Smarta's founder (and the queen of persuasion!) explains how to get what you want in business - without stepping on anyone's toes.

1. Expect a yes: believe in yourself, your business and your products

I go into every meeting expecting a yes, and nine times out of 10 (or more) that's what I get. Why? I never promote or work on anything I don't wholeheartedly believe in. I go into meetings knowing that people will be better off for working with us. Don't ever sell something you wouldn't buy or use yourself . Ever.

2. Deliver more value than your services/product cost

We all like getting something extra - that feeling like we've got a 'deal'. Offer free business cards with your letterheads, an extra scoop of ice cream or just fantastic personal service.

3. Make an effort

Studies show that people are 27% more likely to buy from people who have made an effort with their appearance. Shallow? Maybe. Truthful? Yes. The good news is that we don't all need to look like George Clooney - we just need to show we care about ourselves. After all, you wouldn't want someone looking after your business who turned up in a 'used-to-be-white-now- grey' shirt, would you?

4. People 'buy' from people they like

Corny, but true. We all do it. Be someone people like. Don't put on a pretence, just be yourself. Don't just look for the 'close'. Genuinely try to understand people's needs and help find solutions.

5. Social proof

Product endorsements and client testimonials are incredibly powerful applications of social proof. Everyone wants a piece of the new big thing. Show your customers that other people like them believe in your product and services - and the more the better!

Got tips like these? Shaa wants to hear them! Add your own advice to the comments below. Join Shaa on Twitter.

We get asked about employment law a lot. It's one of those nasty facets of business that every employer needs to know about, in-depth, but very few do. It's complicated, it's red-tapey, and, let's be honest, it's not the most exciting firework in the box. A change in government isn't going to make things any easier for you, we're afraid to say. A heap of new regulations are about to give to murky these waters even more.

But there is some good news - some very good news, in fact. NatWest has helpfully created a webinar on employment law in 2010 and how it will change after the election. It explains everything you need to know. And we think it's really useful.

It's completely free, and once you've registered (only takes two seconds), you'll be able to listen live to NatWest's upcoming webinar with Smarta investor and Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden, on May 19.

Listen to the webinar on employment law in 2010

There's a jolly good chance we're going to end up with a hung parliament the week after next. And the possibilities of that pick'n'mix variation on normality have got the whole country more excited than a fat kid in a sweetshop. Other publications have sucked all the fun out of what it could mean - so instead of rehashing the same old diatribe, we hereby present to you: the opportunity to pick your government dream team. Forget fantasy football - say hello to minister magic. After all, it might actually happen! (Kind of.)

We've come up with a few suggestions below - now it's over to you. Write your comments below, and let's pick the government dream team! Feel free to go for whoever you want - we've tended towards entrepreneurs simply because we love them, but we're open to sports stars, slebs, et al.

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Eddie Izzard

Partly on the basis of this sketch, but also because he is so good at languages and understanding cultural subtleties (a vital asset in our dream Sec of State) he does stand-up in German and French as well as English. Also because he wants to get into politics - which would be amazing. He is also very, very wise underneath all that hilarity. We kid you not.

Mark Artus is the CEO of one of Europe's leading branding agencies, 1 HQ, that counts Unilever, Nestle and Marks & Spencer among its clients. You can ask him questions live and read more advice from him in our branding surgery this Friday at 12pm.

It doesn't matter what size your business is, the principles of brand development remain the same. Big or small, a brand is a brand. You have to go through the exact same processes to make sure that the brand you're creating has a unique proposition - and that, hopefully, it's a better idea than anyone else's. Whether you are IBM, Virgin or average Joe, the process is all the same.

Put very simply: know who you are, know where you're going and know where you want to be. You need to have an ability to recognise a seminal moment - and it helps to be a little insurgent.
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Thinking of starting a business? But you haven't yet - which is understandable. It can all seem like a lot of hard work, and pretty daunting too, after all. Yeh, we get it.

But here's the thing. We're going to let you in on the one little secret that will revolutionise your attitude to starting up. Seriously! Are you ready? Make sure no one is looking over your shoulder... okay.... here we go....

Starting a business can be a confusing time - with all the new information you need to learn and decisions you have to make, it can feel like without guidance from someone more experienced, you could go down the wrong path.

Because of that, Smarta is delighted to be teaming up with NatWest on a series of webinars giving you regular access to expert business knowledge. We've looked at the subjects you have told us are important, summoned a panel of experts including Deborah Meaden, M&C Saatchi account director Marcus Peffers, and of course, our very own Shaa Wasmund.

The first webinar, on Monday April 26, will feature Nick Soret, head of employment law consultancy support at Mentor, who will give a 20 minute presentation on the changes to employment law businesses can expect in the run-up to and after the election. This will include a focus on changes to maternity leave, what rights agency workers will have, and how new equality laws will impact businesses.

•    The first webinar will begin at 2.15pm on Monday April 26. If you want to register, follow the instructions at natwest.com/businessknowledgewebinars.

Sean McPheat is the undisputed king of sales, and founder of MTD Sales Training. He shares his expert tips on tackling the three greatest sales challenges small business owners face. You can get more advice from Sean and ask him questions this Friday at 1 pm in our sales surgery with him.

Problem #1: Cold calling

First off, learn to identify a gatekeeper (read how here). Try to sound like you're well known to the decision maker - and be polite.

Instead of saying: "Hi, it's Sean, could you put me through to James please?"

Use: "Hi Jenny, it's Sean, could you let James know that I'm on the line, thanks"

By using 'thanks' at the end of the sentence it assumes you'll be put through and a lot of gatekeepers will assume that you know James and instead of giving you a grilling.

Working for a start-up is hard work. You work hours that would make an investment banker shudder, for a salary that would make them think you'd missed a good few zeros off the end. There's no protocol -the rules are being made up as you go along, then before you know it you find everything you thought you knew has melted quicker than a strawberry ice-cream in a Saharan sauna. Most things don't go to plan, and progress more often than not takes at least three times longer than you hoped for. This is not your standard nine to five!

There are loads of plus sides to working for a start-up, obviously - that's why all of us at Smarta are here doing it and loving it! (Try an amazing sense of ownership, as much responsibility and decision-making as you desire, share schemes, flexibility, constant creative challenge, lack of red tape, an endless waterfall of new ideas that get implemented in hours rather than months, etc etc etc.)

It was supposed to be an historic moment for British television, but last night's leaders' debate turned out to be little more than deeply monotonous.

In fact, the Guardian's Lucy Mangan was the only one to keep me going: 'Cameron looks like a carrier bag full of yoghurt', she pointed out at one point. Then: 'Gordon is a man naturally eight drinks below par. He should have got hammered, come on and rocked it'.

Think about it: had the three leaders concentrated less on sniping and more on their debate technique, a nation might have been spared the sheer tedium of it all and instead learned something about what the parties are promising us.

As BBC economics editor Stephanie Flanders has pointed out, yesterday's release of the Liberal Democrats' election manifesto unveiled a party willing to punch above its weight. The manifesto included plans to raise almost £17bn in taxes, as well as a raft of cuts to help reduce the Budget deficit.

There were a few disappointments, though: putting together Smarta's page on the parties' election pledges last month, I came across this briefing document, published by the Lib Dems in October last year, promising to allow small businesses to choose to be taxed on their cash flow, rather than their profits - which would allow businesses to reinvest their profits without being taxed on them.