Running a rural business: Did you say bridal jewellery or bridle jewellery? As the owner and director of a successful rural business employing over 30 people across two locations in the East of England, l was approached recently by Business Matters who asked me if l’d like to become a regular columnist.

‘Localised’ Internet Marketing activity branded a scam Businesses are being warned to be on their guard following a string of cold calls from suppliers offering ‘off the shelf’ localised internet marketing campaigns which could leave struggling SMEs out of pocket by hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

The road to recovery Given our natural cynicism, it was easy for us Brits to get the sandbags out and put the defences up as we went into recession, but it has proved far more difficult to come out of it.

We’re all going on a working holiday The holiday season might be fast approaching, and you’d be forgiven for thinking a well earned break is an opportunity to switch-off, but according to new research the majority of us will be emailing from the beach.

Ten tips for establishing a better way of working Innocent, the distinctively non-corporate drinks company, has achieved international success by adopting a very different approach to business. Martin Addison of Video Arts gives ten tips that other organisations can learn from Innocent’s fresh example.

James Caan: My advice for business My message to entrepreneurs has repeatedly been, when the going gets tough, and it will, then the tough need to get tougher. Businesses need to look at their own operations, and reflect deeply on their own cost base, profit margins, and the various activities of the business. They need to look at their budgets over the next 12 months and make the necessary plans and provisions to absorb the impact that the budget will have on them and more importantly, make the necessary changes in their plans.

Business advice surgery with Marc Lawn As markets develop and products mature customer needs can change. This is a fundamental area for businesses to get right, but how do I start and what are the things to watch out for? A simple beginners guide to help you on your way Marc is an experienced leader with a track record of delivering world class customer and consumer solutions on an international scale, having won three global accolades, he works with an ethical and sustainable stance. He pioneered the ‘making life easier’ management philosophy, one based on clarity, and has coined a ‘renaissance management’ theory, where senior leaders understand clearly the total context in which they operate. As a consultant to some key blue chip businesses Marc is adding value across the globe, he is a fellow of the RSA, a recent DBA graduate and a member of the IOD. His employment and assignment history covers middle and senior leadership roles in global organisations across multiple industries.

Networking Workshop with Andy Lopata Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have a steady stream of ideal clients whilst others are always searching for the next? Have you ever wanted to get the opportunity to meet with your ideal prospect but never yet quite managed it? Most people recognise the importance of referrals as part of an effective customer acquisition programme. This workshop focuses on where to find referrals, particularly the ones right under your nose, and how to build an effective strategy to keep a flow of referrals into your business. Who this is For: This is for anyone who wants to work smarter and not harder. It is also designed to help those who feel they haven’t yet gained enough contacts or require a refresher in the ways to tap into their existing contact network.

PRS for Music waive charges for office World Cup viewing PRS for Music have announced that workplaces who are introducing TVs and radios to let staff watch the World Cup will qualify for a free PRS for Music licence - required for any copyright music played as part of TV or radio broadcast - through a trial scheme.

Plan ahead to cope with a BT strike With BT looking ever more likely to have its first strike in over quarter of a century if the latest offer isn’t accepted, thousands of businesses could be left without phones or internet during the strike which could take place in August 2010.

Finding the right PR provider for your needs Select your PR supplier with great care. Your chosen agency will be representing you to the media and anyone else you want to influence so they need to be the right 'fit'. Follow Louise's advice, and that of the Public Relations Consultants' Association, and you should have a successful, long term relationship.

New survey shows an upturn in hiring in finance roles Organisations seeking to drive profitability through growth rather than downsizing and restructuring are fuelling an upturn in job openings in the accounting and finance sector, according to the 2010 market report and salary survey from a leading financial recruitment company.

So how do you make money with a Freemium model? With the freemium revenue model, the most basic service level of a product is free for all, while more sophisticated service levels require users to pay tiered subscription fees based on usage levels.

The 2010 Remote Worker Awards Launched Following a highly successful inaugural awards last year, Remote Employment in association with BT Business has launched The Remote Worker Awards and this year Business Matters is pleased to be joining as the media partner for the 2010 programme.

How to manage your Staff effectively Employee relations in key performance areas are often neglected in a busy workforce, leaving staff confused and unhappy. We spoke to Haleem Ossman, who has twice won the national Investors in People Award, about the advice that he would give to businesses on how to manage this challenge.

Explained: Business due diligence The due diligence process consists of three main parts: screening due diligence, business due diligence, and legal due diligence. Each firm may have a specific process, but typically it involves reviewing the management team, the market potential, the product or service (and the need it meets), and the business model.

Cold calling: Nine effective steps For a salesperson, cold calling can present one of the greatest challenges in their day. Get the most out of your cold calls by following these nine steps. And remember that staying positive, being persistent, and listening and adjusting to customer responses are the personal ingredients to help you succeed.

New business doctors on hand to help London firms The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has today launched an online advice surgery staffed by five ‘Business Doctors’ to help cure the most common day to day problems that companies face.

Tools to help you use social media as an asset not a chore Tired of new social media services that promise to bring customers to the door? Well, the truth is consumers are using social media to connect, and you might be able to see business results by harnessing this. Here Richard Alvin looks at the options available to you.

Crowdsourcing the business cycle Last year food giant Unilever dropped the ad agency it had been using for over a decade and put up a $10,000 bounty for new ideas to promote Peperami on TV. Here Fergus Dyer-Smith, Co-founder of Wooshii looks at how cost effective research can help grow your business.