My Donut Newsletter

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Issue 4 - November 2009

Dear Simon,

Reality TV has raised the profile of entrepreneurship. But do Dragons' Den and The Apprentice really show us what it takes to run a business? You told us there are eight lessons to be learnt from business TV shows and we reckon you might be right.

This month we also ask whether small firms should invest time and money in social media like Twitter and we mark National Complaints Day by asking how to turn unhappy customers into loyal followers. Enjoy the read and please let us know what you think.

The MyDonut team

Fresh advice for your business

Eight things you can learn from TV business shows

Do Dragons' Den and The Apprentice show what it takes to run a business? We asked what you can learn from TV business shows - and this is what you told us.

Social media - the right tools for small firms?

So, everyone's telling you to get on Twitter or Facebook to change the way you market yourself. But how necessary are social media for small businesses really?

Sorry isn't always the hardest word

You're bound to receive a complaint at some time. The way you deal with it is critical. Get it right and you could turn an unhappy customer into a loyal supporter of your firm.

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	Small business news

	Workplace deaths fall to 35-year low Graduates pay for themselves within 20 months, claims study Business groups call for National Insurance freeze

	Donut most read

	Online selling tips (part 1) Unfair dismissal Nine steps to getting started with social media

	Legal Alert

	It's still lawful to retire staff at 65... for now


Top story	On the blog	In the forum

Q&A: Calculating start up costs	Asking great selling questions	Are you a moaner who lives in Disney Land?

Martin Dunne of Sayers Butterworth explains how to work out the cost of starting a new business.	Gary Gorman reveals the questions you should ask your customers every time you sell.	"Is he out of touch with the challenges small businesses face or does Sir Alan have a point?"


Top story	On the blog	In the forum

Dismissing employees	Technology gave us the Terminator	Laws that drive you to distraction?

Fair-minded employers have little to fear. You can avoid problems by following simple rules.	Mark Hook considers the impact of technology on small firms.	"If you could repeal one of the laws that applies to your business, which would it be?"


Top story	On the blog	In the forum

Why it pays to seek publicity	2010: The year customer service meets marketing	Customer service advice?

There's no such thing as free publicity - but good PR can deliver results, cost-effectively.	Penny Power on how social media are changing the way businesses think about customer service.	"Think about the whole customer experience. When does a person start and stop being a customer?"

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