According to the pressgazette.co.uk, Thomson Reuters has launched a new resource for small businesses, which it has added to its website.

By visiting the site at reuters.com/smallbusiness, users will be able to access breaking business news stories, commentary as well as audio and video content from a variety of Reuters' business journalists and content partners, including content from specialist US business publications such as BNET, which provides intelligence for managerial professionals, Entrepeneur, Greener World Media which offers environmental responsibility advice, IDG's CIO business technology publication, PC World, Network World, Computerworld and Wired magazine.

Additionally, users will have exclusive access to HR and legal advice in the form of the FindLaw Small Business Resource Center. Supporting the Reuters initiative, the centre offers entrepreneurs guidance on matters such as starting a new business to securing a government contract.

Via a newly created blog site http://blogs.reuters.com/small-business/, Reuters journalist Jon Cook will deal with any relevant topics as and when they occur, with a special focus on start-ups.

Thomson Reuters' senior vice president for consumer publishing, Alison Bowen said "the company has been providing indispensible news and information to entrepreneurs for decades." Bowen also said that "with the creation of this online destination within Reuters.com, we're bringing all our resources to bear in one location and creating a community where small business owners can quickly access the must-have knowledge they need to make smart decisions and navigate market challenges."

It is hoped that by housing business-specific information under one virtual roof, Reuters will be able to add value to the organisation, as well as foment a better relationship with the business community - in effect providing a valuable business resource via a social networking platform with a difference.

This latest venture on the part of Thomson Reuters shows a growing trend among news organisations to maximise relationships with niche clients in a bid to reinvent their roles as news and information providers. While non-print news outlets are not dogged with the same existential questions that newspapers are being pressed to answer - in light of the economic crisis and the digital revolution - there is also pressure on news agencies to create added value, whether by tapping into niche markets or stepping up their digital efforts.

Earlier this year the New York Daily News launched a similar service in conjunction with Toronto-based SaleSpider.com, while the Financial Times launched new deep search service Newssift, a special search engine aimed at business professionals.

Sources: Press Gazette , Reuters , New Media Age , Media Update