Are you getting the most from your staff?

Find out how you could access a grant of up to £1,000 to help fund training within your company (see below).

New funding from Train to Gain means that you can invest in training and development for yourself and your team Read more

TV opportunity for small businesses

One of my contacts is a TV producer and she is looking for small businesses (8-30 staff) to take part in a series about business performance.  Filming starts in the next couple of months, so they are actively looking now.

Here are the details:

‘The Naked Office’ is a prime time series for Virgin 1. ‘The Naked Office’ will see a radical and unique approach to both business and individual development. The series will follow companies from across the country as they are transformed by the expertise of our host. By focusing on improving internal relationships and achieving the aims, aspirations and ambitions of the company our expert will facilitate permanent and positive changes.  By formatting a bespoke model for change and by undertaking radical steps we will see increased positivity and productivity in the workplace. Through the help and expertise of our mentor, each company will be transformed in the most unexpected way – going to work naked!

Rather than it being rude to go nude, our expert will reveal whether shedding clothes and flashing the flesh is the ultimate office equaliser. By inviting staff to come to work naked, our expert demonstrates that the removal of physical barriers also removes emotional barriers and promotes a feeling of unity and solidarity between employees. The result, a more positive and productive place to work.

You can apply by going to:  office@shine.tv or call 0844 6780 157

Could tele-seminars boost your business?

Small business coach Hannah McNamara from SME Academy (http://www.smeacademy.co.uk) in London talks about an innovative way to reach more customers than you ever could through one-to-one sales meetings or telephone meetings.

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Small business coach Hannah McNamara from SME Academy (http://www.smeacademy.co.uk) explains how to go about gathering testimonials and references about your business.

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Small Business Coach or Mentor?

Do I need a small business coach, a mentor or a life coach?

SME Academy in London offers all three services which are explained below.

The terms small business coach or business mentor are often used interchangeably within the business world, but what do people really mean when they talk about small business coaching or business mentoring? And how are they different from executive coaching or life coaching?
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Business Growth Course Sept – Oct 2009

The next Business Growth Course starts on 10th September 2009.

This course is designed for directors and owners of small businesses who are going through periods of change. It will give you the practical business knowledge you need to get through changes positively. All the course content is relevant whether you are growing, restructuring or rationalising.

For some people, recession is good for their business. For others, it causes uncertainty and worry. Either way, the Business Growth Course helps you to analyse what’s going on in your business right now and work out a plan for what to do next.

Topics covered:

• Goal Setting & Vision
• Diagnostics
• Business Strategy
• Marketing Strategy
• Business Planning (including Financial Planning & Forecasting)
• Project Management

Starts: Thursday 10th September 2009

Ends: Thursday 15th October 2009

Number of Group Workshop Sessions: 6

Number of Private Coaching Sessions: 2

Course Fees: £1,200+VAT

Funding Available? Yes – certain businesses qualify for a grant of up to £1,000 to help part-fund the course. Please contact us to find out how to access this grant.

You can find full details at Business Growth Course.

[Video Tip] Automating your Marketing activities

Hannah McNamara from SME Academy (http://www.smeacademy.co.uk) explains how to take the time and effort out of small business marketing by automating and systemising marketing activities. This includes the use of autoresponders, YouTube and other techniques.

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