Starting out her career as a research scientist, Eman Al-Hillawi now draws on her passion for people and positive change in her role as managing director of specialist change management consultancy, Entec Si. She talks to SME Today about her leadership journey to date and her ambitious plans for the business’s future. From scientist to businesswoman Steered down the science route by her father, Eman completed a Biochemistry degree at the University of Birmingham before embarking on a PhD. “Although I soon discovered that science wasn’t my real passion, I achieved many great things while working in a lab coat.…
Author: sme-admin
Almost three-quarters of Brits are being contacted by their boss or colleagues while on annual leave, according to new research which coincides with calls for the Government to introduce the “right to disconnect” outside office hours. When asked whether their line manager or colleagues contact them about work when on annual leave, 35% said they are contacted by email and 29% by Whatsapp, with a quarter of employees saying their work still rings them about tasks during their holiday. With businesses setting out their roadmap for the future of working, and 11% of employees confirming they are contacted about work…
Improving mental health support for employees has risen to the top of many business’ checklists, and with recent events arising from Covid-19, these issues have never been more important. Mental health has been a long-standing issue for organisations across the globe, accounting for 54 percent of working days lost on an annual basis and it is currently the most common cause of long-term sickness in UK workplaces. Good mental health at work and good management go hand in hand and there is strong evidence that workplaces with high levels of mental wellbeing are more productive. Addressing wellbeing at work increases…
Throughout the pandemic many workplaces have offered their employees more flexibility. Flexible working options such as adjusting hours, days, or place of work, are attractive to many employees, and can offer your team more control over how, where and when you and your teams work. New research by Bupa found that 27% of working parents want to see more flexibility at work, too. One area that’s surged in popularity over recent months is ‘shared parental leave’. This is where both parents can take time off in a more flexible way during your baby’s first year. Our new research has revealed…
In just one month, the Government’s furlough scheme will end after 18 months of allowing employers to keep staff on the payroll, without them coming to work. While it was certainly a financial lifeline for many SMEs, it hasn’t been without its challenges. New data from CapitalBox found loans hit a five-year high, despite the availability of Government funds, as SMEs were forced to borrow more to keep their business afloat. Loans taken out by UK small businesses to cover workforce costs spiked from 1% in March 2020 to 14% in April 2020, as the furlough scheme failed to cover the complete…
In many ways the pandemic has brought out the best in people. However, it has also highlighted the outmoded leadership styles that many have, and that will continue to cause havoc as we emerge from the crisis. A report by The Global Alliance in Management Education found that where hard skills were once prized, now softer, more humane competencies have gained greater value. As they recognise, good leadership includes the ability to flex and respond to changing needs; “The leadership style that comes naturally to you or is typical for your organisation may not always be fit for purpose. If…
JON White, the antiques dealer who runs Old Bank Antiques in Royal Wootton Bassett, is appealing for help in tracing the legitimate owner of a valuable picture brought into his Wiltshire centre. The picture was brought in by a woman from Wiltshire, who does not wish to be named, as she wanted to sell it, alongside other items from her late father’s estate. Her father bought the picture in good faith from a flea market in London some years ago. “The signed picture looked special and I felt it was worth doing some research on it,” Jon said. “Clearly we…
Qualified nutritional therapist and naturopath Caroline Peyton of Peyton Principles, who has run clinics in Wiltshire and The Cotswolds for more than a decade, advises on how to ease the symptoms of Hayfever. The number of hay fever sufferers is at an all time high in the UK with around 25% of the population suffer with mild to moderate symptoms during the summer. And if you’re one of them you may have noticed you are suffering more. Symptoms are worse for many people possibly due to a reduced immune tolerance as a result of prolonged lockdowns. Here are some easy…
Nominations for the IPSE Freelancer Awards are now open. The awards are to recognise not only the best and brightest freelancers from across the UK, but also the organisations and individuals who have done most to support the freelance community. As the Awards did not take place last year, freelancers can submit work and achievements from over the last two years. The deadline for submissions is 6th August 2021. Freelancers from across the UK can put themselves forward for national recognition in one or more of eight categories: Outstanding Freelancer – to recognise outstanding freelancers in all age groups. Young Freelancer – to…
Since we posted an article in May about the newest Google Algorithm Update, we have been alerted to a new tool which businesses might find worth a try. The free Experte Bulk Page Speed Test automatically determines the speed and Core Web Vitals for your site, helps you figure out what pages are slowing your site down, and can also be used to compare pages with competitors. This Page Speed Test uses the same data as Google PageSpeed Insights – which is a tool mentioned in the aforementioned article. The results are 100% comparable and reliable. However, unlike PageSpeed Insights,…