Access to finance remains a serious problem for businesses, but the rate of deterioration in credit conditions slowed further over the past three months, and conditions are expected to stabilise in the months ahead, the UK’s Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said.

Responding to the CBI's latest Access to Finance Survey, businesses were less negative than they were in March about the supply of new and existing credit.

Asked about the availability of new credit...

Rob

Standing up in front of an audience who are expecting golden nuggets of information on how to be better people or business owners ranks right up there with most people’s worst nightmares!

But with a little preparation and thought these dramatic experiences can be turned into something more pleasant - honest!

Here are some ideas if you are faced with a request to speak.

1. Ask the organisers what the theme of the evening is and what the audience is expecting...

Rob

If you don’t have a website, or not planning to have one in the near future, then you can safely read no further.

If you do, then read on …

Is your sales page a little dull?

Successful marketers know success in selling has a great deal to do with product presentation. If you have a webpage full of text and no graphics, you will be making lesser sales than you can.

Let's face it, picture sells. When you spice up your sales page with professional...

Rob

The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Monthly Business Survey reveals the extent of the problem businesses face with late payment and confirms their recruitment intentions over the summer months.

The results from 430 companies across the UK show that half of businesses (50.6%) feel payment times are taking longer, emphasising the continued pressure on cash flow. Worryingly for job seekers and new graduates, just 30 per cent of businesses are planning to recruit over the next...

Rob

▪ Recession has heralded the end of brand monogamy as nearly two-thirds of consumers are less loyal than before
▪ Over 40% of consumers believe companies are not fair to customers
▪ More than 80% of consumers are ‘increasingly aware’ of prices, but that doesn’t mean going downmarket
▪ Keen pricing, rewarding loyalty and customer service – not just lip service - will be key to winning the fight for the bounce-back consumer post-recession

...

Rob