Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

SUBO Appears on XFactor Australia

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Susan Boyle is in Australia to perform on the XFactor, here is her diary:

Another wonderful day in Sydney and my first TV performance on Australian X Factor and boy it was great.

Not only did I get to meet the wonderful Ronan Keating (I’m a huge Boyzone fan), I also met Michael Bolton, wow, what a man!

Performing Autumn Leaves on the show was a great experience and would have been slightly surreal in the hot spring weather in Sydney but I brought the Scottish weather with me as there was an almighty thunderstorm just before i went on stage, with torrential rain and gale force winds. I felt right at home!

It was great to meet all the contestants and for Ronan to run on stage and give me a hug after I said he was one of the highlights of my trip. It was also lovely to meet Mel B, she looks wonderful and so happy. Who’d have thought she’d only just had a baby!

This trip so far has been fantastic and I’ve achieved and seen so many things that I never for a second thought I’d do in my lifetime. I don’t want it to end, as I keep saying, Bring It On!

Speed mentoring at the British Library: over 1000 years of business experience in one week

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Speed mentoring at the British Library: over 1000 years of business experience in one week

Monday 14th November – Friday 18th November – British Library

· The British Library’s Business & IP Centre (http://www.bl.uk/bipc/) is to host a series of inspiring and informative events for aspiring entrepreneurs as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2011.

· The centrepiece of the week, Question Time for Entrepreneurs (Monday 14 November) offers a rare opportunity for business start-ups to question some of Britain’s top entrepreneurs including Apprentice winner and Founder of the Bright Ideas Trust Tim Campbell and Co-founder and Vice Chairman of Metro Bank, Vernon W. Hill II.

· Introducing a series of ‘speed mentoring’ sessions following different themes over five days ? including Absolute Beginners, IP & Innovation, Women in Business, Marketing Maestros and Make it, Sell it – providing UK entrepreneurs with the inspiration and guidance information they need. In each session, participants will have access to over 100 years worth of business experience from our seasoned entrepreneurs.

Throughout Global Entrepreneurship Week the Business & IP Centre will feature an all-star cast of business experts and seasoned entrepreneurs who will be available to offer advice to any aspiring business. Covering everything from business basics and common mistakes to how to innovate and stay inspired, whilst protecting your ideas, these events will offer users just a sample of the support available through the Centre,

Small businesses can benefit from free access to over £5 million of business and IP information, including thousands of market research reports, giving them access to the same information as a multinational company.

Isabel Oswell, Head of Business and Research Audiences at the British Library, said:

“The Business & IP Centre is proud to be supporting Global Entrepreneurship Week in our role of nurturing entrepreneurial talent and turning fledgling companies into robust businesses. Over 5,000 SMEs have participated in our Global Entrepreneurship Week events programme during the past 5 years and we are looking forward to helping more businesses to prosper and grow through access to some of the best business brains in Britain.”

British Library Global Entrepreneurship Week Events Programme 2011

Inspiring Entrepreneurs – Question Time for Entrepreneurs

British Library Conference Centre

18.00 – 21.00, £10 (£7.50 concessions)

A special evening event will give businesses the opportunity to question some of the most successful and influential people in British business today. Speakers include Emma Bridgewater, Lara Morgan, Vernon W. Hill II and former Apprentice winner Tim Campbell. A networking reception will follow the event.

Find out more and book a ticket here.

Speed mentoring

Each day the Business & IP Centre will be running informal half-day speed mentoring sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to talk to question up to 8 seasoned business experts in an accelerated way in each session to get the advice and information to run their own successful business.

The themes for this year are:

Monday 14th – Absolute Beginners

On Monday, our experts can help advise you on all the basics to ensure success and help you avoid common mistakes.

Tuesday 15th – IP & Innovation

On Tuesday, meet the experts who can help with inspiration for new ideas and new products as well as explain how you protect your ideas.

Wednesday 16th – Women in Business

On Wednesday, meet a whole host of successful female entrepreneurs and experts to inspire you, whatever your business.

Thursday 17th – Marketing Maestros

On Thursday, meet the experts who can tell you how to differentiate yourself from competitors, capitalise on your brand exposure and achieve the maximum return on investment (ROI) from your marketing.

Friday – Make It, Sell It!

On Friday, meet experts who can advise you on how to take your designs to market, protect your ideas and manage the production process and scale. Our experts have particular expertise in the crafts and jewellery sectors.

The sessions run from 10.00am – 13.00pm and 14.00pm – 17.00pm and are free.

Book one half-day session here.

For more information about the Business & IP Centre’s full programme of advice sessions, workshops and events, please visit www.bl.uk/bipc

Glee Stars Do Adele Mash Up

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The all-girls show choir, The Troubletones, will go against the New Directions in a friendly competition in the all-new “Mash Off” episode airing Thursday, Nov. 17th (9:00 PM) on SKY ONE. Check out The Troubletones’ debut performance, a mash up of Adele’s ‘Rumour Has It’ and ‘Someone Like You’ from her album 21 (the biggest selling album in the world this year) on Youtube. The performance also marks Glee’s 300th musical performance.

