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Microsoft has recently introduced a programme of geography classes for its staff, after senior officials admitted that a series of mortifying faux pas have cost the software giant hundreds of millions of dollars and offended international governments.

The problem? A lack of basic geographical awareness. Not knowing enough about the business culture and etiquette of other countries is a recipe for disaster for any business hoping to sell products or services, network with new partners, or just generally try to make waves abroad.

And while a small business is unlikely to suffer the multi-million dollar losses that a company with Microsoft's global reach might have to face, it does no harm to beef up your knowledge of global business culture and even - if necessary - basic geography.

Microsoft's bloomers have included:

• Using Arabic chanting in a street fighting game - which turned out to be from the Koran, and a serious insult to Islam.
• Showing the Korean national flag in reverse.
• Showing the disputed Jammu-Kashmir region as not being part of India on a map - an offence under Indian law.

A basic awareness of geography can help you avoid the humiliating - and often expensive - mistake of offending international customers, and can also be helpful when dealing with customers in other parts of the UK. It's easy to assume that your geography is good - but can you honestly say you know which of counties Clare, Donegal and Tyrone are in Northern Ireland, and which are in the Republic?

You can find comprehensive advice on international business culture at http://www.executiveplanet.com or http://www.cyborlink.com/besite. And check out http://www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/beginners_guide.asp for basic UK geography guidance from the Office for National Statistics - the page also contains useful demographic information.

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Taking up a lease on business premises - whether it's a workshop, an office, or a studio in a council-run business centre - is one of the most complicated things a new business can be faced with. So it's pretty vital that you get the contract looked over by a solicitor to make sure it's right for you and your business.

Before that, it's worth thinking about how the premises relate to your future business plans, and asking one or two questions.

• Is the building in good condition, or has the landlord promised to make it shipshape before you move in? If not, it will be worth making a 'schedule of condition' before moving in. This simply means making a list of repairs needed, backing it up with photographs, and getting the landlord's signature at the bottom.
• Who will be responsible for repairs - you or the landlord? Some agreements require the tenant to do all the repair work, but this is risky for a small business because it could involve structural repairs. Much better would be an 'internal repairing lease', where the tenant is only responsible for smaller repairs indoors.
• Does your business activity comply with the permitted use of the building? Permitted use is usually decided by the local council, but there's no reason why you can't apply to have it altered.
• What will happen at the end of the lease? The landlord must give six or twelve months notice to quit, but where notice isn't given you are protected from eviction, and you're entitled to request an extension.

Mention Microsoft's Internet Explorer in the company of a techie, and you're likely to get rolled eyes and snorts of contempt. Why? Well, as you'll have noticed if you read our IT tips religiously, Explorer isn't terribly secure against viruses, phishers and spyware. Or at least, it's secure today if you've downloaded the latest patch, but it might not be secure tomorrow.

Trying out a different browser can bring peace of mind, and even the approval of those techies. Here are four of the most popular: