Facebook Marketing Tips
Just about every business in Plymouth needs to get their Facebook activity right. Nobody has time to waste getting it wrong. Here are six unmissable tips for making the most of your Facebook marketing.
7 Ways Plymouth’s Shops Could Cash In on Pokemon GO Today
How to use Pokemon GO to market your high street business. 7 free tips that businesses in Plymouth can use right now!
Social Media Mistakes You Must Avoid
How to avoid those social media mistakes that everyone seems to make.
Marketing AND Strategy Stink â What To Do?
For many of us the problem with marketing and with strategy is that they just don’t seem to be working as well as they could.
Seven Essential Business Start-Up Tips
Running my own business for two decades has taught me a few lessons. Here are a few of the best ones in a form that you can share with colleagues, friends and maybe even a few choice competitors.
What Is Business Roadkill?
Marketing expert Robert Craven discusses the notion of business roadkill, and how to avoid becoming it.
Independent Means For Pensions
Pleas for Scottish Independence have taken a new turn with regard to the planned increases in the state pension age.
The End of the Financial Year
The end of the financial year is always a chaotic time. Decisions and action that should have been taken weeks, even months ago are suddenly upon us. Whether itâs using your annual ISA allowance or switching before a regulation change, that deadline is upon us and...
Learning From Your Financial Mistakes
Learning from your mistakes can be a real asset. There is nothing more demoralising that realising you have been through this once before and how did you manage to let it happen again! Learning from the mistakes of others is just as useful â and a lot less stressful...
The Pensions Revolution
The new rules and regulations, announced by chancellor George Osborne in last yearâs March Budget, were long overdue after successive generations had suffered under the âannuityâ rule.
Playing the Equity Card
The âbaby boomersâ are sitting pretty, property-wise. Some have lived in the same house for over quarter of a century and seen its value rise many times, and that increase is all tax free.
Which Business Should I Start Up?
You’ve decided to start up your own business. Congratulations, but how do you decide which type of business to start? Here are the options.
Tax Avoidance or Tax Evasion
Once again, the blurred edges of âtax avoidanceâ and âtax evasionâ have been highlighted. The waters have been muddied to such an extent that making any effort to save tax might be regarded as âdodgyâ. It started with the revelation that the bank, HSBC, had been...
PR Secrets for Small Business Success
Without very deep pockets small businesses need some great PR now and then. In this article, public relations expert Lucy Ryland shares some of her secrets.
Market Research Tips for Small Business
When it comes to market research, small business owners assume that they don’t stand a chance against big business. Or is it a David vs Goliath opportunity?
5 Occasions When You Absolutely Must Hire a Car
If you already own a car, you maybe wondering why on Earth you would need to hire one. Here are five times you’ll be delighted you did hire a car
Where Are You Working Today? How to Choose a Working Space in Plymouth
Do you consider the work you need to do each day and then decide where you should work based on what you need to get done? Collaborative working expert Sabrina Simpson tells us why we should be doing exactly that. Tailor Where You Work to What You Do Making sure you...
Essential Expert Public Speaking Secrets
Three essential public speaking tips that experts use to wow their audiences. How to improve your public speaking.
Theo Paphitis in Plymouth – on Business
Theo Paphitis is one of the best-known names in British business. Having already established his name and reputation as a specialist in turning around ailing businesses, he hit public fame as one of the panel of entrepreneurs on Dragon’s Den. Theo Paphitis...
How to Flex Your Twitter BICEP
Plymouth is home to a very active Twitter community. We use it to discuss local issues, find out what’s going on, connect with people like ourselves and attract customers to our businesses. I am happy to say I know nearly every Plymothian who is currently on...
Start-up Stories: Plymouth Carpentry
Thomas and Jack have been working at one of the worldâs leading producers of luxury yachts for over ten years between them. They have recently taken the bold step of starting up their own business, Plymouth Carpentry. Sticking to their roots in woodwork and...
Small Business Start Up Traps to Avoid
Some of the most common business start-up mistakes and how to avoid them.
Start-up Stories: Let Them Eat…
When Lisa Hackett decided to take her own dietary issues in hand, little did she know that it would provide the ingredients for a new Plymouth business. We caught up with Lisa for Start-up Stories and asked her all about it. Where did it all begin? I have...
Start-up Stories: My Fabulous Cakes
Less than a year ago, Abi Noall gave up a career in management to pursue her dream of making luxury chocolate cakes, here in Plymouth. Now her new business, the aptly named My Fabulous Cakes is showing signs of sweet success. Early Beginnings The roots of her business...
