This week SmallBizPod #71, interviews Alastair Mitchell, ceo and co-founder of successful UK Web 2.0 startup Huddle, on building a business on the web, angel funding and dealing with competition. There's also the usual round up of comments, an update on the book review challenge and another gorgeous electronica track.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.
• 01:08 Thanks to all listeners who have offered to review business books for SmallBizPod. Do get in touch, if you'd like to join them.
• 02:08 Join other listeners on the SmallBizPod Facebook group which continues to grow by the day.

Features:

• 02:49 Interview with Alastair Mitchell, ceo and co-founder of Huddle, the virtual workspace for SMEs and corporates, on building a web startup, cloud computing, the inspiration behind Huddle, getting noticed, embracing competition and dealing with large customers. He also talks with Alex about the connections which helped Huddle find angel funding and how they stumbled on a Silicon Valley-style model of securing investment.

• 27.16 Comments from Roger Magill who is planning on starting his own business and who loves listening to voices of real entrepreneurs rather than reading words in books.
• 28.24 Contact Alex if you would like take part in the podcast or review a business book.

• 28.59 Music - Observing Fractals In Clouds by Risch with many thanks to Monotonik.

Tags: Web 2.0, startup, Huddle, SaaS

This week SmallBizPod #70, includes interviews with Gitanjali Banerjee Bhattacharya and Kaustav Bhattacharya about their plans for Jagriti Yatra, an inspiring entrepreneurial train journey across India, and what it hopes to achieve. There's also the usual round up of comments, books for review and a beautiful track from the Bombay Dub Orchestra.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp70.mp3)

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.
• 01:17 Check out the latest episode of BizPod TV.
• 02:11 Thanks to everyone who has signed up to the SmallBizPod Facebook group .

Features:

• 04:08 Interview with Kaustav Bhattacharya and Gitanjali Banerjee Bhattacharya about their plans for an entrepreneurial train journey through India called the Jagriti Yatra aimed at inspiring and supporting young social change makers in the country. Alex, Kaustav and Gitanjali also talk about the motivation behind the project, social entrepreneurship in Asia, the impact of grass roots entrepreneurial activity in the more remote areas of India, and how to get involved.

• 26.46 Comments from Gaj about how much he enjoyed the interview with Rachel Elnaugh. Also from Jonathan Yates about his new book and recent experiences selling his most recent business.

• 28.38 Contact Alex if you would like to receive a business book to review for SmallBizPod.

• 29.39 Music - Bombay Dub Orchestra
“Rare Earth”
from “Bombay Dub Orchestra”
(Six Degrees Travel Series)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
More On This Album

Tags: indian entrepreneurship, jagriti yatra, small business, social enterprise

This week SmallBizPod #69, the small business podcast, includes an interview with Clive Birnie, managing director of Severn Delta, on his experiences of a successful management buy-out, funding, leadership, blogging and much more. There's also the announcement of the winners of the Rachel Elnaugh book competition and the chance to win tickets to Fuel.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp69.mp3)

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.
• 01:00 Announcement of three winners of the Rachel Elnaugh book competition: Nai Chng Sulemann Rasheed and Mark Lawrence.
• 02:22 Chance to win one of two tickets worth £195 to Fuel, a conference in London for small businesses, startups and marketers who want to make the most of social media. The conference takes place on Friday 13th June. First two people to send an email with Fuel-SmallBizPod in the subject line to keir@carsonified.com will win.

Features:

• 04:59 Interview with Clive Birnie, managing director of south west textile manufacturing business Severn Delta, on how to pull off a successful management buy-out and the leadership, finance and business marketing tips that he's learned along the way. Clive and Alex also discuss brand development, dealing with supermarkets, the importance of managing your own strategy and how Clive got into business blogging at Positive Churn.

• 34.33 Comments from Michael Shakesheff who runs a family shipping business in Middlesborough, Paul Grech suggesting an episode of SmallBizPod on time management, and Daniel Barker who loves the music at the end of the podcast. Do keep your audio and email comments and suggestions coming.

• Also do check out the SmallBizPod Facebook group and also check out Twitter and follow Alex to stay connected.

• 51.38 Music - Johan Brunkvist
from “Mixed Grooves - Chillout Lounge Volume 3″
(Johan Brunkvist)

Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

.

Tags: MBO, entrepreneurship, small business, leadership

This week SmallBizPod #68, the podcast for startups and business owners, interviews Rachel Elnaugh, former ‘Dragon' and one of Britain's best known entrepreneurs. There's also a round up of comments from listeners and a chance to win Rachel's new book Business Nightmares.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp68.mp3)

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.
• 02:30 Last chance to sign up for Going Solo conference for freelancers on 16 May.

