Free guides for UK small businesses

Run a Leaner Business. Know Your Numbers.

Practical guides, worked examples and free calculators on the methods that cut costs: time studies, cash flow, staff costs, pricing and process improvement.

Every figure links to its source.

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Calculator + free Excel template

Time and Motion Study

Find out where working hours actually go, with a step-by-step worked example and a template that does the sums.

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Calculator + free Excel template

Debtor Days

See how much cash late payers are holding, what the law lets you charge them, and how to chase systematically.

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Calculator + free Excel template

Staff Costs as % of Turnover

Compare your wage bill with Office for National Statistics figures for 27 sectors, and work out the true cost of each employee.

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Why these guides are different

Sourced figures. Worked examples. Free tools.

Every statistic on this site links to an official or published source, such as the Office for National Statistics or GOV.UK. Examples are clearly labelled as examples, and every calculation is shown so you can check it.

The guides are written by Carl Trigg, BEng (Hons), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, who has spent nearly twenty years on operational improvement across defence, automotive, manufacturing and the nuclear sector.

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