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That鈥檚 the idea Barry Ashmore had when he set up www.streetwisesubbie.com, a website for specialist contractors with a superhero theme. At the site you are introduced to the hero鈥檚 arch enemies, the evil contractor Stabard (above left), and his henchmen, the quantity surveyor Bayvis and employer鈥檚 man Fudge.

鈥楢lthough specialists are generally very good at their jobs, they lack a single information resource on running other aspects of their business, which we aim to provide,鈥� says Ashmore. 鈥楾he superhero theme is a light-hearted way of making a dry subject fun and interesting.鈥� The site provides advice on all aspects of running a business, from accountancy to contractual matters, HR and marketing. You can also post questions to be answered by an expert. These might include: 鈥楬ow do I run my business when banks aren鈥檛 lending?鈥�, 鈥榃ill 30-day payments ever become the norm?鈥�, or 鈥楽hould I always use my superpowers for good, not evil?鈥�

鈥� talking to the hand, and have it talk back?

That鈥檚 the idea from Sperian Protection, which has taken the site safety message onto protective gloves. 鈥榊our safety is in your hands鈥� and 鈥楽afe behaviour saves lives鈥� are indelibly printed on gloves worn by BAM Construct workers, and will be seen every time they鈥檙e put on or removed. 鈥榊ou could call it Trojan messaging,鈥� said Frank Garnett, director at BAM Construct UK. Very handy.

鈥� a sideline career as a TV construction expert?

A new website links TV producers and anyone with expertise in a particular area. Sign up, and you鈥檒l be asked to create a catchy profile and upload a photo. 鈥榃e鈥檙e looking for people with passion, credibility and the 鈥渆xpert factor鈥�,鈥� says site founder Claire Richmond. 鈥楾he television industry often uses our site looking for expert comment on specific subject.鈥�

鈥� forgetting the pressures of work and chilling out?

Then you鈥檙e in luck. This year, 6 February is Stress Down Day, a charity event organised by the Samaritans to raise awareness of work-related stress.

The organisation鈥檚 suggested activities include: swapping your work chair for an armchair, wearing slippers to work, or setting up a stress-free zone in the office. However, CM warns that on a building site such measures may cause health and safety problems, leading to erm... considerable stress.

鈥� dressing as a Roman centurion and being fed grapes by girls in togas?

We thought not, but it obviously struck Mansell employees as a good idea when they decided to commemorate the company鈥檚 100th anniversary by completing a charity relay on a pedal-powered Roman chariot. Some 300 Mansell employees donned Roman armour over two months, travelling almost 1,300 miles and in the process collecting more than 拢600,000 for a number of local and national charities. Carpe diem!