Category: Advice

The concept of online collaboration and social business is in its infancy. Traditional communication tools and IT systems no longer provide us with the support needed to effectively and productively work and collaborate in teams. Matilda Jernevad, Chief Market Analyst, Projectplace, offers her insights into why businesses need to get social:

Christmas has always been viewed as a profitable time of year but with the tone of the recent press on the subject, it’s no surprise that many SME’s in the retail sector have concerns about the festive season. However, amongst the negativity there are some positive trends which retail SME’s can cash-in on, including international exportation and a clever on-line sales strategy.

As the weather turns colder, the risk of property damage from burst pipes, storms and floods increases. Weather-related and other types of property damage can cause severe disruption to local businesses, economies and livelihoods. It is therefore critically important to check whether your insurance cover will adequately protect your business against such incidents.

One of the top objectives stated by 58% of B2B marketing executives in a study by the Economist Intelligence Unit – ‘Megatrends in B2B Marketing’ (2011) was “positioning our company as a thought leader”. Phil Brown, Director at UK b2b marketing agency, The Channel Partnership, discusses what thought leadership is and how companies can use it to their advantage in 2013.

Businesses get burgled every day: it’s a fact of life. With robberies happening every 38 seconds in the UK, commercial property is a prime target for criminals. Whether it’s money, equipment or important documents that go missing, it can be a stressful and time consuming process to get your company back on track.

Max Firth, Managing Director of Experian’s Business Information Services division, offers advice to firms looking to maximise their chances of finding and securing the right finance for their needs.

Many of us in business surely will have long recognised that increasingly, clients and the market in general, are demanding further reductions in charges and better terms – in return for…………enhanced services and even more added value. Let’s call this what it is; ‘The more for less new reality.’

The new James Bond film Skyfall parachutes 007 into a chilling cyberspace of computer hacking and cyber terrorism in which malicious software – known as malware which infects and damages computers – is more dangerous than exploding pens.

As leaders of ambitious SMEs you and your brand will be searched for online by potential customers, so it is vital that what they find helps secure a sale. Whether you are targeting a global or local audience, customers need to find the right information as easily as possible, and get a positive impression from what they find.

Like most of the rugby loving public, the seemingly endless saga surrounding the mismanagement of England’s Rugby Football Union has lead me to conclude that if an entrepreneur ran their business the way the RFU runs it’s boardroom then they’d have gone bust a long time ago!

Are you providing a product or service, or are you providing a benefit to a customer? A new way to think about value–and get the most for your company.

Public relations is one of the most attractive marketing strands to fuel awareness of your business, and as entrepreneurial business leaders you are perfectly positioned to drive this utilizing your network and business story.

If you can’t sell, your business will die. Whatever line of work you’re in, at some stage you’re going to have to stand in front of someone and convince them that your product is worth buying or your proposition worth investing in.