Small Business News

9 April 2014 Share           Business Leader of the Year           Last chance to nominate your Business Leader of the Year If you know a small business owner or manager who deserves to be named Business Leader of the Year, nominate them here. The deadline for nominations is midnight tonight               Top stories           The perks of pop-up shops There no longer has to be a compromise of online or offline, writes Tristan Pollock. Retail spaces are cool again         Small business owners: me and my mentor Three entrepreneurs discuss the mentors who either inspired them to start up or helped them when the going got tough               Take part in our live Q&A           Can you achieve a good work-life balance? Join us on 15 April between 1pm and 2:30pm to discuss how home business owners can achieve a work-life balance               From our partners: Powwownow           How to successfully motivate your staff Powwownow's top tips on boosting productivity by keeping staff happy and motivated               Other small business news from The Guardian           UK business confidence surging, BCC survey shows Quarterly poll by British Chambers of Commerce reports service exports are at all-time high and key manufacturing balances are also at record levels         UK manufacturing sector shrugs off wet weather with February bounce Output jumped 1% to the highest level in more than two-and-a-half years, much higher than economists' forecasts               Partner competition           Pitching champion’s tips for success As The Pitch competition re-opens for entries, the 2013 winner shares his advice for growing a successful company               Get in touch           Contact us Alison Margiotta, Editor,Alison.Margiotta@theguardian.com » Richard Beedell, Commercial Manager,Richard.Beedell@theguardian.com »     Other ways to connect               Posted "By Mike Armstrong" - The Voice of Social Media