business advice - Craft Focus Magazine
business advice - Craft Focus Magazine
business advice - Craft Focus Magazine
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news<br />
Britain is well-packaged<br />
Fil Adams-Mercer, founder of Parcel2Go,<br />
an online parcel delivery firm, says<br />
<strong>business</strong> is growing because of the way<br />
we now shop. “Until fairly recently post<br />
office mailbags were mainly filled with<br />
letters. Nowadays with 30 percent of<br />
retail sales happening on the internet,<br />
parcels are the priority,” says Mr Adams-<br />
Mercer. In addition the increase in the<br />
use of smartphones and mobile tablets<br />
like iPads has caused a shift in the postal<br />
market – email and social networking is<br />
replacing letters while burgeoning online<br />
shopping has put a flood of parcels in<br />
circulation.<br />
Parcel2Go in partnership with courier<br />
companies like Fed Ex, DHL and City<br />
Link, currently serve more than a million<br />
users in the UK and send more than two<br />
million parcels each year. Further info<br />
www.parcel2go.com.<br />
Free programme for start-up and small <strong>business</strong>es<br />
The new and improved Supply National SME Engagement Programme recently<br />
launched by <strong>business</strong> intelligence experts BiP Solutions as a free service, will provide the<br />
<strong>business</strong> intelligence and information needed to compete in the current public sector<br />
procurement marketplace. “At a time when cost saving is a key focus for <strong>business</strong>es, the<br />
supply programme offers a range of free services that will enable companies to improve<br />
market presence and achieve <strong>business</strong> growth. It will help them become ready to tender,<br />
with free access to public sector contract opportunities, events, news and resources all<br />
relevant to their sector,” said BiP CEO Ron Burgess. Designed specifically for start-up and<br />
small <strong>business</strong>es, the programme can be broken down into three main areas: contract<br />
opportunities, events and news and resources. For more information T: +44 (0) 141 270<br />
7681. Businesses can access the programme at: www.supplytender.co.uk<br />
Cloud computing<br />
We’ve all heard of the term cloud computing and many techies will say it is essential<br />
nowadays, but, Daniel Barnett, WORKetc founder, warns that it can cause problems.<br />
“A small <strong>business</strong> will probably go with a popular SaaS solution such as Salesforce,<br />
Basecamp, or a Microsoft product. They realise the power of these applications and<br />
start picking up more software for their CRM, projects, and other aspects. Before<br />
they know it, they’re dealing with a list of applications that don’t integrate properly,<br />
they’re over their heads in monthly subscription costs, and operations aren’t any<br />
more efficient.” Daniel is a strong advocate for integrated solutions, and created his<br />
own software, a SaaS application called WORKetc, after becoming frustrated with<br />
integration issues. The idea behind WORKetc is to take all features that these multiple<br />
applications offer and cleanly combine them into one robust, deeply integrated<br />
solution. This effectively bypasses the integration costs many <strong>business</strong>es find<br />
themselves having to pay when going with multiple applications. Further info<br />
T: 001 949 470 1430, E: support@worketc.com, www.WORKetc.com<br />
IN BRIEF...<br />
New trade schemes to promote yarn<br />
Colinette Yarns is launching two new trade schemes<br />
in time for the all-important Autumn/Winter<br />
season - a first-ever premium stockist scheme and<br />
a Colinette Capsule Collection starter pack for<br />
newcomers. “With our 126-shade strong colour<br />
palette, dyed using a closely-guarded secret process,<br />
These two schemes offer a way forward for all<br />
knitting yarn retailers, whether on the high street or<br />
web retailers. Further info T: +44(0)1938 811 898.<br />
Art on the PC<br />
ArtRage for iPad lets you become a mobile digital<br />
artist, providing the experience of actually ‘painting’<br />
digitally on a computer canvas. “An ArtRageenabled<br />
iPad, tablet, or touch-screen laptop allows<br />
artists of all levels to take their computer everywhere<br />
they go to be ready to spontaneously unleash<br />
their creativity on the spot,” said Ambient Design.<br />
ArtRage for iPad will be available at a discounted<br />
rate of only $2.99 (normally $6.99) at the Apple<br />
iTunes Store. The desktop versions with more<br />
features, priced at $40 and $80 for ArtRage 3 Studio<br />
and ArtRage 3 Studio Pro respectively, are available<br />
for download at www.artrage.com.<br />
Creativity club<br />
The docrafts.com team have created something<br />
really special for those who want access to<br />
exclusivity in the world of craft. Boasting more<br />
than 250,000 members, the docrafts Creativity<br />
Club began last year, providing a wealth of<br />
inspiration online, charging just £2.50 a month.<br />
Members are given access to unique project ideas,<br />
downloads, news, prize draws, reduced P&P,<br />
newsletters and more. Club members also have<br />
exclusive access to their very own TV channel<br />
and crafty chat forum. Creativity TV is presented<br />
by crafting experts in a beautiful studio, offering<br />
step by step tutorials in a variety of different crafts.<br />
There are currently over 60 episodes available to<br />
watch and review online.<br />
craftfocus 15
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