Business IT Guide - News & Blogs

Professional e-mail shotting

June 26th 2008

Posted by: Steve_Gold

Keywords: Business promotion, Databases, Email promotion, Online promotion, Spam, Web promotion

Although large percentages of email flowing across the Internet are spam - unwanted messages advertising a number of questionable products and services to the unaware - a large number of
companies are using email to market their goods and services.

Knowing your customer | Part two

June 24th 2008

Posted by: Steve_Gold

Keywords: Customers, Data Protection Act, Data protection, General help, IT legislation

In the previous entry, Steve Gold discussed the wide range of utilities available to businesses when checking customers' details. In this final part, he will look further into the legal procedures involved.

It's the law

June 19th 2008

Posted by: MRBITG

Keywords: Data Protection Act, IT legislation, Online transactions

It’s a fact of life that we in business are subject, quite rightly, to rules and laws. The problem is that for a small business it can appear to be a legal minefield out there.

Getting help in an IT Emergency

June 12th 2008

Posted by: MRBITG

Keywords: Hardware Failure, Malware

Computer failures are reasonably rare but what do you do when your PC stops working or gives you problems?

Open source software

June 05th 2008

Posted by: gareth

Keywords: Software

Open source software is available for public use and gives small businesses and home users the right to download and use the software for free.

Knowing your customer | Part one

June 05th 2008

Posted by: Steve_Gold

Keywords: Customers, Fraud

Credit-checking B2B and B2C customers is now a well-established industry, but the art of knowing your customer needs is a lot more wide-ranging - and less expensive - than you might think.

Steve Gold explains how to harness the power of the Internet to help you in this regard...

You've checked the customer - what about the employee?

May 28th 2008

Posted by: Steve_Gold

Keywords: General help, Staff

Checking and profiling potential employees has grown from an almost-standing start in the early 1990s to become a major business service, largely thanks to the fact that computers and Internet access make the task very much easier.

Business IT Guide case study

May 23rd 2008

Posted by: nick

We have been busy creating video case studies of businesses using the Guide.

IT Consultants

May 21st 2008

Posted by: MRBITG

Need more advice on engaging an IT consultant? Why not follow these steps to ensure you get the most out of what they can offer.

Are you the next Startups Business of the Year?

May 20th 2008

Posted by: nick

Getting your business off the ground is the hard part. Now it's time to show off your achievement. By simply entering the startupsawards your business will be put in the spotlight.

IT Training

May 14th 2008

Posted by: MRBITG

Keywords: IT training

When was the last time you went on an IT training course? I bet it was a long time ago, if ever. For many managers and business owners their own self development is always at the bottom of a list of things they need to do, and almost always gets neglected.

Credit checking customers? Tap into trade alliances

May 07th 2008

Posted by: Steve_Gold

Keywords: Customers, Finance, Finance software

If you're credit checking your customers who are making smaller value-transactions, there's a strong chance it isn't cost-effective going down the credit-checking route, even on the Internet, to verify them.

New content to help plan and present your business better

May 07th 2008

Posted by: nick

Keywords: General help, Online promotion, Web promotion, Website set-up

The Guide team has added two new guides this month to help you jump that first hurdle by creating a business plan, and write website copy to make your ‘shop window’ stand out.

Blogging

April 30th 2008

Posted by: MRBITG

Keywords: Blog, Forums

As you know, because you are reading this blog, we have started to put some blogs up on the Business IT Guide. This is our way of highlighting various IT issues that may be of interest to those in business.

Getting the message across

April 25th 2008

Posted by: MRBITG

Keywords: Business promotion, Communications, Sales

For many business owners one of the scariest things they have to do is present in front of an audience. The problem is that no matter how great you may be at sales, marketing or running a business if you aren’t a confident public speaker people will mark you down.

How do you use IT?

April 23rd 2008

Posted by: MRBITG

If you are interested in talking to us about your experiences there’s a £20 M&S voucher in it for you along with entry into a prize draw. First prize is half a day free consultancy with the Guide Editor and the runner-up will receive two tickets for the Eurostar.