Latest Social Media Statistics from #Socialnomics
This is the 2014 #socialnomics video from Erik Qualman. Essential viewing for anyone involved with social media.
How to Attract World-Class Customer Loyalty
The job of the 21st Century business is to attract and develop loyal customers. This article is a guide to some of the key steps to doing that.
6 Tips to Make Your Blog Awesome
Here are six tips that will make your blog stand out from the crowd.
Why Your Blog Is Failing
If you think your business couldn’t benefit from content marketing, you may need to have a massive re-think
Business Networking Groups in Plymouth
The funny thing about networking is that every business has to do it. Exactly what form that takes is up to each business, but there is no such thing as a successful business that never did any networking at all. In short: networking is an essential part of your...
Networking Icebreakers That Work
These networking icebreakers will help you whenever and wherever you decide to go networking.
5 Unusual Ways to Improve Your Marketing
Every business needs to use creative marketing in order to attract new clients. Doing the same old thing will produce diminishing returns, so here are five unusual marketing techniques that you probably haven’t thought of before.
The New Normal in Business
New normal is not just a TV programme it is a way of understanding what is confronting your business. As I have said before, most businesses are confronted with a severe case of five-year-old-itis. They are running (and planning and taking decisions) based on...
10 Things Big Businesses Envy In Smaller Businesses
Big businesses often bemoan their own lack of essential vitality and wonder what they could take away from the smaller and more entrepreneurial business and incorporate into their own culture. At first thought, the shopping list is negligible. After all, who would...
To Succeed We Must Stop Being So Goddamn Normal
Normal is everywhere. Wherever we look we see a thousand shades of grey and another thousand shades of beige. Just lots of dull, âme-tooâ, boring, look-alike, tired, safe businesses all too frightened to do anything other than look like the rest. And my word is it...
Change Your Entire Business – it takes just a day
The 25-person accounting firm, weâll call it ABC, had an unremarkable track record. Predictable. Grey. Uninspiring. The offices were spookily quiet: no laughter, none! One meeting lasting one hour in the boardroom changed the business forever. It was agreed that...
Five-Year-Old-Itis
95 per cent of businesses I see at the moment have what we call five-year-old-itis. Their problems are five years old; in the last five years, everything and nothing has changed. How Old is Your Business Model? 95 per cent of businesses that I see and work with are...
Top Ten Business Networking Tips (Part 2)
Ash Mashhadi’s top 10 business networking tips for making networking work for your business (part 2) in Plymouth.
Top Ten Business Networking Tips (Part 1)
Ash Mashhadi’s top 10 business networking tips for making networking work for your business (part 1).
The Mary Portas Secret of Retail Success
Deconstructing the Mary Portas formula for retail success, and how Plymouth retailers can use it.
How to Find Your Business’ Long Tail
How to find the long tail secret of your business for amazing marketing results.
Persuasion Tips for the Perfect Dragons Den Pitch
Classic 2,000 year old persuasion techniques that you can use in all your business pitches.
How Would You Pitch Your Business To Alan Sugar?
How to pitch your business. The elevator pitch deconstructed and a formula for success by Robert Craven.
Is There Still Room for Corporate Hospitality?
With its recent growth and strengthened position in the marketing mix, might corporate hospitality be more resilient to the downturn this time than on previous occasions?
More Guerilla Marketing Tricks for Small Businesses
Five more great guerilla marketing ideas for small businesses in Plymouth.
Great Guerilla Marketing Tricks for Small Businesses
Five great guerilla marketing ideas that are perfect for Plymouth businesses with empty pockets.
The 5 Qs of Twitter for Business
If you struggle with attracting clients you need this article. Learn the 5 Qs of twitter for business that help me promote my business every day.
Don’t Be a Jerk – My Social Media Philosophy
To get the best out of social media for your business, you need to have a clear philosophy to guide what you do and why.
Social Media Secrets for Estate Agents
The essential guide to using social media for estate agents in Plymouth, Devon, Cornwall and beyond.
Twitter for Restaurants
A guide for Plymouth restaurants who want to know how to use twitter to attract diners. From Ash Mashhadi, Plymouth’s business social media specialist.
Social Media Conferences: What’s Your Poison?
The landscape of social media conferences is becoming increasingly populated. How do you choose between them all? Graphic Designer and Social Media maven Terri Nakamura takes a look at the subject and helps you navigate your way.
