BT broadband office

1. At November 27, 2007 10:18 AM, James Lyon wrote:

BT should be sticking to more business orientated topics offering support and advice for small businesses rather than the wider range of subjects covered by Simon.

We dont want our employees spending their valuable time reading non business trivia.

Remember Businesses pay your wages through BT Charges.

James

2. At November 27, 2007 11:52 AM, Jacqui Beardsley wrote:

I have benefitted from the previous IT blog entries and learnt alot. This I would like to see continue.

One thing I often hear from small business owners, like myself, is the question "Where can I find out about....?" This might be anything from Payroll to something specific to their business.

My suggestion would be to set up an information directory that people can add to (e.g. I spoke to.... on this telephone number.... about.... and then a comment as to whether they were helped, or not). In addition there could be an area for people to post the question they need answering.

Obviously anything that was entered by an individual would be their opinion only and whilst the comment may not be complimentary it couldn't be nasty.

Just a thought

Jacqui

3. At November 27, 2007 12:42 PM, Rob wrote:

Jacqui, BT have something quite similar to what you've described! The BT Support forum is a place for everyone to go and share information.

http://btb.lithium.com/btb

4. At November 27, 2007 2:45 PM, Scott Speight wrote:

Pretty much what Simon covered is about right. There are places for proper support and so new innovative programs that make work (and play) a bit quicker and cleverer is good to read. Things like Ubuntu and mini-pdf viewers.

5. At November 27, 2007 3:15 PM, Vincent Mcmahon wrote:

being able to run a business effectively means i dont need blog help for business support. as i have said before blogs are not sufficient for ways to run your business, expert help from professionals is the only way forward in that department.
i'd like to see articles with general IT support like "private IT vs ISP support" and articles about BTs technical support remits so we can feedback on our BT technical support experiences

6. At November 27, 2007 3:41 PM, Carl Lotter wrote:

I think more info about softwear that can enhance operations as well as news about social or business networking is never hurtfull as this helps get the word out on who does what, where they doing it, and how they doing it. This also helps give you an idea on what the competition are doing.

7. At November 27, 2007 3:49 PM, Luke Hamill wrote:

More of the same please. I agree with other posters here.
James if you need support for your business get it profesionally. Simon's blog's have been more than useful for small business and just plain interesting. Take his article on Linux based systems 13 November 2007. Pretty useful if you're a cost saving small business. I like to try to keep up with technology and a blog like this is perfect for me, as it's quick and easy to access. Like I said keep up the good work, sorry to see Simon leaving us.

8. At November 27, 2007 4:42 PM, Bob HXC Holly wrote:

James - you posted "We dont want our employees spending their valuable time reading non business trivia"

are you not spending valuable time posting non-business ramblings?

id like to know about new IT updates, what new gadgets may help my business, i understand not every post will cater towards me, but HXC are able to use this informal advice, maybe you should look into some more professional types of help.

9. At November 28, 2007 12:32 AM, James Lyon wrote:

What is needed from BT BLOG ??

First find a better word for BLOG !!!

Then information on the following please :

Positive advice to encourage small business efficiency. New software, facilities and technical advances that don't cost an arm and a leg. Changes in Legislation affecting small businesses, Customs and VAT changes. Postal and dispatch issues ( like postal prices by sizing as well as weight - Dont get caught with Christmas Cards). Business Cost saving tips. Telephone and Communication advances. Down to earth Website help and assistance. Banking and cost saving advice. Banking changes and trends. Alternative operating systems like advice that was given recently about LINUX. Economical system upgrades. Suggestions regarding better use of old computer systems for small business tasks. Stealth Taxation - National and Local Government. Changes in employment law. New laws and regulations affecting the web and internet. Good internet practice. Etc Etc.

Just a few to go on with.

James

10. At November 28, 2007 10:07 AM, Anjanesh wrote:

My, My , My

someone is turning this blog into a wishlist !

James ; we all echo your 'time-being-wasted-on-blog advise' but Bob HXC has hit the right spot !
well if you need so much advice for FREE maybe this is not the right place. BT does its best ot help customers out formally and informally but no sane business would provide support for nothing.
BT has publcally stated its strategy to focus on small busines rather than huge corporates alone ( aka microsoft/sun or SAP) and this is one of the means to reach out to arising /established entreprenuers as well as a learning tool for others.

Dishing out professional advice for free is not exactly a sound business model....or is it ?

