Smarta blog

60-second start-up: Buzz My Biz

60-second start-up: Buzz My Biz24 August 2010 by Melissa

Vicky Stokes of BuzzMyBiz runs us through her business in 60 seconds.

0-5 seconds: Sum up your business in one sentence

A website providing small businesses with web presence via a self-created minisite, within the main buzzmybiz site, with customer contact, business search facility and community forums.

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Young entrepreneurs: Meet this week’s bright young things

Young entrepreneurs: Meet this week’s bright young things23 August 2010 by Rebecca

Has anyone else noticed the sudden rash of young entrepreneurs hitting the headlines? Teen businessmen Christian Owens, James Cunningham and Connor Pickering all grabbed column inches last week - and I thought it was policemen that were 'always getting younger'. These days, kids are starting businesses before they've even got their maths GCSE.

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Death knells for wedding bells

Death knells for wedding bells18 August 2010 by Rebecca

In times of boom, weddings are lavish occasions. In 2004, steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal threw the world's most expensive wedding for his daughter Vanisha. The six-day celebration came in at a cool $60m. But only four years later, the recession bit and marriages fell to their lowest level in the UK since 1895. Couples who were still determined to marry chose recession-busting ceremonies in winter, rather than splashing out on a summer do, when venues and even catering can be up to 20 per cent more expensive.

 

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Win tickets to 'Sharing the Secrets of Social Media'

Win tickets to 'Sharing the Secrets of Social Media'18 August 2010 by Melissa

We're giving away 10 pairs of tickets to Shaa Wasmund's event 'Sharing the Secrets of Social Media', and it couldn't be simpler to enter!

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Pirates to the rescue

Pirates to the rescue17 August 2010 by Rebecca

Last week, ideas club Future Human hosted an event at the Queen of Hoxton in London's East End on the so-called "Piracy Panacea". This theme centres on the question: does today's "piracy" - namely file-sharing and digital renegades (as opposed to one-legged, rum-swigging sailors) - point the way to future innovation?

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Dragons' Den: episode six, reviewed

Dragons' Den: episode six, reviewed17 August 2010 by Melissa

Unlike last week, episode six of Dragons' Den had no real 'winners'. Yes, a couple of entrepreneurs walked away with investments, but no one had a stand out pitch that blew the Dragons away. In fact, all successful entrepreneurs had moments before received a good ear bashing from the other Dragons! Why was this? A mix of unclear business plans and ridiculous figures.

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You're missing the point, Vince

You're missing the point, Vince16 August 2010 by Rebecca

For years, entrepreneurs have complained that government doesn't listen to their needs, doesn't draw on their expertise to make UK plc an economic force to be reckoned with.

The appointment of Alan Sugar to the much-publicised enterprise tsar role marked a turn in the tide. Next up, Martha Lane Fox was installed as digital champion. Baby steps, but evidence of a real willingness from the powers that be to utilise this untapped resource.

Yes, the government have latched on to celebrity figures. They haven't gone for the unsung heroes and they have milked the headlines dry. But it is still a step in the right direction, surely?

Now, Whitehall has drafted in Arcadia boss Philip Green to advise on cutting spending. This is a stroke of genius for a number of reasons

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Jamie Dunn: 18 years old, 522 days until millionaire status

Jamie Dunn: 18 years old, 522 days until millionaire status13 August 2010 by Sophie

Jamie Dunn is a teenage entrepreneur with big ambitions, and founder of the Jamie Dunn Academy. He'll be blogging for us regularly on what it's like being a young person in business - so we asked him to introduce himself.

My name is Jamie Dunn, I'm an 18-year-old entrepreneur and I aim to be a millionaire by the time I turn 20.

I've been in business since I was 12, when I started a market stall. Ever since my first item sold on my stall, I knew that business was what I wanted to do - and what I was destined for, in a way. It sounds very clichéd but it was like one of those moments when suddenly everything clicks and you just know within yourself that it feels right - just like when you complete a jigsaw and everything looks perfect. That's what the feeling of business gives me.

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Learning from Disney

Learning from Disney11 August 2010 by Melissa

The Walt Disney Corporation has reported a 40% increase in profits, all thanks to successful movies like Toy Story 3. Packed cinemas and huge merchandise sales meant a net profit of $1.3bn between May and July alone.

Here's what we as small business owners can learn from the Disney Corporation.

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ASOS and Rubbersole.co.uk - lesson on getting online retail right

ASOS and Rubbersole.co.uk - lesson on getting online retail right11 August 2010 by Sophie

Well done ASOS and Rubbersole.co.uk, you have made me a delighted shopper. My online shoe-buying experiences this week demonstrated perfectly how to get it right as an online retailer.

First up, let's take ASOS: the master of returns. One of the biggest sticklers for online shoppers, particularly when they're looking for clothes or shoes, is the risk whatever they buy won't fit or look right or turn out to be as they had imagined. The thought of paying several pounds to return an item you only paid £10 or £20 for in the first place can be a pretty strong disincentive to take the risk on buying that item in the first place.

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