06/07/2007 by admin.

Taxi firms in Wrexham were concerned that the smoking ban in Wales would cause a drop in night time revellers, and a consequent drop in taxi revenues. However the ban has not had the impact that some feared with firms reporting either no change in business or even an increase.

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06/07/2007 by admin.

One in four people are planning to take a break from work in the next year, often to do charity work or achieve a lifetime ambition such as climbing in the Himalayas according to research by Norwich Union.

The poll of 1,200 adults reveals that almost one in five of those aiming to have a career break will not return to their job, creating a huge replacement bill for UK businesses.

According to the report the trend sends stress levels soaring in workplaces across the UK, with seven out of ten of those polled admitting that simply covering colleagues’ two week holidays leaves them struggling to cope.

Travel or spending more time with the family are popular reasons for career breaks, but over three quarters said more colleagues were taking time out to do charity or volunteer work.

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06/07/2007 by admin.

Starting and running a small business can be an uphill struggle, especially if you are trying to go it alone. Consider that in your local area there are probably countless other small businesses with which you could work for mutual benefit - not your competitors, but companies whose products or services complement your own.

Establishing working relationships with complementary businesses enables you to draw on each other’s resources and expertise, benefit from recommendations and referrals and make mutual use of each other’s contacts to increase your customer base.

Firstly, you need to make sure that companies you approach are reputable and unlikely to harm your business, so it’s a good idea to meet with the business owner personally to get an idea of their attitude and working methods. Do they fit with your own? If they do, try to come to some sort of agreement. Maybe offer a discount to their clients if they send business your way and vice versa; add reciprocal links on your websites; advertise together; set up promotional events together…the list is endless.

You could leave some business cards with the owner, take some from them and pass them on to your own clients. Remember, this is about give and take, so if you help them, they will be more likely to return the favour.
An example of some local businesses that have teamed up in this way is Joined Together. Joined Together are a group of businesses that offer wedding services and they work together to promote their businesses. Find their website at www.joinedtogether.co.uk.

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