![Chris Pirillo: Producing a Social Media Conference [interview]](https://inplymouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Interview-with-Chris-Pirillo.jpg)
Chris Pirillo: Producing a Social Media Conference [interview]
An interview with Chris Pirillo (@ChrisPirillo) on how to organise a social media conference. Guest post by Terri Nakamura (@terrinakamura)
6 Reasons Why You Should Not Join Twitter
I don’t want you to join Twitter and I’ve got 6 reasons why you shouldn’t. If you read them all, I’ll tell you a secret.
Is It Okay to Broadcast on Twitter?
Do you hate all those nasty people that broadcast on Twitter? Broadcast v. engagement. Engagement is what social media is supposed to be all about. Or so they’d have you believe.
How to Lose All Your Twitter Followers in 10 Days
Here is a great 10 Day Plan to help you lose all your Twitter followers. Of course, you could choose to do the opposite and use these tips to get more followers instead.
Why Great Web Design is Like Chocolate
How to use great web design to make your website as appealing as chocolate.
5 Great Web Design Lessons I Learned From My Mother
This article contains 5 great web design tips that you need to know. Written by Ash Mashhadi, Partner at Plymouth web design agency Design Inspiration.
What is Your Twitter Style?
What is your Twitter style? Here’s a list of the main types of people you find on Twitter – see if you can identify your Twitter style.
25 Business People Who Need to be on Twitter
Here are 25 real business reasons why Twitter is good for your business. 25 types of business who need to be on Twitter Recognise yourself?
Expert Web Design Secrets
In this article, Ash Mashhadi, Partner at Design Inspiration reveals some of the expert web design secrets that the best web designers use.
5 Twitter Secrets I Learned From the Dragon’s Den
Here are 5 of the best twitter secrets I’ve discovered as a viewer of Dragon’s Den. An article about social media by Ash Mashhadi from Design Inspiration.
Getting Started with Twitter for Business – Part 2
Everyone’s talking about Twitter but few know how it can help them do business. This is Part 2 of Ash Mashhadi’s guide to getting started with Twitter for Business.
Getting Started with Twitter for Business – Part 1
Part one of your indispensable guide to getting started with twitter for business
An Introduction to Brand Building with Social Media Like Twitter, and Facebook
An introduction to brand building with social media. An outline of the 3 Ps of building your brand with twitter, facebook, etc. – plus a great infographic
How to Choose Your Online Advertising
The research as well as experience clearly demonstrates that online advertising is essential for business survival in the recession. This article outlines the key options available to small business.
How to Attract New Business by Inspiring Your Website
To drive new custom to your door today, you need to inspire your website. Find out how with this article by Ash Mashhadi of Design Inspiration.
How to Design Websites That Make an Impression
Research reveals that it is more important than ever to have a good-looking website. In this article, web design expert Ash Mashhadi shares some of the secrets of great website design.
10 Powerful Steps to Promote Your Event via Twitter
These are my top 10 secrets for promoting an event with Twitter. Use them wisely because they really work. Should I be sharing them? Grab them quick before I change my mind…
Making the Most of Public Speakers For Your Event
After Paul Cook organised his showpiece event, the Planet Planit Speakers’ Showcase, we asked him to pass on his top tips for using speakers at an event.
Event Planners – Do You Have a Plan B?
Not so long ago, with disruption being caused by the volcanic ash eruptions in Iceland, enquiries came in from people asking for insurance cover to pick up the costs. This is not a new or unusual request especially at a time of crisis.
7 Big Top Secrets for Event Planners
Here we look at the secrets from the circus and illustrate how they can be applied by event planners everywhere.
Exhibiting Tips for Small Businesses
Most one man band business owners would never consider taking on an exhibition stand. However don’t dismiss the idea out of hand. Here are some secrets that could ensure your exhibiting success.
A Very Simple Guide to Event Planning
This quick 12 point guide will help you make sure you are on the right track for a successful event.
Cancellation Insurance – The Facts
This paper looks briefly at the subject of event cancellation insurance, the likely claims and how insurance companies evaluate proposals. What is cancellation insurance? Cancellation insurance is to protect the financial interests of the organiser or stakeholder of...
ROBUST (Risk Management and Insurance) Principles
Today Risk Management is a key area for organisations and one that continues to grow. Here are some sound principles to assist you. One of my favourite advertising strap lines in recent years from Scottish Widows was ‘looking good for your money’. When...
Why Parents Make Great Managers
Why parents have the perfect skill set for management roles.
