The D*Haus Company is an experimental design and architecture practice, producing products inspired by mathematics. We use a common mathematical principle and apply it across three areas of design: architecture, art and lifestyle products. For example, our application of Henry Ernest Dudeney’s discovery has allowed us to generate a family of ideas: some of which are products for use in the home, and others which are the home itself.

The D*Haus Company was established in 2011, since then, D*Haus has appeared in a number of exhibitions in the UK, international magazines, journals and television features around the world including: The Sunday Times, Daily Mail, BBC Culture Show, The Virgin Media House of the Future, Hello Magazine, Globe and Mail Canada, FastCompany, Vogue Italy, Home & Decor Singapore, Huffington Post and Wired Magazine. We have also been short-listed for a number of awards including The Blueprint Design Awards 2011 and Dezeen’s Top Videos of 2012.

The first product the company is releasing is the D*Table – a flexible and adaptable low table that can transform into 8 different positions, to suit different spaces. We already have a number of confirmed orders for the table, and a series of international retailers who wish to stock it.

Our ultimate goal is to realise the world’s first dynamic house, The D*Haus Dynamic – a shape shifting house that can change its form to respond to environmental and seasonal conditions. We already have a series of potential clients for this project in locations, including the UK, US and Middle East.

We are also working with a well known and respected manufacturer from the automation industry, who is supporting the idea, and with whom we aim to build a working prototype to present at The Grand Designs Live Exhibition, London 2014.

We are now seeking financial backing to make the project a reality.

The Team

The company is formed by its two Directors, David Ben Grunberg and Daniel Woolfson. Both are qualified architects, who met who met whilst studying at the University of Manchester, and both have worked for a number of different architectural practices in the UK and abroad before establishing D*Haus.

They run the company from the company’s studio in North London, and work with a support team, including a product development specialist and a web / digital designer.

The Market

The recent financial crisis and knock-on effects on the housing market have left many lovers of high-end furniture design and innovative home design less inclined to make new purchases.

However, we believe the recovery in these markets and an increase in consumer confidence mean that the full launch of D*Haus has been timed perfectly.

Funding Requirement

An investment of funds would allow for us to reduce the production costs of D*Table, develop some elements of the design, allow international distribution, increased PR and marketing, recruitment of required personnel, increase studio space along with research and development into future D*Haus products.

We are aiming to have all our investors covered by the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and therefore are looking for a maximum of £150,000 for an equity stake in the company.

Turnover and Projections

Through sales of the D*Table we believe we can raise around £300,000 in our first year, with satellite products raising an additional £100,000.

How did you get started in the music industry?

I started creating music when I was young because it has always a passion of mine, and over time things have just gotten bigger and bigger up to where I am today. I used to MC in my bedroom with my mates because we shared a similar taste in music, and eventually we started our own group called Ruff Sqwad. We used to do a lot of raves and pirate radio stations with similar artists including Wiley and Dizzee Rascal, and then from a booking I got in Norwich to perform with JME I met my managers and it all started from there. I haven’t looked back.

What’s the highlight of your career so far?

I think the highlight of my career has to be my first number one, which was called Number 1 featuring N-Dubz. For a British artist there isn’t a greater moment in your career than getting that first number one, particularly as it was the culmination of so much hard work. It was a crazy feeling, and exceeded my expectations by staying at number one for four consecutive weeks.

Which industries outside of music are you particularly interested in?

I’m really interested in the fashion industry, and have always been since I was breaking into the music scene. I have my own clothing range called Star In The Hood, which I actually started as a small entrepreneurial business venture to fund my 1^st album as I wasn’t signed to a record label at the time. But as my career took off the fashion line thrived as well.

Are there more options open to musicians in terms of business than in the past?

Artists definitely have more options in terms of business ventures than in previous generations, both in the music industry and in other areas. Sponsors and collaborations are both far more common than they used to be within the music industry, and the influence of music artists in popular culture is such that the marketability of the artist themselves as a brand is at the most valuable it has ever been. So whether its clothing, headphones, phones or even drinks, artist endorsements to products are now big business, as it’s a more open market and the public increasing want what you’re representing.

So would you ever consider retiring from music and pursing other ventures full time?

No I wouldn’t, I love music and it will always be my number one priority. I’ve never even considered working in music as a job, it has always just been my life, so I could never walk away from it. All of the business opportunities that have come my way as a bi-product of doing what I love, and every day I count being a part of the music industry as a blessing.

