On a final note let me offer a bit of advice for men on networking. Invite a confident woman along to accompany you on your next networking function. Watch how she makes connections with other men and women. Women tend to be more personable and accommodating and so naturally ask the ‘right’ questions to help others succeed.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests are a critical element of business development and capture. This is how you learn about a pursuit’s history and your competition.

Are you looking to start up a lighting business? Keen to pave the way in online retail of specialist lighting products? Then you need a business plan in order to break into this competitive field of business. The home decor industry has exploded in the past decade, as products have become more affordable, households have become more interested in design and have had the money to do up their homes and supply chains have been revolutionised as the global marketplace becomes more accessible.

With unemployment near record levels, and finding a job in the current economic climate difficult, the internet is providing more and more people with a means to generate an income. The possibilities are almost endless, but so are the pitfalls. How can you avoid the problems and make a living off the internet. Find out where to begin in the exciting world of internet marketing.

I was wrapping up my radio interview with John Yokoyama, owner of world famous Pike Place Fish Market, when he made, what we call in coaching lingo, a “throw away comment”. It was just an off-handed comment spoken quite casually – but it was rich with insight. John had been sharing about the process he and his staff went through to uncover their vision of being world famous.