Newsletter #110 - 10 simple tips to improve your website, 5 ways to motivate your staff without spending a fortune, the Data Protection Act, A Guide to Office Insurance...

In this week's Business121:

1. Fashioning a clothes label from scratch
2. 10 simple tips to improve your business website
3. 5 ways to motivate your staff without spending a fortune
4. What you need to know about the Data Protection Act
5. The best way to deal with small business failure
6. Office Insurance - A small business guide

Small Business News

7. Tax changes loom for Company Cars in Budget 2008
8. Income Shifting - Is a family business tax u-turn on the cards?
9. Non-domicile tax legislation causes chaos
10. Small businesses have a 'blinkered approach' to debt

Fashioning a clothes label from scratch

This month's issue of Better Business magazine tells the inspirational story of how Claire Priest turned an idea that she had on a yoga holiday into an award-winning clothing business.

Claire first had the idea for a business producing clothes for curvy women back in 2000. Like many successful small businesses, the idea came from the fact that the products she wanted to buy weren't available anywhere.

After being made redundant in 2003, Claire studied for an MBA and used the time to develop her business idea further. She started 'Blessd' in her spare room but soon ran out of space and decided to take a unit on an Enterprise Centre. The advantage of the Enterprise Centre was that the unit was available on a short-term licence, so there was no need to commit to a long-term lease.

On the marketing front, Claire has opted to use only PR, 'The idea of curvy and slim figures, large busts and big hips is something that does attract media attention. I've got a very good PR agency that has got me lots of national coverage.'

The PR-only approach includes entering lots of business competitions which gives the business more exposure. Claire has already scooped one prize and is also a finalist for another award.

Claire's next challenge is to launch a new website to drive sales and to work out how fast to expand the business.

You can read Claire's full story in this month's Better Business magazine. Business121 and Bytestart readers can get a special offer on Better Business here

If, like Claire, you want to increase the awareness of your business by entering business awards, you'll find lots of great tips in our guide to entering business awards.

************************** Advertisement ************************

WHY YOUR BUSINESS IS BETTER OFF INSURED WITH HISCOX

As a leading specialist insurer we provide the most comprehensive business insurance available online.

You can tailor your policy with industry specific professional indemnity cover (£25K up to £2M), 'all-risks' contents and computers cover, portable equipment, public liability, employers' liability, legal expenses, business interruption & buildings.

Why not get a quote now? Only Hiscox allows you to buy online in minutes and download your policy documents immediately. Click here to find out more - http://snipurl.com/_Hiscox_Insurance
*****************************************************************

10 simple tips to improve your business website
Whether you use your website as a means of selling goods or just as a corporate brochure, websites have become a fundamental part of any business. Here are 10 simple tips to help you ensure that your business website remains competitive in 2008.

5 ways to motivate your staff without spending a fortune
A business that commits to the personal development of its employees is a powerful one. As the leader of a small team, you will have the opportunity to get to know exactly why each employee is working for you – and use that knowledge to press the right buttons and improve productivity. And the good news is it's more important to invest time than money in motivating your employees. Here are Bytestart's 5 top tips to motivate your team without spending a fortune.

What you need to know about the Data Protection Act
The Data Protection Act gives individuals in the UK the right to know what information is held about them, and sets out rules to make sure that this data is handled properly by the organisations holding the information. If you hold any form of personal or marketing information about customers, prospects or staff – even just their name and address – then you should register. Here's what you need to know about the Data Protection Act.

The best way to deal with small business failure
In the second half of her two-part report, Rachel Bridge of the Times looks at the practical steps entrepreneurs can take to recover after suffering a business failure.

Office Insurance - A small business guide
Office insurance is there to protect you in the event something bad happens that could damage your business. Here's the Bytestart guide to everything you need to know about office insurance.

************************** Advertisement ************************

TRY THE FRANKING MACHINE DESIGNED FOR THE SMALLER OFFICE FREE FOR 30 DAYS

If you're still using stamps to send out your mail, then you're familiar with post office queues and putting extra stamps on to 'ensure it gets there'.

Avoid the queues, promote your company and pay less for your postage with a the franking machine for the smaller office.

30 Day FREE No Obligation trial with £20 FREE Postage and a FREE Personalised Logo - Apply Now - http://snipurl.com/_Free_No_Ties_Trial

*****************************************************************

SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Tax changes loom for Company Cars in Budget 2008
According to tax experts, Chancellor Alastair Darling's March 2008 Budget is likely to include changes to the company car taxation system to encourage environmentally-friendly behaviour.

Income Shifting - Is a family business tax u-turn on the cards?
Following the Chancellor's recent partial U-turn on Capital Gains Tax, there is now mounting pressure on the Treasury to backtrack on its controversial plans to ramp up tax on family firms in the recently announced income shifting proposals.

Non-domicile tax legislation causes chaos
The Government must delay the introduction of its non-domicile tax legislation for at least twelve months to avoid total chaos, tax experts have warned.

Small businesses have a 'blinkered approach' to debt
New research from the Tenon Forum, reveals that nearly 17% of UK owner-managers have no idea how much money their business owes.

** For the latest Small Business News, visit http://www.Bytestart.co.uk **

===========
CLASSIFIEDS
===========

EASY-TO-USE SOFTWARE SAVES YOU UP TO 4 HOURS EVERY WEEK
Simplifies & automates Enquiry-Quote-Job Sheet-Invoice workflow with easy book-keeping & customer database. Free training and support. Instant download. Small monthly subscription. Start your FREE 30 Day Trial here - http://snipurl.com/_workflow

LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY AND FAIRLY-PRICED ACCOUNTANT?
We at HfM pride ourselves on friendly, fairly-priced, professional tax and accounting services for small businesses. Contact us today and we think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Call Ian Marlow on 020 8690 7444, email Ian@HfMtax.co.uk or: http://snipurl.com/_HfM

2 YEARS FREE BANKING
The Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank Business Builder Current Account gives you 2 years FREE business banking with absolutely no transaction charges. And unlike the big banks there's no minimum balance requirement - http://snipurl.com/Free_Banking

BOOST YOUR SALES AND PROFITS BY SELLING ON EBAY
Thousands of UK businesses are now using ebay as an extra sales channel. But what's involved and how do you avoid the expensive mistakes most amateur eBayers make? Learn the inside secrets that the pros use: http://snipurl.com/_eBay_Confidential

SEE YOUR AD HERE
Business121 is read by over 11,000 small business owners every week. Advertise in our newsletter from just £60+vat per issue. Please email Classified@Business121.co.uk for details.

(c) Business121.co.uk 2008