Got Something Festive to Promote? Our Sister Blog That’s Christmas 365 Would Love to Hear From You!

Christmas might arrive once a year, but for businesses, planning for the festive season begins months in advance.

If your company offers products or services with a Christmas connection, our sister blog, That’s Christmas 365, would be delighted to hear from you.

That’s Christmas 365 celebrates everything that makes the festive season special, from thoughtful presents and tempting food and drink to decorations, experiences, events and practical services. The blog publishes Christmas-related content throughout the year, helping readers discover interesting businesses and begin planning well before December arrives.

We would particularly like to hear from businesses offering:

Christmas gifts and stocking fillers

Festive food, drinks and hampers

Toys, books, games and gadgets

Decorations, lights and Christmas trees

Clothing, jewellery and beauty products

Pet gifts and treats

Sustainable and handmade presents

Christmas events, markets and experiences

Hospitality, catering and party services

Charity gifts and community initiatives

Business services that help companies prepare for Christmas

Independent makers, family firms, start-ups, charities and established brands are all welcome to get in touch.

Unlike many publications, That’s Christmas 365 does not usually charge businesses for editorial promotional coverage. If we believe your product, service, event or story will interest our readers, we may be able to feature it in a dedicated article, seasonal guide or festive round-up. 

To help us consider your story, please send clear information about your business, suitable photographs, relevant website links, prices and details of where your products or services are available. Please also mention any important ordering dates, delivery deadlines or geographical restrictions.

Editorial coverage is considered on its merits and cannot be guaranteed. Submitted photographs should be high-resolution and cleared for publication.

For businesses, early festive publicity can be especially valuable. Shoppers increasingly research presents, plan celebrations and compare services well before the traditional Christmas rush. Appearing on a dedicated Christmas blog can help your story reach readers who are already interested in festive ideas.

So, if your business has something special planned for Christmas 2026, or an evergreen festive product available throughout the year, don’t keep it wrapped up!

Visit That’s Christmas 365 and get in touch with your news, product information or festive proposal.

We look forward to discovering what your business will be placing beneath the Christmas tree this year.

https://thatschristmas.blogspot.com

Build Beyond Referrals: New Workshop Helps Businesses Create a Reliable Client Pipeline

For many consultants, coaches and professional service firms, referrals remain one of the most valuable ways to win new business.

A recommendation from a satisfied client often comes with built-in trust, making it easier to secure new work.

However, relying too heavily on referrals can also leave businesses vulnerable. 

When recommendations slow down, so can the sales pipeline.

A new one-day workshop from Maverrik aims to help expert-led businesses change that by providing a practical framework for generating new clients consistently, without abandoning the benefits of referrals.

The Build Beyond Referrals One-Day Intensive has been created for executive coaches, business coaches, boutique consultants and expert-led businesses across sectors including professional services, financial services and technology.

Rather than encouraging businesses to replace referrals, the programme focuses on building a structured client acquisition system that works alongside them, giving organisations greater control over future growth.

Dean Seddon, Founder of Maverrik and author of Get Growing, believes many businesses leave business development until it's too late.

He told That's Business: "Referrals are valuable, but they leave too much to chance. When referrals become the main route to new business, your pipeline can become vulnerable, and business development often only gets attention once things have already started to slow down."

He went on to tell us that the workshop is designed to give business owners a repeatable process for generating opportunities, helping them feel more confident about winning new work regardless of referral levels.

Unlike traditional seminars, the intensive is designed as a hands-on working session. Delegates spend the day developing their own client acquisition framework, leaving with practical tools that can be implemented immediately rather than simply taking away ideas and notes.

The workshop is built around three key areas:

Proposition: Identifying the right audience, refining messaging and creating compelling offers.

Pre-selling: Building credibility, trust and visibility before sales conversations begin.

Pipeline: Creating a repeatable process for generating leads, booking meetings, presenting offers and following up effectively.

Together, these elements aim to provide a sustainable approach to business development that reduces dependence on unpredictable referral activity.

The Build Beyond Referrals One-Day Intensive will be held at three UK locations during September 2026:

Bristol – Tuesday 22 September

London – Wednesday 23 September

Manchester – Thursday 24 September

Attendance is limited to just 25 delegates at each event, allowing participants to receive tailored guidance while working alongside fellow business owners facing similar growth challenges.

Dean Seddon brings over 14 years of experience in social selling and client acquisition. During that time he has trained over 150,000 professionals, worked with organisations including Microsoft, Salesforce and BT, and helped clients generate more than $100 million in new business revenue.

