London 2012 training starts today: IT marathon to ensure peak performance Athletes are not the only ones training ahead of London 2012 as today saw the launch of the Technology Lab; a miniature version of the 36 Olympic competition venues, with the IT systems for every sports event and venue being put through a series of tests over 200,000 hours to ensure the Games run smoothly.

Small business is 'looking forward to the year ahead' Over half of businesses across the UK are unsure of what to expect in 2011. Mid-sized companies are the most bullish. Half declared themselves to be positive about the future, with smaller companies being more confident than large enterprises, with nearly half of SMBs questioned are looking forward to a good year.

Employers have closed the door on mothers There was a time when hiring a mother was a positive thing for employers. Mothers were seen as reliable, hardworking and trustworthy; after all they had a child to support. However according to a recent survey, it would appear that times have changed.

Businesses fail to capitalise on demand for volunteering Nearly two thirds of UK businesses have admitted they do not provide a good level of support for their employees to volunteer. Despite strong demand from employees to engage more with their local communities, just over a third of business managers said they currently provide a good level of support, such as allocating staff a few hours a month to volunteer.

Small business employees face pensions gap Britain's smaller businesses are failing to put enough money into staff pension schemes, or to persuade employees to contribute sufficient amounts to finance retirement, research has warned.

Christmas Party 'Sickie' hangovers will cost dearly this festive season The office Christmas party season will be in full swing this week, with 65% of workers attending on average two work events over the next few days. However this revelry will cost UK business £620 million, due to hung-over Britons pulling a ‘Hangover Sickie’.

Is your computer software licensed? Your staff might earn a bonus if not! In one of the largest UK settlements to date, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) has settled with a media hosting company following an investigation into its use of unlicensed software. The investigation was launched after the BSA was tipped-off by a former employee. The company paid in excess of £100,000 in damages, in addition to paying a significant amount to purchase legal copies of Microsoft and Adobe software.

Small businesses look abroad for business boost in new year New research has revealed that nearly two million of UK small businesses are set to move to international markets over the next year, with a third claiming overseas economies are increasingly more welcoming to small businesses than here in the UK.

Husbands & wives trusted for straight talking business advice Over half of UK small business owners will turn to their husband, wife or partner before anyone else for straight talking business advice, according to a national survey of small business owners published today. Spouses and partners were preferred to accountants, trade bodies or other local businesses and bank managers.

Women in business celebrated with glittering awards ceremony The winners of the 2010 NatWest everywoman Awards, which recognise the success of the UK’s most inspirational female business owners, have been announced at a glittering lunch in London at the eighth annual award ceremony. celebrates successful entrepreneurs who are playing their part in helping to pull the UK out of recession and acting as inspirational role models for the next generation of aspiring business women.

Britain’s stay-at-home Mumpreneurs are vital to the economy Stay-at-home mums, who feel under attack by a Government that is clawing back their Child Benefit, are restoring their financial independence by creating businesses at home according to entrepreneur Krista Waddell

British exporter calls manufacturers to pull together & stop losing work The boss of a leading Derbyshire based manufacturing company has issued a rallying call for UK manufacturing firms to pull together to help boost output and prevent work going abroad.

The winners announced in the European Business Awards Two UK and one Irish company have just been announced as winners at the finale of the prestigious European Business Awards 2010.

Go for Growth Excellence Award winners 2010 announced The IT system specialist SAP has announced the winner of the inaugural Go for Growth Excellence Awards for Professional Services 2010. The award forms part of the online community that has been created to share thought leadership and innovation amongst small to medium sized business.

Smaller number of SMEs allow flexible working compared to larger employers Research finds that only 16 per cent of British small and medium sized businesses are prepared to offer flexible working, compared to 69 per cent of their stock market listed cousins.

European Business Awards winners to be announced in Paris Ten of Europe’s most successful businesses will be announced at the finale of the prestigious European Business Awards 2010 on Tuesday 16th November.

New survey reveals Barclays business customers are "least satisfied" Levels of business support provided by the major banks is under fresh scrutiny after a new report revealed that nearly sixty per cent of small businesses blame banks for an inability to borrow and invest.

Enterprise Tsar Lord Young to deliver The Pitch 2010 grand final keynote address Lord Young will deliver one of his first major speeches as David Cameron's new enterprise adviser at the grand final of BusinessZone.co.uk's competition The Pitch 2010 in London on 16 November.

Wake up call issued to small businesses who don't check supplier costs With the UK economy still feeling the impact of the recession, research from small business e-commerce company Alibaba.com has revealed that owners of small and medium businesses and start-ups are missing an opportunity to reduce operating costs and drive revenue, which could help safeguard them against another financial downturn.

Business networking group 4Networking looks to go global 4Networking, the business breakfast network started by entrepreneur Brad Burton, has unveiled its plans to launch in the USA, Republic of Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and ultimately to create the world's first, joined up global business network.