Having penned over 45 books on British politics, esteemed educator, Sir Anthony Seldon, knows exactly what makes a compelling leader. In episode six of the Culture de-cooded podcast – staging deep conversation with some of the world’s most ground-breaking leaders – he tells host, Charlie Coode, how recent PMs are holding the UK back. “They come in. They know nothing. And they’re surrounded by know-nothing advisors who think they can make it all up” says Seldon, explaining how their disdain for their predecessors leaves them blind to the historical facts. Describing government as “boiling in arrogance”, Seldon believes that politicians…
Author: sme-admin
In the fast-paced corporate world, stress levels and the feeling of being overwhelmed at work can be common. It’s exactly why the need to step away from the high-energy and deadline-driven work environment is more important than ever. This does not necessarily mean that everyone takes individual holidays, however, the rise in corporate retreats has provided companies with the opportunity to offer their employees a break that can also enhance bonds and cohesion between colleagues and departments. With ideas for corporate retreats being plentiful, the more difficult parts of the planning process come down to factors such as location, accommodation,…
As a new law is set to add fake reviews to a list of banned business practices, experts have revealed what motivates genuine customer reviews and how businesses can encourage them to bolster their customer base. Government figures show that 90% of consumers rely on reviews to make informed decisions about a product or service, yet last year Trustpilot removed a staggering 3.3 million fake reviews. This new law banning fake reviews is expected to be a significant step towards making shopping more transparent and will mean that genuine customer reviews will become even more important for businesses. So, why do customers leave genuine reviews? To find out, the…
According to Finder a huge 43% of the UK population currently make extra income from a side hustle in 2024 – earning £900 on top of their salary a month on average. But what happens if something goes wrong? Unlike business insurance, side hustles don’t legally need cover, but investing in insurance can be a lifesaver in times of crisis. With this in mind, James Barwell – Insurance Director at Bionic – has created a guide on what insurance types people with side hustles should think about taking out to protect their business. James Barwell: “A common misconception is that home or renters insurance will cover…
In this thought leadership article, James Smith, Tech Entrepreneur and Member of the Technology Leadership Council comments on how governments can better support SMEs by becoming their best customers. I recently highlighted an article that suggests governments should invest less in start-ups and instead, be a better customer to them. So, it was a let-down to see yet another big contract (£450m / $568m) from the Welsh government go to a single supplier, that being the non-Welsh based and ex-Capita IT solutions provider, Trustmarque Solutions. This is not to detract from Trustmarque’s accomplishment in securing a substantial contract. Rather, it’s…
Despite government-backed efforts to cement the UK’s place as a science and technology superpower by 2030, with multi-million pound investment in AI, new research launched today from online learning platform Coursera places the UK 45th globally for technology and business skills proficiency. The findings are from Coursera’s 2024 sixth annual Global Skills Report, which draws on data from over 148 million learners and 7,000 institutional partners from 109 countries to identify skill proficiency trends. This data is combined with third-party indicators, including the Global Innovation Index (GII), Labour Force Participation Rate, Human Capital Index (HCI), and GDP per capita. The results indicate that the…
Are you maximising your intellectual property (IP) to drive growth and add value to your business? Are you leveraging the expertise of your IP attorneys effectively? If you’re looking for answers to these questions, the BWR IP Seminar is an event you don’t want to miss. Taking place on Thursday, 4 July 2024, at Plus X Innovation in Slough, this insightful and comprehensive seminar will show you how to harness the full potential of your intellectual property. This free event is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to protect, manage, and capitalise on your innovations. Why…
Operators of Euro 5 light commercial vehicles in the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) may not be aware that HJS Emission Technology have developed a range of retrofit exhaust systems that can be installed onto Euro 5 LCV’s, upgrading them for compliance with Euro 6 emission standards. Many LCV owners have customised or specially adapted their vehicles and therefore replacing them for a newer Euro 6 vehicle is not a viable option. The HJS SCR retrofit solution involves the installation of a HJS Emission Technology manufactured catalyst, together with an Adblue injection system which is mounted to the vehicle’s…
Finding new and different ways to reach your audience effectively requires the use of a multichannel approach. Considering which channels are right for your audience and your content is therefore essential in developing a powerful and engaging content strategy. In this blog, Sue Carr, director of marketing and PR agency V Formation, discusses the merits of including podcast marketing in your content strategy and provides some top tips to help with planning, producing and launching a podcast series. Why choose podcasts as a marketing channel? The growing popularity of podcast marketing has led to a wealth of easy-to-access content on…
As we start to see the emergence of green shoots in a post-pandemic environment, it is paramount that we equip our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the resources they need to not only survive but thrive. SMEs are the bedrock of our economy, driving innovation, generating employment opportunities, and fostering local development. As the SME lending landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for the next UK government to prioritise and adapt their policies to support the growth and stability of these vital businesses. To ensure their sustained growth and resilience, Douglas Grant, Managing Director at Conister Bank has…