Just another brick in the wall?

Michelle Purse — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:15:46 +0000

Ever heard the phrase, “If you are not part of the solution, then you are most definitely part of the problem.” Well, by god have I met the problem this week!

We have a situation where we rely heavily on cooperation from a key member of the client’s team to provide us with technical information relating to a complex database which will be integral to their new websites that we are building. It’s not rocket science but needs managing and testing.

Tories pledge to support 'a new generation of British Facebooks'

Dan Martin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:37:07 +0000

A new generation of Facebooks set up by UK entrepreneurs and new market incentives for SMEs are among the bold claims included in the Conservative Party's technology manifesto.

Beginners Guide to Sourcing Promotional Merchandise

Amelia Vaughan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:31:08 +0000

As part of my job, I regularly get asked by my clients to source promotional merchandise, whether it's for an internal conference or an event. But for anyone new to purchasing their own branded pens, pads and paraphernalia the choice available and how to order can be a bit overwhelming. So, here's my top tips on how to choose and buy your items wisely:

1) Shop around

Don't go with the first supplier you come across. From experience I've noticed that the majority of suppliers will stock exactly the same product because they'll be buying these from a central source, usually from overseas, so shop around. Yes, searching around is a pain, but think about it, any saving, no matter how small, isn't to be sniffed at.

2) Drive a hard bargain

The ABC for Handling a Customer Crisis

ChrisBarling — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:59:11 +0000

When there is a customer crisis, at best, upset customers will take their business elsewhere, tell their friends, blog about it and generally damage your reputation. At worst they will sue you and cost serious money. The litigation may even be enough to risk the future of the company, or catch the attention of the media with similarly catastrophic results.

A study in America found that the likelihood of doctors being sued was inversely proportional to the way they treated their patients. It found that competent doctors who treated their patients with disdain, got sued more frequently than incompetent doctors that killed their patients. This was provided they were pleasant with the patients and their relatives and said sorry. Saying sorry was particularly significant.

We all believe that customer service is important, so I'm taking it as read that we make every effort to deliver on that in the first place. If not, it might be time to move on to a job where you will fit in better. But all too often we don’t have a well thought out way of dealing with the inevitable crises that arise from time to time. So here's my ABC for dealing with them:

Video: Lord Sugar's business basics - Part three: Competing with the big boys, your first employee and expanding operations

Dan Martin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:55:09 +0000

Continuing our series of video clips, Lord Sugar, star of BBC TV's The Apprentice and the government's enterprise champion, draws on his experience to offer advice to entrepreneurs looking to start and grow a successful company. Next up; competing with large competitors, taking on your first employee and how to expand your business.

As an independent retailer how can I compete with bigger businesses?

What should I bear in mind when taking on my first employee?

Should I grow my business by acquisition, funding or organically?

How to turn prospects into paying customers

Dan Martin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:19:38 +0000

Multi-millionaire entrepreneur Jonathan Jay describes how the marketing funnel can help increase customers and boost profits.

LIVE BLOG FROM NEW YORK: Small Business Summit featuring Seth Godin

Dan Martin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:34:12 +0000

BusinessZone.co.uk editor Dan Martin is attending the Small Business Summit in New York on 16 March 2010. The conference's keynote address is from legendary business blogger Seth Godin. Dan will be live blogging from the summit below. The full agenda is available here.

Small Business Summit: Live from New York

Small firms accounts exemption condemned as 'utterly absurd'

Dan Martin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:03:46 +0000

EU plans to exempt Europe's smallest businesses from filing annual accounts have been slammed by a credit expert.

Earlier this week, members of the EU Parliament voted in favour of removing from micro-firms the requirement to submit accounts on a yearly basis. Micro businesses, which make up 75% of all EU companies, are those with less than €500,000 on their balance sheet, a net turnover of less than €1m, and employing an average of 10 people or less.

The vote was welcomed by many with Diana Wallis, MEP for Yorkshire and Humber, describing the removal of red tape as "a ray of light for small businesses at a very difficult time".

But Philip King, chief executive of the Institute of Credit Management, today slammed the decision calling it "utterly absurd".

What do you hate about Websites?

businessforbusiness — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:03:46 +0000

What do you Hate about websites?

We all experience the website that presents a barrier. But what one thing annoys you more than any other?

The Flash intro, the slow load, the lack of information, information overload or you cannot find the contact details.

There are many more things but get it off your chest tell us what irritates you about some of the websites you visit.

I look forward to seeing your comments and rages!

Small Giants - Companies That Choose To Be Great Rather than Big

RobertCraven — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:44:05 +0000

Small Giants by Bo Burlingham poses big challenges to those who assume that by definition growth is a good thing.

Consultants, accountants, bankers and business schools all tell us that thriving companies grow their profits and revenues year-on-year (and if you aren’t doing it then you feel like you must be failing!).

But bigger is not necessarily better!

Burlingham looks at businesses that choose ‘the road less travelled’… they reject the pressures of endless growth and instead they focus on being the best at what they do, creating a great workplace, legendary customer service, and a sense of community (both locally in the workplace).

Six attributes of these ‘businesses with mojo’ are:

Dyson inventor outlines plans to make UK European new tech centre

Jon Wilcox — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:07:08 +0000

Sir James Dyson, the entrepreneur behind the Dyson vacuum cleaner, has authored a report which outlines ways the UK could become the European hub for new technology.

The Business Boot Camp: Mission one – PR with Paula Gardner

Matt Henkes — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:42:02 +0000

The four cadets taking part in BusinessZone.co.uk's Business Boot Camp have received details of their first mission from our expert mentor. Get the inside track on their briefing about PR.

