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Business Clinic

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Protecting your key people is always a worthwhile move

QUESTION: What sort of plans should I be looking to put in place to protect my business from unforeseen events?
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Inside Business Clinic

A positive attitude is your best asset during a recession

Monday, 29 September 2008

QUESTION: Credit is really tight, business risks are increasing, investment is stalling, inflation is rising, asset values are falling. What is a business leader to do?
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Connecting with audience is key to online marketing

Monday, 22 September 2008

QUESTION: Why do so few people read the e-mail newsletters which we circulate to the customers of our manufacturing business as part of our marketing campaign?
Comment: 1

Getting the best from your website is vital for firms

Sunday, 14 September 2008

QUESTION: I’ve recently launched a new website for my business and would like some advice on getting the best from it.
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Sam Knox

‘Energy champion’ can help cut costs

Monday, 8 September 2008

Question: I’m concerned about the impact of rising energy costs on my business. What can I do to reduce my use of energy? Sam Knox, a member of Invest NI's sustainable development team, replies: There are several ways you can reduce your business energy bills and carbon emissions, including designing more efficient processes and changing employee behaviour. You could also save money by switching to alternative energy sources.
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Alan Branagh

Scenarios can help prepare businesses for times of change

Monday, 25 August 2008

QUESTION: I run a small but thriving business. With the current ‘credit crunch’ and so much focus on climate change and rocketing fuel prices, I am concerned about what the future might have in store for business owners such as myself. How can I plan for the future?
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Adrian Gundy

Innovation is the key to improving your business

Monday, 18 August 2008

Question: With the business climate deteriorating, I want to ensure that I am running my business to optimum efficiency. Have you any advice?
Comment: 1

Harry Parkinson

Small firms should be proactive in bid to beat credit crunch

Monday, 11 August 2008

QUESTION: How do you expand your business within the current economic climate? Harry Parkinson, managing director of Close Invoice Finance (Ireland), replies: Although there's no denying that most SMEs across the UK and Ireland are feeling the pinch of the credit crunch, it's certainly not all doom and gloom. A recent survey showed that more than half of SMEs polled expect their businesses to expand over the next 12 months, and many of them don't feel that the market slowdown will directly impact their plans for growth.
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Development of new products is crucial to business growth

Monday, 4 August 2008

QUESTION: I have a product that is selling very well at the moment. Should I invest in developing a new one or keep my focus on the one I already have?
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Check website for working hours rules

Monday, 28 July 2008

QUESTION: Can you advise on regulations surrounding holidays, rest breaks and working hours relating to staff?
Comment: 1

Investing in experts is money well spent for entrepreneurs

Saturday, 12 July 2008

QUESTION: How do I find the time to manage my own financial assets while running a business?
Comment: 1

Learning to succeed in the public sector tendering process

Saturday, 12 July 2008

QUESTION: I’d love to have a go at tendering for public sector contracts, but I don’t know if my company would make the grade. Can your organisation offer any help?
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Have a plan to deal with those who use IT to spy on you

Saturday, 12 July 2008

QUESTION: I read that IT security breaches are becoming more common. What basic steps can I take to secure my IT systems?
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Options to consider as retirement looms

Saturday, 12 July 2008

QUESTION: I am approaching retirement and confused by the various options on offer. Can you explain what the main alternatives are?
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Security against a deal that collapses

Saturday, 12 July 2008

QUESTION: I am currently supplying goods to a customer on 30-day credit terms, but in the current economic climate, is there anything I can do if my customer becomes insolvent and cannot pay for the goods I have supplied?
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Finance not the only crisis eating us up

Friday, 11 July 2008

QUESTION: I have heard that the rises in food cost can be linked to an investment. Is that true, and if so, how does an investment linked to the cost of food work?
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In pictures: Doing the business

  • Paul Doherty, Managing Director of Urban Art with Des Gartland, Manager of Invest NI's North West Regional Office.
  •  At the launch of PricewaterhouseCooper's seminar programme are from left, Gerard Finnegan, from PwC's Derry office, Martin O'Hanlon, Dungannon and John Hannaway from PwC Belfast.

Cream of the crop in the business world

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Columnist Comments

view_from_dublin

View from Dublin: Beware of the midnight mugging on October 14

One of many possible reasons for having an early Irish Budget in October may be contained in the fact that new taxes on the “old reliables” — drink, fuel and and tobacco — would come into force at midnight on October 14.

john_simpson

John Simpson: Gas and electricity bills spark boisterous debate

Household home fuel bills are more than 50% higher than a year ago.

view_from_london

View From London: Interest rate cuts will only reduce the short-term pain

Those who oppose interest rate cuts seem to base their arguments on one of three ideas. First, rate cuts won't work. Second, rate cuts will simply reignite earlier housing or stock market bubbles. Third, borrowers simply don't deserve rate cuts. Some people seem to believe in all three of these ideas, an approach which, to my mind, is nonsensical.

Loadzajobs

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Heading Out In Northern Ireland

  • Aoife MacSherry, Holly Seymour, Laura McDonald and Maeve Browne at Oktoberfest in Custom House Square

Northern Ireland Nightlife in Pictures