Businesses need to implement ‘Health and Well Being’ strategies and set clear guidelines on remote working to help reduce the rise of sick days in the UK which have risen to its highest level in the last decade. CIPD and Simply Health revealed last week that UK employees were absent on average of 7.8 days over the past year with over 76% reporting stress. Matt Dykes, COO, Abzorb provide some advice on How to Reduce Sick Days and Presenteeism. A Tough Few Years This is not surprising as the last few years have been tough due to a myriad of…
Author: sme-admin
To help business customers understand their carbon tracking and prioritise digital inclusion, Virgin Media O2 Business has today launched two new solutions: the ‘Carbon Calculator’ and ‘Tech Donation Programme’. This comes as new research reveals organisations are feeling pressure to make sustainable changes to meet the UK Government’s 2050 net zero target, with a quarter of businesses (25%) without or unsure if they even have an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. For organisations struggling to further prioritise sustainability, financial constraints (50%), lack of staff capacity (38%) and a lack of strategy (19%) are among the key blockers to progress.…
UK households are set to be £3 billion worse off this Christmas compared with last (Q4 2023 vs. Q4 2022), new research from ecommerce delivery leaders, ShipEngine and ShipStation suggests. This is due to high levels of inflation continuing to erode spending power for many households as the cost-of-living climate drags on. The research was commissioned by their operating company, Auctane, in partnership with retail consultancy, Retail Economics. To cope with the ongoing challenge, savvy shoppers report that they intend to start Christmas shopping earlier, use online marketplaces to stretch their budgets and cut back their overall spending. Indeed, UK consumers look set to spend £17.9 billion…
The Arch Company, who manages 5,200 arches and former railway properties, has announced that up to 100 of the small businesses based in its spaces can now claim one year’s supported membership of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the UK’s voice for small businesses, as part of a new partnership. This includes a discount provided by FSB and a £100 per business contribution from The Arch Company. FSB membership unlocks market-leading business services and tools designed to help small businesses to thrive, including financial expertise and support chasing late payments. Through this new partnership, eligible customers who have under…
Fortis Foundations provide civil engineering products and services, with expertise in foundations and piling to the Rail, Civils, Energy, Residential and Water sectors. SMEToday had an opportunity too catch up with the founder, Will Temperley, and find out a little more about the business., With over 20 years of Rail and Construction industry experience, our family-run company provides expert advice and cost-effective solutions to all sectors looking for experts that they can rely on. Delivering safe and sustainable solutions at the forefront of innovation and technology, ensuring the highest quality results first time, every time. Fortis Foundations can assist clients…
It’s a question that lawyers are asked repeatedly. While the simple answer is resoundingly ‘yes’ in terms of basic contract law principles, there are many situations where clients are either unaware a contract has been formed at all, or where their situation could have been improved by having a written one. For clarity and certainty, the golden rule is ‘get it in writing’. A common misconception is that this means a lengthy legal document, signed and witnessed, but the good news is that it can be far less formal. What is a contract? Fundamentally, a contract is an agreement between…
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is calling on organisations to consider both their legal obligations and their workers’ rights before they implement any monitoring in the workplace. With the rise of remote working and developments in the technology available, many employers are looking to carry out checks on workers. The ICO has today published guidance to help employers fully comply with data protection law if they wish to monitor their workers. New research commissioned by the ICO reveals that almost one in five (19%) people believe that they have been monitored by an employer. If monitoring becomes excessive, it can easily intrude…
By Damon Anderson, UK MD at Employment Hero It’s September. Summer is over and at dozens of large employers across the UK freshly-credentialed young people are in the first month of their “grad programmes”. It’s no surprise that so many of the brightest graduates head to these programmes. They offer structured development pathways, extensive resources, and access to a network of experienced professionals. But there is no reason SMEs should let larger organisations take all this excellent talent. Why grads can be tempted by an SME Large employers play on their size to construct graduate programmes. Their reputation means their…
Successful branding can make or break a business. For consumer brands, it’s central to building an identity, increasing awareness and carving out a larger market share. So, why do so many B2B companies neglect their branding? Contrary to popular belief, branding plays just as important role in B2B marketing as it does in the B2C space, yet data from the 2022 CMO Survey found that B2B brands in the UK invest just 7% of revenues into marketing, while this figure was around 10% for consumer brands. Approached correctly, branding can be a powerful tool in B2B marketing, not only helping…
Unlocking Sales Success with Generative AI and Human Expertise In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of sales, staying ahead of the curve is not merely advantageous; it is imperative. Sales professionals are in a constant quest to boost productivity, foster stronger relationships, and close deals more effectively. Fortunately, a groundbreaking solution has emerged on the horizon—a convergence of Generative AI and human expertise. In this blog, we shall delve into the intricate dance between these two elements and how their synergy can pave the way for unparalleled sales success. Harnessing the Power of Generative AI Picture this: an AI assistant…