31/05/2007 by admin.

According to the latest research more than seven million people in Britain are disillusioned with their jobs - but the happiest numbers live and work in Wales. Read more…

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31/05/2007 by admin.

Nearly half of all people in Wales have considered starting their own business, according to a new survey.

The research conducted by YouGov for EO London, the UK branch of the Entrepreneurs Organisation, revelaed that 47% of people in Wales and the Midlands harboured entrepreneurial desires.

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31/05/2007 by admin.

Recruitment agency Hexagon Recruitment Services has joined up with community web portal Wrexham Today and will be adding to and updating the jobs board on the website.

If you are an employer looking for staff, Hexagon can take the stress out of finding the right person for the job and also deal with training and inductions. Hexagons 24 hour service means that there is always someone at the end of the line to take your call. And with an existing pool of labour, Hexagon does all it can to meet client requirements. Read more…

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30/05/2007 by admin.

People who have been meaning to check that their IT is up to date and performing well for their business might do worse than to check BT’s offer of a free check-up on technology, which runs until July 1. Aimed at the smaller business with no dedicated IT support — BT’s figures suggest over a third of small companies rely on friends or family for this — it is part of the organisation’s “Do What You Do Best” campaign and interested businesses can find out more by calling 0800 707 6312 or looking at www.bt.com/itreview. It’s open to anyone with five employees or more.

After making contact, an advisor from BT will get in touch within a couple of days to organise the review. They will talk about BT’s own products mostly but you are under no obligation and don’t have to be an existing customer to take part.

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30/05/2007 by admin.

There are currently more than 66 million ‘weblogs’ or online diaries on the internet, with an estimated 175,000 more created every day. For small businesses a blog is a largely untapped resource that could provide your company with a competitive edge.

Why start a blog?

This is a key question and one that you need to be very clear about before starting your blog.

Some key reasons for starting a business blog:

It will display your expertise in your field and build your reputation and credibility. A blog can help position an organisation as a leader within its particular field and directly drive traffic to its website. One of the greatest challenges facing a small business is how to stand out from the crowd and a blog is a great way of achieving this.

A blog helps to open dialogue with potential customers and also strengthens relationships with current clients. They are designed to enable an open, honest, two way conversation between the blogger and his or her readers. The opportunity for the business owner to openly communicate their personality in their blog provides a great platform for old-style customer service to be achieved online.

A business blog also enables you to capture customer data more easily by encouraging your readers to register their details for more information.

A blog can integrate perfectly as part of your current website or stands alone. Of course if you haven’t got a website then it may be appropriate to use the blog as your website, rather than pay for one that you may have to get someone else to update for you.

Some tips for a successful business blog:

1. Identify the site’s goals – before you start, consider the following questions: What do you want to achieve? How will you achieve it? Who is your target audience? Is your subject area broad enough to allow you to post regularly?

2. Keep the tone informative and interesting. If your blog is well written, existing and potential customers will return to keep updated. Consider whether the tone of your writing should be conversational , news-led or humorous.

3. Choose your domain name carefully. Try and think of something memorable that reflects the topic of your blog. Alternatively if it is going to be an integral part of your business wbsite consider using the same domain name eg www. Blog. Yourbusinessname.co.uk

4. Keep your posts short – the typical web reader has a short attention span when reading content online. Keep it at a level that is quickly readable.

5. Update your blog regularly. Blogs are popular because they’re immediate, and readers expect them to be updated regularly.

Some useful links:

1and1. For instant websites and blogs.
www.blogger.com
www.wordpress.org
www.typepad.com
Blog Marketing - Jeremy Wright

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30/05/2007 by admin.

Wrexham based MCW Group will host an IT disaster recovery event on June 7 at Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium.

Ring 01978 340356 for details or email simone@mcwgroup.co.uk.

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30/05/2007 by admin.

A trade union representative from Wrexham has been recognised for her exceptional contribution to improve workplace practices.

Samantha Rawlinson, an USDAW union learning representative, received a Workplace Representative Award at the Wales TUC Conference in Llandudno for her work in improving learning opportunities at First Milk Cheese Company in Marchwiel, Wrexham.

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30/05/2007 by admin.

Sessions to help migrant workers brush up on their job interview skills will be held at Wrexham Polish Club on June 12 and at the North Wales Race Equality Network, Penmaenmawr, the following day.

Presentation skills courses will be held at the two venues on June 5 and 6 respectively. Contact Helga Uckermann on 0845 3733609.

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30/05/2007 by admin.

Welsh small business entrepreneurs say that a spouse or partner is the most important contact number to have to hand when it comes to discussing the smooth running of a business.

A survey conducted by Barclays Local Business Banking found traditional breeding grounds for business contacts such as the rugby or golf club, are now among the least popular venues to think about business.

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29/05/2007 by admin.

The Orange National Business Awards have opened for this years entries. There are 18 categories, including a number for small firms. The closing date for entries is July 25. A shortlist will be drawn up in late August, with the finalist being asked to make their presentations to a judging panel in September/October. The awards ceremony will take place in November. Find more information here.

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