Triumph, the heritage motorcycle marque has Lord Digby Jones as Chairman.
According to the Guardian Jones ‘cites Triumph’s strong brand, new products and a big push at domestic and overseas sales’ as a reason for succeeding post receivership. Add to that the benefit of currency movements, particular the Yen. and you will know why 80% of sales are now exports.

Keep your eye on currency movements to aid purchasing and selling strategies.

P&G

Open Innovation is being used by Procter & Gamble to speed innovation to market. New ideas from new sources including Universities, VC’s and small businesses are sought via a Connect + Develop web site.

Taking an idea through development, proof of concept and   market development are very expensive activities. A well established partner may be part of the answer.

Brand Literary Magazine’s  last issue was Autumn 2009 and it looks like it will not last as long as it’s Swedish names sake (112 years and still counting.)

A shame such a name should be consigned to the great publishing house in the sky. Where is Robert Maxwell when the industry needs him?

Brand still has Facebook and myspace pages but is that a good thing?

I like business names that do what they say on the tin. This is DIY with a twist because you pay $49 per month for your search engine optimisation on a DIYSEO basis.

SEO is an important part of your digital assets and this is an interesting post on Blogstorm and getting what you pay for.

‘Wasp’s Mobile 1200 Solution delivers the tools you need to manage your organization’s assets with ease. Easily track valuable organizational assets and capture important information about each asset both tangible and intellectual.

Takes asset management to a higher level, giving you the ability to save time and money with numerous reports This asset management solution is designed to meet the demands of your application, while remaining simple enough to master right out of the box. ‘

Complete package, mobile, software, bar code scanning, etc is available from Amazon

Domain management is a key activity for modern business and 123-Reg offer a useful tool kit.
Buying websites, Domains E-commerce or SSL products by clicking these banners pays Bonbrand a minuscule commission but it all adds up.

Alternatively you can become an affiliate if it suits your business model.

There is something of the Pirate in all the MPs who have claimed excessive expenses and flipped during the last parliament.
Now we have a political party that has a clear view on the unnecessary criminalisation of file sharing and limits to free speech by excessive surveillance. Well worth a skull and cross on polling day.

See International Talk Like a Pirate Day on Gods Own County Avast expense account my ‘earties should see an outbreak of plank walking.

Pa-Pa, pa-pa,pa-pa,pa-pa, pa-pa-pa. Pa-pa, pa-pa,pa-pa,pa-pahhhhhh..pah! or so goes Pearl and Dean’s theme tune for cinema advertising. The company is to be sold by STV this month.

Another annoying little jingly tune is used by directory enquiry company 118247 and a competitor is using a version of ‘She’ll be coming round the mountain’.

The Pa of Pa-pa etc was Pete Moore who wrote the tune Asteroid.

We are all covered by rules and codes of conduct, moral, professional or legislative.

New Advertising Codes for all for advertisers and media owners  come into force on 1st September 2010. ‘They include general rules that state advertising must be responsible, must not mislead, or offend, and specific rules that cover advertising to children and ads for alcohol, gambling, motoring, health and financial products.’ More information from Committee of Advertising Practice.

The Office of Fair Trading runs an Approved Code of Practice for customer protection with members entitled to use a special logo. See if it fits your business by reading more.

Tesco’s great financial results once again demonstrate what powerful brands can achieve.
For smaller businesses it is crucial to apply yourself to margins both gross and net. I treat ‘margin management’ as an intellectual asset.

Margin Management