Business121 Small Business Newsletter #41

In this week's Business121:

1. Peter Jones' 10 Golden Rules for business success
2. Poor web page design will turn visitors away - 8 Mistakes you must avoid
3. One in three start-ups choose virtual working
4. Small firms urged to tighten bullying policy following law lords ruling
5. 'Free' web hosting may harm small businesses
6. Businesses Need To Chill Out To Avoid A Summer Slump
7. Number of business start-ups up 25% on 2005
8. Employment law a big headache for small businesses
9. Rethink on self assessment tax deadline changes

Peter Jones' 10 Golden Rules for business success

This month's issue of Better Business magazine has a fascinating insight into the mind of Peter Jones. He probably won't need any introduction, but he's one of the "dragons" from the BBC's Dragons' Den.

Now, I'm not a big fan of the Dragons' Den. I feel that the panelists are more set on belittling and even humiliating the contestants than on providing some constructive feedback, but I am a big fan of learning from others - especially from successful businesses owners.

And there aren't many more successful businessmen in the country than Peter Jones - current estimates have his net worth at a cool, £300 million.

Peter started out with nothing and launched his first business venture when he was just 12 years old, so he knows a thing or two about starting and running businesses. He's also seen a business fail, and as a result of this was faced with every entrepreneur's worst nightmare - having to go and get a job!

So, with the experiences of both the ups and downs of running a business here are Peter's 'Ten Golden Rules' for business success;

1. VISION
Having a clear understanding of where you're going is vital. Reaching one horizon always reveals another.

2. INFLUENCE
Because there a re times you need others. Use your influence to make sure you're getting results for the business, but are doing it on a win-win basis for all the people you're involved with, including your business partners.

3. CONFIDENCE
Maintain an inner self-belief and have the confidence of your convictions. A lot of people don't go forward with things and confidence plays a major part.

4. FEEDBACK
There's no such thing as failure, only feedback. Learn from the mistakes and use failure positively.

5. COMMITMENT
Commit to being a do-er not a talker. Action after decision. Get things done.

6. RESULTS-ORIENTED
You need to set goals and targets, but then make sure you've got the energy and focus to deliver the results and achieve your goals. Put energy and focus into ideas. Results brings clarity to the goal.

7. TIMING
Knowing the right time to start your business is key, with supportive partners, good health and circumstances. Understand your responsibilities and commitments, the time, effort and dedication required, and prioritise the things you must do.

8. PERSEVERANCE
Be determined and don't stop until you've done everything possible to achieve what you've set out to do. And that goes back to developing the 'keep on keeping on' mentality.

9. CARING
Care about the people that work for you and your business partners, because they are your biggest asset.

10. ACTION
Action is like a powerful drug and speaks louder than words. Make things happen and act sooner rather than later.

The full article expands on his golden rules, reveals the costly mistakes he's made over the years and gives you a genuine insight into the mind of a super-susccessful entrepreneur.

You can read the full interview in the July edition of Better Business magazine which is available by subscription only. You can find out more about Better Business and a special offer for Business121 readers here

************************** Partner Message **********************
FREE BUSINESS BANKING
.................................................................
Alliance & Leicester's Free Business Current Account gives you;

* FREE and UNLIMITED cheques issued and deposited
* FREE and UNLIMITED Direct Debits and standing orders
* FREE and UNLIMITED ATM withdrawals and BACS transfers
* FREE cash deposits up to £1,000 a month

For more information, and to download an application pack, visit
http://snipurl.com/Free_Banking
*****************************************************************

Poor web page design will turn visitors away - 8 Mistakes you must avoid
Just as there's no point having a 'great site', when you have no traffic, there is no point generating traffic to a poorly designed site. Business promotion strategies should be viewed side-by-side with web design techniques.

Here are 8 common web design mistakes you must avoid;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=59

One in three start-ups choose virtual working
Over one in three (36%) start-up businesses have a preference for a ‘virtual working’ environment, according to new research. The flexibility of 'virtual working' being cited as the main reason for doing so;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=64

Small firms urged to tighten bullying policy following law lords ruling
The UK’s four million small firms are being urged to urgently review their policy on workplace bullying following a landmark ruling in the House of Lords.
The ruling means that from now on employers can be held liable for workplace bullying by their employees;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=61

'Free' web hosting may harm small businesses
A leading web hosting provider has warned that small businesses are unaware of the hidden costs of free hosting which can have a substantial impact on their future growth and success;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=62

Businesses Need To Chill Out To Avoid A Summer Slump
Employers are being urged to implement ‘cooling down’ policies to help prevent a drop in productivity, or serious illness during the Summer heat. Here are some tips on how to deal with the heatwave;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=63

************************** Advertisement ************************
SMALL BUSINESSES ARE CLUBBING TOGETHER AND GETTING BETTER DEALS
.................................................................
Through LogBuy all small businesses can club together to benefit
from lower prices. It's effortless to join and simple to use.
What's more, there's no cost to join, no annual membership fee and
no commitment to purchase anything. It's the easiest way for you
to get the best 'branded' deals at the best price. And the more
businesses that sign up the better the deals.

You can enjoy discounts with Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance, Regus,
Apple, BusinessPost and Atradius to name just a few, so sign up
today and start saving right away: http://snipurl.com/_LogBuy_Home
*****************************************************************

===================
SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
===================

Number of business start-ups up 25% on 2005
--------------------------------------------------
Estimates show that 110,300 new businesses started up in the first quarter of 2006, almost one-quarter more than in the same period last year;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=60

Employment law a big headache for small businesses
--------------------------------------------------
The FSB has highlighted the problems small businesses have coping with the growing demands of employment-related legislation;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=66

Rethink on self assessment tax deadline changes
--------------------------------------------------
Lord Carter of Coles announced a u-turn on his initial recommendation to the Government on bringing forward the filing deadlines for self assessment tax returns in 2008;
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/cgi-bin/click.cgi?id=65

** For the latest Small Business News, visit http://snipurl.com/Bytestart_News **

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

MANAGE YOUR CASH FLOW EASILY WITH THIS FREE SOFTWARE
.................................................................
Stay on top of your finances with our easy-to-use cash flow
management software and avoid the number one reason why small
businesses go out of business; http://snipurl.com/_CashFlow_software

(c) Business121.co.uk 2006