So, you’re ready to start your business? Well, there are a few things you’ll have to do to boost your chances of success. The good thing is that technology has made it very easy to launch a business. You should just follow these tips, and everything should go smoothly.
1. Create a Business Website
To create a successful business in this day and age, you’ll need to have a website. This can be done in just a few minutes with a website builder like IONOS. Keep in mind that these services use AI (artificial intelligence) to make the process easier. The best thing is that this website builder will cost you as little as 1 GBP a month to use. After setting up your website, you’ll need to create content to rank your site highlyon search engines. The process of content marketing should be approached carefully to avoid hurting your SEO. Don’t stuffkeywords, and make sure the articles are captivating enough to hold the attention of readers.
2. Take Business Networking Seriously
Business networking is quite important. Interacting with other players in your industry will help you learn about new trends, gain some insights, and identify new opportunities. To network effectively, you’ll need to use online platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. It’s also important to attendprofessional events, especially those that are related to your industry. Make sure you present yourself properly. For example, you’ll need to speak clearly and confidently to boost your chances of success.
3. Focus on Customer Satisfaction
Today, starting a business is extremely easy, and it doesn’t even take a lot of money. That’s why you’re likely to experience a lot of competition when you launch your business. One way you can set yourself apart from the competition is to focus on customer satisfaction. A good way to determine whether your customers are satisfied with your business is to ask for feedback. Check for patterns in the comments to see whether there is anything most people desire. Do they need different features? Or is your team not communicating properly? Whatever their pain point is, you should take steps to solve them.
4. Hire the Right People
One mistake you can make when launching a business is to rush through the hiring process. It’s important to take the time to find people who fit into your company culture. At the same time, you’ll need to make sure they’re competent. You should look beyond the CV as this document won’t give you the full picture. Make sure you also evaluate their interests, ambitions, and priorities.
Conclusion
If you’re planning on starting a business, you should take a few steps to maximize your chances of success. First, make sure you have a professional-looking website. Focus also on customer satisfaction as this will help set your company apart from the competition. It’s also essential to take business networking seriously. This way, you’ll be able to identify new opportunities in the market. Finally, take your time to hire the right people.
Who hasn’t had the daydream of travelling for free, or even making money while travelling? This daydream is a reality some travellers are experiencing today thanks to unique work arrangements that allow them to make money abroad.
Let’s look at the two most popular avenues for making money abroad and see if one of these could offer you your dream lifestyle.
Work Contracts Abroad
Finding your next career move is a big task: the stars need to align for the right company, location and career advancement opportunity. This process becomes even more difficult when you zoom out from focusing on your home country and look for jobs in other countries.
Instead of trying to land your dream job in another country, you can make money abroad by taking on a temporary contract outside of your field. Some popular industries include:
● Teaching English as a second language
● Tourism/hospitality
● Agriculture
● Yachting
The variety of work opportunities available will probably surprise you. Did you know that you can get paid to work in Antarctica?! It might not be your dream job or a calculated escalation of your career, but it’s a strategic way to leverage your 40-hour workweek to allow you to travel.
An alternative to paid contracts abroad are work exchanges. These are arrangements where you volunteer your time and are given something free in exchange, such as housing or food. Explore these work exchange platforms:
Not all work arrangements require you to pause your career building in order to travel. If you have the ability to work remotely, consider travelling as a digital nomad.
The term digital nomad refers to remote workers who use their flexibility to work from anywhere. Digital nomads typically fall into one of these categories:
1. Fully remote employee
2. Hybrid employee
3. Self-employed
Beyond the varieties in the type of work, there are a few different ways that this lifestyle can manifest:
1. Mental health break: get permission from your employer to temporarily work remotely for your mental health
2. Working holiday: secure remote work and go away for a few weeks/months of the year with the plan of returning home
3. Working gap year: seek a remote job and travel for a predetermined period of time
4. Fully nomadic: secure remote work, move out of your home and travel indefinitely
I first became a digital nomad in 2017 because I felt like life was passing me by at the nine to five job. Since then, I’ve moved between the labels of digital nomad, expat and immigrant. The journey had twists in the road: I’ve taken on work exchanges and in-person odd jobs when necessary to get by, and ultimately spent years building a business of my own.
It all started with the realisation that I had more options than deferring all of my travel plans for “someday.” If you dream of travelling, I hope that you can leverage technology to turn your world upside down in the same way.
