OfficeHounds

I'm waiting at the train station in Whitstabe. There's a rumour that a train is on it's way from Ramsgate, so don't worry. I should still make it to the Business StartUp show at Earls Court in London. Boy am I glad I'm going along for two days. I'm especially looking forward to meeting Ketan from Smark-It. Check out this cool business website. www.smark-it.com I'm really getting excited about the show, not the snow. Come on train!

Treat yourself to a massage at Howson Holistics or spread a little joy with a gift certificate.  Howson Holistics will leave you feeling relaxed and looking great for the holiday season.  Carolyn is based in Whitstable, Kent.  Visit  http://www.howsonholistics.co.uk  or call  01227 273777 to book an appointment or purchase a gift voucher. 

That's right. The  WorkHub  website shows that  Home-based businesses now account for over 40% of all enterprises in the UK, including the self-employed (DTI, 2005).  Wow, the amount of home-based businesses has really surprised me. If these home based businesses can be nourished and supported to grow by the Government, there might be a bit of financial hope for the country.  Workhubs provide officespeace with hot desks, allow for you to forward your post to them, host meetings with clients and meet other business people.  Kent County Council has partnered with Workhubs to see what sort of interest there is for Workhubs in Kent. If you run a home-based business in Kent, you can take their survey  OfficeHounds Phone  08432 891246 Mobile 07789 682960 Fax 08721 152617 maggie@officehounds.co.uk www.officehounds.co.uk         Our outsourced business services include: call answering, networking follow up, CRM, and tradesman services.

OfficeHounds is pleased to announce that you can now download The 6 Elements of a Business Plan for free from my Resources page.  This document was written by Ian Johnson, Kent Mentor . He's a Chartered Accountant. Trust me, he knows what he's talking about.  Kind regards Maggie Langley Virtual Assistant / Founder OfficeHounds Phone  08432 891246 Mobile 07789 682960 Fax 08721 152617 maggie@officehounds.co.uk www.officehounds.co.uk         Our outsourced business services include: call answering, networking follow up, CRM, and tradesman services.

Don't pretend you're perfect.  I have come across a lot of people who work very hard to create the impression of a successful, thriving business when they are actually struggling to keep going. I find this upsetting.  When we network and meet other business owners it is important to be impressive. After all to win new work, we need to make a good impression on potential customers, but we don't need to be perfect.  I have gained much more help, support and knowledge by being upfront about what I'm good at and what I need help with.  The perfectionist's path is paved with guilt and disappointment.  Join me on the flawed and fabulous freeway. . .ok 'motorway' for you Brits. (Freeway has a better ring to it. . .motorway just makes us think of that endless ring the M25!) Happy Flawed Friday! Virtual Assistant / Founder OfficeHounds Phone  08432 891246 Mobile 07789 682960 Fax 08721 152617 maggie@officehounds.co.uk www.officehounds.co.uk         Our outsour

Image via Wikipedia It's ok to send unsolicited B2B email marketing campaigns in the UK. I have read conflicting information about whether it is acceptable to send unsolicited emails to businesses in the UK.  According to the I nformation Commissioner's Office , "Corporate subscribers - The rules on email do not apply to emails sent to organisations except that you must still identify yourself and provide an address." This information is readily available in their  Data Protection Good Practice Note Electronic mail marketing I also contacted Business Link regarding this matter, and the person I spoke with confirmed that it is acceptable to send unsolicited emails to businesses in the UK. If you do send unsolicited email to businesses it is important and polite to make it is easy for them to Unsubscribe from future emails.  It is best practice to build your email list by getting people to opt-in to your email list, but times are tough. If you need business, email ma

Worried that your hearing may not bee as good as it used to be? Worried that your parent or spouse is being left out of conversations?  Take a free online hearing test on the RNID website.  Take the hearing test now OfficeHounds Phone  08432 891246 Mobile 07789 682960 Fax 08721 152617 maggie@officehounds.co.uk www.officehounds.co.uk         Our outsourced business services include: call answering, networking follow up, CRM, and tradesman services.

"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow." - Doug Firebaugh I have set aside some time this afternoon to work on an HTML email marketing campaign. What are you doing today to improve the future of your business? OfficeHounds Phone  08432 891246 Mobile 07789 682960 Fax 08721 152617 maggie@officehounds.co.uk www.officehounds.co.uk         Our outsourced business services include: call answering, networking follow up, CRM, and tradesman services.

Getting started with Social Media can feel a bit like you're facing a blank canvas. It becomes easier to paint that first brush stroke when you realise that your first effort will only make up one part of the overall picture.  OfficeHounds Phone  08432 891246 Mobile 07789 682960 Fax 08721 152617 maggie@officehounds.co.uk www.officehounds.co.uk         Our outsourced business services include: call answering, networking follow up, CRM, and tradesman services.

Today's Top Dog Tip is to check out the Global Entrepreneurship Week website. Go on, have a coffee break & check it out! PM David Cameron support GEW. You should, too.  You may also want to have a look at a website that has just been set up to showcase English products and companies. Buy England  or become a fan of our new Buy England Facebook page. We'll be posting new information soon about how you can support English companies by joining the Buy England Christmas Challenge.  OfficeHounds Phone  08432 891246 Mobile 07789 682960 Fax 08721 152617 maggie@officehounds.co.uk www.officehounds.co.uk         Our outsourced business services include: call answering, networking follow up, CRM, and tradesman services.