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.

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.

‘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.

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.