Two-thirds of employees admit feeling the December productivity dip [1], with just 22.8% of work completed in winter, compared to 27.3% in autumn [2]. Additionally, Reboot Online discovered Google searches relating to productivity hacks, planners and coaching are all up 5,000% this month as many try to avoid the slump. So, how can you help employees stay productive over the winter period? To help business owners reduce the winter dip, HR experts at digital PR agency Reboot Online provided actionable tips on keeping employees motivated over the Christmas period. 1. Make Yourself Available Managing time and workload is important for all employees in an organisation, especially management.…
Author: sme-admin
As the season for annual office Christmas parties kicks-off, employers are being warned to remember new responsibilities on them brought in by the recent additions to the Equality Act. “The Duty Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 came into force on 26 October 2024, and requires employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workers,” explains Emma-Louise Hewitt, Head of the Employment Law team at law firm Sydney Mitchell, which provides employment law advice and solutions to local and national businesses. “Previously there was no proactive obligation on employers, but they are now required to actively consider the…
TV Dragon Theo Paphitis is delighted to share that he has just signed a multi-year deal with industry leader Google to be the Headline Partner for his leading UK business network #SBS Small Business Sunday, including for the free inspiring small business events #SBSEvent2025 and #SBSEvent2026. On signing this multi-year deal, retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis said: “I am delighted that Google has come back on board to be our headline partner, this time for the next two years – a true testament to the importance of UK small businesses. The support of Google, a pioneering household name, is a huge boost…
Recent UK stats suggest most venture capital investments in AI are raised by all-male founding teams – 79.6% of new AI companies between 2012 and 2022 were founded by men. Interested in this, prompt management tool AIPRM analysed venture capital investment trends from 2012 to now, to predict which countries will be investing the most in AI in 2025. To do this, they gathered intel on venture capital investment in: AI start-ups, AI in environmental sustainability, generative AI start-ups and compute start-ups. Overall UK Insight Behind the US and China, the UK has the third highest venture capital investment in AI. Interestingly, the UK is investing significantly…
Inefficient talent acquisition strategies are hindering business growth according to a new Talent Acquisition report by SmartRecruiters, a leading provider of enterprise hiring software. The survey of 500 companies across the UK, North America and Australia reveals that 60% of business leaders are concerned they’ve hired the wrong person despite increased costs and time being spent on talent acquisition. In fact, 45% of business leaders report spending more than half their working hours on talent acquisition tasks, diverting crucial resources away from core business operations. This inefficiency is not only driving up costs but also impacting brand reputation, profitability, and overall…
Supply chains frequently consist of and depend on contracts between parties in different countries and/or who operate at different stages of the production process. The ability to perform these contracts is therefore exposed to a wide range of legal, political, and geographical risks. Accordingly, it is important for parties to consider whether their contracts offer adequate protection. Mikhail Vishnyakov, Partner, and Gin Kynigos, Junior Associate at Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP outline the key contractual mechanisms that may be available. Termination rights Express termination rights Contracts can specify the grounds on which they may be terminated. Care should be taken in…
Almost all employees would report malpractice in the workplace, with only 6% saying that they would never, according to new research from Safecall, an independent whistleblowing hotline service and a Law Debenture company. But while the vast majority of the workforce have good intentions, only 67% are confident they would know how to report malpractice, and only 53% believe they would remain anonymous. Concerningly 38% believe that if they were to report malpractice, there would be consequences at work. Whilst it’s positive that the majority would report wrongdoing, the research reveals that many workers are not necessarily reporting to the…
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of LGBTQ+ professionals are more likely to pursue job opportunities with organisations that have been assessed for LGBTQ+ sensitivity and inclusion, as are 55% of allies, according to a new study by LGBT Great. The study also reveals that 63% of LGBTQ+ talent feel more comfortable applying when hiring panels include visibly LGBTQ+ individuals and are trained in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). LGBT Great, a global diversity and inclusion organisation with members including Aon, Legal & General, St. James’s Place Wealth Management, Citi, Schroders, Fidelity and Calisen, today launches its global report, Redefining the Future: LGBTQ+ Talent…
As energy prices continue to rise, many businesses and households are searching for ways to reduce their electricity bills without sacrificing the magic of festive lighting. In the UK, lighting is a significant component of business energy consumption. As of 2013, lighting accounted for approximately 18% of the UK’s total electricity usage. Commercial lighting is responsible for roughly 70% of this consumption. By 2022, spending on electricity had increased by 36% compared to the previous year, reflecting rising energy costs and consumption patterns and the trend is even more marked during the holidays as businesses increase their use of decorative…
Jenny Herbison, Interim CEO of Exclaimer, looks at how SMEs can improve one-to-one communication in global markets. In a global marketplace shaped by digital transformation, businesses seeking to grow must master the art of effective communication. At its core, this is about more than just words—it’s about fostering trust, consistency, and authenticity in every interaction. With ineffective communication costing UK businesses billions annually, companies looking to expand into international markets, must carefully consider not only what they communicate but also how they present their brand. From brand identity to one-to-one conversations, clear and culturally attuned communication is fundamental to building…