by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Business is poor at getting its message across, according to PR guru Max Clifford.

Speaking ahead of his keynote speech at today's Kent 2020 Vision, the county's business show of the year, the man who promotes The X Factor's Simon Cowell and corporate clients like Rolls Royce, said the cost of good public relations was repaid many times over.

"Businesses might be very good at what they do but they're not good at getting the message across," he said.

"For a comparatively small investment, you can achieve an awful lot and that can make the difference between being successful and going under."

The former EMI press officer who promoted Frank Sinatra, the Beatles and Marlon Brando was among a dazzling line-up of business stars at this year's show, including Karren Brady, Lord Sugar's adviser on The Apprentice television series, and Apprentice winer Lee McQueen.

Thousands of visitors are expected at the Kent Showground, Detling, for Kent 2020, a showcase for hundreds of exhibitors and organised by Business Support Kent. People are expected from several European countries. It opened at 8am and closes after a ticket-only dinner.

Full interview with Max Clifford in Kent Business, distributed with most paid-for KM Group titles today and tomorrow.