Ready to race

I can hardly wait! March 29 will see me on the grid at Brands Hatch for a new season of truck racing. I was runner up last season in class B, in my Seddon Atkinson truck with its 14 litre diesel engine. So there's only one target this year - top of the podium! More details of the team and this season's races at the UKT racing website.

Sweating those websites

Our December training session looked at how to quantify your web marketing, from the viewpoint of what an inquiry is actually worth to your business; and how much you should allocate to online promotion and improving website ranking.

It's a fascinating field, and one that more companies are taking a much closer look at. With the credit crunch, it seems everybody is more focused on getting more out of their internet presence. It's not just retailers who need to ensure they engage online, we are seeing a move towards more and more online promotion.

Our February session on the 18th will be focusing on blogs and podcasts. If you would like to book in (it's free!) then go to the Urban Media website.

Dragons, awards – and a reflection on improving education

What a month December was. I am totally committed to helping today's kids have a better, more relevant education, and it was great to do something practical towards that, as well as be recognised for the efforts we have made so far.

First, it was off to Marlow to meet up with entrepreneur Peter Jones, and sit with him on a panel to review the candidates for his forthcoming academy. It promises to be a great opportunity for those who make it; and I hope it will create a new culture in education, providing young people with a feel for the options they have in the world of business.

Then I was off to London for a presentation, to receive a National Education Business Partnership Network Award; a bit of a mouthful, but recognising Urban Media's involvement in helping build the partnership in south Bucks. It was really thanks to the Education Business Partnership team at Bucks County Council that I received the award.

Our involvement with education has been great so far. Not least, because our support for the diploma has put Urban Media around the same table as well-known brands including JCB, Vodafone and John Lewis.