11. At November 28, 2007 10:25 AM, JAMES LYON wrote:

A few more topics to add to your list:

Identity Theft. Insider Theft and Fraud of Company data and assets.. Internet Security. International Fraud and Payment Systems. Employee IT Training. Employee monitoring. Employment & Company Law - Pitfalls for the small Company to be aware of. Small Business opportunities. Franchises etc.

Employee misuse of Company Computers, Data and Communication Systems for their own or others purposes.
Security of Company Data and copy procedures. Company employee IT rules, regulations and training. Employee theft - Data, equipment and assets, property etc. Illegal use of IT systems. Data protection Act and regulations. Small Business banking and Banking charges. Bank's attempt to phase out cheques and to force 100% of payments by electronic transfer by stealth tactics... Banking inequality. Banking transactions that vary from one day to 10 days. Data protection and virus warnings. Dismissal procedures for misuse of above items. Cash transactions and cash handling. Small Business employment law. Internet data theft. Alternative online auction sites. Marketing opportunities and new ideas. Plus many more Small Business related items.

Thank you. Regards JAMES.

12. At November 28, 2007 12:15 PM, Kurtis Angle wrote:

A blog is intended as a light-hearted look at current events and for them to be discussed in an equally light-hearted manner. I feel that Mr Lyon appears not to have grasped this concept.

13. At November 28, 2007 1:07 PM, Luke wrote:

I laughed at James' caps lock love, he's one of these old fashioned fella's who hasn't seen the upside to web 2.0

Let's face it, blogs serve different purposes for different people in different areas of different industries. And if you look carefully, each blog is in a category, no one is going to force you to open every blog that gets posted. So if you don't think it's appropriate, don't open it and don't complain. Chances are, it's helped someone else anyway.

So just because "Mr James Lyon - Complainer Extraordinaire" Doesn't agree with certain blogs, doesn't mean you should change them. It also doesn't mean you should ignore all his suggestions, but I'm sure most would agree, it would be a dull world indeed if we didn't have something to break the day up a little bit.

14. At November 28, 2007 1:34 PM, Bob HXC Holly wrote:

i would like the following topics covered :

how to speak to customers
how to open the door in a morning
how to make a cup of tea during my break
how to count the money at the end of the day

be serious please James, this is not business 101.

15. At November 29, 2007 5:25 AM, company formation wrote:

Yes, BT must be focused on small business solutions and it should provide info about online opportunities to have more highlights to the business firms.

16. At November 29, 2007 8:58 AM, Bob HXC Holly wrote:

can someone PLEASE point out where exactly it says small business ONLY on this website.

i come from a medium sized company, does this mean i dont need any more information?

its a BUSINESS blog. to pigeon hole yourself from the start really limits the amount of knowledge you can obtain

17. At November 29, 2007 10:28 AM, JAMES LYON wrote:

LOTS OF COMMENTS ABOUT MY SUGGESTIONS ETC - BUT PLEASE LETS HAVE SOME NEW TOPICS FROM YOU LOT OUT THERE - FOR BT - AS THEY REQUESTED !!!

Small companies consist of about 2 to 5 employees in the Uk. There are many, many more small companies than large ones and they need all the help that they can get. Self employed people usually work 60 or more hours a week (7 days a week ) running their business including keeping their accounts and VAT records up to date etc. etc. If you work 9 to 5 for 5 days a week doing just one job - Then you are lucky.

The more suggestions that BT can get from YOU BLOGGERS the better for all concerned. *******

Yes at 70 years old, I am OLD FASHIONED with old fashioned values which dont seem to matter these days. I try to keep uptodate and abrest of new technology and still design and develop my own websites plus strive to achieve a 100% customer satisfaction rating.

So lets have some more topics from you all to encourage BT to help small businesses grow into bigger ones. *****

Regards James - Retired Small Business Development Consultant.

18. At November 29, 2007 1:19 PM, Jim Duggan wrote:

James do you not think a small company can be more than number of employee's?

In my hometown a small company employs 100 people and deals within the local economy only.

It does not deal in national or international terms. It does have a very large turnover but is not a big company.

Sadly you are outdate in your idea, years ago that would be seen as a small company but now it can be seen up to 200 people.

This blog was perfect before hand. Giving new technological updates like linux,firefox etc.

This allowed me to alter my business to new technology if I wanted.

If you wish for updates on legislation or identity theft. I would check the government's own websites. Google it. It will take you directly to the website where it advises you of this.