The Guide announces key partnerships with Microsoft & Startups

April 23rd 2008

Posted by: nick

The Business IT Guide team is pleased to announce that we are now in partnership with two leading small business advice websites – The Microsoft Small Business Centre and Startups

Keeping up with the Windows

April 18th 2008

Posted by: nick

Keywords: Computer Security, General help, Software

If you are a Microsoft Windows user you will probably have noticed that from time to time a little yellow icon appears in your system tray (usually at the bottom right hand side of your screen), telling you that updates are ready to download or install.

Business Startup event 2008

April 16th 2008

Posted by: nick

Business Startup 2008, the UK’s largest exhibition for people starting and expanding a small business, will be held at London’s ExCel on the 25 and 26 April.

New Guides to help you make the most of your IT

April 08th 2008

Posted by: nick

Keywords: General help

The Guide team has been busy adding new content to help keep you up to date on all small business IT issues. Take a look below to find out what we have been up to.

Going green and saving money

April 07th 2008

Posted by: MRBITG

Keywords: Collaboration Environment, General help

I have finally decided that I will actively pursue a green policy in my businesses. Shameful as it may seem, I have been so busy selling and resourcing work that the whole green agenda has passed me by.

Opportunity for small businesses as UK spends £1 billion a month online

April 02nd 2008

Posted by: nick

Keywords: Business promotion, Buying & selling online, General help

Britain is leading the way in online spending. Internet sales in the UK are now topping £1 billion a month, which puts them ahead of the rest of Europe.

Virtual Worlds

March 31st 2008

Posted by: MRBITG

Keywords: Business promotion, Communications, General help, Network, Web promotion

Sometimes in business there is a need to think “outside the box”. Although a rather hackneyed phrase that is too management think for some people I think this does apply to the opportunities that present themselves in virtual worlds.

Using New Media Technologies to Promote Your Business

March 28th 2008

Posted by: MRBITG

Keywords: Blog, Business promotion, Forums, General help, Online promotion, Web development, Web promotion

Attracting and retaining customers is an age old problem for every business, so it is always a good idea to explore new ways of communicating to clients. New media represents a whole set of tools and technologies that can help you reach your marketplace often using a novel approach.

Are Apple Macs Coming of Age for Business Use?

March 26th 2008

Posted by: MRBITG

Keywords: Buying equipment, General help, Laptop, Malware, Software

Over the years I have run some diverse businesses, from training through to manufacturing and we have always used PCs.

Divided views on internet security from SME home workers

March 25th 2008

Posted by: nick

Keywords: Accessing email remotely, Computer Security, Email , Email best practice, IT security, Internet Service Provider, Online security

For the majority of small business home workers internet security is one of the most pressing concerns they have.

Laptop shoulder surfing - what you need to know

March 17th 2008

Posted by: Steve_Gold

Keywords: Business travel, Computer Security, Data protection, IT security, Security & data, Travel safe

Laptops are now ubiquitous as a business tool, as a quick glance around coffee shops - with WiFi facilities, of course - trains and airport lounges will confirm.

FSB Conference 2008

March 13th 2008

Posted by: nick

The Guide team will be exhibiting at the annual FSB conference on 14 and 15 March, 2008.

Find happiness in a small business

March 05th 2008

Posted by: nick

Employees in small businesses are generally happier, according to results from The Sunday Times Best Small Company to work for.

Small businesses to be represented in Business Council

March 05th 2008

Posted by: anna

As a consequence of the cabinet reshuffle last year, Gordon Brown replaced the Small Business Council with the Business Council, which many felt left small businesses under-represented.

Protecting computers for free

March 03rd 2008

Posted by: Steve_Gold

Keywords: Malware, Phishing Attacks, Spam

Although the IT security vendors would have you believe otherwise, protecting PCs from the vagaries of spam, malware, viruses and trojans not forgetting phishing and spam attacks - is not always an expensive option.