In this financial climate, it seems more important than ever to have a unique and strong marketing initiative that is capable of delivering tangible results, making your company memorable to potential clients both big and small. With certain ideas in partnership with the likes of Ideas by Net, organisations will have fantastic marketing ideas at their fingertips.

Firstly, promotional items by Ideasbynet.com can give a constant companion to potential clients in the form of a pen, folder or even a cap or T-shirt. The best thing is that, particularly with the likes of pens, they act as a mobile billboard that can pass through the hands of dozens of people. So long as it’s a good quality choice, you can guarantee your brand will be in circulation for a long time.

If you plan to offer discounts to customers, don’t go overboard – be unpredictable. How great would it be for a customer if they called you up and you said that you would drop your prices by ten per cent for no reason? The buzz that could generate for this act of kindness is the sort of thing that would spread online and by word of mouth.

Finally, one of the most important things about having a brand is giving it the story it deserves. Consider how the rise to fame of Richard Branson and Alan Sugar has affected their businesses; by personifying a company, you get more of a response from clients because they prefer dealing with people over faceless organisations.

It has long been thought that reading in insufficient light can be bad for your eyes, potentially contributing to the need for glasses or even laser eye treatment from http://www.ultralase.com. However, one academic begs to differ. In research-based magazine The Conversation, Harrison Weisinger, foundation director of optometry studies at Deakin University, said this is nothing more than an old wives’ tail – although it is possible to give yourself a sore head and eyes.

According to Mr Weisinger, reading in dim light is only possible when there is enough light around for the cones in the eyes to pick up a signal. We only really use the cones in the centre of our vision, and readers can test this for themselves by looking directly up at the stars on a clear night – they can only be seen by looking slightly to the side of them, as cones are designed for close-up vision only.

“Of course, eyestrain – the feeling of tired or aching eyes and headache – may indicate that you need glasses, or perhaps the glasses you’re wearing may need an update,” the expert went on to say.

“If you are concerned about the health of your eyes, see your optometrist for a check up.”

Kicking off the Paris Fashion Week on 18th January, Mugler revealed their out of this world theme for men’s autumn/winter 2012-13 style. The new collection featured sharply tailored, heavily textured capes and layered suits. It focused on shades of maroon, navy blue and rich dark green, together with black, white and grey.

Fashion-conscious men should seek out navy blue and deep burgundy items to team with dark grey outfits, ready for the coming autumn season. You can find these colours on the high street for a slice of the designer price, such as this burgundy hoody http://www.bankfashion.co.uk/men/brand/jack-and-jones/ amongst other well-tailored yet wallet friendly men’s clothing at BANK Fashion.

In Mugler’s collection, organic materials and fabrics were given a plastic, rubber or lacquered coating for a glossy finish and most of the pieces had a metallic high shine, reflecting the outer space-inspired style, although this aspect of the clothing is a statement on the catwalk, it is unlikely to filter through to everyday wear.

Renowned as Lady Gaga’s stylist, Nicola Formichetti – creative director of the French fashion house – wanted to explore the idea of male heroes, using padding and tailoring giving the models a “superhuman” aspect in their appearance and proportions.

Formichetti explained: “It is that exaggerated, heroic silhouette, hyper-masculine and formal that we were interested in, and how it transforms men.”

It’s now a mere 64 days until the London 2012 Olympics start and the nation is starting to get a little bit excited. Why not celebrate the event with friends and family by holding your own gathering? The cost of tickets to attend the big event may have been steep, but thanks to the huge coverage on TV you need not miss any of the excitement, in fact – you can even create your own.

If your social group are sporty types, why not organise your own mini Olympics, complete with sporting gear as worn by the athletes?  If your crowd is less athletic and more arm chair, try holding a Wii Olympics instead – it can still provide a great fun atmosphere and get things moving. Get everyone motivated by making your own medals and carrying out a mini awards ceremony at the end of the night.

To really keep your party on theme – and keep costs down – why not ask everyone to bring some themed food and drinks with them? This could be anything from food shaped into javelins, rowing boats and basketballs, through to foods from all of the nations taking part in the Olympics. This article has some great ideas.

As the spring fashion trends are already coming into the spotlight, with designers making bold predictions about the coming year, we’ve decided to take a look at the incoming styles you can look forward to. Ditch the expensive materials and personally tailored outfits – this guide is all about the trends you can afford!

Knitwear

Knitted pieces will last out the winter and enjoy a spring outing too this year, with key pieces in grey wools becoming a popular way to inject a subtle texture to your outfit. Alternatively, aim for chunky-knit accessories for a statement piece, and skip the cashmere in favour of half-and-half sythentic wool with a bright print for a scarf that will add just as much to your look. The best thing about knitwear is that you can make it yourself, allowing you to stay on-trend and learn a new hobby!

Flora and fauna

Prints, prints, prints: expect to see lots of nature-themed outfits this spring, from animal print motifs to floral designs and even subversions of the classic bird print with cats and foxes. Owls are still big, and getting bigger; this bizarre trend is taking street fashion by storm, so don’t miss out! Marisota offer a range of floral tops and dresses at an amazing price, ideal for updating your wardrobe in a flash.

8-bit chic

Space invaders, neon colours and Gameboy motifs are all on-trend at the moment as retro style takes on a decidedly geeky trend. Avoid going overboard by looking through charity shops and car boots for genuine vintage accessories, rather than going overboard online.