By Lorraine Emmett, Founder and Managing Director of EC-PR ‘I want to use the bathroom’, said the executive after a long, uncomfortable, overnight flight. Let me tell you in meticulous detail about the bathroom door. The woodgrain, the source of the fabrics we use, the hinge design, the locking mechanism, the metals’ provenance and sustainability features—all designed to save you time and money; came the salesman’s eager, very lengthy and totally irrelevant response…. Many tech firms focus on talking about their product features and technical details, overlooking how their solutions solve actual customer needs. This oversight weakens marketing, PR and…
Author: sme-admin
Steve Purser, former Head of Core Operations at the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, and Zivver’s Chief Information Security Officer, Nadine Hoogerwerf, get into the weeds on NIS2 and DORA From GDPR to CRA, NIS2 to DORA, the number of acronyms connected to data compliance and regulation is becoming quite overwhelming for businesses. These legislative instruments are not designed to make life difficult for organisations, but to standardise cybersecurity and risk management to create a more secure landscape for all. While some eyes may roll at the introduction of two new pieces of legislation, they are arguably the most important legislative…
Your attention span is now officially shorter than a goldfish, according to a study. With around nine out of ten workers struggling to stay focused, and “distracted minds” costing the UK economy £19.9 billion a year, it’s no surprise that searches for “how to be more productive” have surged by 250% on Google. But do you know that music could be the secret to sharpening your focus? A Spotify study reveals that songs between 50 to 80 beats per minute (BPM) range can help put your brain in a more focused and creative zone – perfect for tasks like studying, working and brainstorming. Curious to find the ultimate focus boosters, the experts…
Dominique Antiglio is a globally sought-after Sophrologist, best-selling author, and founder of BeSophro. Through BeSophro’s corporate offering, they can help build resilient and agile teams that can adapt to change and drive innovation, and have worked with organisations including Google, Lululemon, ASICS and the UK Government. In an era where workplace wellness and mental health is finally becoming a top priority, it’s surprising how often companies overlook simple, yet effective, tools like Sophrology. With burnout on the rise and employees juggling more demands than ever, organisations are searching for solutions to maintain productivity, prevent burn out and absenteeism, and educate…
Cambridge Advance Online has announced that registrations are now open for its February intake, offering five business essentials courses from the University of Cambridge as part of its substantial online programme. Students will learn from industry leaders, with each course led by a University of Cambridge academic and designed using the latest advancements in learning design theory and technology. Business courses include Intercultural Communication for Global Business, ESG Risk Management and Creativity, Problem Solving and Design Thinking (recently winning an Honourable Mention at the 2024 Learning Impact Europe Awards). Delivered entirely online for flexible learning, course agendas include a balanced…
Today’s brands know that, in the face of an increasingly crowded market, delivering an outstanding ‘in the moment’ customer experience can help them stand out from their competitors. But, as Adobe’s 2024 Digital Trends report revealed, with only 26% of customersdescribing their digital experience with a brand as “excellent”, it’s clear that many brands have a long way to go before the CX they deliver matches customer expectations. Companies are sitting on a goldmine of customer data, but which common customer data mistakes are causing potential customers to take their business elsewhere? The 2024 study, conducted by Adobe, reveals the common customer data mistakes…
In its first budget since taking office, the UK’s Labour government, led by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has laid out policies aiming for a “fair and balanced” approach to stimulate growth while addressing fiscal stability concerns. The October 30, 2024 budget introduced significant changes, including a 1.2 percentage point increase in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and an uplift in the National Living Wage. Employers will see NICs raised from 13.8% to 15% by April 2025, and the threshold for contributions will lower from £9,100 to £5,000 annually. Labour has also increased the National Living Wage to £12.21 per hour, an…
Widespread dissatisfaction among frontline workers is estimated to cost the UK nearly £14 billion1 every year in lost time, prompting calls for businesses to improve their ways of working. Feedback from the Field, a study of frontline employees and managers undertaken by YouGov and commissioned by global technology company SafetyCulture, paints a picture of a UK workforce that feels under pressure, frustrated and unproductive. More than three in four workers (77%) claim they are dissatisfied with something at work. Among these, the main causes for dissatisfaction are the impacts of unreasonable expectations or burnout (43%), their company’s slow response to resolving issues or…
Competition is the lifeblood of business, prompting companies to continuously look for ways to improve their products, make their pitches better and, overall, offer an improved service. However, effectively leveraging competitive advantage can often be a challenge, with a study by McKinsey finding that 70 per cent of executives lack a clear understanding of what sets their organisation apart from competitors. Operational Excellence [OpEx] is a strategic approach often overlooked by companies seeking to maintain a competitive edge. Yet, it should be a primary focus for those looking for ways to stand out. OpEx involves embracing principles such as customer-centricity,…
Trust makes up the core building blocks of every relationship, however this doesn’t stop many of us telling the odd white lie. A study by Raja Group found that 69% of workers have lied in the workplace, with 47% saying they tell up to five lies every working day. Taking data from the Office of National Statistics, this is an estimated 22 million UK workers who are deceiving colleagues and clients. But why do people lie? The answer can vary, but lying to avoid punishment is believed to be the main reason why the odd lie pops out. Further reasons could be to…