SMEs have faced a host of hurdles in 2023, which has pushed the pursuit of ESG initiatives down the priority list. According to KPMG, CEOs feel that pressing economic matters are the biggest barriers to delivering an ESG strategy in the next three years. However, with some light on the horizon as we head into the new year, Ryan Sorby, Regional Head at Growth Lending ,suggests business leaders should revisit their ESG strategy or implement one. Research shows that 90% of global investors consider ESG in their investment approach and 85% of chief investment officers surveyed by McKinsey say that it’s an important…
Author: sme-admin
Business leaders have had no shortage of challenges to contend with in recent years. From adapting to a global pandemic to macro-economic pressures, keeping businesses operational has been no mean feat. But there is one global threat that, despite constantly making the headlines, small to medium businesses are continually unprepared for: cyber attacks. Earlier this year, KNP Logistics Group made headlines when it was forced to close after an attack by the Akira ransomware group, and they are not alone. In a recent report from global insurer Hiscox, over one fifth of businesses that suffered a cyber incident in the…
In the modern workplace, prioritising employee wellbeing and productivity has become key for employers. This is increasingly important when working with a smaller team. Investing in the comfort and health of your team leads to better performance, increased happiness and heightened job satisfaction. If you are an employer it is worth considering the immediate impact that optimising your air management can have. Often overlooked, improvements in air conditioning, ventilation, and air quality are some of the most effective ways to elevate the overall mood and morale within your workplace. It is important to note that business owners are legally obligated…
Clicks and relevant metrics have long served as a benchmark for advertisers to assess the efficacy of digital ad campaigns. Digital advertising has undergone significant transformation since the creation of the first banner ad campaign in 1994, which boasted an impressive click-through rate ranging from 40% to 50%[2], however around 85% of internet users no longer engage with banner ads by clicking on them[3]. As such, data and programmatic expert Crimtan is considering whether advertisers should still be relying on metrics such as clicks, or are there alternative, more accurate measurements? The focus should not be on clicks as not all users…
One million people could be ‘going private’ with their healthcare by 2025, according to analysis from leading independent consultancy Broadstone. Looking at quarterly Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) data1, Broadstone found that insured admissions for Q3 2022 to Q2 2023 – 590,000 as per the latest data available – increased by 11% compared to the previous year. If that rate of increase continues, insured admissions could reach around 670,000 in 2024 and over 745,000 in 2025. The number of people funding their own care has plateaued of late at around 70,000 every quarter but still remains around 20,000 per quarter…
Chasing invoices can be a tricky task, leaving tradespeople unsure of the best way to approach it without risking customer relations. In order to help businesspeople protect their work and finances as much as possible, the insurance experts at Toolbox by Admiral have revealed six of the easiest ways to both prevent and chase unpaid invoices. Many tradespeople are self-employed or run their own business, meaning that they’re responsible for sorting out the finances. Whether tradespeople have an accountant or not, making sure all of their customers pay on time is a task they’ll have to undertake to maintain a healthy cash…
Despite having up to 10 months notice to file their Self Assessment tax return, nearly half (46%) of owners are holding off filing until 2-3 months before the 31st January 2024 deadline. In fact, a quarter (25%) of the millions of small business owners across the country will file in the last month. While a quarter (25%) of small businesses are staying on top of their taxes and filing their return within the first month, one in five (22%) say they have previously missed the deadline resulting in considerable fines. New Intuit QuickBooks research reveals that for the majority (59%), the lead up…
Distil.ai, the business intelligence platform that helps ecommerce businesses to understand customers’ behaviour and boost sales has crunched the Black Friday/Cyber Monday (BFCM) weekend data and can now share its findings for the UK and US markets. The data gives an insight into customer shopping habits, helping sellers navigate the previously murky waters of consumer behaviour. Distil.ai has pooled its data from the BFCM weekend across the USA and UK, analysing data from a sample of 40,000+ online orders to dig into the online shopping habits of the general public, distilling it to understandable outputs that tell some unexpected stories.…
The Supreme Court has recently handed down its decision in a case brought on behalf of Deliveroo riders seeking to recognise the IWGB union under the statutory recognition procedure for collective bargaining purposes. While that particular issue was specific to the Deliveroo case, the Court’s reasoning and decision has broader implications for all business operators involved in flexible labour models. Kate Palka, Lawyer at The Legal Director, explains the impacts of yesterday’s judgment in more detail: Employment status in the gig economy has been under scrutiny for almost as long as the platforms have existedand courts and tribunals have historically…
The pace of technological evolution in 2023 was incredibly fast, leading many to wonder if 2024 will slow down. The adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) dominated various sectors this year, and significantly altered how we use technology. With the new year just around the corner, experts are predicting the changes and trends we can expect to see more of, and how businesses can harness these new tools and features to their advantage. Here are just a few of the tech trends that are likely to appear in 2024. Ethical AI Practices As AI spreads into more domains, businesses must…