We caught up with the Dragons' Den entrepreneur and Smarta investor to find out what this new government needs to do to make things work for small businesses.

This Wednesday at 2:30pm, join an incredible trio of business brains for Smarta and NatWest's webinar on how to win new business. Dragons' Den entrepreneur and Smarta investor Deborah Meaden will be answering your questions live alongside NatWest small business banking chairman Peter Ibbetson and advertising and comms don Marcus Peffers, European COO of M&C Saatchi.

All you have to do to join the free webinar is...

We found out what the leading minds and voices of the small business world, from the BBC's business editor to the Confederation of British Industry, have to say about our new government and the impact it will have on you.

Phil Orford, CEO of the Forum of Private Business (FPB)

"Fixing the public finances must be at the top of the agenda. The Conservative-led coalition must be absolutely clear about where spending cuts will fall, and about the need to curb relentless growth in the size and cost of the public sector. They must also follow through on their promise to roll back the planned employer National Insurance rise in any emergency Budget.

"The next ninety days are crucial for recovery. We need concrete proposals to reduce red tape and tax burdens on business; action to move the economy away from consumption and the public sector and towards exports; and commitments to improve Britain's key business infrastructure."

Theo's Adventure Capitalists: India, Tuesday, BBC2 at 8pm. Watch it on iPlayer.

India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Mumbai has more millionaires per square mile than anywhere else on earth. The country has a population of more than 1 billion people. There's no denying India's appeal to savvy businesses looking to grow their revenues. And in last night's programme, Theo Paphitis joined three such businesses hoping for a bite of the £6bn UK-India export trade cherry.

The underlying lesson in this series is that you absolutely have to get out to the country you want to do business in. No amount of homework in the UK (though you must still do loads) will prepare you for the 'idiosyncrasies' of doing business abroad. There are things that market reports simply won't pick up on. Business in other countries is not like business in the UK. And India is no exception to that rule. So will a luxury watch company, an eco-fuel supplier and British super-brand Marmite be able to make it?

A week of wrangling has finally led to what looked the most likely outcome of a hung government, a Conservative-Lib Dem coalition.

Smarta readers voted overwhelmingly pre-election in our Voice of Small Business poll for a Conservative government and so, we're guessing, will be pleased with what's a close second best.

While we'd always abstain from showing any political bias as an organisation, you'd be hard-pressed to find any business group that didn't think a Conservative-led government would be most likely to create a favourable environment for entrepreneurship and enterprise to flourish.

Was there a dry eye in the house when Gordon Brown made what even his sternest of detractors would agree was the most dignified of resignation speeches outside this evening?

Finally evicted from Number 10 after what was a protracted, bitter and increasingly desperate battle to cling to power, Brown's simple yet emotional farewell with his family at his side will have earned him a level of respect from the British public which seemed unfathomable when they so overwhelmingly rejected his government at the poll stations just six days ago.

Political allegiances aside, there's a massive PR lesson to learn from Brown's demise and subsequent rehabilitation (albeit reputational and not political).

Theo Paphitis's Adventure Capitalists, tonight on BBC2 at 8pm

Theo Paphitis is back on our screens tonight showing UK businesses how to get stuck into business opportunities in up-and-coming countries. This week it's India. Can us Brits haggle our way to success on Mumbai's jumbled streets? Will Marmite, who are one of tonight's three companies trying to break India, be able to entice Indians away from cumin and cardamom and into yeast and B vitamins? We've had a sneak preview and we've got to say, if you're thinking of exporting or expanding abroad, this is essential viewing.

Emma Jones is founder of Enterprise Nation and author of 'Spare Room Start Up' and 'Working 5 to 9', launched today. She writes for the more than 5 million people who hold down a day job and build a business at nights and weekends.

If you are in a job but not sure for how much longer, or you want to turn a skill/hobby/passion into a way of making some extra cash, then you're a perfect candidate for becoming a 5 to 9'er. This is the name I apply to the millions of entrepreneurial people who are an employee/mum/student by day, and working on building a business in their spare time. It's a great way to become your own boss as you give yourself time to build confidence - and the all-important cashflow. Here's how to get started:

Let me ask you this: when people ask you what you do, do you have a response that is clear, compelling and engaging? How you answer this question is a key part of your personal brand. It should help you to be memorable and stand out, so that people know who you are and what you stand for.  After all, we all know that the best form of marketing is word-of-mouth, and what better way than to inspire others to share your story.  When you do this right, it won't be too long before you hear the words "Oh yes! I've heard of you".

James O'Keefe is founder of Tetra Strategy and has 15 years experience in public affairs campaigns, strategic communications, and reputation management, including stints for the Labour Party and David Blunkett. Catch him providing more political analysis tomorrow at 1pm in our post-election webchat.

"GOD intervenes in choice of PM." This is how The Sun headline could read on Saturday morning.  A story is gently bubbling away under the surface that, if we have an uncertain result tomorrow,  will be unleashed in an almighty ash cloud.