Standard and Premium attendance options are available, with the Premium package including additional implementation resources, AI coaching and a one-to-one strategy session to help businesses put their new client acquisition systems into practice.

To learn more or to book places please visit https://maverrik.io

Axians UK launches Enterprise Architecture as a Service to simplify digital transformation

Axians UK has launched Enterprise Architecture as a Service, helping organisations align business strategy with technology while reducing technical debt, improving security and lowering costs.

Many organisations invest heavily in digital transformation, only to find that ambitious boardroom strategies fail to translate into practical technology solutions. 

Axians UK believes it has the answer with the launch of its new Enterprise Architecture as a Service (EAaaS), a flexible consultancy offering designed to align business objectives with technical delivery without the cost of employing a full-time Enterprise Architect.

The London-based technology services provider says many businesses experience what it describes as a "boardroom vision gap". Senior leaders define the commercial goals, while technical teams independently develop solutions that can become overly complex, inconsistent and difficult to maintain.

EAaaS aims to close that gap by providing an architectural framework that connects business strategy with technology implementation, ensuring digital investments support long-term growth rather than creating fragmented systems.

Ian Parker, Enterprise Architect at Axians UK, explained to That's Business that organisations without a dedicated architectural approach often end up with disconnected technology estates.

He compared the situation to building a street where every house has different foundations and construction methods, making future maintenance unnecessarily difficult. By introducing common standards and governance, he said businesses can ensure that infrastructure remains consistent, scalable and easier to manage, regardless of whether operations span London, New York or Singapore.

The service is also designed with today's biggest technology challenges in mind. Rather than treating cybersecurity as an afterthought, Axians has adopted a Secure by Design approach that builds protection into infrastructure from the outset. Sustainability considerations are also incorporated into the architecture, helping organisations create technology environments that are efficient as well as resilient.

Dan Barton, Head of Consultancy at Axians UK, said businesses are operating in an increasingly complex digital landscape where cloud computing, artificial intelligence and hybrid working continue to reshape technology requirements.

He said establishing the right architectural foundations from the beginning enables organisations to embrace innovation while maintaining strong security and governance.

Another major advantage of the service is its potential to reduce technical debt. By eliminating duplicated tools, simplifying infrastructure and creating standardised designs, businesses can reduce operational costs while improving efficiency and making future technology projects easier to deliver.

Instead of hiring an expensive full-time Enterprise Architect, organisations can access specialist expertise on demand, allowing them to benefit from strategic guidance that scales alongside their business.

As digital transformation continues to accelerate, services such as EAaaS could prove increasingly valuable for organisations looking to build secure, efficient and future-ready technology foundations while keeping costs under control.

www.axians.com

www.axians.co.uk

Billboard Advertising Made Affordable: Loud! OOH Launches with Transparent Pricing

New agency Loud! OOH is challenging outdoor advertising norms by publishing transparent billboard prices, helping SMEs discover that outdoor advertising is more affordable than they might think.

For many small businesses, billboard advertising has always seemed like something reserved for big brands with equally big marketing budgets. 

A new independent agency is aiming to change that perception by doing something refreshingly simple, publishing its prices for everyone to see.

Leeds and London-based Loud! OOH has launched with a bold campaign in the heart of Leeds that demonstrates just how affordable outdoor advertising can be. 

Two adjacent 48-sheet billboards on York Street tell the whole story. One states that another agency quoted £650 for the site, while the second reveals Loud! OOH is offering exactly the same billboard for £325.

There are no hidden conditions, no small print and no promotional gimmicks. The campaign is designed to prove that outdoor advertising can be accessible to businesses of every size.

Founder Jamie Roberts, who has spent two decades working in the advertising industry, told That's Business that the traditional process of obtaining billboard prices often discourages potential customers before they even receive a quote.

Business owners typically have to complete enquiry forms, wait for follow-up calls, discuss their requirements and then wait days or even weeks before learning the actual cost. According to Roberts, many lose interest long before they receive a figure.

Loud! OOH has taken a different approach by publishing transparent pricing for billboards, digital outdoor screens, bus advertising, London Underground campaigns and other formats directly on its website. This allows businesses to research costs, compare options and make informed decisions without lengthy sales conversations.

The Leeds campaign was deliberately placed on York Street, where commuters waiting at a nearby bus stop have plenty of time to read both billboards and appreciate the message. Rather than flashing past motorists in seconds, the campaign invites people to compare the prices and question long-held assumptions about outdoor advertising.

The timing also reflects the continued strength of the sector. UK out-of-home advertising generated £1.44 billion in revenue during 2025, while industry body Outsmart reports that the medium delivers an average return of £1.80 for every £1 invested and achieves advertising recall of 79% within a month.

