Over the past six months UK small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have grown on average by six per cent despite the broader UK economy struggling, according to the latest SMB Index from HP.
HP’s survey of 1,000 SMBs, with between 1 and 50 employees shows that, compared to that of the previous six months, growth for UK SMBs has slowed slightly but optimism is still strong, with SMBs expecting to grow by up to 13 per cent over the next year. Optimism in the economy is also strong, with 66 per cent of SMBs optimistic about the year ahead. SMBs in Financial Services have grown the most (13 per cent), followed by Manufacturing (10 per cent). SMBs in Retail (4 per cent) and Professional Services (1 per cent) have seen the least growth. Nearly half of UK SMBs (48 per cent) are turning to social media to help grow their business and reach new audiences, with 56 per cent of sole traders recognising its value the most. However, although SMBs are finding social media beneficial for networking purposes (83 per cent), and as a mechanism for advertising (57 per cent), many SMBs are underestimating its true potential for business growth and lead generation.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/hp/48901/
In just over a year, the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program has given more than 1,200 farmers across the country an opportunity to win a combined $3 million to benefit community not-for-profit organizations ranging from health centers to scholarship funds. The program, sponsored by Monsanto Fund, is gearing up for its second year and will join with farmers to contribute an additional $3 million to make an even bigger impact in their local communities.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/monsanto/49623/
Two-thirds of all CEOs surveyed believe the economy has improved during the past year and half expect further gains during the year ahead. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 105.2 in the 1st quarter of 2011, slightly below 106.3 recorded in the prior quarter but well above the 93.7 in last year’s 1st quarter survey. CEO confidence has more than doubled since the recession low of 48.7 two years ago. However, the small decline reflects a renewed uncertainty about the impact of events in Japan and the Middle East on energy costs, consumer spending and inflation. Overall, the majority of CEOs still expect the recovery to continue and their own businesses to continue to grow.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vistage/45000/
The National Federation of Independent Business has launched a media hub [http://www.NFIB.com/video] to provide small business owners with practical advice for running their companies, and information about the activities of government that impact their ability to own, operate and grow their businesses.
The center of the operation is NFIB’s own in-house studio just minutes from Capitol Hill. From there, NFIB will produce and syndicate videos and webcasts for NFIB.com, Facebook, YouTube, Yahoo and other web portals and news sites.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/nfib/49413/
Changing diapers is a heroic deed in the eyes of a baby, and Pampers Gifts to Grow program is teaming up with celebrity mom Bethenny Frankel to celebrate this and all the other wonderful things parents do each day for their babies and families that make them real, unsung heroes! Recognizing parents for all their hard work and dedication to their family, Pampers is unveiling a new year of gifts, incentives and rewards from their Gifts to Grow catalog that families can earn by purchasing Pampers branded products.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/pampers/48084/
In a global event, held in Tokyo, London & New York, Ricoh Company, Ltd., a worldwide leader in digital office equipment and advanced document management solutions and services, today announced an investment designed to aggressively accelerate its shift to a services business model as a key growth strategy, building upon its core foundation of industry-leading hardware and software technologies and document and IT-related services. To advance this shift, Ricoh plans to invest $300 million USD over three years in its global Managed Document Services (MDS) infrastructure, underscoring the company’s commitment to its continued partnership with its customers, helping them to grow their bottom line through effective document management, improved workflow and increased productivity.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/ricoh-americas/48193/
BlackBerry --O2 BlackBerry -- An Office On The Move Thanks to BlackBerry from O2 your small business can match the efficiency and scale of much larger corporations owing to BlackBerry's vast functionality and O2's business packages.
BlackBerry gives you the freedom to work anywhere, effectively growing your company without being tied to your physical office.
BlackBerry software is perfectly pitched towards business use, incorporating all the tools that a small business needs to help it run and grow on the move, without the need to carry a laptop around to check your emails.
BlackBerry together with O2 means you really can have your office on the move.
MARTINI Asti, the world’s favorite Italian sparkling wine, sustains a nearly 150-year-old business through innovation and a passion for keeping Italian traditions alive.
On the steep hills in the heart of the Asti region of Northwest Italy, 400 family vineyards grow the distinctly sweet moscato grapes — the only grape selected for MARTINI Asti-Italian Sparkling Wine. The moscato grape, which has the honor of being known as the oldest domesticated grape variety, is floral and fruitful, providing the delicious fresh taste of MARTINI Asti.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/martini-asti/47517/
Imagine your world in silence. Imagine the colour and vibrancy of your world sapped and living in silence. Imagine without communication how your world would be colourless, and you would feel boxed in, unable to communicate, share, grow. Your voice expresses who you are in the world, can you imagine losing your voice? Can you imagine your world in silence?
GivingvoiceUK and the giving voice campaign aim to secure access to speech and language therapy for all those who need it. Speech and language therapy means that people don't need to live in silence. No-one should have to live without speech; lend you support at http://www.givingvoiceuk.org/addyourvoice
Citing projections that by 2030, America’s senior population will reach 20 percent of the population – 78 million people – and new survey information showing that Americans feel increasingly helpless about their personal cancer risk as they grow older, the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) today highlighted the emerging research showing that even in later life, many cancers can be delayed or prevented through regular physical activity and a plant-based diet.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/aicr/46620/
Sing along with me to this cute, catchy and fun cartoon song from CLP Green Park! Plant a tree at: http://www.clpgreenpark.com from your computer or phone!
For every tree planted, CLP will donate HK$5 to green partners around Asia-Pacific. Share this wonderful cause with your friends and family! Help us plant 100,000 trees now!
The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) today accelerates its commitment to sustainability by unveiling a long-term environmental sustainability vision. As part of P&G’s strategy to grow responsibly, the Company will work towards a long-term environmental sustainability vision.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/pg/46415/
