Real Business agony uncle Anthony Holmes can help with your recession-time strategising. Every fortnight he’ll tackle another restructuring problem faced by entrepreneurs. This week: budgeting during the recession: part two.
Even in a recession, a good entrepreneur is always on the look-out for the next hot spot. Don’t wait around for the upturn. These are the businesses you want to be in now.
The king of the publicity stunt, Richard Branson, outdid himself this Wednesday when he projected a 100ft image of his face on Sydney Harbour Bridge to support the British Ashes team. Australians everywhere are in uproar (including in the Real Business office!).
If you only collect Nectar points when you buy a tin of beans in Sainsbury’s, you’re missing out. The entrepreneurs behind shop fitting and design firm Blue Retail Group collect points every time they buy paint supplies, stationery and petrol for their company vans – and will use the points to pay for the firm’s Christmas party.
The hunt for Sir Alan’s Junior Apprentice began in May this year. Applications have now closed but as the first round of 16-17 year old applicants start the gruelling Apprentice process, Real Business asks entrepreneurs: "Is this really the best way to get young people excited about enterprise?"
For businesses that have identified their potential customers, targeted their online marketing, have a brilliantly designed website and have managed to get potential customers onto their website, the next crucial part of the process is to make sure the customers then buy the product or service.
A selection of the best (and worst) business jokes from around the web. Get your laughing tackle around these gems.
The CBI announced earlier this week that cash-strapped businesses should be allowed to suspend employees’ contracts for six months and pay them the equivalent of twice the rate of Jobseekers’ Allowance. The CBI thinks this will help ease wage-bill costs until the economy turns. But entrepreneurs aren’t convinced.
