Almost half of all small business owners feel the evolution of the Internet has made it harder to run a company, according to research by Cranfield School of Management.

The study, commissioned by Pipex Business, found that small and medium-sized enterprises have a love-hate relationship with the web.

More than 90 per cent of the 422 businesses that took part in the survey had e-mail and a broadband connection and 84 per cent had created a website. However, 60 per cent did not feel the internet had increased their operational efficiency and 46 per cent said the internet had raised the complexity of running their business.

The report concludes that the popularity of online communication in society has created more competitive markets and more picky customers.

Andrew Burke, head of Cranfield School of Management and the report's co-author, said that the uptake in internet use by SMEs had been so dramatic that most now shared the same benefits "so few can garner a competitive advantage as a result".

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Green travel can be more efficient and cost-effective, according to a series of seminars being run by the Department for Transport's National Business Travel Network.

The events, which will be held at locations across the UK between March and June, will provide practical advice on initiatives such as car sharing, home working and cycling schemes.

Jim Fitzpatrick, transport minister, said: "Workplace travel plans, when implemented effectively, can result in massive benefits for companies."

Further information on the events, which are backed by the British Chambers of Commerce and ACT Travelwise, are at www.britishchambers.org.uk.

T-Mobile has joined the competition to provide better mobile phone tariffs for business customers.

The company's Business 1-Plancarries a tariff of 10 pounds a month per user for businesses that issue more than 30 mobile phones and includes free international calls to Europe and North America.

Businesses with fewer than 30 mobile phone users are being offered double the amount of voice minutes in their price plan at no added cost.

The announcement follows changes to O2's business tariffs a few weeks ago. Ovum, the telecoms industry analyst, said it expected other carriers to follow suit.

Business owners are being encouraged to nominate their most supportive politician for a national prize.

The 2008 business-friendly MP/MEP award is run by the Forum of Private Business with sponsorship from England's regional development agencies.

Last year the award was won by Nigel Evans, MP for the Ribble Valley, who runs a Swansea business that was created by his grandfather in the 1930s.

Tom Riordan, head of Yorkshire Forward, and current lead chief executive of the RDAs, said: "MPs and MEPs contribute enormously to the success of small businesses by taking up their cause, so it's important that we recognise the role they can play."

Orchard Growth Partners and Orange Corporate Finance have organised a free seminar on the issues involved in listing a business on the Plus market.

Paul Haddock, head of capital markets at Plus, will speaking at the event at Homerton College, Cambridge, on February 29.

Further information is available by calling Salah Mirza on 07713 742417 or by sending an e-mail to salahm@orchardgrowth.com.

London Business School is accepting applications for its Financing the Entrepreneurial Business programme, aimed at helping those at all stages of a deal cycle - from raising funds for high-growth enterprises to selling a business.

The week-long course, which costs 5,450 pounds, includes valuation techniques for privately held companies, due diligence, people issues in doing deals and exit strategies.

Entrepreneurs as well as advisers and investors are invited to apply. The course runs from April 21 to 25 and further information is available at www.london.edu/finance/feb.

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