I love Helga Jensen’s books. They are the perfect mixture of exotic destinations and romance. Her character’s are always unique and different. My Heart is in Venice is set in Wales and Venice. It’s lovely to see a book set in Wales.
The characters are also older which is refreshing. Helga has a way of writing highly original and fun characters. I loved Libby and was rooting for her. If you want a great midlife second chance romance novel then this is it.
I highly recommend this entertaining and enchanting novel. It has wonderful, unique destination in Wales and Venice, along with wonderful characters and a great plot. I loved this escapist novel. Grab a copy now.
Venice was where it all began… Libby and Will spent a glorious honeymoon in this magical city. They didn’t have much money, but they had a whole lot of love and a bright future ahead of them. And Venice was where it all went wrong… Two kids and twenty-five years later, they are struggling with money problems but somehow Will manages to fulfil his promise to Libby to take her back to Venice for their anniversary. This time, they are doing it in style and a masked ball awaits. But among the beautiful buildings and romantic canals, Libby learns that her husband has a secret that breaks her heart. The trust is broken and the marriage is over. But there are decades of love and two grown sons between them. Can they ever find their way back to each other or have they missed their chance forever?
January is always a bit meh. We’re supposed to reinvent ourselves but it’s cold and dark. We need all of the help we can get. 52 weeks of wellbeing is a fantastic book written by an author who is smart, original and full of fantastic advice.
The authors personality is shot through with an incredible amount of research. This book is so inspirational and I will be dipping in and out of it for the rest of the week. Brilliant.
52 Weeks of Wellbeing to Transform Your Life - from ‘Kintsugi’ to embrace your flaws to ‘Cold Therapy’ to boost stress tolerance & ‘Timebox’ to handle email overload
A simple wellbeing technique for every week of 2024 – to go from frazzled to fulfilled
WHY THIS BOOK MATTERS
Three billion people are miserable at work according to Gallup. And, unsurprisingly, anger, stress, worry and sadness hit record highs in 2021 and have been rising for 10 years
The book is packed with 52 simple, practical, accessible habits, techniques and tips – one for every week of 2024 – that ANYONE can do to cultivate a happier life and make you your priority
After a rugby accident left him unable to walk for a year and suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts and bulimia, author Ryan Hopkins embarked on a mental health mission
Now Chief Impact Officer at pioneering mental health platform JAAQ and Deloitte’s former Future of Wellbeing Lead, he delivers talks everywhere from TEDx to Microsoft to Jimmy Choo on mental health and regularly writes for everyone from the FT to LinkedIn
Ryan Hopkins is on a mission. He wants to reach 1 billion people to transform our wellbeing – from the toilet. That probably needs some explaining…
Many of us prioritise work over wellbeing. A third of UK workers eat ‘aldesko’ (aka at our desks) and 67% feel pressured to be available at all hours of the day. Global unhappiness has risen by over a third since 2010. Something needs to change.
Back to the toilet then. After a rugby accident left Ryan wheelchair-bound for a year and suffering from severe depression, anxiety, bulimia and suicidal thoughts for nearly a decade afterwards, he began building doable wellbeing habits and techniques into his everyday life. They’re so simple ANYONE can do them, even on the loo, but, combined, they have the power to radically improve our wellbeing. To prove it, he created his now viral ‘Toilet Break Wellbeing’ video series – which has reached tens of millions of people and counting.
In his new book 52 Weeks of Wellbeing: A No-Nonsense Guide to a Fulfilling Work Life, Ryan reveals a simple wellbeing technique for every week of the year to help transform us from anxious and frazzled to happy and fulfilled. Combining the latest academic thinking with his powerful experience of recovering from rock bottom, the book is a highly practical, accessible, funny and engaging guide to improving our mental health.
To make real, lasting change, wellbeing and self-care should be something we proactively make space for every day, not only addressed reactively in response to a problem. Packed with small, smart wellbeing habits you can easily fit into even the craziest of busy days, they accumulate to make drastic change. They include:
Breathwork for stressful times
The Japanese art of ‘Kintsugi’ to embrace your flaws
‘Cold Therapy’ to boost stress tolerance
‘Timebox’ to handle email overload
Cosmic insignificance theory to combat anxiety
Bringing back the Great British Tea Break to kickstart productivity
Wellbeing is a lifelong pursuit – some weeks it’s easier to master than others – but armed with the knowledge, tips and tricks from this book, Ryan hopes to provide 1 billion people with the tools needed to lead a healthier, more fulfilling life at work and at home.
