If you are writing articles online on your website or business blog, I am sure there are times that you want to link definitions of some of the words that you include in your articles.

Like many people you might be using Wikipedia, however despite their coverage of many terms and definitions, and their editing and approval policy, many people are concerned about how robust the definitions are.

On the other hand the Encylopaedia Britiannica has a reputation spanning back to 1768 when it was first published in Scotland - back then in three separate volumes. You might even recall growing up if you a a Gen X’er or Baby Boomer some friends who were lucky enough to have a set of Encylopaedia Britannica in their home study.

Well if you are a web publisher or a blogger, you can now apply for complementary access to their programme called WebShare, where you can link from your articles on line to the definition on Encyclopaedia Britannica.

You can apply for a free pass - be aware that this is a manual process as all applications will be approved and it took 5 working days for my account to be approved.

This is tremendous value as you can purchase the 32 volume Britannica, which has 65,000 articles and 44 million words, for US$1,400 or you can access it on the web for US$70 per year - and if you apply through the Webshare programme you can have FREE access for 12 months.

The Encyclopaedia Britannica Webshare programme has been supported by Shel Holtz who has been guiding the Encylopaedia Britannica team about how best to connect to bloggers about the programme. Encyclopaedia Britannica has even set up a Twitter account.

Not everyone has been complementary about the launch of the programme, however I do think it is worth considering if you are a web publisher or blogger.

Some suggestions I would have for Enclyclopaedia Britannica to further enhance the programme:

• Advise people at the time of registration that it may take a week for the account to be approved - in todays high speed world, that seemed so long to wait I had forgotten I had applied for access
• Review your website structure - it takes a while for the pages on Encyclopaedia Britannica to load and the frames for scrolling are definately not user friendly for those of us used to quick and easy access to information online
• Update your definitions especially relating to Web 2.0 - you have made the service available to bloggers and many of us may be writing articles about Web 2. I could not find definitions online authored by Encyclopaedia Britannica relating to word searches for social media, podcasting, widget - to name but a few. It seems to me that it would have been an astute online editor that would have ensured that definitions were available for these - and perhaps they might have collaborated with Wikipedia to come up with these terms.

However in summary a great programme to have access to and definatley one worth applying for registration if you are a web publisher or blogger.

And to support users, Encylopaedia Britannica has created a video about how to link your article online to the definition on Webshare. You can view it here:

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Last month I celebrated (very quietly - in fact blink and it passed) 18 years of marriage!

One of the things that we all receive as a wonderful gift when getting married is the gift of parents in law and brothers and sisters in law. But how often have you thought that you chose your loved one but not their family.

So how would it be if your mother in law were your friend? In fact your mother in law may already be your friend. But if you are not enjoying the best of relatonships, I’ve got the answer for you.

Today is the book launch of  ‘The Daughter-in-Law Rules:101 Surefire Ways to Manage (and Make Friends with) Your Mother-in-Law!’.

Talented Jazz Musician and Composer Sally Shields is author of a new book called ‘The Daughter In Law Rules’.

To celebrate the book launch today, 6 May 2008, if you purchase the book at Amazon you can also access a number of gifts at no cost from friends of Sally. 101 to be exact - the same number of tips as are in her book.

And for my male readers - this is NOT the book to buy your wife as a present for Mothers Day in the US next week - you have been warned. I am not saying it’s not a great book, just that the mother to your children may not appreciate it in the spirit it was given! A wonderful bunch of flowers, a dinner in fancy restaurant or a day without the kids bickering would be much more welcome (just in case my husband is reading this).

Purchase your copy of ‘The Daughter in Law Rules’ TODAY ONLY (6 May 2008) and you can have access to the 101 gifts from relationship advice experts and success coaches from around the world, as well as 1-800-Flowers.com with a unique promotional code created specifically for this book.

In addition, 15% of the proceeds of this book go to the charity ‘Much Love’.

I definitely recommend you visit Sally’s website - it’s a very engaging design. And take a look here  at how she is using the social media platform of YouTube.com to share her video with tips from The DIL Rules book - and yes she composed and plays the background music herself - how’s that for talent!

And don’t forget that if you would like to know more about how you can create, promote and market your book online with social media, you can join me at the forthcoming workshop in Dublin for authors - check details here for how you can avail of a special discount as a reader of Biz Growth News.

UPDATE AS AT 11 MAY 2008

Please note that the comments on this post are closed due to some disputes relating to this book and I do not plan to engage in any email or online conversation about the publishing of this book or it’s contents.

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One of the social networks that I’m a member of here in Ireland and recommend to any female entrepreneur or would be entrepreneur is Irish Business Women, founded by the CEO of County Mayo Enterprise Board, Frank Fullard.

It’s a great community of women and a few men who support each other with tips about starting and growing their business - many of them work at home moms (WAHM’s).

I was fortunate to be a key note speaker at the first ever Irish Business Women conference back in 2006 and since then their membership has steadily increased to almost 2000 members.

They have recently announced the 2008 conference details which will be taking place on the 29 May 2008 at the Mullingar Park Hotel. 

The theme for this years Conference is “Inspiring Women” and speakers include Sue Stockdale, author of“Secrets of Successful Women Entrepreneurs”,  Senator Mary White, co-founder of Lir Chocolates, Newstalk’s Karen Coleman and Celebrity Chef Jenny Bristow.

Unfortunately I’ve a prior commitment so won’t be able to attend. But if you are thinking of attending, register soon, as I am sure it will be a sell out.

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With the increase in interest in Corporate Social Responsibility here in Ireland, I was delighted to hear about the forthcoming conference specifically for SME’s.

Corporate Social Responsibility has been on the agenda of many corporates for several year - in fact for generations in the case of some organisations. However it’s not been an area that many SME’s have taken not of as they often have not known where to stand and it has not been seen as a priority.

One of the organisations I am working with has recently introduced a CSR strategy and interestingly a tender that they have just received is asking them to provide details of their CSR policy.

Corporate Social Responsibility is also becoming increasingly important both in terms of attracting talent where many studies are now indicating that particularly if you are looking to recruit and retain the Generation Y workforce, they are taking note of an employers commitment to CSR.

It is also critical in relation to maintaining a licence to operate, building an effective relationship with the community you are based in and can impact on the reputation of your brand if not taken seriously.

The event is taking place on the 13 May 2008 at the Castlenock Hotel and Country Club, Castlenock, Dublin and is free to attend.

The conference is calles CSR4U and will provide insights into how SME’s can integrate social and environmental concerns into their business.

CSR4U has EU funding hence it is free to attend - however do register ahead of time to secure a place.

The conference will cover the business case and the business benefits of CSR.

You can find the details of the CSR4U conference here and a registration form for the CSR4U conference here.

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