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Blog posts tagged Internet

If you can access the internet, you’re in business

October 26, 2009 by Ben Dyer

I love the internet; in the last 50 years has there been a more important development in the history of business? People compare the net to other important media developments, such as the printing press, the TV or radio. Wrong. The internet is bigger than all of those put together.

For business the internet is the ultimate leveller. For the first time we have a platform that allows the small guys, the spare room businesses and entrepreneurial spirits to compete with the big goliaths. And competition generally has intensified. As a software and services provider I can tell you it has forced the entire industry to up our game radically.

The internet makes it much easier to find all of the products and services you need to start a business. Much of your business can be run online and you can even access cheap but talented resources from across the world. When your product or service is ready, you can let the world know too.

Ten years ago I recall working for a mammoth international TV and media company that invested millions of both time and money into its billing and subscription platform. All it wanted to do was ensure no matter how or where you subscribed, it all came into a single system. This wasn’t rocket science, but at the time it was complex to stitch disparate software and web systems together, and it came with a suitably horrible price tag.

The internet has turned this problem on its head; you don’t need a million bucks any more. There are hundreds of free or low cost solutions available to help you run a startup professionally.

My own company, Actinic provides functionality out of the box for controlling multiple retail channels (e.g. web, shop, phone, mail). Ten years ago this concept wasn’t even around. Today you can buy standard applications and services at a commodity price.

So, this is a very exciting time to be starting a business. The tools are out there for you to create both great products and services. For once you don’t need an IPO to afford them.

What are you waiting for?

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Posted in Business IT | Tagged low cost IT solutions, Actinic, software and services provider, Internet | 2 comments
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Taking a holiday

September 17, 2009 by Tim Haggard

In a recent FT article, there was a discussion about how some business owners have taken a holiday this summer for the first time in years.

Are they mad?

I understand the compulsive nature of many entrepreneurs, but I do not understand why they don’t take breaks – like I’ve said in previous posts, yes business owners are super-busy but breaks are essential to recharge the batteries and to keep the mind fresh.

That said, I am not suggesting that you shut up shop and head off to a remote beach for two weeks. That would be too much for the average business owner to bear (even though the business will probably survive better without you that you would like to admit to).

So, here are a few ideas for making the concept of a holiday work:

  1. Focus the holiday around something you love doing (even if it is lying by the pool!). It will mean that you relax and therefore recover more quickly.
  2. Research your destination well and make sure that the modern tools of the trade – phone reception/ wifi internet access/ printer etc – are available and work to the standard you require. If they are not and you know you’ll struggle, go somewhere else.
  3. Think about the benefits of time difference. I have not long been back from Italy which is one hour ahead of the UK. This meant an extra hour in the morning before the UK gets going.
  4. Let all the people that might be affected by you going away know well in advance – staff, contractors, customers, suppliers – so that they too have the chance to plan around you being away.
  5. Make the most of being your own boss and travel on weekdays. Cheaper, less crowded, faster and less stressful...
  6. Ration the times when you engage on business matters. I always try and take the first 3 days off completely and then schedule working into pre-planned parts of the day. Partners and families can plan activities around this too.
  7. If you are that worried - just stay within easy reach.

In overview, use the internet/ mobile phone technology available to you. In the last 5-10 years, it has become immeasurably easier to get away and keep in touch with your business at the same time...to me it is a marvellous opportunity to enjoy life that little bit more!

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Posted in Business planning | Tagged technology, Mobile phone, Internet, Communication, taking a break, vacation, holiday | 0 comments
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