What’s your ultimate ambition as a businessman?

My ultimate ambition is to continue being a successful artist that makes waves throughout the music industry with my own material and promoting other artists from my record label, Cloud9. I’m also dedicating myself to expanding all my other business ventures, including my headphones collection and my clothing line.

Did you ever have any doubts you wouldn’t be successful? And if you did what did you say to yourself to overcome them?

Yes I have had doubts at times in my career, but when it comes to the pathway to success I have always believed that you have to take risks, believe in yourself, know what you want and focus on it. If you believe in yourself you can achieve everything you want in life. Having the right people around you is also key to success. People you trust and who share your vision are invaluable.

What advice would give anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

My advice would be to stay focused, work hard, do not be afraid of failing and above all be unique. Everyone is different, and knowing that and not forgetting who you are is what will get you noticed in an industry like music.

Do you have a master plan you’re working to, and how far are you down the road to achieving it?

You have to have a plan and know what you want to achieve if you’re ever going to reach your goals. I suppose to the outside world it may look like I’ve achieved a lot in in a short space of time, but there’s still so much I want to accomplish in the industry, so I think of myself as still taking early steps along the master plan.

You latest entrepreneurial project is with Goji headphones. How did that project come about?

Goji first approached me about the collaboration, and it just seemed like a natural fit for me and my brand. I had seen how successful Dr Dre had been with his headphone range, and wanted to bring out my own product which matched the great quality, but at a more affordable price. There were a lot of meetings back and forth with regards to the product design, but it was worth it in the end as we now have a brand that we’re really proud of.

How important have your business partners been in your successes?

I have to say it’s been very important in my path to success. You have to be able to listen and take in everyone’s opinion, two brains are better than one. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had the chance to work with some great people so far, and look forward to working with other up and coming business people in the future.

Tinchy Stryder has teamed up with Goji to produce the Goji Tinchy Stryder: On Cloud 9 audio range which is available exclusively at Currys and PC World

Despite the economic downturn, holiday rentals still remain popular and today HomeAway.co.uk lists over 545,000 properties globally. The market for holiday rentals has never been busier. Given that renting a holiday home is generally less expensive and more flexible than staying in a hotel, it is increasingly seen as the perfect solution for extended families and groups who need the space and comforts of home or those looking for flexibility when on holiday.

The key point to emphasis is that self-catering is no longer about renting a musty, damp house by the seaside that is filled with old furniture and mismatched crockery. Guests have high expectations, and whilst they may not be staying in a hotel, they still want a great service, spotless accommodation and modern facilities in return for their hard earned cash.

If you are considering renting out your property to holidaymakers, you need to consider the following points so you can decide whether your rental charges make it feasible.

What are the monthly mortgage payments, including insurance, interest and taxes?

How much is your building and liability insurance?
Do you have to pay complex or ground fees?
How much will maintenance, repairs and redecorating cost per annum?
Do you need housekeeping and a local agent and how much do they charge?

How will you be advertising your property and what costs are involved?

Erica Chang, Regional Director for HomeAway.co.uk, says, “If you are renting out your second home and want to ensure you have bookings throughout the year, we suggest as well as having your own website you use a site like ours to look professional and drive traffic and sales. Consider creating a niche for your particular property and decide who it will appeal to and kit out the house to suit their needs. Whether it is child friendly, vintage luxury, good for walkers, close to beaches that are excellent for surfing, find the USP and capitalise on it”.

She adds, “Don’t use your holiday property as a storage space for cast-offs from home. Competition is tough; old sofas and mismatched linen aren’t good enough and will make you out to be an amateur. Decorate your property to the highest standard you can afford and bring together the interior design with finishing touches like fluffy towels and smart bathroom products. Provide good-quality essentials that will survive wear and tear and provide the basics that people expect, such as modern bathrooms, white linen and comfortable beds. Leave a welcome pack with local produce and information and have a guest book on the kitchen table so people can write about what a great time they had.”

For more information about how to get it right, download the HomeAway.co.uk ‘Free Beginners Guide to Renting Your Holiday Home. This 26-page guide to renting your home covers the benefits of renting a holiday home, preparing a property for guests, writing an advert, taking good photographs, deciding on rental rates and much more.

Want to know how much income you could generate by renting out your second home? Try out HomeAway.co.uk’s Rental Income Calculator.