Speaking of which the government is trying to curb its 1000+ websites into about 100 or less to make the information manageable.

BT are not a bank James, so why should they offer you support on what a bank's policies are with regards to charges etc? Speak to the bank yourself.

As has been said before, if you want professional help then you have to pay for it.

You should be grateful BT are even offering this business blog for free.

19. At November 29, 2007 3:53 PM, Jimmy Hayden wrote:

In reply to Victor Meldre.., Oops James Lyons post it appears to me that he does not know much about running a business if he is asking for discussions on employment law etc, incidentally most of which were covered by this blog.

The Government does have various websites for use regarding business legislation.

Employee theft - I'm sure your local crime prevention officer would be able to advise on this.

Data protection Act and regulations, Security of Company Data and copy procedures - http://www.ico.gov.uk.

Alternative online auction sites - www.google.co.uk is a good place to start.

virus warnings - Usually covered by a/v software providers websites / BT Service Status.

In fact for any information regarding these topics google is your friend.

20. At November 29, 2007 4:22 PM, anjanesh wrote:

hi5 Jim. Spot on;BT is maintaining this blog and providing a whole lot of business tools free of cost to all. Not even the government sites provide this kind of support.
I believe all of us have been using windows at some point or the other - but i have never heard James or anyone raise a finger against the mighty corporates here. BT bashing is not fashionable anymore .
BT is doing a whole lot for business and in fact encourages one person business working from home.

21. At December 1, 2007 5:05 PM, Tanvir Ahmad wrote:

I am a bit confused here. Why is it that BT has to do everything for us! Why can't we help each other! I don't think BT really bothers what happens to small businesses as long as we pay the bills. Nothing is free in this world as someone has said and I don't think BT is something different.

And Anjansesh - "BT does its best ot help customers out formally and informally" - Does it really now? Hmm.. I guess i will never find out. All this new tools, new everything that BT is coming up with.. most of it is trial. After a few days they start charging for it. So no!! I think you are wrong!

22. At December 1, 2007 10:22 PM, james lyon wrote:

Well, Well, Well - Come on you lot of Techno Computer BLOGGIES -

FACT - BT asked a simple question: What do you want to read about?

I gave some 20 topics or so and others have chippen in with some more.

The rest of you have completely missed the BT QUESTION - Rather than showing your selves up - Get your brains into gear and come up with some TOPICS OF YOUR OWN.

It is after all what BT asked for. If you dont make any suggestions dont moan at a later date.

BT ASKED : What do you want to read about? Come on answer the question !!

FACT: I consider that BT is doing a great job - Far better than others I have used in the Past.

If the cap fits - wear it - but dont moan - Be positive and answer BT's Question.

I reast my case. No further comment - It is just not worth it - The old fashioneed 70 year old.

James.

23. At December 2, 2007 5:27 PM, Tanvir Ahmad wrote:

Once again Anjanesh. Nope! They are not really free. The basic functionalities are free. But if you need more options, you have to pay.
. Some of them are free for the trial period. This is a business strategy to attract people and once they get used to using it, some people pay to use the advanced options!! So tell me is it really free? Sorry my friend, think you live in fantasy land!

Personally, I think we should have topics that would help our day to day activities, may be problems we face while running business and we can join into a discussion and share our experiences. It can be anything from tax issues to IT, Laws that effect our business interests etc.

24. At December 3, 2007 11:25 AM, Bob HXC Holly wrote:

i want to read (to clarify)

- new updates to firefox/opera/IE etc etc
- new advances in hardware
- IT related surveys and trends
- nothing about facebook

and James, maybe you need to read more opinion polls about BT's performance!

what ever happened to the Friday Funny anyways?

25. At December 3, 2007 2:46 PM, Anjanesh wrote:

Well raised point Tanvir.
Lets see..
BT security pack
- fully functioning free anti virus and firewall (free)
BT connect emails with sub domain hosting
- free
BT red care advice
- free
BT business reference guides
- free
BT support by phone
- free
you have confirmed the point and what you state as 'basic functionalities' also take effort and time by skilled team members to be updated and improved upon and used by many.Of course you would be asked to pay for advanced options ! Do you provide all your services for free ? or do you at least provide free unlimited telephonic support ?
BT would follow the general business model of providing trial versions but also provides clear products/information that are free in all respects.

Links to laws that affect business and tools are regularly posted on this blog .