Amazing rap of the usual pre-flight safety announcement! This is a very talented and creative way of standing out from the crowd – a great example to inspire any business. Take a few minutes to watch, it’s well worth it.

While I was out and about in London last week I had the pleasure of reconnecting with two valuable business services that I think are well worth mentioning.

1. British Library Business & IP Centre

It’s well worth registering for a British Library Reader Pass (a business pass is free and lasts for three years) so you can get access to the Business & IP Centre.

Once you’re in, the Business & IP Center opens up a world of opportunity – networking events, seminars, access to publications (often from around the world), a ‘Fast Growth Club‘, a business funding clinic, a walk-in business surgery, access to expensive industry reports, dedicated research staff – the list goes on.

There are also cafes and desks within the library with free wi-fi so it makes a great central London base to get some work done between client meetings.

2. Mail Media Centre (Infobank Resource Centre)

This hidden gem (up a small lane in Holborn) is brought to you by the Royal Mail. The Mail Media Centre is the ‘central  source of intelligence and innovation for the direct mail industry’ and has Rory Sutherland as a key contributor which is nothing to be sneezed at.

It’s free to register and provides you with the latest marketing insights from industry experts, marketing masterclasses, tools for multi-channel marketing campaigns, brand-building research and events.  Their Infobank Resource Centre gives you free access to highly sought after (and expensive!) Mintel reports and TGi surveys, along with competitor analysis, consumer insights and trend forecasting – all amazing resources for any business.

I hope you find these useful – I’ll let you know if I uncover anything else!