John Cleese helps make video learning affordable for SMEs Video Arts, the training company started in 1972 by John Cleese and Sir Anthony Jay, who wrote the Yes, Minister TV series and is renowned for entertaining films that use humour and well-known actors to deliver essential training messages has created a new licence that lets small and medium-sized companies cost effectively use digital versions of its best-selling titles.

Recruitment firm harnessing online services wins top award Building on their nomination last year, recruitment specialist GCS has gone one step further and won the Best Small Employer’s Website award at Alljobsuk.com’s National Online Recruitment Awards 2009. The website, www.join.gcsltd.com, beat out strong competition from a distinguished field of nominees, including Innocent Drinks.

The idea is just the start Anyone with a good idea and adequate common sense can start a business, but establishing and growing it is another matter.

In the current climate, where money lending has all but dried up, orders are falling, and firms are trimming all the fat possible by cutting costs, the hard part is often working out how to grow your business.

Utility companies not quite in order Utilities companies are showing few signs of embracing sustainable policies, as far as many of their small business customers are concerned.

Small business gets its own TV channel If talk is cheap, genuinely practical advice and support is invaluable for business owners struggling to access finance and left numb by the politicians’ promises. The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has launched www.smallbusinesschannel.co.uk a free new online service advising entrepreneurs on a range of key business issues – including approaching banks for credit.

Considered the franchise business model? Most people associate franchising with large brands, but it can also be an effective way for some smaller businesses, struggling to raise finance in order to expand in the present economic climate, to grow at minimal cost. The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is campaigning to raise awareness of franchising as a way forward for many viable businesses.

Spend points and not pounds this Christmas This Christmas you can bring on the festive cheer and reward your business or treat your team and as part of the Nectar Business loyalty programme you can cut the cost of Christmas by spending the Nectar points you’ve collected on your business expenditure throughout the year on a range of treats and rewards.

‘Have you got news for us? “Do-it-Yourself” PR might well be a solution for small firms looking to reduce costs in the current downturn but still keep their profile in the public eye. Enterprise PR specialist Louise Third and business correspondent Maisha Frost will run their next media workshop on Monday 9th November at The British Library Business and IP Centre on Euston Road in London. Places cost £85 +vat per person which includes handouts and refreshments.

Staying safe with online banking With Incidents of online banking fraud haven risen by 55pc take steps today to avoid becoming a victim. Here our simple tips will help you evade the fraudsters.

Diversifying in business is the way to survive Over half of Small and Medium-sized businesses in the UK have taken deliberate steps to diversify their business in order to survive the recession according to new research.

Taking the headaches out of eye care Computers and laptops - the tools of work for thousands - are the cause of regular, persistent, headaches; blurred vision; neck pain and dry eye problems for many.

All you can... With everything becoming free or bundled together in 'All you can' packages we have researched to find the top 8 tips to the best All you can bundles money saving ideas around at the moment.

Top ten tips on brochure design A well written, well-designed brochure is an important marketing tool for the majority of businesses. Brochures offer a great opportunity to go into detail about your product or service. Les Haywood explains that as you only get one chance to make a good impression with your brochure. It’s worth taking the time to get it right.

Smart technology can give businesses the edge Paul Bray looks at how if you prang your new BMW and the air bags deploy, the car can automatically tell the manufacturers so they can alert the emergency services. If you're in hospital in Madrid and a nurse tries to administer the wrong drug, an alarm automatically sounds. If you buy a chop in a Norwegian supermarket, you could be told the name of the pig it came from.

Investors tag onto tweety pie Unless you have been living in splendid isolation in recent months, you will have struggled to avoid the latest online social networking craze ‘Twitter’. Andy Lopata, business networking specialist, looks at how Twitter, Hot on the heels of ‘Facebook’ as the next great communication tool, it is being championed by celebrities such as Jonathan Ross and Stephen Fry, used by politicians such as Barack Obama and adopted by people of all ages and walks of life at a rapid rate.

Ten tips to negotiate a payrise In these times of rising living costs, we could all do with a bit of extra income. But before you storm into your boss’s office and demand a bigger salary, read our top ten tips on becoming a smooth negotiator.

Business doesn't have to be any harder A sales guru has dismissed the notion that business needs to be harder during a recession in a talk to a group of London entrepreneurs.

Marcus Cauchi, of Sandler Training, revealed the golden Sandler Rules of selling that he says will help any business weather the storm of recession.

How to really persuade in presentations: Alastair Campbell An element of persuasion is key to most presentations, ensuring that an audience are on the speaker's side. But how's this done?
Speaker Mentor Alastair Campbell had one of UK's top persuasive remits as Tony Blair's Chief Strategist. "The speaker's got to work out what the main objective is of their speech," Alastair told us. "That's all about the central argument".
Alastair believes that most people will listen to a well structured argument: "If you make a case, founded on factual analysis, values, your own experiences, history, colour... you can usually persuade somebody closer to your case, even if ultimately they're not going to necessarily agree with you".

Talking with conviction: Deborah Meadon's guide Deborah Meaden says that the ability to spot somebody who can deliver with conviction is crucial, both in her day job as an entrepreneur and her TV role in Dragons' Den.
"Find the thing that you are passionate about," Deborah told us: "Automatically you'll deliver it with conviction. You believe, they'll believe it".
Even the best speakers shortchange their audience if they're not delivering with conviction.
Deborah's seen great speakers disappointingly speaking by numbers: "They were speaking very well... but I didn't come away thinking- 'I'm going to do something now'".
Perhaps that's the hallmark of a truly believable speech?

Train to Gain: It pays to develop the skills of your workforce One of the most effective funding initiatives by the Government is to help you increase the skill levels of your employees. You are encouraged to review your company’s strategy and ensure that all staff development and training will effectively support your business objectives. Then you need to specify the actions required to develop the strategy through an organisation and development plan agreed with your staff.