From Startups 100: The Startups 100 list is announced today, identifying the UK’s most innovative, inspiring and ground-breaking new companies. 
From Nazir Daud of CityLocal: Being a successful salesperson isn't a talent that you are born with.
Some people may have the right instincts and personality traits to potentially be good salespeople, but success still depends on learning and putting into practice the right selling techniques.
One of the biggest roadblocks to business sales success is customer objections. When you're not prepared to deal with them, your prospects for sales are bleak. If you take the time to learn positive ways of dealing with and overcoming objections, however, you will see obvious financial benefits.
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From Nazir Daud of CityLocal: In business, like in life, presentation is important.
Your customers' perception of your sales staff, your back-office staff and yourbrand help to mould how they perceive your business, and their likelihood of doing business with you.
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From Nazir Daud from CityLocal: How confident are you when the time comes to close the sale?
One of the most consequential factors at play that can contribute to a successful closing, and possibly understanding when you should move on, has to be the leverage and confidence you posses when going into a sale.
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From Splashnology: A British teen from Corby, Northamptonshire made his first million pounds after starting his business at the age of 14.
Christian Owens lives with his parents, company secretary Alison, 43 and factory worker dad Julian, 50. He got his first computer at the age of seven. Three years later he got a Mac and started to learn web design.
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Now in its fifth year, the business brains from Dragons’ Den have not forgotten past entrepreneurs as Duncan Bannatyne proved with his recent trip to Razzamataz Theatre School.
Founder and director of Razzamataz in Carlisle, Denise Hutton-Gosney, first appeared on the show in 2007 and after her dynamic pitch, caught the attention of Bannatyne who went on to offer her the full investment.
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Fancy owning a Dracula theme park in Romania, or maybe a UK pub poker league?
Check out these unique businesses for sale around the world.
Funky Festival Catering Business For Sale >>
Berkshire, UK
£40,000
Unique Punk Rock Dogg Apparel Business For Sale >>
Pennsylvania, USA
$50,000
Exclusive Dinner In The Sky Business For Sale >>
Gauteng, South Africa
R1,700,000
Wrinkle Removing Clinics And Franchise Package In Poland For Sale >>
Warszawa, Poland
$1,500,000
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By About.com: Small business expert, Susan Ward, offers some great advice on starting a business and how to ensure it's a success.
Following the advice below will make starting a business a smoother, less stressful process and go a long way towards ensuring the business you start lasts and thrives.
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By the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS): Summer holiday's may see some chilling on a beach, but for those who’ve just left school and are stepping into the world of work as an apprentice, this time of year is anything but relaxing.
In fact, while incredibly exciting it can also be very nerve racking.
Getting something wrong in the classroom may result in a bad grade or detention. But for new apprentices getting it wrong at work could impact on your customers, your boss, and your organisation.
The transition is a big one. So to help all those new apprentices just about to start work, our young Apprenticeship ambassadors have teamed up to create some top tips on how to get the very best start - and on wowing the boss.
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A shortlist of 16 franchisees from across the UK have been drawn up for the prestigious bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards 2010.
Operating in sectors as diverse as automotive, fast food, home improvement and lettings, the finalists encapsulate the best qualities in franchising.
They will now pitch to the bfa judging panel of Sir Bernard Ingham, president of the bfa, Brian Smart, general director of the bfa, Cathryn Hayes, HSBC’s head of franchising, Paul Monaghan, director of The Franchise Development Centre and Hannah Poulton, associate of the Franchise Team.
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