Features:

• 03:25 Interview with Rachel Elnaugh of Dragon's Den fame, on how she faced and overcame business failure, celebrity, business growth, femininity in business, the link between sex drive and entrepreneurship, and the well-being sector.

• 20.55 How to win a copy of Rachel's new book, Business Nightmares.

• 20.55 Comments including an audio comment from Glen Biclar, and email comments from BBC3, Bryan Kress and Mark Richardson.

• 29.09 Finally, do sign up to the SmallBizPod Facebook group and also check out Twitter and follow Alex to stay connected.

• 51.38 Music - Breaking The Square Waves by Delayscape with many thanks to Monotonik.

Tags: rachel elnaugh, entrepreneurship, small business

This week SmallBizPod #67, the small business podcast, takes a look at the life of a freelancer ahead of a conference on the subject called Going Solo. The podcast includes interviews with speakers at the conference including some of the social web's best known freelancers and consultants on how to survive as a soloist.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp67.mp3)

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.

Features:

• 01:56 Interview with Stephanie Booth, blogger, consultant and organiser of Going Solo, a very practical conference on freelancing aimed at freelancers all over Europe to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland on 16 May.

• 09:12 Interview with Laura Fitton, aka @Pistachio, on her life as a freelancer, how she started out, her vertiginous rise in the social media space, Twitter and advice on real world and virtual face time.

• 17:50 Interview with Martin Röll about becoming a freelancer accidentally, why it's so hard and so easy to consult and how to manage technology and time.

• 22:21 Interview with Stowe Boyd, one of the most well known voices in the blogosphere and successful social web consultant, on negotiation, fame and social capital.

• 31:35 Interview with Suw Charman-Anderson, one of Britain's best known bloggers, on her early life as a freelance consultant, catastrophic financial failure, peer groups and work-life balance.

• 42:17 Interview with Dennis Howlett, freelance writer and blogger and former international tax partner on the nitty gritty of managing your freelance finances.

• 51.38 Music - Raygun
from “The Best of Vol. 1 LP Part 2″
(Night Drive Music)

More On This Album

Tags: freelance podcast, goingsolo, consulting, social web

This week SmallBizPod #66, the podcast for startups and entrepreneurs, includes an in depth interview with Dan Harple, founder and ceo of mobile lifestyle application, GyPSii. A fascinating insight into tech entrepreneurship and the mobile web.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp66.mp3)

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Introduction to what's coming up in the show.

Features:

• 02:30 Interview with Dan Harple, founder and ceo of GyPSii, the mobile social networking platform. Dan discusses the fundamental reasons why he believes GyPSii's location-based, real time networking will take off and looks at the real time social networking and media trend. He also discusses the altruistic vision for the mobile web and a more person-centred search drawn from his time at Netscape. There's also discussion about the GyPSii business model, building a sustainable technology company, entrepreneurial passion and why he thinks Europe is a better place for a tech startup than the US.

• 28.30 Music - Blue Supergiant by Chromatic Flights with big thanks to the netlabel Monotonik.

Tags: startups, gypsii, mobile web, venture capital

This week SmallBizPod #65, the small business podcast, includes an interview with David Wei, chief executive officer of Alibaba.com, the international e-commerce marketplace specialising in global and domestic trade with China. The podcast also highlights the launch of BizPod TV and rounds up comments and opinions from listeners.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp65.mp3)

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what's coming up in the show.
• 01:08 Do check out a new small business TV podcast aimed at startups and entrepreneurs - BizPod TV. Subscribe to this business video podcast on iTunes.
• 01:59 Sage sponsors SmallBizPod and we're delighted they do.

Features:

• 03:00 Interview with David Wei, chief executive officer of Alibaba.com the international online market place for small and medium-sized enterprises. David and Alex discuss, alibaba.com's successful conversion from start-up to successful IPO, the company's brand, ethos and how it maintains its small business grass roots and original entrepreneurial essence. They also talk about how the internet has flattened the world to the benefit of SMEs, the issue of pollution in China and tips for success in trading with Chinese companies.

• 28.30 Music Levan Vs Ekala
from “Happiness”
(System Recordings)

Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Tags: small business, China trade, e-commerce, IPO

This episode of SmallBizPod #64, the podcast for start-ups and entrepreneurs, puts the voices behind the faces on the British Library's Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Facebook group. Interviews with Neil Infield of the BIPC on its social media strategy and a variety of fascinating start-ups who meet in the real world for the first time.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp64.mp3)

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what's coming up in the show.
• 02:16 Sage sponsors SmallBizPod and we're delighted that they do.