Mayfair doesn’t tend to be the most obvious location for entrepreneur networking events, with more modern London business leaders tending to congregate more centrally or in the East than the Monopoly board’s premium address. However, with more and more elite businesspeople focusing on the acquisition of ultra-high net worth contacts, the capital’s more traditional money zone is coming back into fashion as a hotspot of entrepreneur interactions.

We’ve noticed a rising number of invites for entrepreneur networking opportunities in the area, so tried out the most talked about in elite business circles, The Clubhouse Entrepreneurs Club.

Taking place at the impressive eponymous club on Grafton Street, which successfully aims to combine a private members’ club and five star business lounge, the event retains an exclusive feel, and offers entrepreneurs a buzzy and modernist place to do business.

We arrive and are made to feel welcome, before being introduced to many of the other entrepreneurs milling about. There is a pleasantly surprisingly eclectic number of industries represented from tech entrepreneurs to international businesspeople looking to make deals there and then. The Clubhouse staff work hard to create a positive and non-pushy ambience, and we find we glide from one entrepreneur to the next seamlessly, and politely.

Drinks are plentiful and light, and we find that we are nearing the point where a break would be a good idea when the night’s speaker, James Lohan, the founder of Mr and Mrs Smith, gives a smart, bright and amusing interlude performance, before we’re chatting business again with more connected entrepreneurs.

Despite the obviously nice surroundings of The Clubhouse, we judge a networking event on the people it brings together, and our scientifically sound business card scoring system (a business card is added to our left jacket pocket if we feel we could do business with them, and right if we feel we couldn’t), reveals more than a 90% hit rate, which is good by any measure.

Mayfair may be seen as traditional money, but it’s a very nice mix of the new and the old we encounter here, in what is fast becoming one of the most must-attend networking events for entrepreneurs in London.

www.theclubhouselondon.com

How did Goldgenie launch? What were you doing before Goldgenie?

I have always been a hard worker. Growing up in a poor family, I started work at an early age to help my mum out. I did a bit of everything, from cutting hedges to buying cars and shipping them to Jamaica, and by the age of 19 I had paid off the mortgage on my family home. Things were going great until my business partner sold my business behind my back and I was left with nothing. It was a really dark time in my life and I was sleeping on a friend’s living room floor whilst I tried to come up with an idea that would get me back on my feet. I remembered a gold plating system that I had seen in America the year before, and that had always stuck at the back of my mind. I drew up some plans for a portable gold plating device and had one made, and that’s when Goldgenie was born.

Did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur before you launched Goldgenie?

Absolutely. Even from a young age I had lots of small businesses on the go, as I just had an eye for making money. I always loved the idea of being my own boss, coming up with new ventures and being in control of my own future. 

How was your experience with Dragon’s Den?

Dragon’s Den was a fantastic experience and since I appeared on it in 2007, my life has been a whirlwind. However, after I was selected for the show, nerves got the better of me and I pulled out at the last minute. It wasn’t until the third time I was asked to go onto the show that I actually decided to go through with it. That decision was made after a good friend of mine had passed away, it made me realise that you should make the most of every opportunity, and I’ve never looked back since.

Would Goldgenie be here today without Dragons Den?

Appearing on Dragon’s Den and winning investment from James Caan has no doubt been a huge impact on the success of Goldgenie, and I am incredibly grateful for the financial support and opportunities the show has given me. However, I am a very ambitious and determined person so there is no doubt in my mind that Goldgenie would still have been a success without Dragon’s Den. Before I appeared on the show I had been flown to Los Angeles to gold plate 55 mobile phones for Emmy Award winners including Denzel Washington and Helen Mirren, so I was already on my way up before the show.

Would you advise other would be entrepreneurs to seek mentors/investors?

Of course having the financial support is important to any entrepreneur starting up a business. However, more important than that is having a mentor to support and advise you. Advice and guidance is priceless, which is why I now spend a lot of time supporting other aspiring entrepreneurs in launching their businesses. It’s my way of giving something back to the business community.

What’s the highlight of your career as an entrepreneur to date?

There’s been so many highlights, but I think being approached by Elton John to design a 24ct.gold plated iPod for his annual White Tie and Tiara Ball auction is one of the highlights. Twelve iPods were auctioned off to VIP guests including Will Smith, raising more than £100,000 for Elton’s AIDS Foundation. We also sold the product in Harrods and Selfridges, and they have been our most successful product to date.

Is the recession affecting your business?