For SMEs looking to raise their profile, these figures suggest outdoor advertising remains a powerful marketing tool. Loud! OOH's launch serves as a reminder that, with greater pricing transparency, billboard advertising could become a realistic option for many businesses that previously believed it was beyond their reach.

As competition for customer attention grows, making advertising simpler, clearer and more affordable may prove to be just as eye-catching as the billboards themselves.

Website: loudooh.co.uk

Pricing: loudooh.co.uk/pricing

Could Your Local Business Become a National Franchise Success Story? A Guide for Growing SMEs

Discover how local businesses with a strong USP can expand nationwide through franchising. Learn what makes a business franchise-ready and how to attract potential investors.

Every successful national brand started somewhere. Whether it was a single coffee shop, a family-run bakery, a specialist cleaning company or an innovative home improvement service, many of today's best-known businesses began as one local enterprise with a great idea.

If your business has developed a unique selling proposition (USP) that customers genuinely value, franchising could be the next exciting step in your growth journey.

What makes a business suitable for franchising?

Not every business is ready to become a franchise, but many owners underestimate just how transferable their model can be.

A strong franchise opportunity usually has several things in common:

A proven business model with consistent profits.

A recognisable brand.

Products or services that customers actively seek out.

Systems that can be taught to someone else.

Strong operational procedures.

Ongoing demand in multiple locations.

If someone else can successfully replicate what you do by following your systems, you're already thinking like a franchisor.

Your USP is your biggest asset

The strongest franchises don't try to be everything to everyone.

Instead, they excel at doing one thing exceptionally well.

Perhaps you offer an innovative food concept, a specialist repair service, eco-friendly cleaning, unique retail products or an outstanding customer experience that competitors struggle to match.

Your USP becomes the reason franchisees invest. They're buying into a proven concept that already stands out from the crowd.

Grow without owning every location

Opening branches yourself requires significant investment, management time and financial risk.

Franchising allows ambitious entrepreneurs to invest their own capital to open new locations under your brand.

In return, franchisees usually pay:

An initial franchise fee.

Ongoing royalty payments.

Contributions towards national marketing.

This creates opportunities to expand much more quickly than relying solely on your own finances.

Protect your reputation

Growth should never come at the expense of quality.

Successful franchisors invest heavily in training, operations manuals, brand standards and ongoing support.

From customer service and marketing to stock management and health and safety, every aspect of the business should be clearly documented so customers enjoy the same experience wherever they visit.

Consistency is what builds trust in a growing brand.

Think nationally from day one

Even if you currently operate from a single town or city, ask yourself:

Could this business work in Manchester? Birmingham? Cardiff? Edinburgh? Belfast?

If the answer is yes, your market could be much larger than your local area.

With today's digital marketing, cloud-based systems and online training platforms, supporting franchisees across the UK has never been more practical.

Get professional advice first

Franchising is a significant legal and commercial undertaking, so it's worth speaking to experienced franchise consultants, solicitors and accountants before launching.

They can help you develop franchise agreements, operations manuals, financial models and recruitment processes that protect both your business and your future franchisees.

Could your business be next?

Britain has an impressive history of successful franchise brands, many of which started life as small independent businesses with a big idea and the determination to grow.

If your business has a distinctive USP, loyal customers and a model that others can successfully replicate, franchising could provide the route to national recognition while helping other entrepreneurs build successful businesses of their own.

Sometimes the biggest opportunity isn't opening your next branch yourself, it's giving someone else the chance to succeed using the business model you've already perfected.

You should consider becoming a member of the British Franchise Association. For nearly 50 years the BFA have been representing the specialist needs of franchise operators in Britain.

https://www.thebfa.org

Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day: Celebrating Britain's SMEs

Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day: Celebrating the Businesses That Keep Britain Moving.

Discover why Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day celebrates the entrepreneurs and small businesses driving innovation, jobs and economic growth across the UK.

Every year on 27 June, the world marks Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Day – an opportunity to recognise the millions of businesses that form the backbone of local, national and global economies.

While the headlines are often dominated by multinational corporations, it is the UK's small businesses that quietly keep communities thriving. From family-run shops and independent cafés to innovative technology start-ups, skilled tradespeople and specialist manufacturers, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises make an enormous contribution to employment, innovation and economic growth.

In the UK alone, small businesses account for the overwhelming majority of all private sector firms. Many are run by passionate entrepreneurs who have turned an idea into a successful enterprise through determination, hard work and a willingness to take risks.

These businesses create jobs, develop new products and services, support local supply chains and often provide a more personal level of customer service than larger organisations can offer. They are also quick to adapt to changing consumer habits, embracing new technology, flexible working and online trading opportunities.

