Class is in session: Learning to code

Originally written for Ingenious Britain...

Designing a website from scratch – learning how to code and how to get your site to work correctly – can seem like a daunting task. But if you're a small business with even smaller budgets, the luxury of paying a developer to get you online might be just out of reach. The good news is that there are a great number of ways you can learn the basics and create a web presence you can be proud of.

Are you kissing ass or kicking it?

Do you walk into work every day with a mind-set of abject servitude; or do you walk in with your head held high, ready to take on the day and make things better?

Do you have an opinion, stance or way of working that you honour; or do you play the "Yes Man" game? Do you work for a company; or do you work with them? Do you kick ass... or kiss it?

These are important questions to ask. If you find yourself regularly coasting on instruction, playing it safe and bowing down to authority you could be missing a trick.

#GivingTuesday and the #Unselfie

Find out more at http://www.concern-universal.org/home

Why I hate the internet

It may sound like an odd thing to say for an individual who lives and breathes the Internet in both his personal and professional life, but it's true - I am not a fan of the Internet.

Sure I see the benefits. I use it every day. It's a networking tool. A general knowledge hub. A sales tool. An awareness engine. The list goes on. But I'm still angry at the damned thing. Here's why...

Do you 'LIKE' your job applicants?

Recruitment is always a tricky business. Inviting someone you've only met a few times to the inner sanctum of your business. Trusting them to deliver for your customers, no matter how thorough your recruitment process, can still be a leap of faith.

Do you support a charity... or a brand?

Giving is good – regardless of what you're donating. Hard earned cash or time out of your day, if you're able, giving to help those less fortunate than you is an important thing to do. But here's the clincher: the things you are giving have value. So how do you know that you're spending wisely

Think of it in terms of investment. If you're taking time to invest your resources in a cause, improving the wellbeing of someone or something else, you're going to want a return. You're going to want to know that an impact is felt. Brand, as with most things, has a huge part to play in helping you form a decision on the charity you're going to support. But it's important not to let marketing hype cloud your vision.

Your start-up… on a shoe string

Starting your own business doesn't have to be an expensive experience. Given a little up front planning and online research, and outside of the legal requirements, you'll find that you can get the bare essentials in place without it costing you the earth.

Obviously every business is different. You may need office space, a shop front, marketing tools or storage space. You may not. But here are a few ideas on how you can get vital resources in place for no more than the change in your pocket.