“The ultimate guide to a better you. A fascinating and inspiring read.” Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer for Google X
“Ryan combines his trademark sense of humour with a pragmatic view of well-being, making this an engaging and informative read.” – Dr. Clare Fernandes, Chief Medical Officer, BBC
“A book of bite-sized bits of brilliance.” Isabel Berwick, Financial Times
52 Weeks of Wellbeing by Ryan Hopkins is published by Kogan Page, 3rd January 2024, RRP £12.99
One of the best things about being an editor is the opportunity to try lots of exciting things. I love Blake Lively’s films and was excited to try her range of drinks, Betty Buzz. The range is gorgeous. They look great and taste even better. They are fresh and original. Almost like they have been home made. I will definitely try them again in the future. Here are three mocktail ideas from Betty Buzz.
Betty Buzz is made with fresh ingredients, free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colours and flavours, resulting in the perfect mixers for easy at home mocktails.
Betty Buzz Ginger Apple
1/2 bottle Betty Buzz Ginger Beer | 50ml Cloudy Apple Juice | 15ml Lemon Juice | Cinnamon Syrup | Apple Fan
Combine ice, apple juice, lemon juice and cinnamon syrup. Shake well and strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Pour Betty Buzz Ginger Beer over top. Garnish with an apple fan
Betty Buzz Ginger Beer – Clean, fresh ginger taste with the perfect balance of spice and bubbles. RRP: From £2.50 per 266 ml bottle Available from: Whole Foods Market
Betty Buzz Sparkling Grapefruit Spicy Sparkling Faux – Loma
Salt the rim of the glass (if desired). Fill shaker with ice, jalapeños and lime juice. Close and shake generously to combine. Pour into a lowball glass over ice and top with Betty Buzz Sparkling Grapefruit. Garnish with jalapeño slices
Betty Buzz Sparkling Grapefruit – made with 24% real Pink Grapefruit juice this delivers a tangy, lightly sweet and fresh citrus hit. RRP: From £1.80 per 150ml can and £2.50 per 266ml bottle and as a multiple pack from Amazon 24 x 150 ml cans from £29.99
Add ice to a highball glass and add a splash of Grenadine. Pour Betty Buzz Sparkling Lemon Lime over top. Stir together gently. Garnish with cherryBetty Buzz Sparkling Lemon Lime – Refreshing with deliciously authentic flavours RRP: From £1.80 per 150ml can and £2.50 per 266 ml bottle and as a multiple pack from Amazon 24 x 150 ml cans from £29.99
The London Book Fair (LBF) is always a highlight of the publishing calendar. They have revealed the Authors of the Day line-up for the 2025 Fair, which will feature: best-selling novelist and chair of judges for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2024 Monica Ali as Adult Author of the Day; Argentine novelist and screenwriter Claudia Piñeiro, who was shortlisted for theInternational Booker Prize, as International Author of the Day; the current Waterstones Children’s Laureate (2024-2026) Frank Cottrell-Boyce as Children’s Author of the Day; and comics artist and British Book Awards winner Jamie Smart as the first ever Creative of the Fair.
Monica Ali (credit Yolande De Vries)
Claudia Piñeiro (Alejandra López
Adam Ridgway, Director of The London Book Fair, said: “We are delighted to reveal our first author line-up for LBF25, which is set to be an incredible showcase of UK and global publishing, as well as the first major international book industry event of 2025. From an International Booker shortlistee to the Waterstones Children’s Laureate, and from Sunday Times best-selling authors to the first ever Creative of the Fair, we couldn’t be prouder to bring such an array of talent to our 2025 Fair. We are really looking forward to welcoming Claudia, Monica, Frank and Jamie to Olympia next year, and we can’t wait to hear their insights at their in-conversation events.”
Claudia Piñeiro said: “I am very honoured and excited to be able to take part in the 2025 London Book Fair and especially to have been invited as an International Author of the Day. I am very aware of the significance of The London Book Fair and of the magnitude of the events that take place. The London Book Fair’s international focus is extremely important. For me, receiving feedback from readers globally teaches me a great deal, as it shows how my stories are read and interpreted in different societies. This, for me, is extremely enriching.”
Monica Ali said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be appointed Adult Author of the Day and can’t wait to return to LBF after a very long absence. I think the last time I was there was back in 2006, so I’m curious to find out how it’s changed since then. What I do know is that there’s no better place to connect with publishers from around the globe, and to meet writers and readers. I’m excited to be part of an event that celebrates talent and creativity and highlights the importance of books in our cultural landscape.”
