Achieving a healthy work-life balance as a self-employed professional may be challenging, but it is crucial for overall well-being and productivity. To help improve work-life balance, Toolbox by Admiral has spoken to their customers to find out how they are improving their working habits, and have revealed various actionable tips such as setting boundaries, creating a schedule, taking breaks, and finding time for hobbies. The reasons people choose a freelance or self-employed career can vary, but one of the biggest reasons is to attain a healthier work-life balance, and many are quitting their jobs in search of flexibility and fulfilment. Earning potential…
Author: sme-admin
In a recent study conducted by the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD), encompassing 900 companies and over 6.5 million employees, a staggering 76% reported taking short-term absences within the past year. What’s even more concerning is that mental health was cited as the cause for 63% of long-term absences. Katrina Thomas, Practice Development Manager at Thrive Mental Wellbeing explains why it is vital, as business owners and as managers of people, that we understand how workplace stress can affect our colleagues and recognise the signals that someone may be struggling. Understanding Stress Understanding stress in the workplace is a…
The world of Artificial Intelligence is expanding at an unprecedented pace, becoming an integral part of modern industries. As AI’s influence grows, so too does the importance of ethical considerations in its development and deployment. Ensuring ethical AI practices that are finely tuned to the specific needs and nuances of individual industries is essential. It is an exploration led by Aaron McClendon, Head of AI at Aimpoint Digital, delving into how businesses, researchers, and policymakers can collaborate to navigate the complex ethical landscape of AI while addressing industry-specific challenges and opportunities. AI’s evolution has brought with it a range of ethical…
Lenvi Riskfactor, the leading provider of risk management software for the receivables finance industry, today announces the launch of its 2023 European Fraud Readiness Report. The report reveals a detailed picture of how fraud has affected receivables finance lenders in recent years, how it might affect them in the future, and how strategies to prevent fraud are being developed in four key European markets: the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Germany. Almost nine out of ten (89%) respondents across the four markets noted an increase in fraudulent activity against their businesses in the last year; with more than eight in ten…
The recent Autumn Statement offered a glimmer of hope for SMEs with measures like the full expensing scheme being made permanent. But with SMEs making up 99% of the economy, they are widely acknowledged as the engines of UK growth and Simply Asset Finance is calling for policy changes that not only encourage investment but cultivate an environment that aligns with innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth for SMEs in the year ahead. Simply Asset Finance’s research has revealed the persistent concern of business productivity and the need to address factors like access to skilled labour, technology advancements and streamlined processes.…
I am a small business owner, and it took a degree of ego to leave corporate life behind and pursue my dream in 1996. It’s likely the same for many SME leaders, who have put trust in themselves and their ambitions to make the leap. In my experience, smaller organisations have a number of advantages in achieving business breakthroughs and leveraging employee engagement. But, like all potential strengths, ego overuse or use in inappropriate circumstances can become a weakness. It could see you ploughing ahead with plans and projects that don’t reflect your reality and prevent you from achieving your…
Sexual harassment at work is a topic that has been talked about a lot in recent years since the #MeToo movement sparked by the now convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein. In this article, authored by Dr Anna Loutfi, equality, employment and human rights barrister with The Barrister Group, we shine a light on the toxic behaviour faced by so many. #MeToo, and other high-profile scandals that have unfolded since, may have pushed the dial when it comes to raising awareness, but how much has really changed? Recent research by The Barrister Group found that almost a third of UK workers…
UK business spending on products related to their office space increased 36% in September, following summer months, says findings from Pleo, Europe’s leading spend management platform, in a just-launched first-edition of its European Quarterly Spending Report. The new insight gives the clearest indication yet that businesses and workers are getting back to pre-COVID normality concerning office attendance and are committed to a long-term change, moving away from the working-from-home culture that many businesses have struggled to overcome. The report collated spending data from over 30,000 companies across 16 European markets – including the UK, France, Germany and Spain – giving invaluable insight into…
SimpliFi is a new online portal designed to help small businesses across the region access information on funding that they need to launch and grow. It contains free guides to help with securing capital, pitching for investment, writing business strategy and more. SimpliFi will be launched at an online event on Thursday 30th November, and you can register here. Businesses of any stage and size across Greater Manchester can access information to help in finding finance they need with the launch of SimpliFi from The Growth Company. SimpliFi has been created to help business owners understand the finance options available…
UK businesses have been warned to look out for ten red flags when engaging with a digital marketing consultancy, such as guaranteed results, lack of transparency, a focus on vanity metrics and more. Despite current economic challenges, the first half of 2023 has showcased a surge in entrepreneurship, with 101 new businesses springing to life every hour across the United Kingdom, according to a recent study. This surge in business creation, combined with the Government’s recent commitment of £1 billion to support said new businesses, bodes well for the UK’s economic growth in the coming years. With this rise in…