However, running a small business is rarely easy.

Many owners continue to face rising operating costs, increased energy prices, recruitment challenges, changing regulations and ongoing economic uncertainty. Access to finance, cybersecurity, digital transformation and artificial intelligence are also becoming increasingly important issues for businesses of every size.

Yet despite these challenges, Britain's entrepreneurs continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience. Across every sector, business owners are finding creative ways to grow, improve efficiency and reach new customers both at home and overseas.

Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day is therefore more than just a date on the calendar. It is a reminder of the vital role these businesses play in building prosperous communities and driving future economic success.

At That's Business, we're proud to shine a spotlight on organisations of every size. Whether it's reporting on exciting new product launches, innovative technologies, leadership appointments, sustainability initiatives or inspiring entrepreneurial success stories, we're committed to celebrating the people behind Britain's business community.

So today, if you know someone who runs a small business, take a moment to support them. Buy from them, recommend them, leave a positive review or simply share their story. Small actions can make a big difference.

Here's to the entrepreneurs, innovators and independent businesses that help keep Britain's economy moving forward—today on MSME Day and every day of the year.

Pressat and PA Media Extend 14-Year Partnership to Strengthen News Distribution

Pressat and PA Media have extended their 14-year partnership, giving businesses enhanced access to trusted UK media distribution channels and greater press release reach.

Businesses looking to maximise the impact of their media coverage have received some positive news, as Manchester-based press release distribution platform Pressat has announced the extension of its long-standing partnership with PA Media Group.

The renewed agreement builds on a successful relationship that has spanned 14 years and will continue to give Pressat customers enhanced access to one of the most trusted and influential news distribution networks in the UK and Ireland.

For organisations seeking to raise their profile, secure media coverage, or share important announcements, the partnership provides expanded distribution opportunities through the PA Media Newswire and Press Release Hub. 

This allows businesses, charities, public sector organisations and brands to place their stories in front of journalists, editors and media outlets across the country.

Founded in Manchester in 2010, Pressat has grown into one of the UK's leading press release distribution services. The platform supports organisations of all sizes, offering a cost-effective way to share news with the media while providing international reach across more than 170 countries and support for over 40 languages.

The continued collaboration with PA Media represents a significant advantage for Pressat customers. PA Media, formerly known as the Press Association, has been delivering trusted news and information since 1868 and remains a vital source of content for national, regional and local media outlets.

When she spoke with That's Business, Alison Lancaster, CEO of Pressat Newswire, highlighted the importance of the relationship, describing the original partnership as a major milestone for the company. She noted that the collaboration has enabled customers both in the UK and internationally to distribute their news effectively to key media outlets through one of the country's most respected news organisations.

PA Media is equally enthusiastic about the future of the partnership. Alan Marshall, Managing Director of PR and Marketing Services at PA Media, told us the organisation is delighted to continue working with Pressat and to provide clients with the combined benefits of newswire distribution and online content hubs for both written and visual content.

The announcement reflects the continuing importance of quality news distribution in an increasingly crowded media landscape. While creating a compelling story remains essential, ensuring that story reaches the right journalists and publications is just as important.

For businesses investing in public relations and brand visibility, the renewed Pressat and PA Media partnership offers another valuable route to reaching audiences, generating coverage and building credibility through trusted media channels.

http://www.pamediagroup.com

https://pressat.co.uk

The Alternative Budget Britain Didn’t Know It Needed

(A tongue-in-cheek proposal from That’s Business)

Let’s face it, every time a new Budget is announced, half the country sighs, the other half groans, and a small minority pretends to understand the fiscal implications for frozen sausage rolls, beer or cheese.

So, in the spirit of true British innovation (and mild chaos), That’s Business proudly presents The Alternative Budget 2025, a visionary mix of the sensible, the surreal, and the suspiciously achievable.

ECONOMY & TAXATION

Sensible:

Introduce a Small Business Break Month each May, during which every microbusiness pays zero VAT. It’ll stimulate spending, reward entrepreneurship, and allow accountants a brief but blissful nervous breakdown.

Silly:

Replace the pound coin with “Community Credit” tokens printed on biscuit tins. If you can’t afford something, you can always eat your currency. (Economists call this “digestive inflation.”)

COST OF LIVING

Sensible:

Reintroduce capped utility bills for vulnerable households, linked to average weather conditions. Because heating your home shouldn’t require a second mortgage or a small fortune in fleece pyjamas.

Silly:

Nationalise Greggs. Every citizen gets a compulsory sausage roll allowance to offset stress caused by scrolling the news.