Frank Cottrell-Boyce said: “I’m delighted to be the Children’s Author of the Day at The London Book Fair 2025, which is gearing up to be another vibrant celebration of international publishing. Writing and reading has transformed my life, and I have written children’s books for more than twenty years because I think they help build the apparatus of happiness inside us. In my role as the current Waterstones Children’s Laureate, I’ve launched the ‘Reading Rights’ campaign in partnership with BookTrust, calling for national provision so that every child – from their earliest years – has access to books, reading and the transformative ways in which they improve long-term life chances. I’m looking forward to joining the LBF audience in London next year to cherish what reading together means, and what – as an industry – we can bring to families.”
Jamie Smart said: “I’m thrilled to be the first ever Creative of the Fair at LBF25, what an honour! It’s my first ever London Book Fair so I’m really excited to throw myself into it, meet everyone, and share everything I can about comics and comic-making with anyone who’d like to listen!”
Claudia Piñeiro is best known for her crime novels, which are bestsellers in Argentina, Latin America and around the world. As an author and scriptwriter for television, she has won numerous national and international prizes, including the Pepe Carvalho Prize, the LiBeraturpreis for Elena Knows and the prestigious Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Prize for Las grietas de Jara (A Crack in the Wall). Many of her novels have been adapted for the big screen, including Elena Knows (Netflix), which was also shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize.
Monica Ali is a bestselling author, whose work has been translated into 26 languages. Her debut novel, Brick Lane, was Booker-shortlisted and subsequently turned into a movie. Her subsequent novels include In the Kitchen, Untold Story, and most recently, Love Marriage, which was a Sunday Times bestseller. As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature she has judged numerous literary prizes, and chaired the 2024 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Since 2020, she has been Patron of Hopscotch Women’s Centre, a charity dedicated to empowering women from minority backgrounds to achieve their full potential.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce is an award-winning children’s author, screenwriter and current Waterstones Children’s Laureate (2024-2026). Millions, his debut children’s novel, won the CILIP Carnegie Medal. Frank’s other books include Cosmic, Framed, The Astounding Broccoli Boy, Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth, Runaway Robot, Noah’s Gold andThe Wonder Brothers, and have also been shortlisted for a multitude of prizes. In 2023 he launched The Island of Brilliant! podcast with Nadia Shireen, celebrating children’s writing and illustration. Frank’s new novel, The Blockbusters!, illustrated by Steven Lenton, will be published on 15 May 2025 by Macmillan Children’s Books.
Jamie Smart was named Illustrator of the Year at the British Book Awards 2024, and won Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year for Bunny vs Monkey: Multiverse Mix-up. His comic Fish-Head Steve was the first comic to be shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. Jamie has illustrated comics for The Sunday Times, the Dandy and the Beano. His well-loved Bunny vs Monkey and Looshkin stories are regularly published in The Phoenix comic, and as bestselling graphic novels.
The Authors of the Day and Creative of the Fair will take part in ‘In Conversation’ events on different days throughout The London Book Fair. Claudia Piñeiro will be attending the fair on Tuesday 11 March, Monica Ali and Jamie Smart will appear at events on Wednesday 12 March, and Frank Cottrell-Boyce will be speaking on Thursday 13 March. Full details of these sessions will be announced shortly.
The London Book Fair (LBF) is the world’s largest spring book trade and publishing event and will return to its home at Olympia London from 11 – 13 March 2025.
Further details about The London Book Fair registration and line-up will be revealed in due course and will be available at this page. The full programme for The London Book Fair 2025 will be announced early next year.
I adored this smart speculative thriller. It’s original and lots of fun. This is in development by Archewell, Prince Harry and Meghan’s production company. This brilliant book is a about a woman who is murdered, brought back to life as a clone, and then solves her own murder. A must read.
The Returned Amanda Cassidy
This book had me completely hooked. It is about a woman who is told her son died in a fire, only for her son to seemingly come back to life decades later. A detective is called back to her hometown and the memories she left behind. It was smart and full of stunning prose. Amanda Cassidy is a writer to watch. I rarely reread a book but The Returned has earned a place on my book shelf. Cassidy is a stunning voice in Irish crime fiction. This book is disturbing and twisty. Leaving me hooked from the first page.
The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair Natasha Hastings
This dazzling historical fantasy novel sweeps you up to a beautiful world. Natasha Hastings is a stunning writer. This middle grade novel is heartwarming and perfectly written. My children aren’t quite old enough for it yet, but I loved it. I can’t wait for the follow up next year.
