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Seems it's given itself an Oprah Winfrey-style makeover which usually involves shedding loads of weight and coming out as

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Seems it's given itself an Oprah Winfrey-style makeover, which usually involves shedding loads of weight and coming out as a newly branded Joanne where you once were John.Pass the earplugsNever have I been more glad that I wasn't in Leicester Square than last Wednesday, when 250 people congregated there to enjoy the sound of all of their mobile phones going off to the tune of the Pearl & Dean jingle At once. Virgin Mobile, which pulled the stunt, kindly handed out earplugs to passers-by. The reason for this mad display? To get in the Guinness Book of Records.The moment marked the launch of Virgin Mobile's new ring tones and graphics, which, according to Virgin, are integral to popular culture. How long before a special new-media Guinness Book of Records is launched? Forget sugar-cube towers and sweetcorn-eating – we're talking biggest consumption of Red Bull and the most inappropriate use of a space hopper.. Almost two-thirds of British exporters have no plans to issue invoices in euros a head of the full introduction of the single currency in the New Year, a high street bank warned today. Almost two-thirds of British exporters have no plans to issue invoices in euros a head of the full introduction of the single currency in the New Year, a high street bank warned today. Only 37 per cent of UK firms involved in export are billing their currencies in euros, Lloyds TSB said. Twelve European currencies – not including the UK – are being abolished in January to make way for the new currency.Lloyds TSB said that although this was an improvement from 31 per cent a year ago, its latest figure was "surprisingly low".Ben Smith, head of international corporate and commercial business for the bank, said firms risked missing out on business opportunities."Many firms seem to be unaware, or worse, sticking their heads in the sand and leaving the practical preparation for the switch to the single currency to the last minute," he said."This could indicate that exporters have yet to address the euro issue or indeed are missing the business implications."The survey of 1,700 small- and medium-sized firms also found that just over a third reported an increase in new orders while a quarter said their order book had shrunk.The balance of plus 11 per cent for the first six months of the year is a rise on the balance of plus 8 per cent for the second half of 2000..

A niche merchant bank that provides funding for small businesses will list on the stock market next month, despite the ongoing gloom being experienced by its larger rivals. A niche merchant bank that provides funding for small businesses will list on the stock market next month, despite the ongoing gloom being experienced by its larger rivals. The Davenham Group aims to raise between £20m and £25m to fund expansion, and is expected to have a market capitalisation of about £40m. Its brokers are Beeson Gregory.Colin Davenport, Davenham's chief executive, defended the decision to go ahead with a floatation, saying: "There has been a very large vacuum in the market up until now in what banks offer to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). We don't believe anyone else has the same approach as us."Most high street banks require SMEs to provide security for loans either via their balance sheets or in the form of assets such as a home.In contrast, Davenham offers what is calls a more flexible approach. It involves investing in projects, and if the deal fails, Davenham takes on the assets.The SME market is due to be shaken up by a Competition Commission report next month, following concerns that clearing banks operate a "complex monopoly" in financial services for small businesses.High Street banks havepriced their loans and other services to SMEs at higher prices than their retail accounts, which some say is due to a lack of competition.. British Telecom said yesterday it faced unspecified legal issues that could delay the sale of its £2.3bn property portfolio.

British Telecom said yesterday it faced unspecified legal issues that could delay the sale of its £2.3bn property portfolio. A BT spokesman said the company was committed to completing the sale by the end of the year, although it could be delayed until 2002."There are some legal issues, but you would expect that in such a complex deal," the spokesman said.BT is selling 65 million square feet of phone exchanges and offices to property developer Land Securities Trillium and William Pears Group. They had hoped to complete the deal this month.The deal involves a total of 7,000 properties, which has increased the likelihood of legal hurdles arising.The sale is part of BT's plans to further reduce its debt mountain. BT has already cut its debt by more than £10bn to around £17.5bn.Land Securities and William Pears have formed a joint-venture company to hold the properties, named Telereal. When the deal is completed Telereal, which will finance the transaction through the bond market, will also manage the properties for BT.The group's land deal is part of a trend among major service and retail companies to dispose of their property assets in order to concentrate on their core business.Last week BT detailed its plan to demerge its wireless division into a new company to be called mmO2, which will take on £500m of the parent company's debt. Analysts had expected mmO2 to be saddled with at least £1bn of BT's debt.Meanwhile, the Israeli Government said yesterday that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the global crisis in the telecommunications industry has deterred potential bidders for the state's 50.01 per cent stake in the state-run phone firm, Bezeq Israel Telecommunications..

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