Office buildings are no longer the regimented spaces they once were – and modern furniture is increasingly reflecting this new reality

Excessive focus on big manufacturers is a distraction from the sector’s real innovators

Campari assessment

Bankers often assess business loan applications against seven criteria known by the Campari acronym. This stands for: Character of business and management; Ability to repay borrowing; Margin over base rate; Purpose of loan; Amount of loan; Repayment period and terms: and Insurance against non-repayment. For a new business venture, the track record of the management team will be viewed as very important, and insurance against non-repayment (usually security over the personal assets of the management team, such as homes) will be required.

Some businesses may have been alarmed by The Independent's report yesterday that a "tidal wave of business failures" may result from the winding down of the Government's Time to Pay scheme. I hope that I can allay any concerns.

Christopher Quinton launched the Wallingford-based Quincom Ltd in 2007

From April 2010 British businesses will be legislated into the front lines of the country’s battle to reduce its carbon footprint.

Small companies and start-ups have taken to 'speed-dating' to attract funds or business partners, reports Mathieu Robbins

Analysis

Outsourcing is back on the agenda, with a multiple-supplier model. But as Jonathan Cooper-Bagnall says, a holistic approach is vital

Soapbox

FORTNUM & MASON

‘Clever’ is the new ‘talent’ – and if managers really want to make the most of their gifted employees they must standback and allow them to get on with it. Roger Trapp reports

Dell beefs up its SMB campaign

Being adaptable and agile, and avoiding dependency on a small number of corporate customers, has been vital for small businesses during the credit crunch, says Roger Trapp

Professor Russell Smith answers your queries, and profiles a small business facing a big challenge