The award-winning Snowball Community app, which has been dubbed the ‘Trip Advisor ‘for disabled people, has joined forces with the ex-CEO of Leicestershire-based specialist dementia holiday organisation, MindforYou, to ensure that valuable data collected by the charity will be put to practical use by a wider audience. The Snowball app helps people find out about the facilities and accessibility of venues across the UK and abroad. Users can access information such as the locations of disabled toilets, the proximity of available car-parking to the places they wish to visit, and whether or not a location is wheelchair-friendly. They can also upload their own reviews and rate venues and facilities using a red, amber and green traffic light system. Simon Samsone, who is the founder…
Author: Greg Robinson
Simon Yeoman, CEO at Fasthosts, discusses the three factors to consider when expanding a side hustle into an ecommerce offering. Side hustle culture is alive and well. Whether it’s dog-sitting, cleaning, interior designing, delivering parcels or renting out a spare room, 44 per cent of people in the UK now supplement their main income with a side hustle. In fact, Gen Z is leading the charge with 68 per cent making money this way[i]. With minimal overheads, low risk and 24/7 accessibility, hustlers are turning to the digital marketplace to make their hobbies, interests and skills into an extra income…
People management platform Employment Hero is predicting a huge upsurge in parents starting work early under new Flexible Working laws. The law change, which comes into effect on April 6, will require that employers consider employee requests for flexible working in good faith and consult with them on how they might be able to make them work. Employees will also be able to make these requests on “day one” of their employment, meaning new starters might look to set new patterns of work immediately. Employers can still reject a request for flexible work if it is plainly unworkable and would…
Jodie Fraser, CEO and founder of Fraser Allen Estate Management has been appointed as Chair of Trustees of the Hollie Gazzard Trust. Businesswoman Jodie has been a supporter of the trust and its founder Nick Gazzard for several years and was an early business adopter of the Hollie Guard app designed to protect people from harm. For her this latest appointment is a natural progression. “We are delighted that Jodie has joined us as chair of Trustees. As an entrepreneur, Jodie has a wealth of knowledge and experience in running successful businesses,” said Nick Gazzard. “As a current Ambassador and active…
Amidst the apprehension surrounding AI-driven change, it’s time to shift our perspective. Rather than viewing AI as a looming threat, we need to acknowledge its potential as a source of untapped opportunities. In the fast-paced, ever-evolving modern workplace that is continually being shaped by rapid technological change, concerns about job losses caused by new technologies like AI are natural. However, for many roles, AI will help humans complete their jobs, improve efficiency and manage a greater workload. It won’t replace human workers. AI can be the driving force behind new employment opportunities, fostering growth for individuals and businesses alike, while…
Santander has teamed up with entrepreneur and footballing icon, Gary Neville, to help an SME with international ambitions get started in a new market. The bank showcased how with the right connections a business could go from Preston to Poland, in just 24 hours. Data from Santander3 shows that in the past 12 months, international businesses have improved their performance more (51%) than domestic only businesses (44%) proving that international expansion is key to growth for UK companies. Yet, despite 56% of SMEs having aspirations for international growth, 52% are still hindered by the fear of getting it wrong. Gary Neville, said: “I’ve started…
It will come as no surprise that there is an undercurrent of uncertainty plaguing small business owners in the UK. A recent survey by messaging service Slack reveals that despite 71% of small business owners feeling cautiously optimistic about 2024, a significant 40% view this year as ‘make or break’. A volatile economy, a looming election, and persistent struggles with declining sales are just some of the anxieties weighing heavily on small business owners. And, when we look at how consumers are feeling, 36% say they are very likely to shop around for alternative service providers in the next six…
In UK health and safety there are recommended guidelines and official law, it is an employer’s responsibility to understand the difference and try to follow advisory practices from the government and HSE. Sometimes laws can be written which you would never believe to be true or vice versa you may be unaware of specific rules which are legal requirements in your workplace. To help educate staff and employers, or simply to refresh your memory if you are aware of safety law, Horizon Platforms has created a true or false quiz to test your knowledge. Take a look below and see how…
Whilst the key measures in Jeremy Hunt’s 2024 Spring Budget have been widely reported, taking the time to analyse these proposals can uncover the real impact on small and medium sized owner managed businesses. So, what is changing? R&D Tax Relief From 1 April 2024, there will be a single merged Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) scheme, removing the historically significant SME scheme, unless the company falls within the definition of being ‘R&D intensive’. HMRC is still increasing its enquiry activity around R&D generally to review and check claims, but the RDEC scheme opens up the opportunity for a…
BEP Surface Technologies, a leading electroplating and surface finishing specialist, has cut energy use by 20% after investing in control and automation technologies. The bespoke solution has transformed the Radcliffe-based manufacturer’s chrome plating process by enabling real-time visibility of critical operational parameters, enabling enhanced monitoring and data analysis. The two-year project, backed by skills support from Made Smarter, has cut energy use by 20 per cent, material use by 10 per cent, and labour use by 15 per cent. The scalable solution integrates with BEP’s grinding machinery to introduce predictive maintenance strategies and monitor hazardous materials to enhance safety. It is…