The Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ Awards are open for SMEs to enter until 9 March, with the addition of two new categories and an expanded prize package to honour exceptional accomplishments in global trading. The awards celebrate the international sales success of SMEs across the UK and provide a stepping stone for further growth and opportunity. This year, two new categories have been added: Digital & Technology and Export Services – the latter aiming to recognise the contribution of businesses that facilitate UK exports. The other categories cover Advanced Manufacturing…
Author: sme-admin
Tariq Peters, Freelance PR Consultant & Personal Branding Coach, discusses why personal branding is an important asset for any entrepreneur and looks at how it has evolved into a vital component to achieve personal and professional success. Personal branding is the intentional process of defining and communicating your unique value to others. It encompasses your skills, experiences, and qualities, all of which help distinguish you in your industry or field. Whether you’re a startup founder, a small business owner, or a creative professional, investing in your personal brand can significantly impact your business growth and career trajectory. Here are five…
In a recent webinar, Jon Burt, Head of Enterprise Architecture at Manchester City Council, and Rick Goud, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Zivver, discussed what is meant by “right-sizing”, how it impacts the risks of data loss, and how to build a security-conscious culture across the entire organisation As any security leader will be all too aware, safeguarding data can be something of a tightrope walk. It isn’t necessarily about having the “best” or most robust cybersecurity strategy in place; it’s about striking a balance between data protection, cost-effectiveness, usability, and discovering an approach to cybersecurity that works for…
Laura Leslie, corporate partner at DSG Chartered Accountants in Liverpool, discusses how businesses can best prepare for the audit process and spot potential complications early. An audit is an independent examination of a company’s financial records by a qualified auditor. This examination assesses the accuracy and reliability of the company’s financial statements, ensuring it complies with accounting standards and provides a true and fair representation of the company’s financial position. Audits are crucial for small businesses as they enhance credibility and trust among stakeholders, including investors, lenders, and customers. An audit can also help to detect errors in financial reporting,…
Workers planning for their retirement across the UK could be at risk of significantly downplaying the possibility of needing later-in-life care, research from independent consultancy Barnett Waddingham finds. The findings, taken from Barnett Waddingham’s latest report “The At Retirement Reckoning”, reveal that more than a third (36%) of people expect their health and care costs to increase substantially well into their retirement. Despite this expectation, fewer than one in five (17%) have fully factored having to go into care into their retirement plan. The cost of care: expectations In the research, workers were asked to what extent they anticipated their…
Employees are calling for increased employer pension contributions this year, as new research from employee benefits technology provider, Zest, reveals the most sought-after benefits for 2025. The most desired benefits are as follows: Rank All employees 1. Increased pension contributions (30%) 2. Private medical insurance (29%) 3. Employer contribution to energy costs at home (23%) / discounts/vouchers for high street shops/brands (23%) 4. Wellbeing allowance to spend on spend on what you choose (19%) 5. Paid mental health leave (16%) / workplace savings scheme (16%) Three in ten (30%) employees want employers to contribute a greater amount to their pension pots over the…
As we move forward into 2025, many individuals may be looking to start a new venture in the form of a business. Whether you are a coveted business connoisseur or a fresh-faced entrepreneur, it is important to take several steps to ensure you hit the ground running. Helen Steel from Steamlion Consulting, a Berkshire-based firm specialising in SME funding and growth strategies, knows just how important it is to set your business up for success. Having helped over 700 business owners secure over £14 million for their start-up funding and growth plans, she has seen the strengths and weaknesses of…
Younger generations are emerging as unexpected champions of office-based work, with new research from Vitality’s Britain’s Healthiest Workplace data revealing they are more likely than older colleagues to recognise the benefits of being in the office. The data found that 61% of employees under 35 believe that the social elements of working in an office are good for their health, compared to 49% of employees over 55. Likewise, 60% of employees under 35 feel they have better access to learning and development opportunities when working in person, compared to 45% of employees over 55, while 48% of employees under 35…
Soumya Dinesh is the managing director of Atula Technologies. The Buckinghamshire-based business provides bespoke software solutions to SMEs. Soumya discusses when businesses might consider outsourcing their software development. It can be a strategic decision for many businesses. Understanding the benefits and challenges that come with each option is vital to making the right decision. When to Outsource and the Benefits of Outsourcing Skill Gaps: If your in-house team lacks specific skills or expertise, outsourcing is a practical way to bridge this gap without the long-term commitment of hiring new staff. Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing can be cost-effective, particularly if it involves partnering with firms in regions…
The growth in side-businesses over the past few years has been significant, and from this January’s tax return deadline, the new rules introduced by HMRC last year to target individuals and micro-businesses making money from online platforms come into effect. Prior to the new measures being introduced, HMRC could request information from UK based platforms. However, the new rules indicate platforms will be required to routinely report on transaction data for sellers; this will enable HMRC to ensure that all income earned through side businesses is tracked in order to tackle tax evasion and to detect any deliberate non-compliance. Since…