It’s winter, 1683, and the Great Frost has swept into London. By day, thirteen-year-old Thomasina and her friend Anne peddle sweets on the frozen river, hearing rumors of the magical Frost Fair that awakens there at night. They say if you can find it, Father Winter himself will grant any wish you have. And Thomasina has an impossible wish: the return of her twin brother, whose death left her family fractured.
Unfortunately Yours Tessa Bailey
I love Tessa Bailey and these two characters from Secretly Yours were my favourite and I could not wait for the sequel. I was not disappointed. This enemies-to-lovers story fizzles with chemistry and racy sex scenes. It is fun and heartfelt as Natalie and August find their way to each other.
The Last List of Mabel Beaumont Laura Pearson
This book about an eighty-something woman who’s husband dies and then she decides to tick of his last list. It says Find D. Mabel decides to find their old friend Dot. What follows is a heartwarming story with great characters. Fantastic.
Nineteen Steps Millie Bobby Brown
I loved this historical fiction novel from the star of stranger things. While there was some controversy around the ghostwriting, it is a fantastic and immersive novel based on Millie’s grandmother’s story. I loved the ending.
The American Boyfriend Ivy Ngeow
The American Boyfriend has all of the hallmarks of a great thriller. Fantastic characters, a great location (Florida) and a plot that keeps you guessing. This pacy book is full of great moments. I loved the ending. Just brilliant.
The Shallows Holly Craig
The Shallows was definitely one of my favourite books of 2023. I could not put it down. Everything from the plot to the characters is pitch perfect. It’s a brave and wild ride.
Emma and Ariella, neighbours in one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs, appear to have it all—perfect homes, perfect husbands, perfect lives. But they both know dark secrets lurk beneath the surface and shallow waters can’t hide Ariella’s. Now she has been found murdered.
We loved Peppersmith. Delicious and unhealthy; they are the perfect snack.
Naturally tasty, feel good treats. Peppersmith Mints, Gum and Pastilles are bursting with 100% natural flavours and thoughtfully sourced ingredients that are actively good for you.
From zingy Lemon Mints and Strawberry Pastilles to refreshing Peppermint Mints and Gum, the natural flavours include peppermint and spearmint oils, explosive eucalyptus, Sicilian lemons and delicious strawberries, giving you banging flavour, freshening up your breath and caring for your dental health all in one!
All Peppersmith products are sugar free, gluten free, vegan friendly, free from palm oil and nut free – and because they contain xylitol, which contains a whopping 40% fewer calories than sugar, they’re guilt-free and great for anyone with wobbly blood sugars too.
There are six different flavours to choose from, including Peppermint Mints and Gum, Spearmint Gum, Extra Strong Mints, Sicilian Lemon Mints and Strawberry Pastilles. Plus the Peppermint Mints and both flavours of Gum come in Mighty Boxes too – freshness to the max.
And if you can’t decide which to pick, there’s a totally tantalising mixed taster box bursting with all of the flavours. The perfect way to taste what all the fuss is about.
Peppersmith Mints, Gum and Pastilles cost from £1.30 (15g gum, Ocado) and are available from health shops and supermarkets nationwide, including Holland & Barrett, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. Mighty Boxes and mixed taster boxes are also available online from www.peppersmith.co.uk
SAY CHEESE… 5 SMILE FACTS YOU MAYBE DIDN’T KNOW
Half of British adults hate their smile because of the condition of their teeth, and a majority have been affected by “Posh Spice Syndrome,” which occurs when a person is considered miserable because they smile so sparingly.
The sweetener Xylitol has been proven to help reduce tooth decay. It can stunt bacterial growth by up to 90%, so not only does it neutralise the acid in your mouth but also prevents them from starting in the first place, making it extremely hard for plaque to stick to your teeth.
The NHS could save £8.2 million a year on dental treatments – the equivalent of 364,000 dental check-ups – if all 12-year-olds across the UK were to chew sugar-free gum after eating or drinking, thanks to the role it plays in helping to prevent tooth decay.
It is estimated that three quarters of the British population chew gum regularly. They buy 980 million packs a year, and spit out more than 3.5bn pieces.
Smiling enhances positive emotions. Everyone has both positive and negative emotions swimming around in their heads. When you choose to smile and laugh often, you tap into your positive emotions.
All the more reason to say cheese whenever you can!
