Look me in the eyes & tell me why you're wonderful: An investor's tips for a great pitch [VIDEO]</h1> <article> <h1>Look me in the eyes & tell me why you're wonderful: An investor's tips for a great pitch [VIDEO]</h1> <p>Lucie Mitchell — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:51:53 +0100</p> <p><em>BusinessZone.co.uk is currently searching for Britain's best small businesses in <strong><a href="http://www.thepitchuk.com/enter" target="_blank">The Pitch 2013</a></strong>. With a minimum investment fund of £25,000 and a business support prize package worth thousands up for grabs, the competition is a huge opportunity for UK entrepreneurs.</em></p> <p><em>In this video, former Dragons' Den panellist Doug Richard offers some straight talking tips for successful pitching. Once you've watched Doug's advice, </em><a href="http://www.thepitchuk.com/enter" target="_blank"><em><strong>click here to enter The Pitch 2013</strong></em></a></p> <p><center></center></p> </article> <article> <h1>Why freelancing is 'the biggest shift in work since the industrial revolution' [VIDEO]</h1> <p>Dan Martin — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:51:51 +0100</p> <p><em>A new report from <strong><a href="http://www.elance.com" target="_blank">Elance</a></strong> says 2.3m freelancers are using online platforms to source employment, while 500,000 businesses are using them to fill 3,000,000 jobs. Kjetil Olsen, vice president of Elance Europe, explains the findings in the report and why freelancers are driving a new way of working.</em></p> <p><center></center></p> </article> <article> <h1>Using your website to build trust in your brand</h1> <p>Rahul Mistry — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:53:13 +0100</p> <p class="MsoNormal">One of the key reasons businesses of all sizes invest in building their brand is the huge amount of trust customers place in them. When we feel comfortable with a brand we have an increased propensity to spend more money, and more often.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">With more and more customers turning online to research companies and spend their money, your website plays a huge part in building the perception of your brand. This article will look at ideas for you to ensure they are positive.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Be consistent</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The mega-brands such as Coke and McDonalds have incredibly detailed brand guidelines for every component of their branding, including the tone of voice, use of the logo, brand colours and fonts. This ensures customers are exposed to a consistent design message, making the brand easier to identify without needing all the information (e.g. you could probably identify the Coca-Cola red without needing their logo). Don’t view your website as anything other than an extension of your marketing, and ensure it is consistent with all your other marketing collateral.</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/rahul-mistry/all-things-digital/using-your-website-build-trust-your-brand">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>County Councillors with their heads up their own backsides.</h1> <p>Norfolk-Tours — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:18:26 +0100</p> <p>So, Norfolk County Council are meeting today to elect a new leader. They met last week but, as there is no "party" in control, they couldn't agree. They all went away, some licking their wounds and others skipping with glee but how many of them actually thinking about what is best for Norfolk?</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/norfolk-tours/dealing-public-bodies/county-councillors-their-heads-their-own-backsides">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>The fifth way ... a continuation</h1> <p>Best Online Accounting — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:29:16 +0100</p> <p>Following on from our recent comments as to the visionary that is Pat Gelsinger; Gelsinger caught our imagination in his comment that "only the paranoid survive" a belief also shared with former Intel chief Andy Grove.</p> <p>This quote was taken in the context of his company's relationship with Microsoft and that you need to be acutely aware that, even though they are not at the forefront of the cloud revolution, they have the power, ability and financial resource to join the party. </p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/best-online-accounting/best-online-accounting/fifth-way-continuation">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>Be Exceptional And Go The Extra Mile</h1> <p>christinapd — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:38:43 +0100</p> <p> Sometimes a paradigm or a philosophy you live your life by isn’t at the forefront of your conscious mind. When I was naming our new monthly E-zine; The Extra MILE became the perfect choice because I realised that it epitomised the effort I try to put into life, most of the time.</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/christinapd/people-discovery/be-exceptional-and-go-extra-mile">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>Penguin 2.0 SEO Update - Google Updates Things Again!</h1> <p>anthodges — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:34:01 +0100</p> <p>So, the news is out – the Google update being named as Penguin 2.0 has been rolled out.</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/anthodges/tips-online-marketing-consultant-ant-hodges/penguin-20-seo-update-google-updates-thi">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>Future business leaders 'let down' by education</h1> <p>Lucie Mitchell — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:26:10 +0100</p> <p><em>Young entrepreneurs feel their education has failed to equip them with the key skills required to start a business, according to a new report.