With the October budget setting out plans to increase employer tax by £25bn from April 2025, including a 1.2% hike in employer national insurance to 15%,1 many companies will be cutting back on hiring. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to make your CV stand out in a challenging job market. Shockingly, more than half (56.5%) of cover letters are now likely generated by artificial intelligence, which often lacks the personal touch employers seek when reviewing thousands of applications. In light of this, Digital PR Agency Reboot Online, analysed applications submitted to them using app.originality.ai to identify trends between AI and non-AI cover letters. They also…
Author: sme-admin
Currently, only larger businesses are legally required to report on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Nevertheless, this can have a significant knock-on effect on SMEs, which often must conduct their own reporting to meet the demands of their larger clients who need to report ESG compliance in their supply chains. SMEs have fewer resources to meet these demands, however. Adding ESG reporting to an already significant burden of legal and regulatory requirements can create a significant headache and threaten to drain precious management time. The key is to see past the pain of this new reporting regime to the…
Pipedrive, the easy and effective sales CRM for small businesses, have released further data from its State of Sales and Marketing report into small business working habits and success factors. Previous analysis from the same report revealed how AI tools enable both happier employees and healthier business revenue, how staff were positive about AI’s impact on their future work, and how flexible working creates happier and more productive workers. The data also shows how working hours, technology, and personal success correlate. Working overtime More than two-thirds (69%) of respondents work overtime, with one in ten working more than 16 additional hours…
The latest data from the Department for Transport shows a 111% surge in the number of company-owned electric vans over the past two years[1]. However, despite this significant growth, Vansdirect warns that there is still a long way for British businesses to go when it comes to embracing electric, as EVs only accounted for 7% of all newly registered fleet vans during that same period.[2] A spokesperson at Vansdirect states that, “While in the past it may have seemed that EVs were an unrealistic option for fleets, in 2024, businesses should seriously consider making the switch. With the UK government’s 2030 ban on…
In today’s digital age, podcasting is rapidly gaining momentum as a key tool for business growth. While it may seem daunting to launch a full-fledged podcast, there are plenty of ways SMEs can start using podcasting to amplify their brand and connect with their audience. In this blog, Kath Lord-Green, Your Fairy Podmother® of Voice It Podcast Agency, shares how small and medium-sized businesses can harness podcasting to drive business growth, increase visibility, and create meaningful engagement with customers. The Benefits of Podcasting Podcasting isn’t just a trend—it’s a powerful marketing tool that helps businesses create lasting connections. Podcasts allow…
Meltwater, a leading global provider of media, social, and consumer intelligence, today announces a new strategic partnership with Cyabra, whose AI shields companies and government agencies from dis- and misinformation by uncovering fake profiles, harmful narratives, and GenAI content. Together, Cyabra and Meltwater will enable customers with a powerful solution to protect brand reputation from online disinformation attacks, manage crises effectively, and enhance the quality of insights on genuine consumer sentiment. This holistic framework complements Meltwater’s existing social intelligence solutions and allows for a deeper understanding of dis- and misinformation amplified by malicious actors through fake accounts. Through this partnership, joint customers of…
Uber for Business, Uber’s corporate travel management platform, has launched Business Exec as a booking option for UK business travellers, enabling them to book luxury vehicles on-demand or in advance. When requesting a ride via their corporate Uber account, travellers can now select Business Exec alongside other ride types such as Uber Green, which offers sustainable trips. This will ensure they are picked up in a luxury vehicle with extra legroom and a top-rated driver. Riders are given more time to meet their ride before facing a cancellation charge – up to 15 mins for reserved rides and 60 minutes…
THE TEAM behind a care company helping individuals in the Winchester area, are now running the business through an employee-owned trust. Everycare (Central & Hants) Ltd was set up by entrepreneur Mike Frizzell back in 2010. Mike, who had been a finance director in several roles, decided to run his own business after being made redundant in his 50s. “For me, running a franchise under the umbrella of Everycare UK was a common sense option as I didn’t have a ‘big business idea’ of my own. Initially a friend joined me in the business and we employed a care manager…
Staying productive at work can be a real challenge with so many distractions and interruptions. From constant email and Microsoft Teams notifications to endless meetings, efficiency can easily suffer. Rasmus Holst, Chief Executive Officer of employee development platform Zensai reveals how to tackle the biggest productivity killers in the workplace, help you focus, and create an effective work atmosphere to get things done. Switch off non-essential notifications during work hours Social media and smartphones are huge distractions in the workplace, often pulling attention away from work tasks with constant notifications and the lure of endless scrolling. To combat this, switch off non-essential notifications during work hours. For example, on an…
FIDO Alliance recently announced its fourth annual Online Authentication Barometer – a global consumer survey that reveals the trends, habits and adoption of authentication technology. The survey gathers insights from over 10k consumers in ten countries globally: UK, France, Germany, US, Australia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, India and China. Key findings The research revealed promising consumer momentum building around passkey adoption and clear signs people are recognising the limitations of passwords and are choosing passwordless alternatives, like passkeys, where available. In the two years since passkeys were first announced, global awareness has jumped by 50%, rising from 39% familiar in 2022 to…