Grab the Top Spot
Currently the top news spot on our homepage is devoted to our latest slice of Business in Berkshire news. But with over 57,000 site visitors enjoying one of the 200,000 pages they visited during December 2006, we’ve decided it’s time we offered this prime position to you – a great opportunity to put your business in the spotlight.

Business in Berkshire had over 50,000 visitors per month through the last 3 months of 2006, a figure that’s been growing steadily. So it really makes sense for us to offer the prime spot on our homepage for sponsorship – it’s on the top right of the page, the ideal place to grab every reader’s attention.

Outsource Telemarketing to increase your companys growth
Many marketers and sales managers have been put off telemarketing with a bad experience of an agency or in-housed managed campaign. The fear of negative press or falling foul of an ever-growing regulatory framework has also made some companies reluctant to utilise telemarketing.

A recent survey of Fortune 1000 companies shows that companies outsourcing outbound calls have the largest earnings per share, a higher growth rate and a higher average annual 10-year return on investment when compared to inbound or those using a combination of centres.

Targeted Advertising Moves a Step Closer
There’s a scene in the 2002 film ‘Minority Report’ where Tom Cruise’s character walks into a shopping mall and is immediately met with an electronic billboard which welcomes him by name then proceeds to tell him about the latest products or services which he may be interested in – all tailored to suit his preferences and profile. Although the film is set in 2054 it seems this kind of technology could actually be closer than we think.

A US firm called SmartSign Media have developed a system which allows advertisers to target passing car drivers with electronic digital billboard adverts designed to appeal to their specific preferences. How does it work, and how does the billboard know which ads will appeal to the driver?

Creative Marketing on a Budget
BNG is the working title for a new monthly networking event held in Binfield each month. Aimed at local SMEs, the idea is to introduce networking to more people, and introduce local businesses to each other in a comfortable environment. The January event takes place on the 31st and is entitled Creative Marketing on a Budget.

Does marketing always have to cost an arm and a leg? How can you use the marketing mix as cost-effectively as possible? Lacey Callanan, Director of LJG Copywriting Ltd, will take you through some creative ideas to get the most out of your marketing in this interactive presentation.

Retail Sector Suffers Biggest Rise in Business Failures in 2006
Many small businesses in the retail sector will be happy to see the back of 2006, as the sector suffered the biggest year-on-year increase in business failures.

According to business information specialist Equifax, the sector experienced a 17.2 per cent rise in failures over the previous year and, despite the usual seasonal flurry in December, the overall story for the year was one of consumers taking greater care when choosing how and where to spend their money.

£400m Facelift for Slough
Slough, which has had to live with the dubious reputation handed it by the poet John Betjeman, is to benefit from a £400 million facelift.

Investors are likely to flock to the town after the revamp, which will provide 1,300 new homes, offices, a new library, and the relocation of the main bus station, the BBC reports.

The scheme could be started as soon as 2008 if planning is approved, with completion aimed for 2011.

Google Loves Mags Marketing Tips
Regular Business in Berkshire followers will be familiar with the monthly marketing tips published by Mags Mercer of Marketing Essence. Aimed at helping SMEs get the most from their marketing, these thought-provoking and helpful articles are not only popular with readers - it seems Google has taken a strong liking to them too.

Indeed the series of marketing tips published on Business in Berkshire are being greedily picked up by the major search engines. Take a look at these results from Google:

Join Jon in losing some pounds to Thames Hospicecare
Add your weight of support to Thames Hospicecare by taking part in the Sunflower Slimathon. Windsor businessman Jon Davey is making his New Year resolution really count. By resolving to shed some of the pounds he has put on over Christmas he is at the same time helping Thames Hospicecare pile on the pounds needed to purchase essential medical equipment.

CD Cover mounts
You have all seen them - DVD and CD Cover mounts on all the newspapers - well now a Local company can give you the benefit of their great pricing and allow you to play with the the big boys.

Marketing Collateral of Maidenhead are offering all Business in Berkshire newsletter members the opportunity to produce their own cover mount CD or DVD - They can even help you with the content production.

How BinB Helped Microsoft Raise £8000 for the NSPCC
You may recall reading about the inaugural Microsoft Christmas Fair in Business in Berkshire at the end of last year. The event took place in Reading on 30th November and was hailed a huge success by organisers and participants, attracting over 350 visitors and raising £8000 for the NSPCC.

ClickNow Explained
ClickNow – the Charity’s search engine - is an innovative company, incorporated with the sole aim of providing fundraising initiatives for Charity. How does it work? By encouraging charities to persuade their supporters to use the ClickNow search engine. The company then donate at least 50% of this gross revenue to charities through its partnerships with leading search engines. ClickNow raised over £100,000 during its initial pilot phase.