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Business Focus >>

The new manufacturers The new manufacturers

A great British renaissance has been taking place. From Aberdeen to the West Country, the zing is back in manufacturing. It’s about time this spectacular story was told.

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The amazing tale of Doris Drucker

by Margaret Heffernan - Tuesday, 12th February 2008 -

The wife of the world's preeminent management guru started a successful business at 82.

One of my favourite tales about starting a business concerns Doris Drucker, the wife of the legendary management guru. She started her first company when she was 82. And no, husband Peter did not help her (except with the taxes.) She just had an idea and she went for it. She designed a device for podiums that gave speakers feedback: if they couldn’t be heard well enough, a red light went off, warning them to speak up. The engineering wasn’t terribly sophisticated but she wanted to be able to sell hundreds, even thousands, of units so the device had to be professionally manufactured. She asked lots of people for help and didn’t give up.

Click here to read her full story.

BUSINESS NEWS >>

More government contracts must go to SMEs

By Catherine Woods - October 14, 2008 3:57pm GMT

The economic downturn could be improved if the government awards more contracts to smaller businesses, according to the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Credit checks are critical

By Real Business - October 14, 2008 3:16pm GMT

Small businesses are being urged to invest in credit checks on their customers so they’re aware of any potential ‘bad apples’.

Family farm eyes £5m prize

By Catherine Woods - October 14, 2008 1:06pm GMT

Wyke Farms managing director Richard Clothier says he’ll take on the giants of the dairy world if the company wins a £5m funding package from Bank of Scotland Corporate.

Senior care franchise fills gap in market

By Catherine Woods - October 10, 2008 3:21pm GMT

Trevor Brocklebank and his wife, Sam, bought the UK franchise for alternative care business Home Instead Senior Care after struggling to find appropriate services for his ailing grandfather.

Stop press: Sir Alan Sugar's bought into Woolies

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - October 10, 2008 2:36pm GMT

Amstrad founder and Apprentice star Sir Alan Sugar today acquired a four per cent stake in the ailing Woolworths chain.

Brochures on Saving and investing

BUSINESS COMMENT >>

Inflation now up to 5.2 per cent

By Catherine Woods - October 14, 2008 11:51am GMT

The good news today is that the stock markets appear to be rallying following action by governments around the world to revive the banking sector...

Playing monopoly with Alistair Darling

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - October 10, 2008 5:11pm GMT

It's Friday afternoon and RB's eyes are bleeding from frantically watching the rise and tumble of the financial markets today. To give our peepers, and yours, a well deserved break from doom and gloom, check out today's funnies from NewsBiscuit.

Market crisis: the Real Business bargepole ten

By Stuart Rock - October 10, 2008 1:53pm GMT

The market crisis has some big losers.

Global financial crisis: what next?

By Catherine Woods - October 09, 2008 11:31am GMT

I received a text from an investment banker friend this morning who, it has to be said, is master of the understatement.

Interest rates: the reaction

By Catherine Woods - October 08, 2008 4:03pm GMT

Was today’s global interest rates cut “one of the big, pivotal moments for the economy”?

Business Comment 

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