How cross-border collaboration can help drive growth May 21, 2014 Daniel Rajkumar, founder of Web-Translations, tells Liam Ward-Proud about how he uses cooperative technologies to link freelancers around the world, and the ways UK SMEs can break into global markets The rise of the internet and e-commerce has made it easier than ever for small businesses to access fast-growing international markets. But cultural and linguistic [...]
How embracing globalisation and the flexible working phenomenon can boost SME business growth May 21, 2014 IN TODAY’S globalised world, businesses of all shapes and sizes need to maximise the potential of communicating and trading internationally. According to a recent HSBC forecast, trade conditions are improving for UK businesses, with 63 per cent of exporters expecting trade volumes to rise over the next six months. And with the rapid pace of [...]
Crowdsourcing can help SMEs expand May 21, 2014 Many of the prominent examples of businesses using crowdsourcing are large multinationals. Toy giant Lego, for example, encourages its vast fan base to pitch new product ideas through an online platform, while Procter & Gamble has used external “innovation tournaments” to find new ways of cutting corporate energy waste. But Allan Szymczyk, co-founder of London-based [...]
Help for SMEs looking to export May 21, 2014 TRADITIONALLY the preserve of the largest companies, exporting is becoming increasingly accessible for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. The falling costs of transporting goods and services has been a driver, but there are also government schemes aimed at helping SMEs expand internationally. UK Export Finance – Also known as the Export Credits Guarantee [...]
Rubik’s Retro May 21, 2014 The Rubik’s Cube turned 40 this week and Google celebrated by creating an online version of the classic puzzle. Melissa York chooses the best brain-teasers, old and new, for your smartphone. Flow Join a series of coloured dots to their corresponding coloured dots without crossing over any of the other lines to create a “flow”. [...]
Five of the best: Rubiks’ Retro contemporaries that have been updated for touchscreens May 21, 2014 Tetris The colourful stacking game has been revamped for smartphones and tablets for its 30th birthday with multiple gaming modes. It can now be played lightning fast on a touchscreen device, and scores can be compared on Facebook. iOS/Android; 69p Pac-man The yellow sphere will have been chasing ghosts for 35 years in 2015. Now [...]
Letters to the Editor – 22/05 – The UK and Europe, Best of Twitter May 21, 2014 The UK and Europe [Re: Voters in the UK and Europe are in the mood for change, yesterday] I don’t understand Stephan Shakespeare’s conclusion that Euro voters are “united by a desire to stay in Europe”. That is not what his graphs say. On reform, UK, Germany, France and Sweden pass 70 per cent recognising need for significant [...]
How to perfect the art of conversation May 21, 2014 Ask anyone who’s been successful in business and they’ll tell you that informal conversations are essential. Why? It’s where they find out what’s going on, pick up ideas, create important connections and form rewarding business relationships. So what makes a good conversation? You might think you need the gift of the gab, smart wit and [...]
Hodgson desperate to keep Rooney ready for World Cup May 21, 2014 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson revealed he has had to rein in striker Wayne Rooney’s enthusiasm at their pre-World Cup training camp to prevent a recurrence of the injury problems that have blighted previous major tournaments. The entire 23-man squad took some part in training yesterday in Portugal and were instructed to wear three layers of [...]
Cipriani stands by as Lancaster’s options dwindle May 21, 2014 SIX years after winning his last England cap fly-half Danny Cipriani looks to be in the driving seat to start at No10 against New Zealand next month, after it emerged yesterday that George Ford is to undergo a shoulder operation. Head coach Stuart Lancaster had begun making plans for the first of three Tests against [...]
