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Leading the homeworking revolution, we profile 30 of Britain's brightest entrepreneurs who run their businesses from home and say it's more than a lifestyle benefit - it's a competitive advantage too.

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Focus on: Britain's Digital Elite

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In this, our focus on ‘Britain’s Digital Elite’, Real Business partnered with Microsoft ® to scour the land looking for the companies that have been most successful in their field through the use of technology.

Technology is at all of our fingertips but what makes the companies featured in our Britain's Digital Elite different is the way they have developed and used technology. The difference between a great idea and a successful one is execution and as will become apparent in this Focus-On, that execution is usually enabled by technology. Unsurprisingly therefore, Microsoft has a big role to play in this execution.

And yet despite being the most successful and recognized technology company in the world, what many don't realise is that Microsoft puts a lot of energy into helping small and medium-sized businesses. Aware of the financial constraints often incumbent upon SMEs, Microsoft offers financing options and offers to help ease any up-front costs associated with IT investments. It even has a dedicated website to small businesses called 'Small Business +' which provides added-value content, online training, tools and offers for small business owners – all for free.

This focus-on provides you with a wealth of information on how Microsoft can help you acquire the best technology and optimize it, so as to not only grow your business, but achieve its full potential.

Click here to see the winners and finalists of the BDE awards

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Tailgate
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BrainJuicer
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BrainJuicer: A video interview with John Kearon, Chief Juicer of BrainJuicer, the Quantitative Mind Reading Agency
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Zubka
img 1 By Melissa Hancock
Zubka: A video interview with Armando Ruffini, the Co-founder and CEO of the online recruitment referral site
December 05, 2007 11:08am

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Zebtab
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November 15, 2007 5:52pm

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Coolroom
img 1 By Melissa Hancock
Coolroom: A video interview with Rupert Fleming, the co-founder and MD of the digital download store
November 12, 2007 6:06pm

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Medical and Professional Services LTD case study
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Medical Reporting Agency Boosts Value of Medical Database with New Business System
November 12, 2007 1:44pm

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King of Shaves case study
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Retailer improves accuracy of junk e-mail filtering using Microsoft's Forefront Client Security technology 
November 12, 2007 9:37am

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Cambridge Laboratories LTD
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How the pharmaceuticals company is using Microsoft's technology to enable it to work more effectively in distributed environments
November 12, 2007 9:25am

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Paul Smith case study
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Paul Smith: Fashion Leader Redesigns Branch Protection, Gives a Day a Week Back to IT Staff
November 12, 2007 9:02am

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Ramsbottom Kitchens case study
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How the small business kitchen company enhanced business processes during a time of rapid growth using MS technology.
November 12, 2007 8:51am

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Deaf Essential case study
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How this sign language agency improved accessibility by using Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 Premium.
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Resources

Microsoft Business Insights Newsletter:
Microsoft Newsletter: combining articles, news and latest offers

Microsoft Financing Options and Offers:
How Microsoft can help you in financing your IT purchases

Microsoft Software: Demos, Hints and Tips
Advice relating to all of Microsoft's software 
Optimise your Microsoft software 


Microsoft Services and Support:
 
Business Software Support
Ten Online Mistakes to Avoid

Microsoft White Papers:
Evolution of the UK workforce: the New World of Work
Achieving the 'Last Mile' of Business Productivity

Microsoft Websites:
Small Business Plus: Microsoft's dedicated website for providing added-value content for small business owners

People-Ready: How to excel by empowering your employees with the right tools, information and opportunities

Microsoft Events:
Nationwide Microsoft Events

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