The Business Boot Camp kicked off last week with a great mentoring session led by small business PR guru Paula Gardner, founder of www.DoYourOwnPR.com.

Budget 2010 to take place on 24 March

Dan Martin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:51:17 +0000

Chancellor Alistair Darling will present his annual Budget statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday 24 March.

During a speech in London prime minister Gordon Brown said the speech will be delivered in two weeks time.

This year’s Budget comes at a pivotal point both financially and politically. The chancellor has to strike a balance between tackling an annual public deficit hovering around £180m and sustaining 2010’s precarious economic recovery. The significance of his Budget decisions will be amplified within a few days, when the prime minister is expected to launch his general election campaign while the debate on the Finance Bill is still taking place.

Depending on the election result, we could end up going through the whole Budget process again in June if the incoming Chancellor wants to introduce emergency fiscal measures.

How to make a good first impression

Dan Martin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:04:43 +0000

When meeting a prospective customer, supplier or partner, first impressions really do count. Patrick Bird reveals how to get it right.

Communicating effectively and making a message memorable can be a challenge, especially in face-to-face situations. Whether it's with a client or prospect, the pressure of delivering information in the right tone and style requires careful planning.

It's important to make a connection with the people you are meeting to ensure put your ideas across effectively. Considering how a message will be received by individuals is a fundamental part of a communication strategy.

You can create a good first impression during the initial introductions with a firm, meaningful handshake and direct eye contact - but what about the moments beforehand? What does your body language say to potential clients as you walk into the room?

Entrepreneurs offered mentoring by social enterprise leaders

Dan Martin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:29:46 +0000

Social entrepreneurs are being given the chance to win one-on-one mentoring from the likes of Big Issue co-founder John Bird, The Apprentice winner Tim Campbell and Divine Chocolate boss Sophi Tranchell.

Organised by the Social Ambassador Programme, the competition offers access to the 28 entrepreneurs and business leaders who represent UK social enterprise.

As well as Bird, Campbell and Tranchell, other ambassadors include Penny Newman, chief executive of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Foundation and Tim Smit, creator of The Eden Project.

Current or aspiring social entrepreneurs as well as social enterprises and organisations interested in using business to create social and environmental change can enter the competition with each ambassador giving two hours of mentoring to the winners, as well as a tour of their social enterprise to get the inside story on how it works.

Live web TV show: Better bookkeeping with Five's Business Inspector

Dan Martin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:04:12 +0000

Join us for a live web TV show on 17 March with entrepreneur Hilary Devey, the star of Five's new television show The Business Inspector.

Are you running one of the 1.5m small businesses whose poor record keeping is preventing you from making the money you should be? Well, we can help!

'The Business Inspector', a four part series launching on Five at 8pm on Wednesday 17 March, aims to remind small businesses of the importance of keeping good records. Each week presenter and award winning entrepreneur Hilary Devey, visits two small businesses and advises them how to improve their processes, systems, strategy and direction.

Immediately after the first episode at 9pm on 17 March, Devey will take part in a live, interactive Web TV show in which she will answer business owners’ questions. She will be joined by Mike Allcock from HM Revenue & Customs in giving top tips on bookkeeping and all things tax. Use the comment box below to pose a question in advance. The comment box will be replaced automatically by the live web TV show.

Business Finance Survey: The results are in - Did you win the laptop?

Dan Martin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:26:18 +0000

Late payment was one of the key problem areas highlighted by small companies in BusinessZone.co.uk's recent Business Finance Survey.

BusinessZone.co.uk's huge Business Finance Survey has now closed. Over 450 respondents completed the survey, providing a fascinating snapshot of how UK businesses are dealing with their finance and cashflow issues, and how they plan to meet the challenges in the year ahead. The vast majority of entrepreneurs said they were expecting an improved financial performance from their business in 2010, though late payment is increasingly becoming a worrying issue for many small business owners.

EFG lending - an urban myth?!

sueatbubbleandbalm — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:30:45 +0000

Those of you who have been following this blog will know that i've been awaiting feedback from Bank 2 on my application for Enterprise Finance Guarantee lending.

After Bank 1's rejection, I was pretty much expecting another 'no'.... which is exactly what i've got!

Two reasons were quoted - firstly that it's still early days in terms of sales (despite the fact we've just got in to a big supermarket) and the second - lack of security. Their response on the EFG aspect is very telling...what they told me is that because the scheme involves many restrictions, they are now not looking to lend any funds under the scheme, although they have done in the past.

I've been advised to come back when I have confirmed orders (fair enough, although I already have email confirmation) and alternative security to offer.

International Women's Day: Five inspirational female entrepreneurs

Dan Martin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:51:35 +0000

To mark International Women's Day, we've put together a selection of five of our favourite video interviews with female entrepreneurs.

Video: Entrepreneur Karen Darby on the business of doing good
Although serial entrepreneur Karen Darby, who started energy price comparison service Simply Switch and sold it for £25m just three years later, has reaped huge financial rewards, her business ventures have also had social aims. In an exclusive video interview, Darby argues that social enterprise is the way forward. Watch the video.

Lord Davies: Business Link is here to stay

Dan Martin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:19:35 +0000

The small business minister has publicly backed Business Link after claims by the Tories that they will scrap the advisory service if they win the general election.

Lord Davies said despite criticism by shadow small business minister Mark Prisk that the organisation is poor value for money and should be closed down, it will remain in place. "Business Link is a tried-and-tested service and reaches out to companies that don’t have internal resources. It is here to stay but that doesn’t mean we can’t improve it," he told the Sunday Times.