Blogging, like many of the hottest methods used in new media, is driven by the concepts of involvement and encouraging discussion. But when it comes to post, you’re confronted with that blank page. You know you need something that’s engaging for the reader – but what should you be saying?

Social networking expert Penny Power, Founder of Ecademy, talks about the kind of copy that gets views and compels people to comment. Definitely see this show in which you’ll find out Penny’s golden rules of encouraging discussion on your blog.

Simon Woodroffe is one of the UK’s most successful, celebrated and unique entrepreneurs. He is a straight-talking, no-nonsense businessman who thrives on dishing out advice to people who, like him, want to take their big idea and turn it into reality.

Woodroffe left school at 16 and went into showbiz. 25 years later, he decided to open a concept restaurant, YO! Sushi, and put everything he owned on the line to launch the business. YO! Sushi was an overnight success, and Woodroffe was immediately offered £1 million to sell the business. He didn’t, and instead decided to expand his company. Today, Woodroffe has a number of businesses under the YO! Company brand, all of which challenge the industry and market they are in, and all of which are bound to be highly successful.

In this clip from a recent interview with Woodroffe, he shares his thoughts on the secret to making it in business.

Whether you are in business, thinking of starting up or have a great idea which you want to launch, take a few minutes to soak up what Woodroffe has to say.

Fantastic video from the TED: Ideas Worth Spreading archives from Amy Tan.

Amy talks about the creative process and how we can improve our own creativity. Creativity is one of the cornerstones of business along with flexilibity and persistence.

 Amy Tan (born 1952) is known for her lyrically written tales of emotional conflict between Chinese-American mothers and daughters separated by generational and cultural differences. Together with her distinctive writing style and rich imagery, Tan’s treatment of such themes as loss and reconciliation, hope and failure, friendship and familial conflict, and the healing power of storytelling have brought her popular success and critical attention. Amy Tan is the author of such beloved books as The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife and The Hundred Secret Senses.