Confidence among small businesses rose to its highest level in three years according to the latest Small Business Index from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), with confidence rising across all parts of the UK and in most sectors.
From Cancer Research UK and Tesco to Save the Children and GlaxoSmithKline, there are lots of well-known partnerships between charities and some of the biggest corporates in the country.
We read some interesting outsourcing news this week: a Bristol-based firm, Alago, is thriving while outsourcing every element of its business. The firm sells heated gloves for sport and leisure and has distributors in five countries, but employs just person – its founder Tony Curtis. He actively outsources everything from research and development through to design, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, accounting and of course marketing. Even the company address is virtual, and a telephone answering company responds to calls.
Raising funds for charity via iPads has hit the news pages again this summer as Fundraising Initiatives launched its new mobile-optimised, face-to-face fundraising solution to a packed audience of third sector professionals at the National Convention 2012. More than 2,000 delegates gathered to hear the latest in best practice techniques, with raising funds through iPads a hot topic of conversation.