By Catherine Woods - August 20, 2008 5:34pm GMT

The key to succeeding in the Middle East is having an understanding of local business practices and customs as soon as you’re on the ground, says BIW Technologies chief Colin Smith.

By Kate Pritchard - August 20, 2008 5:28pm GMT

Jennifer Irvine set up home-delivery meals firm The Pure Package in 2004 from her kitchen. Today she turns over £1.2m and has over 3,000 clients on her books, including Ruby Wax, Patsy Kensit and handbag designer Anya Hindmarch. “I’ve never marketed the brand to celebrities,” she says. “They’ve come to me.” So, what’s her secret?

By Catherine Woods - August 20, 2008 5:05pm GMT

Cheadle-based creative media group Fresh is upfront about its environmental credentials. Co-founder and director Julie Besbrode says the firm has become one of only a few in the UK to be granted a globally recognised environmental award.

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - August 20, 2008 3:52pm GMT

When Simon Coyle launched luxury chocolate firm Kshocolat in 2003, he was the only player in the premium market. Now, he’s one of many, but this Scottish confectioner still has a few tricks up his sleeve.

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - August 19, 2008 4:10pm GMT

If you want to tick your firm’s charity boxes, don’t just send a cheque like every Tom, Dick and Harry Ltd. Try something a little more unusual.

By Zarrin Lilani - August 20, 2008 4:09pm GMT

As the economic situation worsens in the UK, we’re hearing reports that smaller businesses aren't managing their finances in the best way.

By Stuart Rock - August 20, 2008 11:59am GMT

Chris Hoy, Rebecca Adlington, Ben Ainslie: entrepreneurs can learn from all of them

By Matthew Rock - August 20, 2008 10:07am GMT

The chief executive of property developer Brixton yesterday quoted Bob Dylan's "All along the watchtower" lyrics to sum up the state of the property market. So which songs best sum up the life of the entrepreneur? Here are our suggestions.

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - August 19, 2008 4:57pm GMT

Nicholas De Lacy-Brown thought being fired by Alan Sugar was bad. Little did he know that a few months later, he’d receive a far more crushing blow.

By Matthew Rock - August 18, 2008 11:00am GMT

The week begins with a grim warning from the British Chambers of Commerce that UK businesses face two years of tough conditions and that imminent recession is a "distinct possibility." Here's its prognosis.