Author: Tanya Channing, Chief People & Culture Officer at Pipedrive Diversity is of paramount importance to growing businesses. Ambitious SMEs are resource-hungry, leaning on the skills and engagement of a dedicated workforce to scale and beat market headwinds. With a people-first strategy, prioritising the drive and determination of a core team building the product or service, there needs to be real company cohesion backing them. However big the team is, both those on the ground floor in sales or product engineering, in the engine room of the business, and those leading at the top, need to collaborate effectively. Coding diversity…
Author: sme-admin
In the past week in the UK, there has been a +200% rise in people searching for ‘brain rot test’, according to Google Trends, a way to find out if they are suffering from a severe “state of mental fogginess and cognitive decline that results from excessive screen engagement” (as defined by the Newport Institute). It is unsurprising, as brain rot has become the go-to term for feeling digitally burnt out. In no other industry is this more apparent than digital marketing, which can drain professional performance and creativity at the best of times. What are the signs of brain…
Kent businessman Chris Maslin, a seasoned entrepreneur known for his success in building service-based businesses, concludes another academic year of supporting Bethany School’s Young Enterprise initiative. Chris started his own accountancy firm, Maslins, in 2009, and opted to start to exit via an employee ownership trust. When he took a step back from the business in 2021, he transferred most of the company’s shares to that trust. Finding the outcome very satisfying, he went on to establish Go EO, which exists to help other businesses transition to become EO organisations. In 2016, motivated initially by peers already involved in the…
With an increasing reliance on technology, the protection of sensitive data and digital assets has become paramount for businesses of all sizes. The UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023 estimates there were 2.39 million instances of cybercrime affecting UK businesses in the prior 12 months – and for small businesses, navigating the complex landscape of cyber threats can be daunting and confusing. It’s never been more important for business owners to understand the laws and regulations, and how to mitigate against potential risks. Rob Rees, Divisional Director at Markel Direct, explains the regulatory requirements for businesses when it comes to…
As labour, services, and material costs rise, many businesses are seeking ways to reduce expenses in 2024. Each month, an average of 7,520 online searches on Google are made for terms related to cost-cutting in business, such as “How to cut costs in business?” and “Business cost-cutting strategies”. A recent SME insights report by Dojo, who specialise in payments for enterprise and independent businesses, sheds light on the challenges faced by UK small and medium-sized enterprises. Dojo surveyed 1,001 SME owners, revealing the seven most common cost-cutting measures that businesses have implemented this year, as well as the industries that are focusing…
Historically, drinking alcohol has become synonymous with workplace events, and whilst this is an additional benefit for some, it’s important to understand the role that alcohol-free team building events have on inclusivity in the workplace. For some employees, this can present a social pressure to fit in and be ‘part of the team’, so alternative events must be considered. Anna Humphries, Product Development Manager at Bear Grylls Survival Academy believes outdoor team building activities are an effective solution for bringing your team together without the aid of alcohol. Inclusive participation A study from Drink Aware found that people working in the private sector are…
According to one of the country’s leading global logistics providers catering for SMEs, Aramex, small and medium-sized businesses in the UK are increasingly turning to international markets to seek out new growth opportunities despite ongoing economic uncertainty. The prospect to diversify revenue streams in new and emerging markets is indeed becoming an attractive option for UK businesses, with HSBC estimating last year that around 450,000 brands have ambitions to seize international opportunities. While international trading has the potential to open doors to new dimensions of possibility and enhanced growth, the pathway to global expansion can also be fraught with complex…
If you use ChatGPT, or other AI tools, for work related tasks, does your boss know? If you answered “No”, you’re not alone. Seven out of ten professionals (68 per cent) using AI at work are doing it secretly, according to a survey by communication platform, Fishbowl. Don’t force your staff to do the same, says Iain Simmons at corporate legal services provider, Arbor Law. Instead, develop an AI use policy. The potential impact of AI on our lives is one of the most discussed and debated topics of our time. Since November 2022, and the launch of ChatGPT, the…
In the 2010 biographical drama, The Social Network, which portrays the founding of Facebook, the initial excitement and success of a start-up turns sour and ends in legal battles and betrayal. While a very extreme case, the film highlights a common issue that start-ups run into, says Dan Adams, co-founder of legal advice for start-up businesses specialist, Arbor Law. Here, Dan suggests a simple way co-founders can protect their young business and ensure stable scalability. When starting a new business, it may seem like there are more important things to do than draft a detailed shareholders’ agreement. Co-founders don’t necessarily…
With universities across the UK set to graduate imminently, creating an influx of job applicants & increased competition, new research has revealed searches for ‘recruitment fraud’ surged by 48% between May 2023 and April 2024 compared to the previous year. But, how does CV deceit affect businesses in the UK? money.co.uk business insurance experts reveal what applicants need to know about the risks of CV fraud and tips for businesses on how they can tackle it. What are the Risks of Lying on Your Job Application or CV? According to surveys and search interest, lying on your job application or CV is relatively…