Douglas Grant, Managing Director at Conister Bank proposes five key areas for Labour to focus on to foster resilience and sustainable growth. As signs of economic recovery were beginning to appear this year, it’s crucial to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the support they need to flourish. SMEs are the backbone of our economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and stimulating local communities. However, under Labour’s leadership so far, the rhetoric has been fiscal fearmongering as SMEs face the challenge of uncertainty that risks hindering rather than boosting their growth. With the SME lending landscape rapidly evolving, Labour must…
Author: sme-admin
As the UK gears up for this year’s Black Friday shopping spree two of the country’s biggest e-commerce brands reveal how they are tackling the growing problem of customer dishonesty. Increasing numbers of shoppers are casually and blatantly taking advantage of returns and refund policies, costing brands millions every year in lost revenue. Cheats and tips spread via social media give this activity a veneer of acceptability, though legitimate customers and businesses end up counting the cost. To make matters worse cybercriminals are now offering “refunds as a service” with growing numbers of consumers hiring them to claim fraudulent refunds…
One in five (20%) businesses are initially funded by inherited money, and almost the same number (19%) are funded by parents. Business owners and entrepreneurs remain reliant on family for subsequent growth funding, with 15% of business owners using inheritance for further growth investment. Almost half (49%) of business owners are first time entrepreneurs, whilst one in five (18%) are accidental entrepreneurs. The bank of mum and dad has a huge part to play in funding many UK startups, with 20% of businesses funded by inheritance and a further 19% by parents, according to new research from wealth manager Charles…
With office wardrobes under scrutiny and social media filled with “Get Ready with Me” videos, UK employees are debating how their outfits impact confidence and workplace perceptions. instantprint, the largest UK-based online printer has conducted a survey of over 1,000 workers to reveal the challenges of nailing the perfect work look and the hidden messages our clothes send. Are You Feeling the Pressure of Dress Codes at Work? You’re Not Alone! We kicked things off by asking survey participants whether their workplace enforces a dress code. Only 45% said their workplace does, and among those, nearly 75% admitted they stick…
According to data from The Institute of Customer Service, 1.3 million over 65s in the UK have experienced poor customer service because of their age. For this year’s International Day of Older People, which takes place on October 1, customer-first SIM-only mobile operator spusu explores the dangers of relying on stereotypes, as well as the importance of choice in ensuring excellent service. The findings from the survey support anecdotal evidence that the customer experience industry is failing older people. Of those who reported experiencing bad service because of their age, 57 per cent felt patronised, while just under half claimed…
Two SMEs – Sawn to be Wild, an eco-manufacturing business, and Picture News, a teaching resource business that delivers news-based assets to schools – have been featured in a new online mini-series launched by NESCAFÉ® by Nestlé Professional and business guru Deborah Meaden to give practical support to the small businesses community. Katie Harrison, director of Picture News, and Patrick Ellis, co-founder of Sawn to be Wild, feature in the first episode of Let’s Partner Up for Good. The episode focuses on identifying and recruiting the right talent, scaling up and expanding a business without compromising on quality. With the…
Many companies have a talented workforce consisting of individuals with remarkable skills and insights, yet some may face challenges navigating the traditional office environment. One in seven people in the UK are neurodivergent. Neurodiversity refers to the unique ways that individuals’ brains process information, and neurodiversity in the workplace means that working environments are made up of many unique traits and talents. Challenges facing neurodiverse individuals Neurodiverse individuals may face multiple challenges at work. For example, a company may employ a talented employee with exceptional attention to detail and pattern recognition skills yet struggle with social interactions in the office.…
Experts are warning that Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) contractors are becoming a target for attention from the tax authorities. HMRC has started to issue letters to CIS contractors if its records indicate that the correct deductions may not have been applied. The letter prompts the contractor to verify the CIS tax status of their subcontractors to ensure that they have used the correct CIS deductions rate when calculating the deductions to withhold. Contractors are required to check their records within 45 days of receipt of the letter. Following this 45-day period, a compliance check may be started – whereby any…
The UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch-off has been delayed until January 2027. Following the switch off, Openreach products such as broadband, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) and Shared Metallic Path Facility will reach the end of their life. PSTN’s switch off date was postponed to allow consumers more time to find a digital alternative, and businesses more time to reassess their communication network and update their IT and communication systems. However, with businesses across still not prepared for the switch-off, Geoff Campos, Customer Solutions Architect at M247 shares advice on how to future-proof connectivity and prepare…
In recent years, there have been growing reports of allergy tragedies as a result of food business negligence. Such tragedies include 23-year-old James Atkinson, a university student with a severe peanut allergy who passed away in 2020 after eating a slice of a pizza ordered through Deliveroo in Newcastle. An inquest into the incident in January uncovered that the restaurant in question had blank allergen sections in its food safety management documents. With these tragedies becoming all too common, many are pondering whether restaurants in the UK will remain compliant with Natasha’s Law in 2024 & beyond. Natasha’s Law was…