By Nazir Daud of CityLocal: The way a business presents itself to customers, either potential or actual, can make a huge difference in terms of promotion, loyalty and the likelihood of success.

Customer service is an aspect of any business, whether a large corporate organisation or small home business run by a single individual. No business succeeds without customers, and in order to attract customers, it is increasingly necessary for businesses to be approachable, contactable, and interested in communicating with customers whenever there are any queries, or issues relating to the products or services available.

By Nazir Daud of CityLocal:

Firms have to make it right first time or they will have to face increased costs, lost sales, lost time, and lost share of the market. The outcome of this process can actually bring huge success or failure to a company.

But why is there a need to go through the product development stage? Is it a one time process that a company should undergo, and once developed surely a product is just that: a product?

Green businesses didn't get the incentives they expectedFrom

One small wind turbine can generate 500kW per hour. Threatening to channel that charge through politicians' trouser seats would have concentrated their minds.

The team at Dynamis has donned greasepaint and fancy dress costumes to bestow their annual Christmas message upon the world.

The results of Christmas videos past, present and....well....even further in the past, can be viewed on our Christmas Video page.

Please enjoy, and leave any comments below!

Web design franchise; increase online trafficOnline sales are rising 12% year-on-year.

Online retail traffic has grown by 10% in the past year, and online sales are projected to increase by 12% by the end of 2009, according to Neilsen Online.

The internet is now the first port of call when searching for a product or service, so getting help from a web design franchise that ranks highly on search engines is vital in getting noticed, and giving your business the edge over competitors.

Dean Watmough, MD of ORCA Websites, says: “Now has never been a better time to get online. We make it quick and easy and most importantly affordable for small businesses to use the internet to their advantage.”

Customers like to be kept up to date with brands they trustOne of the best ways to connect with customers is through a newsletter campaign.

Managing Director of ORCA Websites consultancy franchise, Dean Watmough, offers free advice to small businesses, who realise the internet is a lifeline they need to survive.

BOB: Tell us why newsletters are the best way to market…

Dean Watmough: Newsletters are effective for one simple reason: customers like receiving targeted messages from companies they care about.

They want to stay up to date on what you’re doing, they want to hear about new products and they want to hear about hot deals. The newsletter that lands in their inbox forces them to constantly be thinking about you.

Beyond the Deal, a consultancy specialising in mergers and acquisition integration, is holding an integration briefing in London on December 11th.

The briefing, which will focus on the impact of cultural differences on acquisition value, will be held at Dryden Street, Covent Garden. A practical framework for understanding and discussing organisational culture will be provided by Beyond the Deal's integration experts and researchers, coupled with insights into the importance of assessing your own current and desired culture.

Approaches to assessing the culture of target acquisitions and understanding how cultural differences impact integration planning will additionally be dissected.

Restaurants for sale around the worldWant to buy a restaurant and maybe move abroad?

Check out these restaurants for sale around the world.

Long Established Chinese Restaurant For Sale >> 
Virginia, US
$100,000

Prestigious Restaurant For Sale >>
Marbella
€149,500

Indian and European Restaurant For Sale >>
Waterford, Ireland
£195,000

Top Restaurant in Winelands For Sale >>
Western Cape, South Africa
SAR2.4m

Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria For Sale >>
Koh Tao, Thailand
$40,000

Buy a Nailzone Franchise

This is why the franchise market is worth investigation for those seeking to start up their own business, but keen to employ a tried and tested formula and receive the requisite help and support to get them off on the right foot.

Taking on a franchise, and especially one accredited by the British Franchise Association, allows people to take control of their own career and provide a proven service or product.

Working from home takes time to prepare forBy Nazir Daud of CityLocal: Have you been considering home-based business opportunities?

If so, you're certainly not alone, as there are an increasing number of people who are considering the idea of working from home very seriously. The trouble is that many people have silly assumptions regarding this method of working.

Many of the really important issues which need to be considered very carefully before making such a life change are often not given much thought until the jump has been made.

In this article, let's have a look at some of the common assumptions and those matters overlooked, or not considered seriously enough.