When Entreprenuer dreams turn into Nightmares: Reflections from Dragon's Den Series 8 - 05/08/2010

In this fortnight's issue:

• Julie Meyer: reflections from Series 8 of the Dragons' Den
• Wifi: Incredibly convenient - But what about security?
• SoundOut unveils unique semantic music search technology for catalogue owners
• New European laws could impact the use of cookies on websites
• BAFTA Young Games Designer Competition
• Entrepreneur's Relief: Tax Fact Sheet

When Entreprenuer dreams turn into Nightmares: Reflections from Dragon's Den Series 8

Julie Meyer for the BBC
Sam Petter exemplifies where a lot of first time entrepreneurs get stuck. She says that she's been working on Tatty Pumpkin for 5 years, and she has idea for a clothing line, a TV show, and to franchise the concept. She is a dreamer and sees a world of possibility."One key question that an individual should ask themselves when they are considering setting up in business and putting a considerable amount of money towards a product business is - "do I get as excited about delivering on contracts secured, forecasts and profitability as launching products, meeting potential customers and developing the marketing?" If the answer is no, then you'll be at risk of getting going only to come crashing to Earth again at a future date. Find a Commercial Director or General Manager who can execute your vision, or keep your dreams for sleep."
Read the full article here

AVG Security Tip of the Week: Wifi Incredibly Convenient - But What About Security?

 With the summer holiday season underway, many  of you will be packing your laptops so you can stay   in touch with business whilst away. Using Wi-Fi connections at airports to check emails and finish some last minute work before departure is very common and convenient. Unfortunately free wireless public networks are ripe for exploitation by hackers. Setting up fake "free" Wi-Fi hotspots in public places is alarmingly easy to do, and connecting to one of these could put your sensitive business and personal information at risk.
So here are a few pointers to help keep you safe when using public Wi-Fi connections on your travels:
Read More.... 

SoundOut unveils unique semantic music search technology for catalogue owners

SoundOut, Slicethepie’s analytics and market insight service, today announced the launch of SoundOut Search, a uniquely powerful music semantic search technology for catalogue owners.
SoundOut Search enables users to search a music catalogue using an entire music brief, a free text description or a reference track and receive a set of the closest matching tracks in the catalogue being searched. It is an easy-to-use tool that helps optimise synch and licensing opportunities by effectively mining and monetising the entire catalogue. In doing so, it compliments employee catalogue knowledge, locks that knowledge into the organisation and enhances the value of the asset.
Read more...

New European laws could impact the use of cookies on websites

Summary and implications
Recent amendments to the European directive on privacy and electronic communications (ePrivacy directive) could force website operators to reconsider their use of cookies.

This means that the UK’s current pragmatic approach to the use of cookies could change. Clients should monitor how the amendments are made to see whether they need to change their websites. Note that:
• The 27 EU member states have to bring the changes into force by 25 May 2011, and it seems they are unlikely to have a single common approach on how to implement these changes in their national laws.
• As a result, some countries may be more restrictive or more permissive than others, and this may cause some confusion for companies trying to work out which rules they must comply with.
• The country-of-origin principle in the eCommerce directive means that operators whose websites fall within the definition of “information society services” will likely need to comply only with the regulations in the country from which they are providing the service.

Read more...

Entrepreneur's Relief: Tax Fact Sheet

Entrepreneur's Relief can reduce the rate of UK Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to 10% on some disposals. This tax fact sheet from Smith & Williamson offers advice on maximising your returns.
Read more here.