Amidst yesterdays morning’s announcement of the UK slipping into recession, small businesses are voicing their concerns and calling for proactive measures in the upcoming Budget to spur growth. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a 0.3% contraction in GDP for the fourth quarter. That followed a decline of 0.1% in the previous three months and means the economy entered a technical recession – defined by falling GDP in two or more consecutive quarters. In response to this confirmation of recession, key figures in the business and finance sectors spoke to SME Today to offer insights and perspectives on the…

In an exciting new partnership for 2024 – NESCAFÉ® B2B by Nestlé Professional – is giving small and medium businesses, a unique opportunity to win bespoke insight and advice from serial entrepreneur and business guru Deborah Meaden. Open to SMEs*, across all industries, the new business programme, Let’s Partner up for Good, will see six lucky businesses win a seat at the table to discuss their business challenges relating to their sustainability journey, workplace wellbeing and business growth with Deborah Meaden and NESCAFÉ® B2B business experts. Nadia Roberts, Brand Manager at NESCAFÉ B2B, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Deborah…

Businesses are being urged to familiarise themselves with the ‘motherhood penalty’ and introduce steps to eradicate it within their organisations in 2024. The motherhood penalty refers to the systematic disadvantage experienced by working mothers. There are many contributing factors to it, such as conscious and unconscious biases towards mothers in the workplace, a lack of family-friendly policies, and interruptions to career progression. Ultimately, these issues are contributing to the ever-growing gender pay gap and must be addressed. Fortunately, there are steps that businesses can take to solve this issue, from implementing inclusive policies and flexible work arrangements to providing anti-bias training…

Graphic design trends shape the way brands connect with their audiences. But, trends have a tendency to change in the blink of an eye. What’s big one moment might be outdated the next – and that can hugely impact a brand’s perception and performance from top to bottom. So, it’s crucial for brands to stay updated on what’s hot and what’s not in the design world. Graphic design trends encompass more than just visual appeal; they capture the deeper significance they carry, the messages they communicate, and the methods used in their creation. These trends reflect the values and identity…

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is reminding all app developers to ensure they protect users’ privacy, following the regulator’s review of period and fertility apps. Last year, the ICO looked closely at period and fertility apps to understand how they process personal data and identify whether there is any negative impact on users as a result. The review saw the ICO contact several app providers to find out more about their privacy practices, as well as engaging with app users to understand their experiences. While no serious compliance issues or evidence of harms were identified in this review, the ICO…

National Apprenticeship Week celebrates skills development and apprenticeship training and many SME businesses are unaware they can harness the power of apprenticeships to transform their people and their performance.  What is more, they can do this with the financial support of the Apprenticeship Levy and receive up to 95% of the training costs covered by the Government. At a time when skills shortages and talent management are a key focus for SMEs, Tasmin Raynor, Director of Apprenticeships, The OCM examines why having apprenticeships on the training and development agenda in 2024 is well worth considering. A recent report from the Association of…

Public speaking can be a fate worse than death for many people. In fact, 75% of people suffer from Glossophobia: the fear of public speaking. But, while we tend to think of public speaking as standing on a stage and presenting in front of hundreds or thousands of people, we are always communicating. Every single one of us has a voice and message, and you never know when you might need to use your voice effectively as a speaker or in any form of communication. Jeanette Linfoot, draws upon her 30+ years of global professional experience, to provide SMEToday’s readers…

Business to business (B2B) contracts commonly contain a clause which provides for the contract to auto-renew at the end of its initial period.  Typically, such clauses say that the contract will continue for a further fixed period at the end of its initial term unless it is terminated by giving a minimum period of notice before the renewal date.  They can also extend automatically terms which have already been extended for a further period in the absence of a termination notice. Clare Mackay, Senior Associate in the Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team at SA Law, offers SMEToday’s readers some…

