
around for a business insurance provider, look for a company that
not only gives a great price, but also offers added value services
and support in running a successful business.
"In addition to helping business owners find the right level of
cover, Premierline Direct offers customers access to business
support services including its risk management website, Risk
Director, and a benefits programme, which can help SMEs save on
their operating costs. These are ingredients for the ideal
relationship."
Risk Director is a knowledge bank which can assist businesses in
a number of ways such as giving tips on how to write a health and
safety plan, help in identifying and managing risks, and assistance
with business continuity planning. Premierline Direct also offers
customers access to a tax and legal helpline providing free,
impartial expert advice on a range of matters, and gives customers
access to a range of discounts on business related services through
its benefits programme.
Premierline Direct is part of the Global Allianz Group and
provides cover to a wide range of industries from shops and offices
to hotels and manufacturing, tailoring its insurance packages to
meet the diverse needs of each business.
