Now that's what I call spin!

Was very pleased to find out that I'd won a raffle prize recently. Since the theme of the event had been pampering, was even more excited when I learnt it was a 'handbag butler'

Finally, my lifestyle had caught up with my aspirations. An attractive young man to follow me around for the rest of my days carrying my bag! In fairness, I've done the groundwork - handbags are to me what shoes are to many other women. I own a lot. I have one in most colours, sometimes two - smart and casual or small and large. Because you just never know. I consider myself the ideal employer for such an individual.

Except apparantly a handbag butler is actually a metal hook (albeit fancy) that you use to hang your bag from the table when you go out to dinner.

A useful accessory but oh, the crushing disappointment!

But it got me to thinking - what an excellent way to make a quite mundance item sound desirable. And a good lesson for every small business. It's all about creating a buzz around what you do and making potential clients feel that what you offer or sell is going to enhance their life in some way.

Mmm, maybe I'll ponder that some more during a personal floatation experience (bath) enhanced by some multi sensory mood lighting (scented candles) with a G and T garnished with drinks diamonds (ice cubes).

I'm sorry, I completely misunderstood and appear to have killed my husband!

I may officially be the worst blogger ever - it's been ages! Must do better!

In my defence, I've been ploughing loads of time and effort into building the business. I've thrown myself into the local networking arena, which has brought lots of new contacts and a pleasing amount of work. It also means I have amassed a vast collection of business cards. And I've noticed that these seem to fall into two categories.

For small or owner managed businesses the card is all about selling the business. Thought has been given to colour, design, straplines, bullet points selling the benefits of the business etc etc. These cards are like small children - full of exuberance and enthusiasm, noisily clamouring for attention at the front of the class with their hand stretched as high in the air as possible while shouting "Me me me!"

Then there's the corporate business card. A different proposition altogether. Generally understated, white space is usually a feature with these cards. These companies are often in the enviable position of having a sufficiently strong brand that they don't need to sell on their business card. They remind me of teenagers - laid back, almost to the point of disinterest. Sufficiently comfortable in their own skin that they feel no particular need to make an effort to engage with their audience.

But, before we write them off, the Corporate Business Card does have an extra trick up their sleeve. The job title. In my short networking career I've met Managers (Account, Sales and Relationship) Directors (Account again but also Managing and Regional) and several Heads of...All of which can leave the small businsess feeling rather inadequate and outcrowd - more teenage behaviour! Or perhaps that's just sour grapes from a small business owner!

Mind you, job titles are not always used to their best advantage. My Father-in-Law has been in hospital for several months. The Hospital staff feel that they've now taken his rehabilitation as far as they can and are looking to move him on. All of which gave me some valuable context when I played back a voice mail message for my husband from (her words) "The Discharge Nurse" Eeeuuww!