Features:

• 03:42 Interview with Neil Infield of the British Library's Business and Intellectual Property Centre on how they engage with startups and entrepreneurs, why they chose to set up a Facebook group and the benefits of business blogging.

• 14:07 Interview with a selection of startups and entrepreneurs at the BIPC Facebook small business networking session including: David Fuentes of entertainment training and product company The Performer, Christiane Link, German newspaper publisher for the german-speaking community in London and the UK, Natalie Clark on homeworking, outsourcing and her new photo-retouching business, and Robin Block on the power of video to launch and sell products and services and his new business getlaunched.co.uk.

• 25:43 Do check out a new small business TV podcast aimed at startups and entrepreneurs - BizPod TV. Subscribe to BizPod TV on iTunes.

• 32.30 Music <Fabrice Lig
from A Story In Sound
(Submerge Recordings)

Buy at iTunes Music Store

This week SmallBizPod #63, the small business podcast, covers the 2008 Budget, analysing its impact on startups, small businesses and entrepreneurs. The podcast includes interviews, analysis and commentary to help you figure out what matters and what doesn't in Alistair Darling's first Budget and how it is going to affect your business in the next 12 months.

Right click here to download the podcast for start-ups, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp63.mp3)

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what's coming up in the show.
• 01:10 Sage sponsors SmallBizPod and we're proud that they do.
• 02.22 A quick outline of the key elements of the Budget for SMEs.

Features:

• 05:46 Interview with Andrew Jupp, head of tax at Tenon on CGT, entrepreneur's relief, Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme, the Enterprise Investment Scheme and income shifting.

• 14:07 Interview with Andrew Cave of the Federation of Small Businesses discusses concerns about non-domestic buildings zero carbon target and the deferral of income shifting rules, and talks about fuel duty, red reduction and access to public procurement.

• 18:06 Interview with Anne Glover, chief executive of Amadeus Capital Partners and chair of a new government advisory committee on SMEs and public procurement announced in today's Budget. Anne discusses the possibility of setting a goal for SMEs to win 30% of public sector business and also gives her views on the impact of CGT on entrepreneurial investment.

• 24:10 Interview with Phil McCabe of the Forum of Private Business who has concerns about the increasing tax burden on SMEs not mentioned in today's budget. He also talks about moves to tackle red tape, the Small Business Working group on the Business Council of Britain.

• 29:11 Interview with Emma Hill of writemysite.co.uk, the owner of a copywriting agency in Acton with her views on the budget and the economy.

• 32.30 Music Burial
from “Untrue”
(Hyperdub)

Buy at Rough Trade
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Tags: small business, Budget 2008, SME

This week SmallBizPod #62, the small business podcast, takes a look at social enterprise and social firms in particular. Inspiring interviews with social entrepreneurs include: Nigel Kershaw, chairman of The Big Issue, Sally Reynold, ceo of Social Firms UK and Jenny Sims, ceo of Pembrokeshire FRAME.

Right click here to download the podcast for startup, small business and entrepreneurs.

Listen now:
Download audio file (Sbp62.mp3)

If you'd like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who'd like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex on what's coming up in the show.
• 01:58 Thanks to Sage for their continued sponsorship of the podcast.

Features:

• 03:00 Interview with Nigel Kershaw, chairman of the Big Issue and ceo of Big Issue Invest which has established innovative ways to invest in social enterprises. Alex and Nigel talk about the challenges and priorities of social enterprise, prevention rather than philanthropy, desire for change and the social enterprise venture fund.

• 14:15 Interview with Sally Reynolds, ceo of Social Firms UK talks about the Social Firms model, her work, inspiration, the launch of the Star Social Firms quality mark, the importance of social and economic inclusion, the challenge of running a social firm and funding.

• 24:55 Interview with Jenny Sims, ceo of Pembrokeshire FRAME with some very practical advice on running a social firm including social accounting, establishing a diverse board and managing all staff equally to get the best from people and identifying their talents and skills whatever their ability.

Comments:

• 33.08 Thanks to all those who commented on the SmallBizPod blog including: Oladele Ayuba, Peter Boydell and Ed Stivala. Thanks also to everyone who has joined and contributed to the SmallBizPod Facebook Group.

• 39.04 Music Red by Jet Jaguar with thanks to the Monotonik label.

Tags: small business, social enterprise, social firms