High-functioning anxiety is a broad term for those who live with generalised anxiety disorder but identify as functioning reasonably well and, in some cases, extremely well. It is often overlooked due to its subtle presentation. It’s deceptively difficult to understand the condition as individuals with it typically look like they have a successful work and private life, however, below the surface of a perfect exterior, they are fighting a constant battle with anxiety. High-performance cultural paradox In the ever-evolving landscape of modern workplaces, the pursuit of excellence has birthed what many refer to as “high-performance cultures.” While aimed at driving…
Author: sme-admin
For growing organisations, finding the right level of IT support can be something of a headache. Having to outsource help every time a laptop gets a virus or the server running your customer database makes strange noises can be time-consuming and unreliable, while committing to an in-house team may be an overstretch. Managed IT support can be a happy medium – one that allows you to ramp up and down, safe in the knowledge that you can call on help whenever it’s needed. But how can you find the right fit? After all, finding the right partner can be the…
One in ten highly skilled freelancers are currently out of work due to the impact of controversial reforms to IR35 tax legislation, according to new research. A survey of more than 1,300 contractors in highly skilled roles found that 21% are not currently working, with half of them attributing this to the impact of reforms to IR35 tax rules. Meanwhile, 55% of contractors said they had rejected an offer of work in the past 12 months due to it being deemed ‘inside IR35’ by the client. Furthermore, 24% said they intend to seek contracts overseas this year to escape the…
Following last weekend’s unseasonably strong winds, one of the UK’s largest insurance providers has revealed a 449% increase in flood claims over the past 12 months, and issued guidance on how to prepare for more adverse weather expected this month. Simply Business, insurance providers to over 900,000 small businesses and landlords, examined all claims submitted between the period March 2022 to March 2024 to discover the uplift. Storm Kathleen, the 11th of the season and named by the Irish Meteorological Service on Thursday, rolled in with blustery conditions on Friday. Flights across the UK and Ireland were brought to a…
Half of all UK adults have experienced imposter syndrome at work, and employers aren’t doing enough to tackle the issue. Imposter syndrome needs to be brought into the spotlight in workplace conversations, says Jill Whittaker, Managing Director of The Executive Development Network. By knowing the symptoms and which colleagues may be more at risk, employers can better support and empower their employees with tools to combat the condition. Given how widespread the condition is, not enough of us are talking about imposter syndrome. That sinking feeling of worry and anxiety, that others see you as a fraud while at work,…
The start of the new financial year is the ideal time for businesses of all sizes to establish a marketing budget for the coming twelve months. A dedicated marketing budget is essentially a comprehensive list of all money you will allocate to your marketing efforts. Formalising your marketing spend in this way is vital to tracking and measuring your return on investment [ROI], and ensuring your budget is only going towards the most effective activities. Robert Konzon, Director of Finance at Climb Online explores the key considerations for creating an effective marketing budget in the new tax year. Set objectives…
Businesses and individuals are switching to electric vehicles in ever-increasing numbers. Latest figures show there were more than 1 million fully electric cars registered in the UK in February 2024 on top of a further 56,000 electric vans and 620,000 plug-in hybrids. Now, with a government ban on the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars due to come into force in 2035, more and more businesses and employees will be trading in their polluting fossil-fuel company vehicles for a zero-emissions electric model. From salary sacrifice schemes to tax benefits, business car insurance specialists, Keith Michaels has weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of driving an…
In a recently released survey from the Bank of England, in collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade, data showed that 20% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) said they had underinvested in their business during the previous three years, yet the sector still shows a general theme of aversion to raising external finance. Consistent with other research, 50% of businesses reported only using existing capital to re-invest in the business, along with around 70% of businesses preferring to grow slowly than to have debt. For established companies with solid propositions and thriving customer pipelines, the prospect of organic…
Over two third (69%) of UK decision-makers surveyed say sustainability is important for their business, while 61% consider the circular economy important. Nearly 9 in 10 (89%) consider waste management important in becoming a sustainable business. But, despite these good intentions, only 53% of UK businesses have their recycling collected. The main barrier to being more sustainable is ‘cost’ say over a third (36%) of SME business decision makers surveyed in recent research from sustainable waste management firm Biffa with a survey conducted by the YouGov analysis institute. At a time when SMEs and larger businesses may be looking to…
Have you ever hesitated to make a simple phone call at work, feeling your heart race as you contemplate dialling the number? Perhaps you’ve experienced the relief of the call going unanswered, or the dread of picking up the ringing office phone. If so, you’re not alone. These are telltale signs of what millions of UK employees silently battle every day: phone anxiety. New research by telephone answering provider Face For Business sheds light on the true extent of this pervasive problem within the UK, revealing that a staggering 65% of UK office workers experience some level of anxiety when using the phone.…