For many businesses, the service you offer to customers is somewhat intangible… They can’t see the thing that you’re selling, hold it in… Read More

There are two types of person in this world. On the one hand, there are those who make an appointment and then immediately note it in their diary, circle it on their calendar, put an alert in their phone, and tattoo the date and time on their forearm in block capitals.Then, on the other hand, there are those who... don't do any of that. Read More

Running a salon is all about making the customers look and feel great, and nothing prettifies quite like the feeling of being totally relaxed and pampered. In the words of Roald Dahl: "If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." I think he was talking about kind thoughts towards your fellow humans, but I'd say the same goes for the contentment that comes with a really good trip to the hairdressers. Read More

 Some days just never seem to get started, like one of those dreams where you’re trying to run but the harder you try the slower you go. On days like that it’s tempting to just put your head on the desk and relinquish your day to the abyss of no productivity. But wait! What you need is a way to shake things up and get them moving. I like to think of this as ‘recalibration’: re-aligning yourself so that things start working like they should again.With that in mind, here are some ideas about how to go about that, in some better than average ways. Bring on the perfect break. Read More

One cursory internet search for help with multitasking will turn up pages and pages of the very helpful advice: don’t. Yeah, people say multitasking reduces efficiency, that it isn’t an effective way of getting things done… and I’m not saying that’s wrong, in the long term. Here in the real world, however, we know that sometimes multitasking is unavoidable, at least in short bursts. Even as I write this blog I’m switching back and forth between my emails, IMs, to do lists, and keeping an eye on the time to make sure I eat lunch at a normal, civilised lunch-eating hour. Read More

If you’re more hands-on than jazz hands, marketing can seem like a huge chore. All you really want to do is get on with your work, the thing you love to do, but suddenly it’s all Facebook giveaways and hashtag campaigns. What happened to the good old days of an A-board outside the shop and a business card in a phone box?Well, sorry to break it to you but times they are a-changing, and digital marketing is indispensable for any small business or solo venture. But that doesn’t mean it has to take up all your time - in fact, just by taking some simple steps to getting your business out there online you can reap the benefits with minimal effort. Read More

Running a small business can be one wacky roller-coaster ride at times. Stress can build-up, making it difficult to focus. Your task list can seem never-ending and you have no idea where to start. What’s more is that this stress could affect your staff, clients and even family life. Read More

It’s easier than we think to stand out in a crowded marketplace - it’s all about showing your personality and showing that you care. Check out these five top tips to wow your clients... Read More

When the time comes to book your next holiday what’s the first thing you do? Probably head over to TripAdvisor! When you are in need of a new book but unsure what to read next, It’s most likely that you’re straight onto Amazon.com to compare reviews and buy.  We literally live our lives by recommendations and reviews.Online reviews have transformed that way that we consume products and services. In fact, when it comes to buying decisions ‘Customer Reviews’ rank 4th in importance.  Read More

As a small business owner there is always something to do, whether it’s the day-to-day runnings of your business, your sales campaign, or getting on… Read More