Author Martin Kirby

Have you got everything covered?

A word to the wise as weird weather has an ever increasing bearing on life. Running a micro business leaves little scope for error or loss – don’t we all know it? Losing time really hurts. We are all superhuman and are never ill because we can’t afford to be. We are superhuman and will…

Take a wander like the Mosey Man

My best boss was known to everyone in the office as the Mosey Man, which in hindsight was a gross misnomer. The Cambridge Dictionary definition of “mosey” is to walk or go slowly, usually without a special purpose, which he appeared to do regularly, hands in pockets. But I quickly figured that the afternoon hour…

A priceless advantage – your story

We market our small business on the bedrocks of provenance, quality and freshness, none of which would mean Bob Diddly if we didn’t back them up by giving the detail, telling the story. For me big business marketing has long lost its sheen. Clever advertising can be entertaining, but when you get down to it…

Be very careful what you say

Twitter, Facebook, websites, blogs – just how many choices are there nowadays to get your business message across, your opinions aired? What an extraordinary publishing age we are living through which is light and dark at the same time. There are so many soapboxes to choose from and we can all be heard. But a…

Let’s hear it for paper (and people like me)

If only you could see my desk right now – alright I’ll let you. This is it, four hours into a day, when all order and good intentions have melted into delicious, organised chaos. Many moons ago, when the computer age was just kicking off and my sticky-drawers wooden desk in the newsroom of a…

Is it the end? Far from it

Everyone up to speed on the Mayan calendar? Don’t rush out and buy one, because it ends …. er …. two days after tomorrow, as may the world as we know it. Are you sticking fingers in your ears and humming loudly every time someone raises the idea that we may have only a few…

Drop the adjectives and the froth

Marketing, telling the story, decking out your online shop window for Christmas or any season, is essential and can be a real buzz for your business and your feelgood factor. Be sure to do it, to keep it alive and interesting, but keep your feet on the ground. With all the techno wizardry at our…

Beware the trademark conmen

I have a recent experience regarding trade marks which I should share. We may only be a micro business, but we feel our name and logo – our brand – is so valuable. We registered it ten years ago. It was due for renewal in January. During the summer we received an official-looking notification, complete…

A little bit of take and give

As financial tightrope artists, with occasional cameo performances on the high trapeze, small businesses and one-man/one-woman bands can ill afford to be generous. Or can they? I budget for giving, for two reasons. I’m alive and well, independent, happy and fortunate; wobbling on occasions, but equally taking full advantage of the freedom to decide my…

The YOU-nique selling point

I’m no fan of the business trumpeters and I’m not suggesting there is a burst of the glorious “Fanfare for the Common Man” (and woman) every time someone opens your website, but how much do your potential customers know about you? In listing your unique selling points in your business plan, did you list yourself?…

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