</em></p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/topic/business-trends/future-business-leaders-let-down-education/52246">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>The Apprentice 2013 episode four review: Mistakes can be forgiven, but inaction is the kiss of death</h1> <p>Dan Martin — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:39:29 +0100</p> <div style="height: 61px; float: right; margin: 0px 5px 5px; display: block; width: 50px"><a class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-via="BusinessZone" href="http://twitter.com/share"><em>Tweet</em></a><em></p> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p></em></div> <p><em>Darren Fell, managing director of </em><strong><a href="http://www.crunch.co.uk/" target="_blank"><em>Crunch Accounting</em></a></strong><em>, reviews the latest episode of BBC One's The Apprentice.</em></p> <p>Back once again into the abyss of showbiz entrepreneurialism that is The Apprentice. The format has changed slightly from earlier years to better reflect the entrepreneurial spirit sweeping the nation. The wannabe Apprentices are now in contention to become 'business partners' with Lord Sugar, rather than well-paid underling.</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/dan-martin/apprentice-blog/apprentice-2013-episode-four-review-mistakes-can-be-forgiven-inacti">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>Long Hot Summer Days - How to Prevent Employee Absenteeism</h1> <p>sbeale — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:45:58 +0100</p> <p>We can but hope that this summer turns out to be long, hot and sunny, but with that comes the risk that some employees may want to take advantage of the good weather deciding that work is not their top priority. So what can employers do?</p> <p> </p> <p>With the long school holidays, one possibility could be allowing homeworking. Although if such a request is because the employee wants to look after their children then an employer would need to assert that appropriate childcare is implemented. Work is the top priority and an employee should not be both working for you and caring for their child at the same time.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/sbeale/hr-blog/long-hot-summer-days-how-prevent-employee-absenteeism">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>Why some people can’t take a hint</h1> <p>David Klaasen — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:14:25 +0100</p> <p>The most frustrating thing about communication is that it is never good enough. There is always someone who will get the wrong end of the stick; they will choose to interpret what you're saying in a completely different way than what you intend, or they simply won’t take a hint. It’s all about below conscious motivation and once you know what to look for you can become even more effective.<br /> </p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/david-klaasen/inspired-working/why-some-people-can-t-take-hint">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>Ed Miliband to entrepreneurs: Don't be like Mr Burns</h1> <p>Dan Martin — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:51:50 +0100</p> <p><em>Business owners in the 21st century must embrace their responsibilities for creating a fairer society, Ed Miliband has said.</em></p> <p>Speaking during Google's Big Tent event, the Labour leader said business people have a choice to make: "A choice between an 'irresponsible capitalism' which sees huge gaps between the richest and the poorest, power concentrated in a few hands, and people are just in it for the fast buck whatever the consequences.</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/topic/finances/dont-be-mr-burns-ed-miliband-tells-entrepreneurs/52236">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>Mary Queen of the High Street episode three: What about the problem of high street parking charges?</h1> <p>Dan Martin — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:30:27 +0100</p> <div style="margin: 0px 5px 5px; width: 50px; display: block; float: right; height: 61px"><a class="twitter-share-button" data-via="BusinessZone" data-count="vertical" href="http://twitter.com/share"><em>Tweet</em></a><em></p> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p></em></div> <p><em>Jan Shure, co-founder of <a href="http://SoSensational.co.uk" target="_blank"><strong>SoSensational.co.uk</strong></a>, reviews the third episode of Channel 4's Mary Queen of the High Street.</em></p> <p>Did Mary Portas save the high street in Liskeard, the attractive Cornish market town almost annihilated by the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak, and then further damaged by the unholy trinity of sky-high parking charges, inflated rents and an out-of-town supermarket?</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/dan-martin/reality-tv-blog/mary-queen-high-street-episode-three-what-about-problem-high-street">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>Is Your Business Location Holding You Back?</h1> <p>ewhitmore — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:58:27 +0100</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Your business location can make you or break you, it governs your costs and your ability to best serve your customers, so is <em>your</em> business ideally situated?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you are considering setting up a business or are already an established business contemplating relocating, then there are many factors to consider before setting up shop and one of the most important is deciding upon your geographical business location. In this article we are going to explore the importance of location to business success and advise upon what factors to consider before making that big decision. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is important to note that deciding upon a perfect business premises involves balancing a number of factors and weighing up their significance against your particular unique business situation. Some of the most important things to consider include:</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/ewhitmore/edward-baden-limited-blog/your-business-location-holding-you-back">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>10 ways to make your business more productive</h1> <p>Dan Martin — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:45:51 +0100</p> <p><em>When running a business, it's easy to waste time on things that don’t matter. Nadine Bourne, from <strong><a href="http://www.xlntelecom.co.uk/" target="_blank">XLN Business Services</a></strong>, lists 10 ways to be more productive.</em></p> <p>When it comes to productivity, many small business owners express that they spend far too long performing menial tasks that bear little or no relation to the core process of the service that the organisation actually offers. For new owners, it's particularly challenging as they're suddenly expected to become accountants, HR managers and advertising specialists all at the same time. What starts out as an exercise in staying as productive as possible quickly becomes submerged in red tape and bureaucracy surrounding legislation, compliance and turning a year-on-year profit.</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/topic/finances/10-ways-make-your-business-more-productive/52211">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>Why Sir Richard Branson demonstrates that every brand needs a rival</h1> <p>Joe Errington — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:45:43 +0100</p> <p><em>Joe Errington argues that Sir Richard Branson's latest stunt perfectly illustrates how brand rivalry is key to building brand loyalty.</em></p> <p><em><strong>Following the </strong><strong><a href="http://www.virginmediapioneers.com/2013/05/pitch-to-rich-2013-competition-winners/" target="_blank">Pitch to Rich competition</a></strong><strong>, we're interviewing Sir Richard Branson soon and you can ask the questions! Email </strong></em><strong><a href="javascript:location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(101,100,105,116,111,114,64,98,117,115,105,110,101,115,115,122,111,110,101,46,99,111,46,117,107)+'?'"><em><strong>editor@businesszone.co.uk</strong></em></a></strong><em><strong> or tweet with #AskSirRichard. He will answer the best questions.</strong></em></p> <p>Sir Richard Branson dusted off his best pair of heels this weekend after showing a bit too much faith in his Formula One team. The Virgin Group founder made a bet with his airline and racing car rival Tony Fernandes, and lost.</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/topic/marketing-pr/why-sir-richard-branson-demonstrates-every-brand-needs-rival/52151">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>EXCLUSIVE: Small retailer losing £1,500 a week due to council road closures</h1> <p>Lucie Mitchell — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:14:16 +0100</p> <p><em>An independent retailer could be put out of business as a result of council-run construction works directly outside her premises.</em></p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/topic/finances/exclusive-small-retailer-losing-1500-week-due-council-road-closures/52224">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>I'm to blame for the death of the High Street</h1> <p>Dan Martin — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00:34 +0100</p> </article> <article> <h1>Eurovision, a business lesson to learn here</h1> <p>Jeff-Russell — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:49:56 +0100</p> <p><em><strong>Us Brits know we aren’t well liked internationally in all but a few exceptions and in the big scheme of things, its probably safe to say that most of us don’t really care.</strong></em></p> <p>But whilst the voting at Eurovision maybe be a political popularity contest that we just see as a farcical pantomime laugh in recent years, there is a huge lesson to learn here in that in business, how you perceive yourself is often at odds at how investors, consumers or customers see you and whilst we may have had a reality check in Eurovision as a nation, we cant really take the same blasé attitude in respect of our businesses.</p> <p>Working in the creative side of the home interiors industry I have had the pleasure of working with many many different types of business, from small one man band micro-businesses to corporate businesses and everything in between, and whilst some businesses do take a great deal of interest in engaging with their customers (typically those with larger online investment), sadly there are some out their that let their own business self-belief cloud their judgement in making business critical decisions.</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/jeff-russell/jeff-russell/eurovision-business-lesson-learn-here">read more</a></p> </article> <article> <h1>I'm to blame for the death of the High Street.</h1> <p>Norfolk-Tours — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:44:32 +0100</p> <div style="height: 61px; float: right; margin: 0px 5px 5px; display: block; width: 50px"><a class="twitter-share-button" data-via="BusinessZone" data-count="vertical" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a></p> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div> <p> Yes, let it be known, that I am the one who killed the High Street.</p> <p>Well, not actually me, single handedly but it was whilst I was on watch that the High Street disappeared. I wasn't looking. I must have dozed off.</p> <p><a href="http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs/norfolk-tours/dealing-public-bodies/im-blame-death-high-street">read more</a></p> </article> </main></body></html>