Many of our clients are from the Middle East, Russia or Asia where their economies are growing rapidly and there is demand for high end luxury products like ours. Our business is continuing to grow year on year and we have been lucky not to have been affected by the recession unlike so many others.

Tell us about how you are now franchising Goldgenie in the UK and abroad?

We offer international master franchising as well as low entry level business opportunities here in the UK. We have 18 master franchises worldwide, including Italy, South Africa and most recently Bahrain. The business opportunities are also very popular and allow individuals to set up their own gold plating business for which we provide a complete business solution, training and support.

What is in the future for you? Are you looking at new businesses outside of Goldgenie?

I’m 100% focused on Goldgenie at the moment. The company is constantly evolving and I want to focus on growing the business and introducing new products and services. Not only do we sell luxury products such as 24ct.gold plated iPhones, iPads and Blackberries, but we also have a customisation service where we gold plate bathrooms and even temples and mosques. There is an increasing demand for all of our services and I don’t intend on taking my eye off the ball any time soon.

Do you have an inspiration in the business world?

They say you should never meet your idol, but given the opportunity the one business mogul that I would like to have met would be John D Rockefeller. His business and life story inspired me from a young age.

If you could offer one piece of advice to young entrepreneurs, what would it be?

I would encourage young entrepreneurs to really think about exactly what it is that they want to achieve and to keep that at the front of their minds. Everyone’s image of success is different, so it’s important that you can visualise your goal and focus on achieving it. We all lead busy lives and it can be easy to become distracted on what it is that we really want. Stay focused and anything you desire can be yours.

No stranger to highly acclaimed acclaimed establishments including The Greenhouse, Zafferano, Chez Bruce, Petrus and Claridges, or working with creative culinary giants such as Marcus Wareing, Gordon Ramsey and Michel Peraud, Williams has used this treasure trove of experience and his passion for wonderful food to make his restaurant at The Westbury one of the hottest tables in town.

Alyn, you’ve certainly kept company with some of the most driven, talented and perfection-demanding chefs around, how do you cope with the pressure of working in such environments?

I worked for David Everitt-Matthias early on in my career, he was the catalyst behind my understanding of fine dining and using ingredients properly. Marcus and Gordon both ran very strict kitchens, but the discipline suited me and helped me to focus on improving the standard of my cooking.

What was the toughest, most challenging time in your professional career?

The toughest kitchen was Petrus when we opened in St James’s. It was full on, driven, aggressive and very long hours. I was 30 then and it was hard, but I loved it!

The biggest challenge was opening my current restaurant at The Westbury, we met plenty of stumbling blocks along the way but it was one of the most satisfying things that I have ever done when we had finally achieved our goals.

Who would you say your main mentors have been, and what do you feel you’ve learnt from them?

Of course Marcus Wareing, he showed me how to run a tight, professional kitchen. I also observed how to run and organise a restaurant well. Angela Hartnett and Mark Askew were also great mentors.

What would you say are your key culinary influences now?

I get inspired one way or another every day. Whether it be talking to the farmers we work with about what they are growing, or simply cycling through London, seeing what is growing right under our noses.

There are so many great chefs out there that inspire me too, and I’m very interested in what is going on in the kitchens of Germany at the moment in particular. I’ve just bought Sven Elverfeld’s book (Aqua) which is exceptional.

Tell us about your signature dishes and signature style

My style is evolving, but in essence it would be described by most as being modern French.

I think as a signature dish, the foie gras semi fredo has been the one technique that has been on more of our menus than any other since we started – although it has been presented alongside several different garnishes depending on the season. At present we serve the dish with Amalfi lemons, liquorice and a salted hazelnut crisp.

What are your aims when it comes to sourcing produce?

The aims are simply to source the best of the best. I work very closely with my suppliers, many of them grow, cultivate, catch and breed the ingredients that they sell me themselves. I think that by buying produce that way it means that the ethical side of things falls naturally in to place. There are very few air miles, chemicals or corporations involved in my menus.

What factors do you attribute your success to?

First of all a passion for food and cooking. Then simply hard work, a drive to succeed and the will to improve every day.

Have you any advice for those thinking of investing in the industry?                                                           

Choose your investment carefully. Do your homework on the type of outlet and the people you are investing in, and be realistic about the speed and rates of your expected returns.

Any trends you foresee?

I think we will see more restaurants combining fine dining in more casual surroundings in future, and I also think we will see more chef interaction with customers at the same time.

How do you balance the creative and business sides of what you do?

