News on small businesses & start up business in Newcastle, Teesside and the North East

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Gem of an idea helps to resolve jobs dilemma

AN unsuccessful three-year job search resulted in a sparkling business idea for a woman who has refused to be held back by disability. Read

Firm ready to pick up new business

A CONSULTANCY working to reduce accidents and employee absences among its public sector clients is expanding to work with business customers. Read

Picture to illustrate credit crunch, recession, stock markets

Small firms told to look at training for new year

THE attitude of the banks and concerns about market share are among the major issues facing small business support and lobby groups as they look ahead to the new year. Read

Questions investors should ask

HOW safe is 'safe'? The difficulties faced by certain banks, along with severe volatility in almost all asset classes, has shaken investor confidence and left question marks over just where to invest capital. Read

Former joiner Matt Rodger launches locksmith business

A FORMER joiner has unlocked a new career that is really opening doors for him. Matt Rodger saw so many people lock themselves out of their home while he was working as a joiner for Wansbeck District Council in Northumberland, he decided to retrain as a locksmith after being made redundant. Read

Fourth way to fight brand infringement

AS of October this year, brand owners now have another useful tool in their armoury if a company name is registered by a third party and is similar to their company name or trade mark (“brand”). Read

Kocanuts.com mixes online recruitment with social networking

TWO young entrepreneurs are mixing the world of professional and social networking with an online recruitment service for internet-savvy employers and jobseekers. Read

Small firms unveil big hopes for the new year

SMALL businesses in South Tyneside are shrugging off the national gloom and say they are going for growth in the new year. Read

Christmas checklist to ease any worries

A CHRISTMAS checklist for small businesses panicking about the festive period has been put together by Business Link. Read

Business of lifesaving in growing demand

AN environmental business set up to help companies manage the threat of asbestos in their buildings has been inundated with requests for training after a campaign to highlight the dangers of the substance. Read

Workshop delegates will focus on staff

A WORKSHOP aiming to help businesses head in to the New Year with new optimism is focusing on the importance of employees. Read

Rural ventures ‘could become silent victims’

FOUR out of five rural firms say the Government is not doing enough to help them cope with the credit crunch this Christmas. Read

Taking care at Christmas

OVER Christmas, normal working practices and behaviour often change to let employees enjoy the festivities and extra holiday. Read

Dog-lover dives in to start up in business

A DOG lover who became clinically depressed after a hit-and-run car accident has quit her high-pressure job to start a canine hydrotherapy business in Northumberland. Read

Resilience wins through despite gloomy survey

ALMOST seven out of 10 small businesses say they are unhappy with the actions taken by the Government to support them. Read

How to get business off to a flying start in 2009

IT’S that time of year again so why not turn it to your advantage and take the opportunity to remind your customers and contacts that you’ve enjoyed doing business with them? Read

Hard times for pensions can hit many

THE effect of the current turmoil in global financial markets on the value of pension scheme investments is of great concern to pension scheme employers, trustees and members. Read

Best UK spot to nurture new firm on campus

THE University of Teesside has been recognised as the best campus in the country for starting a business and supporting fledgling firms. Read

Whole point was to do what we wanted

HOW I ... is a column in conjunction with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum that looks at the gems of advice shared by our top entrepreneurs on dealing with issues in their daily lives. Each column explores three different takes on an issue. Read