TRANSPORT

Sensible:

A new “Small Town Rail Revival” fund to reopen rural stations and reinstate services that were cut before most of us were born.

Silly:

Replace all pothole repairs with miniature trampolines. Keeps the suspension industry busy and makes the morning commute more exciting.

HOUSING

Sensible:

A tax incentive for landlords who convert empty shops into affordable flats. Bonus points if they keep the original shopfront, “Tesco Express (Now With Bedrooms)” has a certain charm.

Silly:

All new housing developments must include one mandatory village duck pond. If you can’t afford a house, at least you can feed the ducks.

EDUCATION

Sensible:

Bring back hands-on financial literacy in schools. If teenagers can calculate TikTok engagement rates, they can learn about interest rates too.

Silly:

Introduce a GCSE in “Arguing on Social Media” with practical exams held live on X (formerly Twitter). Full marks for diplomacy, minus points for using caps lock.

ENVIRONMENT

Sensible:

Incentivise small businesses to go green by offering tax credits for renewable energy, recycling, and using locally sourced materials.

Silly:

Create an Emergency Rain Reserve. If it rains for more than five consecutive days (so, any week in Britain), we export the excess to Spain and call it “liquid GDP.”

CULTURE & LEISURE

Sensible:

A grant programme for independent theatres, museums, and community arts, because culture shouldn’t be something you can only afford after payday.

Silly:

Make the Eurovision entry process part of the national curriculum. Winning it should count as an economic success indicator, right alongside GDP and the price of Freddos.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Sensible:

Create a new “Work-Life Balance Office” tasked with encouraging flexible working, four-day weeks, and lunchtime walks instead of limp sandwiches at the desk.

Silly:

Every office must adopt a Chief Morale Officer Cat. Expenses claimable if the cat improves staff motivation, reduces stress, or successfully types an email.

THE CONCLUSION

Our Alternative Budget 2025 might never make it to Parliament (though stranger things have happened), but perhaps it should. Between the sausage rolls, trampoline potholes, and cat-led morale programmes, it’s at least a plan that puts people, and a bit of fun, at the heart of the economy.

After all, if laughter truly is the best medicine, it might just be the most cost-effective national investment.

Step-by-Step Guide to Launching an Online Gift Card Service for Your Business

1. Define Your Purpose and Scope

For your own business: You want to offer digital gift cards that customers can purchase and send to others.

As a service platform: You're building a marketplace or tool for other businesses to sell gift cards through your site.

2. Choose Your Platform

Depending on your goal:

E-commerce Platforms

If you already have a website with:

Shopify – Built-in gift card functionality (on paid plans)

WooCommerce (WordPress) – Use plugins like "PW WooCommerce Gift Cards"

Squarespace / Wix – Also have built-in options or apps

Standalone Tool or Integration Consider:

GiftUp! – Easily embeds on any site, supports many currencies

VoucherCart – Great for UK-based businesses

Square / PayPal – Offer gift card options if you're already using them for payments

3. Set Up the Gift Card Product

Create a digital product in your shop labelled “Gift Card”

Offer various denominations (£10, £25, £50, etc.)

Allow customers to personalise messages and choose delivery dates (many plugins support this)

4. Choose Delivery Method

Email delivery (most common and automated)

Optional: Printable PDF download

Schedule delivery for special occasions

5. Set Terms and Conditions

Expiry dates (UK law requires a minimum of 5 years unless stated)

Refunds and returns policy

Usage restrictions (e.g., online only, single-use or multiple-use)

6. Brand It Well

Design visually appealing cards (Canva is great for templates)

Reflect your branding and match your site aesthetics

Ensure it works seamlessly on mobile

7. Promote It

Add a section to your homepage

Create a dedicated menu item or landing page

Promote on social media, email newsletters, and in your checkout flow

Run seasonal campaigns (e.g., birthdays, Christmas, Father’s Day)

8. Track and Analyse

Monitor how often they're purchased and redeemed

Use analytics to refine offers and marketing

Consider offering incentives (e.g., “buy £100, get £10 extra”)

Is That's Business pro-business?

A link to a story on strikes by public sector workers on That's Business was posted up on a discussion on the Guardian newspaper's website.

The report was dismissed by a reader of the Guardian (presumably without bothering to read the story, never a good basis for a rational, reasoned debate!) because, they opened, That's Business is a 'pro-business' website.

That's Business is not pro or anti business. That's Business is, however, pro your business and provides news and information that is, it is hoped, of interest and value to your business.

After all, your business is important as business keeps the wheels of society moving. With no businesses there would be no water in our taps, no food on our table, no books on our bookshelf.