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News
Live longer -
UK women - don’t let your US
on your bike
cousins race ahead!
With petrol prices hitting new heights, Research recently undertaken in the USA
more people are turning to pedal found out that women are twice as likely to
power to get to work, and to get fit – start a business in the US compared to
research suggests cyclists could live women in the UK.
two years longer than average. With that in mind, and alongside other
According to Europe’s leading office research that suggests that more women would
and workplace equipment supplier, start their own business if they didn’t fear
Welco, orders for company cycle failure, Women Unlimited has set itself a mis-
sheds and ramps have never been sion to support women across all aspects of
healthier - they have seen a 100% their business lives. It will support business
increase in sales over the last two women who are starting up or who want to
months. It has never been a better increase their profits by sharing success strate-
Businesswoman Penny Power with husband Thomas
time to leave the car in the garage gies and stories. The organisation’s training From 1 September the online community will
and start cycling to work. content is created by women who are already be available to all registered users. Content will
In fact, under the 1999 Finance Act, managing their own successful businesses. include articles, videos, news, book reviews,
if employers sign up to the cycle-to- They are supporting the community through and a discussion forum inviting opinions and
Founders: Thomas & Penny Power
work scheme, it is a win–win situation their own experiences and engaging with the views. Also available will be details of the
– companies that provide bicycles audience on relevant topics. launch event and future events as they are
and accessories as a tax-free benefit Julie Hall, founder of Women Unlimited, decided upon. The website will feature real
save National Insurance and get explained further: ‘I want to be a catalyst for stories and interviews with women who are run-
healthier employees. helping women turn their ideas into profitable ning their own businesses. All content will be
Under the Government’s Green ventures while managing to maintain their work written by businesswomen who have managed
Transport Plan, which promotes / life balance. Women have a variety of moti- to juggle their personal and business lives and
healthier ways of getting to work vations for starting their own businesses, but have valuable experiences to share.
while reducing pollution, employees the ones I hear most often are family commit- Women Unlimited aims to be a supportive
taking advantage of the scheme get ments and independence. It is challenging platform that makes a genuine difference to
savings of up to 50% on the retail starting and running your own business, but women who want to make the most of their
price of bikes and accessories. through sharing real stories we can help women entrepreneurial instincts and achieve a greater
Birmingham-based Welco has seen find solutions and ideas to support them on balance in their lives.
significant increases in orders from their journey.’
www.women-unlimited.co.uk.
local authorities, health departments,
the police and companies both large
and small – all of them looking to pro-
vide new or increased cycle facilities
for their staff.
Welco’s chief executive, Adrian
Google your way to 192
Reeve, says that ‘cycling to work
benefits everyone. It helps relieve
traffic congestion; helps cut pollution;
192.com, the UK’s market-leading directory access to key information and tools across the
helps people save money they would enquiries site, has launched a unique Google web. It’s estimated that 20% of Google users
have spent on petrol; helps reduce Gadget that allows users to search for have adopted a personalised iGoogle page.
global warming; and often reduces people and businesses directly from their Dominic Blackburn, New Technology Direc-
their travel time. And with the tax iGoogle homepages. tor of
192.com, said of the launch, ‘adding
incentives that are available, people The new gadget gives users fast and free 192.com’s directory enquiry search tool next to
should take up the challenge. access to the site’s 13 million residential listings your news and weather updates ideally rounds
‘Cycling is no longer the preserve of and 4.5 million business listings. Users can also out your iGoogle homepage. We first developed
Lycra Man. It is now regarded as a search 192.com’s award winning maps and this gadget to allow our existing users to
serious means of transport. With the aerial photography directly from the gadget. In access search results faster, but we now see it
prospect of the $200 barrel of oil, the addition, the new tool will search the site’s has great potential to attract and retain new
bike should be viewed as a primary premium records, including Electoral Rolls and users as well.’
form of transportation – a free, calo- Company and Director Reports. To try out the
192.com iGoogle Gadget for
rie-burning, mobile gym.’ iGoogle home pages allow you to person- yourself, visit:
www.192.com/gadget
alise your Google search page, giving you fast
6 • issue 164 Business Matters
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