Construction boss: “We win contracts by turning them down”
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
It’s an unusual sales strategy. But Derek Godfrey, MD of Eastbourne-based Ellis Builders, generates significant business by turning down projects.

Online entrepreneur cashes in on rising fuel prices
By Kate Pritchard
Extortionate fuel costs have outraged Britain’s entrepreneurs. But some business owners – such as Chemist Direct’s Mitesh Soma – are rubbing their hands in glee.

Digital publishing entrepreneur sweeps the board
By Kate Pritchard
Richard Stephenson's London-based digital publishing firm Yudu has scooped five industry awards in the past year – and won £140,000 of new business as a result.

Manufacturer drives a hard bargain
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Mark Crosier has a hard time winning new business. Not because of the competition: there is none. No, the technology he sells is so new that companies don’t know they need it.

"Walkers is irresponsible"
By Kate Pritchard
“A couple of years ago, Walkers tried to hit back at claims that it was responsible for rising levels of obesity," says Alex Albone, the founder of Pipers Crisps. "Well, it sure as hell deserves some of the blame."

Stationery firm ramps up sales
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Unfazed by the current economic climate, Bola Akinseye, founder of Makeover Designs, is scaling up her print and design firm, aiming for a 2010 turnover of £1m.

Top five email marketing tips

By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Spam. Junk. At best a scattergun approach to marketing. Mailshots have been given a bad name. But all is not lost. Mailvivo's MD Mark Gooding has come up with five killer tips to put the oomph back in your mailings. 

James Caan: "Don't leave entrepreneurs out of the Olympics"
By Kate Pritchard
Dragons’ Den star James Caan today hit out at the authorities behind the London 2012 Games, saying the event had been “poorly communicated to businesses” and wrongly labelled as a London-only opportunity.

Olympics tenders are available to all
By Catherine Woods
Businesses outside of London have been reassured they won’t be discriminated against when competing for contracts for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Housing crisis demolishes construction industry
By Kate Pritchard
Wienerberger, one of Britain’s biggest brick makers and the latest casualty of the housing market slump, hit the headlines today as it prepares to close two of its factories. Entrepreneur Gerard Abbott-Drake says his sector – the finishings trade – is next on the hit list.