The ‘Business Startup’ show was billed as the UK’s biggest exhibition for anyone starting or growing a business and it was certainly this sense of optimism that prompted InTouchNow to exhibit, with our range of services perfect for existing or start-up businesses.

Alongside the more than 350 other service providers, we were looking to connect with the expected 25,000 visitors who attend with the primary agenda of launching, improving or expanding their business.

The majority of start-ups are small, often single-handed operations, but with big ambition and lots of drive to grow their businesses. The last thing these entrepreneurs need is lots of interruptions or missed calls when they are busy; both can be a serious impediment to the success of a fledgling business.

And that’s of course why we exhibited our services at Olympia to help spread the message that just because you have a phone, you do not have to be the one that always answers it. With the right support, you get to choose which calls you to take and when.

There was certainly a lot of interest in what we do and also that of our sister company DictateNow, one of the UK’s leading transcription service providers to the legal, financial, insurance and medical sectors.

Many of those attending the exhibition were taking advantage of the 250 seminars presented by leading entrepreneurs and eminent leaders of the business world, all offering their personal insight, knowledge and advice.

Over the show’s two-day duration, we witnessed inspiring talks by serial entrepreneur, Touker Suleyman; David Gold, one of the UK’s most revered businessmen; Inspirational entrepreneur Alfie Best; MyBeautyMatches.com founder Nidhima Kohli; and Brad Burton, the UK’s no 1 motivational speaker.

There were masterclasses from leading brands like Facebook, Vodafone, KPMG, Bupa and more covering a range of topics, from digital marketing and selling online to explaining how social media can boost a business. The theme central to many of these presentations was the value of good communication; something we agree with wholeheartedly.

Although exhibitions are hard work, with a lot of time on your feet, it remains one of the most efficient, effective and successful marketing activities, with few other ways so effective at putting you in a room with so many potential customers. We were certainly very busy with enquiries and came away with lots of good leads from both new businesses and those individuals looking to launch businesses early next year.

Small and micro businesses are the bedrock of the UK economy and on the evidence of our two days at Excel, there is no lack in desire from those wanting to start their own business. Happily many already understand the benefits of professional call answering from InTouchNow, with our friendly reception team on hand to answer the calls they are too busy to deal with.

Hopefully, we will see even more entrepreneurs at next year’s show, which is at London Excel and much early in the year on 11 & 12 May – see you there?