Based initially on the work of the WestFocus ICT network's ICT Adoption and Use in SMEs project, researchers from the Brunel University Business School have been working with SME business and marketing consultant Dr Alan Rae to help small companies to make the most of Web 2.0.

Via a series of courses and associated information resources starting in the Autumn of 2007, the team is helping managers in SMEs to 'Punch Above Their Weight' in web-based marketing.

‘It is aimed at organisations who want to really make an impact by bringing together their on-line and off-line activities. It is no accident that most of our early adopters are also accomplished face to face networkers', says Alan Rae.

'We have talked to over 20 early adopter small companies during our current research programme who have become quite sophisticated in how they use on-line and web 2.0 techniques to help them to look more substantial to the outside world', adds Fintan Clear of the Brunel Business School.

Over 60 small businesses so far have learned how to use basic search engine optimisation, Google Ad-Words and techniques such as blogging, tagging and RSS to increase their web site traffic and attract new customers. Examples of their enthusiastic endorsement of the course and the schedule for future events can be found at the Punch Above Your Weight website.

The workshop is currently being promoted by Business Link for London and other potential sponsors have shown interest in the materials.