When you’re getting ready to leave school/university career advisors often tell you to include a list of hobbies on your CV and invariably they list an example that includes reading. As a result every CV I’ve ever seen lists reading as the owners hobby. In my case it’s actually true. If there’s one thing I’m [...]

There are dozens of articles, tutorials, books and course offered on business, negotiation and handling suppliers sold every year. There are even more written for the consumer explaining how to get a discount on their purchases. So it amazes me that so few businesses (or consumers) that I meet manage to negotiate a discount on [...]

For years I’ve been wanting a laptop that is cheap, portable and yet still a fully usable PC. Sure I already have a couple of laptops, but after you’ve lugged them around the country by train, or tried to use them on an airplane you quickly come to realise that they’re not really all that [...]

Understanding what motivates employees is important for any manager, understanding ways to motivate people is essential for any entrepreneur. In a previous post I addressed the management theories on how to motivate employees, this post looks at 16 ways you can put these theories into action.

Recognition - when someone does something well, praise them, where [...]

The Meal, Ready-to-Eat, or MRE is a self-contained, individual field ration in lightweight packaging used by the US military for its service-members for use in combat or other field conditions where canteen facilities are not available. It contains everything needed to feed a soldier, including a drink, starter, main course, desert, eating utensil and a [...]

Make your first million is aimed at anyone thinking of starting a business. It addresses all the usual issues; business plans, raising finance, financial planning, working capital, growth, premises, staff and preparing for an exit. All within the context of Martin Webb’s experience setting up and running a chain of bars, with a few examples [...]

It is easy to be coerced into spending a lot of money on advertising – because we liked the sound of the deal or because the telephone sales person made it sound compelling.
Before you spend a penny on advertising or PR, write a marketing plan – and there are plenty of books out there on [...]

In a previous post I asked the question “Can you afford to pay minimum wage“, I used a story about my experience with the local Tesco Express to illustrate my point. I didn’t intend it as a critisim of Tesco, but it turns out that Rob from Tesco has read my blog and he felt [...]

Looking back over 2007, I’m proud to say that Business Opportunities and Ideas has come a long way since it started on 1st March. So here’s a quick recap of what I believe are the best posts from each month:

March - Play To Your Strengths which advices small business owners to focus on promoting their [...]

Earlier today a new reputation management company contacted me to see if I thought you, my readers, would be interested in their service, and I’ve just I’ve read Seth Godin’s blog for the first time this year and he says:

The first thing to do this year
Google yourself.
If you’re a salesperson, your prospects already do.
If you’re [...]