Special Entrepreneur! Interview

Howard Hodgson, chairman of Ronson Lighters, explains how his business grew from a small operation to a multi-million pound enterprise. Click here to visit the Microsoft Business Magazine

Welcome to the Microsoft
Business Centre, the essential resource for small business
Our aim is to be the one-stop resource of information for your small business. You'll find our site is organised into three main areas:

START If you are still in the planning stages, or have just set up your small business then you will be in need of advice on all sort of subjects, from finance to recruitment. Start can offer help on every subject of interest to a new company.

RUNEven though your business is up and running, your problems are not over, as the issues of planning and managing your day-to-day work are ongoing. Run is aimed at improving these areas to ensure a steady cash flow and a regular amount of work.

GROWIf your business is about to boom, it is vital to have systems in place that can help you manage your growth. Grow offers advice for small businesses undergoing change and information on and keeping customers.

At Microsoft we are aware of the key challenges facing any small business - issues of late payment, low turnover and managing growth to name but three - so each month this site will be packed with information that aims to help you avoid the pitfalls -; and reap the benefits!

Check out our Partner Forum and you'll see we have teamed up with Sage Accounting, the National Westminster Bank, Durham University Business School and other industry key players to bring you information, advice and keep you up-to-date with developments in the business world. Starting a new business? Need finance? Why not use the NatWest Small Business Start-Up Planner - a free wizard to help you develop a professional business finance proposal. And check out what the experts at Durham University have to say about how technology can help your business prosper.

We have also collected hundreds of practical Business FactFiles covering a diverse range of subjects from debt recovery to conducting market research.

We are delighted to launch a preview of our MAGAZINE devoted entirely to small businesses. Key features this issue, include everything you need to know about how new technologies can help you create a Mobile Office and a fascinating insight into theBill Gates view of life and business in the future.

The best news is that your magazine subscription is free – all we ask is that you take a couple of minutes to fill in our 'About You' questionnaire. We hope you'll find Microsoft Business Magazine a vital resource – whatever your business!