Adele Mash Off is featured on Glee, The Music: Volume 7 – released 5th December

What did you think?

Brits Rely on Their Mates when choosing a Tradesperson

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Word of mouth x 4 more powerful than Advertising – survey reveals

Happy customers are the most powerful form of marketing, according to new research from Checkatrade.com – the UK’s most trusted website for monitoring the reputation of tradespeople.

The research, conducted amongst 2,000 homeowners, found that more than two thirds of people said they valued a reliable recommendation from a friend or family member friend more than any advertising or marketing.

In contrast, only 15% said they were content looking through the local directory to find a tradesman – just a quarter of those who favour the views of friends and family. However, despite rogue traders and cowboy builders on the rise and increased internet usage, only 1 in 20 people are taking the trouble to consult a tradesperson review site before employing a trader.

Brits rate tidiness
The survey also highlighted that, with the exception of price and workmanship, Brits rate tidiness above all other qualities when choosing a tradesperson. Almost two thirds (61%) cite it as the deciding factor, and, despite our increasingly hectic schedules, just 1 in 13 property owners favour tradespeople who simply get the job done quickly.

Meanwhile 1 in 7 busy homeowners are more concerned with whether their tradesperson turns up to the job on time, and 1 in 7 homeowners say being polite is the best way to win them over.
For one in twenty people builders arriving in scruffy overalls simply won’t do – they say it’s more important than anything else that their tradesperson is clean and well presented.

Commenting on the findings, Kevin Byrne, founder of Checkatrade.com, said: “Our research findings just go to show that tradespeople competing in difficult times need to offer the whole package – accuracy, speed, punctuality, politeness and personal presentation. Homeowners consider it vital for tradespeople to treat their properties with respect.

“Reputation matters. Word of mouth and recommendation are immensely powerful and this is what we have built our business on. Customers remember a job well done, but neither will they be quick to forget poor service.”

Dannii Minogue At Etihad Airways at World Travel Market 2011

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All-Star Stand with Etihad Airways at World Travel Market 2011

Dannii Minogue and Patrick Viera
Harlequins RFC players including Danny Care
Plus cocktails and the chance to win flights to Sydney

Etihad Airways is delighted to announce that Dannii Minogue, Patrick Vieira and Harlequins RFC’s Danny Care will be joining its stand (ME150) at World Travel Market (7-10 November 2011). Visitors to the stand will be able to find out more information about Etihad’s latest news, route launches and special offers whilst sipping cocktails and mocktails with this year’s all-star line up. Guests will also be in with the chance to win return flights to Sydney, Australia.

On Monday 7 November, Manchester City Football Club player Patrick Vieira will be visiting the Etihad stand for photo calls and autograph signing between 12 and 2pm. Bringing a tropical beach touch to the event on Monday afternoon, between 3 and 5pm, Danny Care and a number of Harlequins RFC first team players, will show off a different set of skills, making and serving guests cocktails, just in time for the launch of Etihad’s exotic new routes to The Maldives and Seychelles.

On Tuesday 8 November, Dannii Minogue will join the Etihad Airways team between 3 and 5pm, signing autographs with travel trade guests and the general public. Dannii Minogue’s appearance as an ambassador for Etihad is especially pertinent in view of the recent launch of the Etihad Skypass promotion, offering two free internal Australian flights when booked in conjunction with Etihad flights to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

In addition, guests will also have the chance to win flights to Sydney with Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia, simply by having their WTM badge scanned by an Etihad representative at the stand.

Penguins Go Ice Skating In The Square Mile.

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Get your skates on at Broadgate Ice this winter

Broadgate Ice now open to the public

London’s only “turn up and skate” outdoor ice rink, Broadgate Ice, is now open to the public. Situated in the Broadgate Circle, the stunning open air rink, now in its 26th year is open until February 2012.

Close to the historic Spitalfields Market as well as Brick Lane, Broadgate Ice is situated next to Liverpool Street Station and served by the London Underground (Central, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith and City Lines) as well as mainline trains.

With no need to pre book, sessions are available on a first come, first served basis and run three times daily (12:00-2:30, 3:30-5:30 and 6:00 – 8:00pm*). On Fridays, the rink opens from 6:30 – 9:00 allowing skaters to enjoy the ice well into the evening.

Perfect for a romantic date, or simply a spontaneous trip with friends and family, why not experience the crisp tingle of winter air and take in the surroundings at London’s very first outdoor ice rink? There are also a number of bars, restaurants and sandwich shops for skaters looking for refreshment and comfort after they come off the ice.

