Practical ‘How to’ business guidance and advice

Straight-talking tips and advice on a wide range of business and entrepreneurship topics from an experienced expert.

Are You Showing Vulnerability?
Showing vulnerability is good? Showing vulnerability is not something we associate with 'the successful ones' or 'the special ones'. Quite the opposite. Successful, special people strut their stuff with pomp and purpose. Think Trumped-up politics, sport or popular reality shows like 'The Apprentice'. And invariably, you find yourself bridling. They are the aspiring heroes who haughtily present themselves to their prospective boss or audience with glamour and gloss, slick ‘n’ snappy and wrapped in armadillo-like impermeable confidence... Read More

Good Customer Relations: Think Detail
How do you ensure good customer relations? Have a tough day… thinking about good customer relations? If the giant supermarkets can get good customer relations wrong by not fully thinking through their interaction with the public, then there is hope for all new entrepreneurs. Read More

Get Media Coverage
Get your story in the media... So how do businesses claim editorial space and get  media coverage? Through diligence, cunning, making time, careful cultivation and, above all, understanding what business editors seek. And this is how to get your story in the media... Read More

In search of free publicity
In search of free publicity... So you are in search of free publicity and want to let the public know that you’re in the marketplace - that your goods/services/ product are ever so useful and worth paying for? Here is a major marketing tip that could positively turn the fortune of your sprouting venture: Advertising costs money. But editorial, whatever the medium, can be free... Read More

Talent Crisis UK
Is the UK facing a talent crisis? Whilst exhibiting our on-line simulation product at this year's Learning Technologies Show in London, I noticed a man patiently looking over our stand. Curious to know more about his interest, I walked over and introduced myself... Read More

Septic Blatter – Toxic Whiff
Septic Blatter has a toxic whiff Ten years ago when the kids were just out of pushchairs, the family were walking in the Yorkshire Moors. Towards the summit of a hill an elderly man strode past us. He was full of ebullience but empty on engagement. Read More