I have had to improve my time management, or else it’s easy to neglect one side of the operation. The creative side is more natural, I’m constantly thinking about new dishes and talking to suppliers about ingredients. I have also surrounded myself with a very good team who help with the business side of things.

What are your plans for the next 12 months or so?   

Being here in the kitchen, and pushing to maintain standards and develop the character of the restaurant. Other than that I will be visiting suppliers around the country. We also have a spot at Taste of London this year, so we’re looking forward to that.

What are your long term aims?

My business and personal aims are inseparable. I want to build the restaurant into a successful business that can sustain itself comfortably.

Once we have achieved a continuous success here we can start looking at what else can be done. I’d love to spend a bit more time with my family too.

What are currently your favourite places to dine?   And which dishes do you love the most?

Different places for different occasions. I love what James and Sandia are doing at Bubbledogs, with a relaxed, fun atmosphere, but with seriously good food. I really enjoy high end fine dining as well though, and Claire at restaurant Gordon Ramsay is still one of London’s finest.

But to take me home it has to be a good plate of pie and mash (East End style) with stewed eels and liquor!

Finally, top chefs are often described as being slaves to perfection, but it’s impossible to be bang on all of the time. Any funny culinary incidents you can divulge?

When I was cooking at school, I failed my exam because I mixed up the salt for sugar which resulted in me cooking sweet sausage rolls and salty custard tart! Needless to say I taste everything first now.

My career began in accounting working at DH&S (Deloitte Haskins & Sells)—known today as PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)—but I always felt drawn to the luxury market, and I wanted to do something I enjoyed; so, although I was overqualified, I took my first position with Forte Hotels as a financial controller in the eighties. The rest, as they say, is history.

Eventually I was scouted by Cunard Hotels & Resorts and took the role of Financial Director, where I was able to merge the accountancy skills I had developed throughout my professional career with my passion for the luxury hotel business. It was the experience garnered at these roles that enabled me to found, along with my partner Brian Mills, Hill Goodridge & Associated (HGA) the outsourced management company that oversees Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH).

What are the criteria for a hotel to be added to the SLH portfolio?          

SLH is all about small hotels and BIG experiences; the average size of our hotels is 50 rooms to guarantee the highest levels of personalised service. We have a very strict selection process—only 5% of the hotels that apply are accepted into the brand.

Firstly, the hotel must be the best of the best in the area, and independent. In addition, it must offer the highest standards of excellence across all areas of operation and reflect the local culture and surroundings, as well as offer authentic experiences. We have a team of mystery inspectors who visit our hotels every 18 months to ensure that these standards are being maintained in order to ensure that the quality of the experience that guests receive is consistent across all SLH properties.

What is the importance of the SLH brand to high-end consumers?

Our typical consumers are independent thinkers that do not want to be required to conform. Since our SLH hotels are independently owned guests know that their requests will never be questioned. Repeat SLH guests also enjoy benefits from belonging to The Club our guest loyalty programme, which is free to join and offers three tiers: Special, Loved and Honoured. We now have over 200,000 members and this number will only continue to grow. Data from a Club members’ profile is accessible by hotels so they are able to anticipate any special requirements or preferences before guests arrive; high-end consumers not only appreciate this level of attention, they expect it.

What does luxury mean to you?

That is a very difficult question, but after 20 years of grappling with this question I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s all about choice. Or rather freedom of choice. The ability to choose where to go, when to go, how to go, where to stay and what to do. The freedom of choice should begin with the booking process, and SLH offers a myriad of options from online, voice agents, our travel agent GDS system and recently launched iPhone and iPad apps. It’s also about flexibility, a hotel that can cater to a guests needs and be flexible to allow them to do what they wish when they wish. A little luxury that I find essential when traveling and something I can’t get at home is unpacking and packing services. This makes a world of difference when arriving from a different time zone and all you want to do is sleep.

 For you, what is the greatest hotel in the world, past or present?

It is impossible to choose one favourite. I travel frequently averaging about 150 days per year. Being an avid sailor I enjoy several itineraries including one in Thailand, where you can sail between two SLH hotels – The Racha in Phuket and Zeavola in Koh Phi Phi. Or in the Caribbean you can stay at The Inn at English Harbour in Antigua and then set off for Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada.

Also, I am passionate about exercise and I don’t believe travelling is an excuse to skip a workout so any hotel that offers an amazing view from the gym jumps to the top of my personal list.

