Time and attendance solutions provider Clocking Systems Ltd. has revealed new research, showcasing things that rank as the top annoyances of those in management or leadership positions. After collecting and collating relevant data, Clocking Systems found the following to be bosses’ top frustrations and annoyances about their employees in the workplace. Lack of Communication One of the real bug bears across all managers was a lack of communication from staff, whether it was not replying to e-mails, running late and not letting them know, or not communicating when something isn’t going well. It’s been cited that this is one of the…
Author: sme-admin
Stef Fielding, tax director at Sapphire Contracting and Accounting, shares his insights on the impact of HMRC’s crackdown on R&D claims on small businesses and his advice to businesses looking to make a claim. Over the last three years, we have seen HMRC adopt a draconian line when it comes to assessing R&D claims. HMRC has moved to challenge a whole range of R&D claims that it might not have previously. Research & Development (R&D) tax relief was originally introduced to support companies that work on innovative projects in science and technology. However, an analysis of R&D claims for the…
Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout the United Kingdom are incurring annual losses amounting to £3.4billion due to inadequate cybersecurity measures., according to a new report from Vodafone Business. The report Securing Success: The Role of Cybersecurity in SME Growth, also found that the average cost of a cyber-attack for a small business is £3,398 with the figure rising to £5,001 for those with 50 or more employees. Download the full report here: www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/press-release/cyberhackers-costing-uk-smes-3billion-per-year The findings highlight the necessity for businesses to safeguard against rising cyber threats, which result in financial losses each year due to data breaches, system downtime, and…
Starting this month, the Competition and Marketing Authority (CMA) gains new powers to fine businesses for misleading greenwashing claims, which Cambridge Advance Online says will make ESG risk management more critical than ever. As of April 6th, environmental claims that breach consumer law and fail to meet the CMA’s Green Claims Code could result in fines of up to 10% of a company’s global turnover, or £300,000, whichever is higher. “Greenwashing” has surged as a breakout Google trend (>5,000% increase) over the past five years, driven by growing consumer awareness of misleading corporate sustainability claims. This is supported by a rise in the number…
SME Today talks to Gloria Kolb, a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and a trailblazer in the women’s health space. As the founder of Elitone, an innovative and non-invasive device to treat the problem of incontinence in women, Gloria is on a mission to break taboos, challenge biases in healthcare, and ensure women have access to safe and effective solutions for their quality of life and general wellbeing. What is your business? Elidah, maker of Elitone, is a US company that has developed a non-invasive, wearable pelvic floor treatment that is safe, trusted and effective for women who suffer from bladder leaks. We are on a mission to…
Hampered by NGOs and bureaucratic and anti-competitive interests, Europe must look to examples in the Middle East for effective sustainability policy. Europe is stagnating when it comes to plastic environmental policies. Rather than encouraging sustainable technologies, the EU is muddled about new technologies – continuing to live in the past with environmentally-damaging old-fashioned plastic. It is by now obvious that their policies of “reduce, re-use, recycle” are inadequate. By contrast, the Middle East has encouraged sustainable technologies by making oxo-biodegradable plastic compulsory for a wide range of consumer products, after carrying out extensive due-diligence. In Yemen d2w is specifically mandated. Europe…
SMEs are braced for yet another wave of legal and financial pressures as the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill is set to introduce significant changes to employer obligations later this year. For many companies still contending with tough economic conditions, this latest legislation could be the ‘final blow’ to already struggling businesses, says employment law expert Jonathan Winston at Winston Solicitors. The Employment Rights Bill, designed to enhance worker protections, introduces stricter regulations on flexible working, sick pay, redundancy rights and contractual obligations. While the intent is to strengthen employee rights, many business owners fear the added financial and administrative burden will…
Last week, President Donald Trump set off a global economic shockwave with the announcement—and now the implementation—of sweeping new U.S. tariffs. Framed as a bold push to rebalance trade and protect American industry, the plan includes a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the United States and sharply higher, targeted tariffs on goods from countries labeled “worst offenders,” including China (54%), Vietnam (46%), and the EU (20%). Automobiles face an immediate 25% duty, marking one of the most aggressive protectionist moves from Washington. While the White House insists these tariffs are necessary to restore economic fairness, global markets have…
Unreliable connectivity isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a business risk. Poor network performance can lead to lost productivity, operational delays, and frustrated employees and customers. A recent report highlighted that the UK has some of the slowest 5G speeds in the G7, with mobile coverage challenges impacting businesses nationwide. Industries reliant on real-time data—such as retail, logistics, and remote-working sectors—are particularly affected. With businesses unable to rely on national infrastructure improvements alone, they must proactively assess their connectivity strategies. A slow, inconsistent network costs time and money, making it essential for organisations to evaluate whether their current connectivity meets their needs. …
It is perhaps not surprising to hear that the number of individuals in debt has increased over recent years. In 2023, 15% of the UK population, equivalent to 8 million people, required debt advice. These individuals are typically under 35 years old, in households with children and low income, from underrepresented communities, and more likely to have experienced an income shock in the previous three years, such as a drop in earnings. Debt can be a significant challenge for some people and worrying about personal finances can contribute to mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Research shows that…