How to Cure Procrastination and Start Achieving
How to cure procrastination with this powerful technique. Stop procrastinating and start achieving.
Different Types of Insurance
Insurance is an essential item in any business’ toolbox. Here is a run-down of some of the key types of policies on offer.
Contracts – The Devil is in the Detail
In the world of insurance we know all only too well about small print and how much it matters. If you want your insurance policy to respond then you need to know about the small print and what it means. Damaging Reputations Event organisers who simply refuse to return...
Do You Have a Business Continuity Plan?
Here risk management expert Paul Cook gives us a quick and simple guide to creating your own Business Continuity Plan.
Corporate Homicide, Corporate Manslaughter
A quick introduction to the UK’s Corporate Manslaughter Act by Paul Cook, CEO of Clarity Event Insurance.
Would You Like To Increase Your Sales And Profit?
In this article, Robert Craven asks possibly the most important business question you’ll ever hear. The answer will increase your sales.
How Can a Mastermind Group Accelerate Your Business Growth?
Mastermind Groups can be a source of great success for businesses. In this article, Robert Craven looks at the options for your business.
You Think The Recession Is Holding Back Your Growth?
There are several key factors that inhibit business growth. This article looks at them and suggests another option.
The Service Firm Myopia You Are Not Aware Of
There is the absurd statistic that most men believe that they are ‘above-average drivers’. They really believe that they are ‘above average’. Well, most of them do!!! Honestly…! Well, the “we are ‘above-average'”...
When Gold Silver Bronze Packages Become A Bad Idea
The drawbacks in using a gold/silver/bronze package system. By marketing expert Robert Craven.
Dieting, Business Success Recipes and Teams
I have spent the last twenty years of my life as a consultant and businessman working in and around organisations both large and small. The businesses’ search for the Holy Grail often seems to be about looking at the latest management fad and seeing whether it...
How to Grow Your Service Firm
Most Professional Service Firms think that the key to business success is their technical skill-set. They are wrong. Read this article to find out why.
No More ‘To Do’ Lists
Discover why our marketing expert Robert Craven has decided to adopt a ‘not to do’ list. Perfect for executives and small business owners.
The Number One Reason For Business Failure Is…
Business failures and new business start-ups are a favourite subject of Government statistics. Here, Robert Craven examines the main reasons for UK business failure. Looking at the research, one of the key findings is that only one in five (19%) of those businesses...
How to Transform Your Business and Your Marketing
Effective marketing can see your business get ahead of its competition and reach its full potential, but many businesses still struggle to stand out. Firstly, let’s be specific about the main reasons why marketing fails in your business. The list is simple:...
And Now I am Getting Hate Mail
Nice is not enough to succeed, especially in these recessionary times. Robert Craven tells it like it is for businesses who seem to think that it should be enough.
Turning the Corner Out of the Recession – a case study
Three months ago I sat in on a so-called management meeting for a rather lovely business (10 staff in the creative industries) who were heading towards bankruptcy with remarkable speed. Bring a Magic Wand They asked if I could bring a magic wand with me. (The bank...
How To Keep Your Customers Happy
In a world where everyone tries to delight us, why are we not so very delighted? Ten Ways to Keep Your Customer Happy Companies lose customers because they go elsewhere. And the reason why customers go elsewhere is that the people who serve them are indifferent to...
Survive and Thrive, My Foot
In our attempts to be polite, everything recession-oriented has the strapline “survive and thrive”. My book… workshops run by accountants… and seminars run by banks, business support organisations and consultants now give everything the S&T...
Why You Can’t Sell And What To Do About It
This article is for those of you find selling difficult. Robert Craven outlines how to turn that around.
Blameless “Poor Me” SMEs or Innovative Entrepreneurs?
With the election behind us the debate heats up about how independent businesses have fared under a recession-hit Labour Government. Contradictory opinions abound: The recession hit the backbone of British economy AND we needed a shake-out to get rid of the...
How to Find Niches and Opportunities
How to find niches and opportunities to fight the recession blues. A useful tool for any business is a checklist to find niches and opportunities in a recession: You can look at new customers and markets You can look at developing or changing your product or service...
Beating the Recession – Two Stories
Marketing expert Robert Craven looks at strategies to survive the recession by looking at two real-life businesses.
Why Small Businesses Both Hate and Love What I Am Saying
It seems that my ‘Beating The Credit Crunch’ book and ‘ology’ is like marmite. People love it or hate it. The messages are pretty straightforward. You shouldn’t even think about increasing sales until you have done the following: Put up...