Columns, blogs and opinion from some of the UKs leading business opinion makers and entrepreneurs and small business owners
Many of the UK’s SMEs have to fight to survive in their early years and the economic downturn has only made the challenges more difficult. Research shows that around 270,000 small businesses are registered annually in the UK, yet almost the same number close down every year.
The other day I saw some comments made by businesswoman and West Ham Vice-Chairman, Karren Brady, which could’ve come from my own mouth.
Have you ever had one of those tumbleweed moments in a presentation you’ve given when you’ve told a joke, and nobody laughed? Or have you been in the audience and shuffled uncomfortably, acutely embarrassed for the presenter who is desperately trying to recover the situation? In this article we take a look at how to avoid those situations.
An interesting story has been published on the negotiations between one of the most successful candidates for investment to appear on Dragon’s Den and two of the Dragons, James Caan and Duncan Ballantyne, who together agreed to invest £80,000 in Sharon Wright’s business, Talpa Products. And she had only asked for £50,000!
When, some time after her session in the den, Sharon signed up to a contract with very onerous terms without reading the contract she had been given.
July marked 75 years since Penguin books began publishing stories. They became renowned for their originality and innovation, which got this Book Midwife thinking back to when she found out that certain publishers out there still think that some books don’t deserve to be written. But it just goes to show that every book deserves to be written and every book deserves to be read!
We all know the importance of having a strong brand in business, but, in this age of social media, where we expect personal interaction rather than corporate spiel, and especially for start-ups and SMEs, where there may only be a small number of people involved, the idea of a personal brand is becoming more and more important.
Let me explain why cold calling is such a big issue for many…..and why vital first stages should be completed before a cold call is made….
In the Den, and broadcast last week, The Dragons were asked to invest in a product called Shopbox, which is a secure, temperature-controlled container for groceries that are ordered online, which then became the subject of a heated discussion on the subject of patents – and a very important lesson for anybody with an invention.
The customer is king so engage them with an experience fit for royalty. Gone are the days of admiration for shop windows and acceptance of repetitive brochure sites. Today’s consumer prizes customer service and their own time above all else when shopping online but most brands are not delivering on these demands.
Maintaining great customer relations requires something of a ‘cult’ instinct. Disregarded by many, but cultivated by true believers, an unadulterated commitment to customer service sets brands apart from competitors.
With the news of the government’s plans to cut jobs in the public sector, together with the statistics that showed an ease in employment during June, the current jobs market certainly looks bleak. But one thought leadership strategist maintains that establishing yourself as a REAL thought leader is the only way to keep your job safe!
“I never prepare for presentations, I just wing it.”
I often hear this said about presentations and I’m not entirely sure I believe this statement. At least, not about successful presentations. This article discusses the need for great preparation for memorable presentations.
If your supplier’s factory burns down and, as a result, you do not receive some goods ordered by one of your customers, both you and your supplier may be said to have suffered from Force Majeure, that is to say an event beyond your control.
There’s lots of advice I could give you about how to get the most out of networking. If you ever want my help with that come and ask me. But these are the most important things to remember, in my opinion:
It really is the age old dilemma…probably the biggest issue afflicting business since the dawn of time. What am I talking about? Of course it is the ‘how much activity is enough’ challenge.
Some publishers think that only some books deserve to be published. But this is the 21st century! Let me tell you why every book deserves to be published.
