1.   But the company is hoping tougher tyre laws coming into force next month will boost sales.

2.   By formalising their relationship, the companies hope to provide an established platform which implements the core technology behind the Intelligent Network.

3.   In particular the company is hoping to position TeamWorks Office as a direct competitor to Lotus Notes.

4.   Meanwhile, the company hopes to go ahead later this month with the launch of its Creditphone mobile telephone service.

5.   Not surprisingly, the major computer, consumer electronics and telecommunications companies are hoping to grab a share.

6.   Now the company is hoping that iconoclasm is coming back into style - and a certain sort of iconoclasm at that.

7.   Once combined, the companies hope to provide one-stop shopping-all of their services to customers on one bill.

8.   The company hopes that it can persuade most of the surplus employees to go quietly, accepting voluntary redundancy.

9.   The company hopes to be one of the survivors of this recession.

10.   The company hopes to entice shareholders into agreeing to a merger.