Can I speak to the owner?

I find it absolutely incredible that I still receive calls with this as the opening line.

Let's be clear. If you phone me with that opening line, I'm not going to deal with you.

Firstly, you have not introduced yourself. You have called me, you are asking me for something, but I don't know who you are. Just bad manners!

Secondly, you haven't done any research. It's easy to find out who runs a business, so do that research. "Can I speak to the owner" just sounds like you are going through the phone book. Which you probably are.

The phone can be a great way to say hello to someone you might want to do business with. But do it right. Know who you are calling and introduce yourself.

Anything less is just rude.

Barcode Betty

Datalinx Ltd are experts in the business of barcodes. In particular, they are experts in integrating barcode systems with Sage business management software.

So if your business needs help with areas like warehouse management, stock control, time & attendance reporting or production management, you should check them out.

You can visit either their main business website at www.datalinx.co.uk or, if you would like to know more about how barcodes work, visit www.barcodebetty.com where Betty will explain all about barodes.

Warehouse Management with Barcodes

Our clients Datalinx Ltd are experts in barcoding systems that integrate into your existing Sage business software.

Warehouse management, time and attendance and inventory management are all business challenges that can be handled so much better with the right systems.

Sage is a trusted family of products that become much easier to use when linked to Datalinx's hardware and software products.

Find out more about at their barcode solutions website

Caring For Your Carpets

Here at Vapour Trail corporate headquarters we can't abide grubby carpets. So we get Carpet Care to look after them for us.

They visited today and did their usual thorough job. Everything looks as good as new!

You can contact Carpet Care on 07785 317673

Huge File to Share?

You can just about send a few photos by email, but sharing really big files can be a real headache. If this is a problem you encounter, then Mimedia's service might help. Especially as it can now be used for files up to 3Gb.

Find out more at the ever interesting Mashable http://mashable.com/2011/07/06/mimedia-uploads/

Video on your Website

Video on your website is a great way of grabbing people's attention. It keeps them on the page. It conveys a rich message and it just looks good.

If you don't know how to get started, why not talk to Joe Caneen? Here's some of his work on YouTube He knows what he's doing and he is very resonably priced.

You can contact Joe via www.video-whisperer.com or call him on 07809 478108

The Law and your Website

I noticed this website today. It has useful info about keeping your website legal.

New rules about cookies and privacy are now out there and they have a useful article about these changes http://www.sitecompliance.co.uk/ukcnewclaws.html?gclid=CNDOsJOSlKkCFQUe4QodrxZJdw

Paint Effects by SJB

We have just added a page and additional pictures to the website of SJB Fine Finishes.

SJB do specialist painting: murals, faux wood grain, furniture painting, etc. They can make a room look like it's panelled with wood!

The new pictures include the angel on the Wimbledon Theatre which they gilded and it looks stunning.

Metal Free Dentistry

Dr Tom Nyerges makes a very good point on his new webpage about metal free dentistry.

"It is curious that it is against the law to paint your house with a paint containing higher than a certain level of mercury, or a factory may be immediately shut down for exceeding a certain level of mercury vapour in the air, yet it is considered perfectly fine for a dentist to place a material in your teeth that can create potentially far greater mercury levels in your mouth!"

If you are interested in a holistic approach to dentistry, visit his website

Top Google Rankings- according to Google

I thought I would pass on this information from Ana Hoffman. These are Google's own recommendations for getting your website noticed.

http://www.trafficgenerationcafe.com/top-google-rankings/

WebRacing at Forthcoming Shows

A brand new concept in the world of fitness is being launched this year.

It integrates state of the art web technology with fitness machines such as bikes rowers and cross trainers.

It is the new and exciting way to get fit, shed pounds and socialise all at the same time and means that there is no need to take part in a boring cardio session ever again.

Come and experience the WebRacing culture at the following venues:

BT Paralympics World Cup Sports City Manchester, 23rd – 25th May. www.btparalympicworldcup.com

Men’s Health Forum White Hart Lane London, 13th June. www.menshealthforum.org.uk

DNA (Digital Out-of-Home Interactive Entertainment Network Association) London, Victoria Street Conference Centre, 14th July. www.arcadeheroes.com

Testimonials for Dr Tom Nyerges

Dr Tom Nyerges runs a holistic dentistry practice in Luton, Bedfordshire. Holistic means no mercury or metal fillings and no treatments that work against the body.

Tom has published some testimonials from his satisfied clients on his website.

You can have an initial consultation for free, just call on 01582 726853

Food of the Gods

Splendid name, isn't it. Food of the Gods supply fine wine, champagne, chocolates and other gourmet goodies by post. They can deliver UK and international.

We have just launched their new online shop at www.food-of-the-gods.co.uk

The online shop is based on the popular Zen Cart open source shopping cart software. Because it's open source you don't pay a licence fee, just for the work involved in setting up the website.

If you have something to sell online, call us on 0333 123 0004 for a discussion.

WebRacing bikes on Fit Gear TV

The WebRacing bikes now being sold by Instyle Fitness are a brilliant idea. Exercise in the comfort of your own home or gym and have the motivation of racing against other riders.

See the bikes in action on Fit Gear TV, the new fitness gear review channel.

It's down to you

Lord Sugar has a reputation for telling it like it is and he certainly delivers in today's Telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/yourbusiness/8240122/Success-Its-down-to-you-all-the-way-Lord-Sugar.html

Everyone running a small business should read this. It's a timely reminder of the basics of what we do.

Beautiful Specialist Paint Effects

We have created a simple Wordpress based website for SJB Fine Finishes. SJB wanted to showcase their work and update their portfolio on a regular basis. This website shows their range of painting services, from renovating furniture, to painting murals, to bringing a new lease of life to tired kitchens.

Pay them a visit at www.specialistpainting.co.uk

Snow Clearance

If you need some help getting the snow cleared from your property, call Greyhound Gardening on 01825 791979. They are based in Horsted Keynes and operate throughout the Mid Sussex area.

www.greyhoundgardening.co.uk

Bring on the Motivation

Instyle Fitness offer a remarkable range of enhanced exercise bikes. The bikes can be connected to a PC to monitor and record the user's workout session. And the rider can race other cyclists in virtual races. The riders can be in the same gym or in another country.

These machines bring a whole new element of motivation to bike sessions.

If you are interested in seeing these machines in action, then Instyle would be very happy to visit you and demonstrate what they can do.

Just call Gavin Harrison on 07825 301334 and to arrange a visit. Or see the Instyle website at instylefitness.co.uk

The Video Whisperer

It's a great name for a business, isn't it? Joe Caneen is the man behind The Video Whisperer. He's a quietly spoken American who has just relocated to Lincolnshire. He takes on most types of work but really excels at the fly-on-the-wall style of documentary where the subjects tell their own story.

Take a look at his work at video-whisperer.com

Food of the Gods

Sounds yummy, doesn't it! This website has a wonderful selection of champagne, fine wine, cheese and other gourmet food available for delivery worldwide.

We will soon be updating their website at www.food-of-the-gods.co.uk with a new shopping cart. But the current site is very much open for business and worth visiting for Christmas hampers and presents for your friends who appreciate the finer things in life.