What innovations are SLH planning in future?

Our biggest focus in 2013 is China. We are in the process of building a fully functional Chinese website and IBE in order to improve communication and meet the needs of this emerging outbound market. Also with the growth in booking on the go, we will continue to update and improve our mobile apps.

When you work with luxe hotels all the time, what do you look for when holidaying?

As mentioned above, I love sailing and so I am always attracted to destinations on the water. The Mediterranean and Thailand both offer fantastic sailing experiences, but when it comes to actually staying at a hotel in a particular destination I look for flexibility first and foremost. Also, certain features as simple as electrical outlets near the bed, shower taps in convenient places so you don’t get a soaking when you are adjusting the temperature and a mini bar stocked with Erdinger beer and Rose’s lime cordial (my favourite) make for an enjoyable holiday.

How do you see the future for luxury hotels?

I think the future for Small Luxury Hotel is bright. Our customers will continue to look for hotels that give them special experiences and small hotels will continue to offer personalised service that has become so important these days. I think we will continue to do well and the future is bright for a company like Small Luxury Hotels of the World™.

Adrian Manz has earned his living as a full-time professional equities trader for the past 15 years. “Those years,” he says, “have been characterised by constant learning” – a statement that should be no surprise to any other traders out there. Somewhat uniquely for a leading professional trader, however, Manz is prepared to share in detail the secrets of what he has learned. In Beat the Street, he reveals with great thoroughness all the strategies and tools that he has used to accomplish his success.

Manz’s trading has evolved significantly over the years, as has his thinking. He has developed a methodology that relies on market dynamics, represented in easy-to-spot patterns, to get him in front of trading opportunities with a high probability of a successful outcome.

He prepares for tomorrow’s trading after the close of trading today. The results of this fastidious planning have been impressive, with a track record over the past six years that does not include a single losing month. There are losing days, and losing weeks, but month over month the strategies that he describes in this book have kept him in business while many of his contemporaries have been less fortunate.

Manz says his goal with this book is to teach the reader a consistent and conservative methodology for trading the financial markets. He has used the exact patterns and methods presented in its pages for 15 years to generate consistent trading results. Consistency is the key to survival in trading. Manz believes that by studying each chapter carefully, and internalising the spirit, cause and effect of each pattern, you will be better positioned to achieve consistency than 99% of the people who attempt to trade for a living.

Well known investors such as Warren Buffett and Jim Rogers have written about 17/18 year stock market cycles, and numerous analysts have constructed charts showing 18 year bull and bear market cycles. Cycles of approximately 18 years have been documented by many stock market commentators.

Kerry Balenthiran’s research has identified the existence of a 17.6 year stock market cycle. Crucially he has discovered that the cycle consists of increments of 2.2 years that correspond to major cyclical stock market turning points such as 1929, 1987, 2000, 2007 and beyond. He calls this the Balenthiran Cycle.

By studying stock market data going back 100 years, Balenthiran has been able to extrapolate his cycle forwards to provide a market roadmap stretching out to 2053 which outlines the changing character of the stock market through the different phases of the 17.6 year stock market cycle. By being aware of long-term secular cycles as well as the intermediate cyclical turning points investors will be better equipped to ensure that they have the right strategy for the prevailing stock market conditions.

In this excellent book, Balenthiran describes the background to market cycles, the research he undertook, how his 17.6 year cycle is constructed and the implications of the cycle for investors.

Anyone wishing to make their own investment decisions, rather than hand their assets over to a fund manager or see them stagnate in bank and building society accounts, will benefit from this carefully crafted step by step guide.

Even people with little spare cash, but who want to be informed of the financial world we live in can gain a greater understanding of how the City of London and other business centres operate.

The book is also an invaluable tool for anyone who professionally needs to know about the stock market, from potential wheeler- dealers to advisers such as auditors and PR, to back office staff and students on business or media courses.

The book is organised to take readers logically through the various stages of understanding stock market investment, with each new concept explained in simple terms as it arises.

The author, Rodney Hobson, discusses how to make sensible decisions on which companies to invest in, sifting through the mine of information that is published through the Stock Exchange, and learn how to pick out the key points in company results, including the warning signs.

With the basics explained, Hobson goes on to look at how to buy and sell shares, where to get advice and how to remain well informed. He also looks at takeovers and mergers, the most exciting aspect of stock market investing and the area that offers most scope for making money to investors who, like those who have read this book, understand what is going on.