Private medical insurance is the most important company perk that employees look for in their benefits package, new research from employee benefits technology provider, Zest, has found. A third (33%) of employees in the UK ranked private medical insurance as the most in-demand employee benefit, ahead of other well-known perks such as increased pension contributions (32%), employer support on energy bills (24%) and a wellbeing allowance (20%). Four in ten (42%) employees aged over 55 named private medical insurance as their top benefit. Similarly, women were more likely to prioritise private healthcare support – 37% of female employees claimed this was…
Author: sme-admin
As undergraduate students begin a new semester at university this month, Charlotte Ibbotson, Director of Talent at mthree a talent and training partner which helps individuals and organisations to succeed by building job-ready teams with the most in-demand skills, commented: “Despite the heavy scrutiny of universities and the value of degrees in recent years, higher education is still an undoubtedly formative and positive education pathway for emerging talent with big career ambitions. “The value of a university education extends beyond academic qualifications and helps create well-rounded individuals who can thrive in the working world. Universities play a pivotal role in shaping students through a mixture of…
According to the latest marketing and sales report, over two-thirds (67%) of buyers want to be contacted by email, yet lead rates for email-only marketing campaigns are down 22% since 2022. The State of Prospecting Report, from the sales engagement specialists at Sopro, analysed 20,000 sales emails to reveal the good, bad, and ugly to help inform your next email marketing campaign. The good The top three types of words that have a positive impact on lead rate are prior contact (+28%), assurance (+19%), and empathy (+11%). Words that infer you’ve had prior contact imply you have researched them, know you can help them and are determined to make…
Seven years since the #MeToo movement highlighted widespread sexual assault and abuse across the entertainment industry, we are again faced with the same headlines. Rapper Diddy is under arrest in New York charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, and dozens of women have come forward alleging they were sexually assaulted or even raped by Mohamed Al Fayed, while working at Harrods. A barrister working for ‘Justice for Harrods Survivors’ told the BBC that they’ve had more than 100 inquiries to their team from all over the world, since going public with the details of allegations…
Most successful entrepreneurs will tell you that the secret to a booming business is finding a gap in the market – a problem that you can solve with a new solution as the basis of your product or service. These niche businesses focus on unique products or services that cater to specialised needs, interests, or problems for a narrowly defined market segment that larger companies overlook. Kyle Eaton, money.co.uk business loans expert, offers his tips to help entrepreneurs launch their niche business: “Starting a niche business can be both rewarding and challenging. Niche markets often present opportunities to cater to specific, underserved…
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…
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…