Author: sme-admin

After months of uncertainty for organisations, the Prime Minister has finally called a general election which will take place on July 4th. But what does it all mean for businesses and what do employers need to know? Gaynor Beckett of Han Law explains what might happen based on the pledges from the two main political parties, and outlines what employment law changes could be on the horizon. Conservative Plans While the Conservative party has said little about its plans for employment law, we can assume that if it holds its place in parliament and wins re-election, the current legislative agenda regarding employment law…

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Hike SEO, the SEO platform that makes it possible for all small business websites to soar to the top of Google, regardless of their SEO expertise or budget, has launched the Onsite Optimizer, the first in market tool that reduces the time it takes to make SEO changes by more than 50%, while its AI integration simplifies the process. This fully automated SEO suite will allow customers to set their SEO strategy, define and refine keywords, create content and publish SEO improvements – all at the click of a button. Soft launched to existing customers last month, the Onsite Optimizer…

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Finding the right talent and maintaining a resilient workforce are critical to success. Jobcentre Plus offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support employers in recruiting, developing, and retaining employees. Here’s how Jobcentre Plus can help your business thrive. Streamlined Recruitment Services Jobcentre Plus provides a network of local Employer Advisers who collaborate with businesses to streamline the recruitment process. These advisers assist in finding the right candidates using tailored recruitment solutions, including: Job Descriptions: Crafting precise job descriptions to attract suitable candidates. Speeding Up Recruitment: Accelerating the hiring process to quickly fill vacancies. Promoting Vacancies: Advertising job openings…

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Major sporting events can present employers with a number of employee relations challenges. With the Euros kicking off in a matter of days, Angela Carter, Director of Legal Services at employment law and HR consultancy firm, WorkNest advises on how employers can ensure workplace harmony during the tournament and avoid any employment law own goals.  Let’s be honest. Wherever possible, employers should consider embracing the football fever that is set to sweep the nation once again, as it can provide an opportunity to bring teams together through a shared sense of excitement, camaraderie and competition. Adopting a flexible approach, for example…

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In what seems like no time at all, AI has evolved from a futuristic science-fiction dream to an everyday tool that’s very likely to be installed in most households over the next ten years. Here, Kate Farrell, Head of Design at Sherbet Donkey, an award-winning digital marketing agency, explains how AI is transforming digital marketing practices.   As digital marketers, we’re always looking for new ways to hit our KPIs and for things that will make our job easier. Many agree AI could be both of those things, so you’re probably familiar with the Large-Language-Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Copilot,…

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In the workplace and office environments, sometimes it can be tough to get enough time outside and reap the mental benefits. Outdoor team building activities can sometimes be overlooked, but CJ Cardenas, CEO at Bear Grylls Survival Academy explains why they should be considered to improve your team’s wellbeing. Stress reduction with a connection to nature Leading mental health charity Mind says that spending time outdoors in nature has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and depression, with exposure to green spaces and sunlight proving to have a calming effect. Outdoor team building activities provide the perfect opportunity to connect  your employees…

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Cascade Productions, the thriving brand experience agency based in Manchester, has been awarded a spot on the Sunday Times Best Places to Work List 2024.  The Sunday Times’ Best Place to Work list ranks companies based on a number of factors such as employee satisfaction, workplace culture, benefits, leadership and growth opportunities. Cascade Productions, based in Wythenshawe, provides attendee-first event management services. Collectively, the team has over 25 years of experience working in the entertainment industry – experience they leverage into crafting engaging experiences for clients and attendees. With a distinct focus on prioritising visitor experience, they develop authentic and immersive events for…

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Nicola Peake, a dynamic entrepreneur, is launching Peakefest, a unique business festival designed to inspire and rejuvenate founders with a blend of serious business insights and fun experiences. The event will feature prominent speakers, including Sara Davies MBE from BBC Dragons’ Den and Bianca Miller-Cole from BBC’s The Apprentice.  Nicola, 45, from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, has founded 6 figure businesses, sold them, and grown them again from the ground up, experiencing both the highs and lows that go with this entrepreneurial journey, and later this year she’s set to achieve one of the biggest challenges of her career to date, bringing…

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According to the British Retail Consortium, retail theft continues to surge, with retailers losing £1.8 billion across 16.7 million incidents in 2023, rising from £950 million and just under 8 million incidents the year before. Despite retailers implementing security enhancements, such as extra guards, body cams and dummy products, the issue of stolen goods continues to plague the retail industry. A common misconception is that the most effective way to resolve this issue is investing in expensive cybersecurity systems, however small loss-prevention retail solutions are arguably equally effective in deterring criminals and making theft more challenging. Retailers do not need to splash…

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Quarterly results from the Europcar Mobility Group UK electric vehicle (EV) barometer reveal how attitudes vary between private drivers and those who drive for work. Infrastructure and cost are significantly bigger challenges for private drivers than for company drivers. Those who drive for work believe the lack of model options and vehicle availability are bigger issues for their employers. In Q1 2024, almost two in three (63%) private drivers surveyed by Europcar were put off making the switch by the purchase and maintenance costs. Half saw the lack of charging infrastructure as a barrier. In contrast, 40% and 34% of…

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