A leading Derby digital marketing agency says Google’s plan to outlaw the practice of advertisers tracking people as they visit websites is a reminder to company owners to keep on top of their online campaigns. JDR Group, which is based in Pride Park, says Google’s move, which involves phasing out controversial third party cookies, is another reminder that the online world is ever-changing – and those who use it to promote their businesses need to stay in touch. Cookies are text files which enable websites to track how users interact when they arrive on the page, helping them gather valuable…

The digital marketing landscape is undergoing a seismic shift with the phase-out of third-party cookies—a change that holds new challenges and opportunities for brands and marketers. As Google begins phasing out these trackers, Carol Howley, CMO at Exclaimer provides some insight. Her stance is clear: this moment doesn’t signify an end, but rather a new beginning for data strategy and customer engagement.  Companies that fail to adapt risk losing out The phase-out of third-party cookies is driven by privacy concerns and regulations. Businesses that demonstrate a commitment to user privacy and transparent data practices may gain trust from customers. On…

Members aim to achieve 5% of their workforce in ‘earn and learn’ positions within five years of joining the club. To mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week, Leading provider of Managed Network Solutions and IT Services, Evolve, has announced it membership in The 5% Club, a movement of employers campaigning for greater skills training, through ‘earn and learn’ job opportunities. The Club exists to help its members and all employers increase the number, quality and range of apprenticeships across the UK. Alan Stephenson-Brown, CEO at Evolve Business Group, said: “At Evolve we’re known for a company culture that values…

With this year’s sell-out Super Bowl highlighting the importance of a sports audience advertising strategy, data and programmatic expert Crimtan points to sport-centric marketing as a vital tool for brands seeking long-term customer loyalty. According to research by MRI Simmons, sports fans exhibit a 28% higher likelihood of paying attention to commercials. In a post-cookie landscape, programmatic advertisers are turning to sport-based approaches to harness audience context and effectively engage viewers. This year’s impending disappearance of third-party cookies has elevated the significance of leveraging a single connected platform that can facilitate gathering consent, profiling and dynamic delivery in real time.…

From the mass exodus of skilled staff during the Covid pandemic to more recent geopolitical challenges – which have seen availability of food & drink falter as prices skyrocket by 12.2%, according to the latest Consumer Price Index – 2023 was certainly a difficult year for hotels, cafes and restaurants alike. Nigel Draper, Founder and Managing Director of Sorsco, explores the importance of sustainability in food and drink supply chains, and provides insight on how to enhance sustainability within a supply chain.  The ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which has seen many consumers reach for more budget-friendly options, has only added insult…

Employers are being urged to stay current with the emerging workplace trends of 2024 in order to remain competitive, foster a positive work culture, and enhance productivity. FDM Group, whose mission is to bring people and technology together, has provided key insights on what they believe will be the trends dominating workplaces in 2024. The team has also outlined why organisations should consider implementing these trends if they want to stay competitive and productive. From a heightened focus on employee wellbeing and continuous learning, to recruiting based on skills rather than qualifications, these workplace trends are expected to play a…

London, 29 January 2024: New research from Bibby Foreign Exchange (BFX), reveals that UK SMEs trading abroad remain hamstrung by circumstances borne out of Brexit, as the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union approaches its four-year anniversary. Data from BFX’s 2024 Trading Places report finds that more than half (55%) see the ongoing impact of Brexit as a significant challenge, ranking second only to inflation as the key issue hampering their growth. Michael McGowan, Managing Director of Bibby Foreign Exchange said: “Four years on, the Brexit burden is growing, not shrinking, and this is stifling the growth of thousands of UK exporters and importers who also …

In a perfect world, all professional relationships would work out exactly as planned but, sadly, in business, disputes are almost always unavoidable. From disagreements over contracts to conflicts between business partners, problems develop in many different forms. Yulia Barnes, the founder and managing partner of Barnes Law, provides insights into effectively addressing these challenges when they arise. How you deal with the issue can significantly impact the success and future of your business, not to mention your reputation, so it is vital to understand all the dispute resolution options available to you. However, first, you should ensure you understand the…