Skating lessons are also available for skaters of all ability levels with two fully qualified resident ice coaches from just £10 per 15 minutes. Broadgate Ice is also available for private hire, giving guests exclusive use of the Broadgate Ice Rink, Monday – Thursday from 6pm onwards.

Pricing and opening times

Admission Fees

Per Session: Adults – £9.00 Children (U16)/Student***/OAP – £6.00 Skate Hire for all skaters – £2.00

Season Tickets: Adult season £115 – Adult Monthly £40 Children (U16)/Student***/OAP – Season £80 Child Monthly £30

Season ticket holder only sessions: Wednesday 7.30am – 9.00am**** These sessions will not run between Monday 20 December 2010 and Monday 3 January 2011

Public Session Times

Until Friday 16 December 2011

Mon – Thurs: 12 noon – 2.30pm 3.30pm – 5.30pm 6pm – 8pm*

Friday: 12 noon – 2.30pm 3.30pm – 5.30pm 6.30pm – 9pm

Sat & Sun: 10.00am – 12.30pm 1.00pm – 3.00pm 4.00pm – 6.00pm 6.30pm – 8.30pm

*There will be no 6pm – 8pm public skating session if there is either a private hire or Broomball fun evening. Please visit www.broadgateinfo.net or contact the ice rink team on 020 7505 4120 for more details.

Christmas Hours

Sat 17 December 2011 – Tues 3 January 2012:

10.00am – 12 noon 1.00pm – 3.00pm 4.00pm – 6.00pm 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Tuesday 27 December, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Monday 2 January 2012

10.00am – 12 noon 1.00pm – 3.00pm 4.00pm – 6.00pm

Christmas Day Closed

Wednesday 4 January – Sunday 12 February 2012

Mon – Thurs**: 12 noon – 2.30pm 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Fri: 12 noon – 2.30pm 3.30pm – 5.30pm 6.30pm – 9pm

Sat/Sun: 10.00am – 12.30pm 1.00pm – 3.00pm 4.00pm – 6.00pm 6.30pm – 8.30pm

The government closes the loophole which allows VAT on small goods

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The government have announced plans which will stop retailers avoiding paying VAT by procuring goods from the Channel Island. This oversight has been used more frequently by retailers selling CD’s and DVD’s online. This loophole was costing the government £140 million a year. Low Value Consignment Relief (LVCR) will not apply to goods sent from the Channel Island to the UK from the 1st April. LVCR set up for tax exemption purposes for goods coming from outside the European Union so that they could avoid paying small amounts of tax, as collecting it would cost the more.

Kevin Flood, the CEO of Shopow said, “There has been an unprecedented movement of demand from consumers for cheap goods such as CD’s and DVDs online, fuelled by the downturn in the economy and lagging disposable income. The closing of the VAT loophole could force British consumers to look further afield for cheap deals.”

Kevin adds, “The closing of the VAT loop hole is good news for traditional British high street retailers such as HMV and Waterstones, who have come under fierce pressure from Channel Island registered online retailers, whose sales models have been taking advantage of the loophole in the VAT rules to offer cut price goods to British consumers. The situation is not at all good however for the run of the mill British consumer, who will quite literally pay the price.”

Sports Memorabilia Company Teams Up With FA And England Squad.

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SPORTS MEMORABILIA COMPANY FORMS UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FA AND ENGLAND SQUAD

Sportsrabilia has collaborated with the England football team to produce a unique and exclusive collection of memorabilia to offer fans the chance to buy a piece of football history.

Under the new deal between Sportsrabillia and The FA, limited edition pieces signed by stars such as Steven Gerrard, Ashley Young and John Terry will be available prior to Christmas 2011. There will be further collections released in the build up to and during the 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine and the forthcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The product range will feature high-impact imagery, player biographies, landmark achievements, actual sections of match balls and full squad pieces and will carry the signatures and authentication of the England team.

The England Collection will be available to buy from www.sportsrabilia.com and will be competitively priced starting at £150. A selection of individual items will also be made available for auction at charity events around the UK, helping raise money for worthwhile causes.

The exclusive range will be authenticated and protected to levels previously unseen in the UK. Each piece will include a hologram, FA stamp and a certificate of authenticity signed by a member of The FA and a representative of Sportsrabilia present at the signing session. These lengths have been taken to both protect the players and The FA but most importantly the Sportsrabilia customers.

Commenting on the partnership, FA spokesperson Nicky Stanton said: “The Sportsrabilia range will give England fans a chance to buy a piece of football history and feel closer to the England team. They can also be assured that they are purchasing a fully licensed and authenticated product.’’

Danny Schindler, Chief Executive Officer of Sportsrabilia added: “We are delighted and proud to be working with the FA and the England squad. This partnership will create a unique range of items that will be ideal for collectors and make the perfect gift for football fans across the country in the run-up to Christmas.”