Business121 Small Business Newsletter #50

In this week's Business121:

1. The UK's Most Publicity Shy Business
2. Intellectual Property – Your Ideas, Your Money, Your Loss
3. Developing and training your staff (and yourself!)
4. New employment legislation comes into force from October 1
5. Six tips to getting the best deal on business vehicles
6. Small Business Banking - Companies missing out on £502 Million
7. Vast majority of businesses oppose extended maternity leave
8. 'Train to Gain' roll-out to boost UK business skills
9. New fire rules could land SMEs in hot water
10. Growing Your Own Business - Free Ticket for Bytestart Users

The UK's Most Publicity Shy Business

It's every small business owner's dream to get pages and pages of press coverage showcasing their latest gizmo or offer. It's no surprise really, positive press coverage can bring new customers through the doors and really help to put your business on the map, without you breaking the bank.

However, in reality, this very rarely happens and sadly, many great small businesses just don't get the publicity that they really deserve. But now that the search is on for the 'UK's Most Publicity Shy Business' that could all change.

If you feel that your business hasn't enjoyed the publicity you deserve, this is a chance for you to enjoy the limelight. If you think you could be running the country's most publicity shy business, you can put yourself forward for the award which is the brain-child of Lancashire PR company, The Buzz Factory.

In a somewhat ironic twist, the business deemed to be the most 'publicity shy' could be basking in the publicity of an award-winner. The £500 package of PR support that comes with the title should ensure that there's plenty of positive press coverage for the winner!

As well as the main prize for the overall winner, eight regional prize winners - and three monthly winners - will each get a Buzz Factory brainstorm worth £100 to generate new ideas for media coverage.

The businesses deemed to be the 'most deserving' will win, so if you think that your business has missed out on the press coverage that you deserve, get your entry in.

To enter, 'The UK's Most Publicity Shy Business' visit the competition website and list the recent and interesting business achievements that you feel deserved media coverage but went unnoticed.

And don't be too shy to enter!

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Intellectual Property – Your Ideas, Your Money, Your Loss
Intellectual Property isn't the most exciting of subjects, but one which any business should take into consideration. If you don't protect your ideas, others could end up profiting from your hard work.

Developing and training your staff (and yourself!)
People are a business’ strongest asset. To make sure your business stays competitive and flexible, you need to keep ahead of the game by giving your staff the skills to perform their roles to the best of their ability

New employment legislation comes into force from October 1
Employers are being warned (again!) that they have only a matter of days to organise themselves for fundamental changes to employment law due to come into force on October 1. Here's a summary of key changes;

6 tips to getting the best deal on business vehicles
Here are some simple measures you can take to make sure you get the best vehicle for your business needs, and that the method you choose to acquire the vehicle won’t lead to you to “crash” into financial obstacles ahead.

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SMALL BUSINESS NEWS
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Small Business Banking - Companies missing out on £502 Million
Small businesses are missing out on a whopping £502 million each year by sticking with banks that don’t give them the best deal on their current account, according to new research released this week

Vast majority of businesses oppose extended maternity leave
Research reveals that 82% of UK businesses oppose the proposed extension of paid maternity leave and that new legislation could back-fire and actually increase discrimination

'Train to Gain' roll-out to boost UK business skills
‘Train to Gain’, a new Government-funded scheme that aims to help businesses get the training they need to succeed, will be rolled-out across the country this month. The scheme offers some added benefits for small businesses;

New fire rules could land SMEs in hot water
The Times reports business owners could end up in prison if they do not comply with new fire safety legislation that has escaped the notice of more than half of small firms

Growing Your Own Business - Free Ticket for Bytestart Users
Bytestart and Business121 readers can gain free entry (normally £13) to the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition & Conference. The event which features many dynamic industry leaders and inspiring business owners, will provide visitors with ideas and insight on the key aspects of growing a business

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

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(c) Business121.co.uk 2006