Friday 28 October

Today on StartupSmart, we pick out 10 products and services that have irritated consumers through their shoddiness or relaxed relationship with the truth.

Choice’s annual Shonky Awards – the 2011 vintage was unveiled this week – have struck fear into the heart of businesses that make it onto the unwanted list.

But how can you learn the lessons of past “winners”? Today, we provide some invaluable tips on how to avoid the slip-ups of others.

Elsewhere, we round up the best of the web in Weekend Reads, Yvonne Adele has some more great advice on how to spark innovation and mentor Brad Callaughan explains how to work out how much investment your business needs.