by Lucille Parker | Aug 14, 2017 | Start-ups
No matter what field of enterprise you’re in, as an independent operator you’ll need some good business sense to succeed. But what exactly does that mean? Is it something you’re born with, or can you learn it? To answer the first question, business sense is also...
by Lucille Parker | Aug 3, 2017 | Social Media
I feel a bit silly now: back in the early 1990s I scoffed at the Internet when first introduced to it via a 28K dial-up modem, and declared it would never be a profitable medium. Likewise, until a few years ago when I first started tweeting on behalf of a small...
by Lucille Parker | Jul 26, 2017 | Start-ups
Has the novelty worn off? One doesn’t hear much in the media about crowdfunding nowadays – good or bad. Is it still an option for business start-up funding, or has the gilt worn off the gingerbread? If you delve into the stats and facts surrounding the current state...
by Lucille Parker | Jul 19, 2017 | Small Business
Loyal customers are valuable for any business – they buy more, recommend you to others and the cost of selling to them is low. It pays to encourage loyalty, and one way many small independent businesses do this is by means of loyalty schemes. Whether your business is...
by Lucille Parker | Jul 7, 2017 | Small Business
The old adage goes that “nobody is indispensable” – in other words, from an employer’s perspective, everyone is replaceable. If that’s the mindset you think will work to grow your small business, best think again! The idea that you can instantly and seamlessly replace...
by Lucille Parker | Jun 26, 2017 | Marketing Advice
We’re awash with social media, which presumably means that’s the medium which has overtaken email as the most important marketing tool for SMEs, right? Wrong! Countless studies have shown that email remains one of the most effective forms of online marketing – as long...
by admin | Jun 15, 2017 | Start-ups
Once you have a nifty business idea, what do you do next? Step one is to test the market – it’s no good launching into a business plan before you know the answers to some crucial questions. How much demand is there for what you plan to offer; how many potential...
by admin | Jun 8, 2017 | Small Business
With the Brexit negotiations looming, many of us are wondering what deal will be struck between the UK and EU. As many professional mediators and negotiators would be quick to point out, this will depend largely on how the deal is done. In fact, the skills required...
by admin | May 18, 2017 | Small Business
Ransomware attacks are not new, but now and again a big one reminds us of the threat, like last week’s NHS hack which crippled the IT systems of trusts and hospitals across the UK. You don’t have to be the NHS or even the military to be held to ransom, though – in...
by admin | May 4, 2017 | Small Business
Everyone likes to have tangible evidence of success – a trophy, plaque and/or certificate are great rewards; coupled with an attractive prize it’s even better! So, if your business or enterprise is booming, why not enter for an award? The owners and managers of many...
