Global survey results from IE University, #WorkAnywhere and Remote have revealed office workers are experiencing the highest levels of burnout and lowest levels of happiness and job satisfaction. This is when compared to remote and hybrid workers – indicating that the office environment isn’t the effective separator between life and work that many believe it to be. Some business leaders have justified return-to-office mandates by claiming that the office helps to establish clear boundaries between work and life, thereby boosting work-life balance and reducing stress. However, according to findings from The Global Life-Work Survey, in the past month alone, 41% of full-time office workers experienced…
Author: sme-admin
By feature writer Fiona Scott Mike Randall doesn’t look disruptive. So many business owners call themselves ‘disruptive’ when they are not – they are not creating a deep and lasting change to a sector or industry. They simply like the word and ‘hope’ it applies to them! This 50-something businessman, who lives in London, might come across in the first few seconds of meeting him as a bit of a ‘banker’ yet that glint in his eye, that passionate tone and the vehemence with which he supports the SME sector, stand him apart. This is a man who wants to change…
With the rapid growth of the global manufacturing industry, the need to prioritise environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments is essential for the sustainable future of the industry, and in turn, the planet. Dedicated initiatives such as Plastic Free July hold significant importance for businesses in today’s environmentally conscious world. The global movement serves as a reminder for businesses to evaluate their plastic consumption and take the necessary steps towards reducing their impact on the environment. Cutting down on plastic use is not only good for the environment, but it also helps businesses operate more efficiently. Although introducing alternative materials and…
Ahead of the Consumer Duty deadline on 31st July, Close Brothers Motor Finance has revealed what matters most to customers. As we count down the final days to the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Consumer Duty 31st July implementation deadline, which requires firms to act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers, the incoming regulations make it even more important for dealers to review the products and customer service processes they currently have in place. Under the Duty, firms should provide customers with products and services that meet their needs and offer fair value. Customers should receive communications they can understand. They…
Author: Francis Dalton, Corporate Partner at national law firm Freeths For a founder or seller, the sale of a SME business will be one of their key life events. For a buyer it can be a springboard to a faster growth rate. In recent months buyer and seller expectations have changed in relation to SME transactions. It is now taking an average of 12 months for transactions to complete leaving buyers and sellers in limbo. In this article Freeths Corporate experts identify some of the frequently occurring gaps between seller and buyer expectations in Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) transactions…
The pandemic revolutionised the work landscape, making remote work the new normal for many. However, in a time of economic uncertainty and cooling job markets, employers are tightening their grip on benefits, particularly flexible and hybrid working arrangements. Now, as the world aims to return to pre-pandemic norms, a growing number of employers are compelling their employees to return to the office, leading to reduced flexibility for working parents.According to the most recent data from the UK’s labour market statistics, economic inactivity rates are consistently much higher for women. For example, from March to May 2023, the percentage of women…
Monzo has analysed the businesses registered at GOV.UK Companies House to find out the most popular words and terms used in business names. Following this research, Monzo has teamed up with business experts to reveal the top dos and don’ts when naming a business. The do’s of naming a business Keep it clear and simple Keeping your business name short and simple allows your customers to remember it more easily, with many of the world’s most famous business names being one word and even one syllable alone. Jade Arnell, founder of digital marketing agency Rebellion emphasises the need to keep your business name to the point,…
Fancy streaming ultra-HD video on multiple devices at once? Or downloading an entire music album in under a minute? Or, perhaps, your growing business needs instantaneous access to voice and video calls without any lag time. Full fibre is an attractive option for any internet user — but it’s all-too-easy to get lost in the jargon. Here, Kristian Torode, co-founder of business broadband provider Crystaline, runs through the what, where and hows of full fibre. Before we dive into full fibre, let’s talk about its alternative. Right now, many of the fibre broadband connections in the UK only use fibre…
After the Flexible Working Bill passed through the final stages of the House of Lords, an employee engagement expert has called on employers to embrace better flexible working practices.Ifty Nasir, founder and CEO of equity management platform Vestd, explained that the new law would provide huge benefits for both employees and employers.He said: “Research continues to show that flexible working leads to increased productivity and employee happiness, and flexibility around working days and hours is becoming an increasingly important consideration for job hunters.“Businesses of all sizes and across all sectors are facing a battle to retain and attract the best people so,…
Neurodiversity, encompassing conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Aspergers, Dyslexia, and Tourettes, affects a significant portion of the population, with estimates suggesting up to 15% of the population is neurodivergent. In the realm of employment, understanding the unique needs and experiences of neurodivergent employees is vital. While some conditions may qualify as disabilities under the Equality Act 2010, not all individuals classify themselves as such. UK office workers reveal their opinions in latest research by instantprint. Diagnosis Within Reach? Only For Men The survey revealed that over 90% of respondents identified as being diagnosed with a neurodiverse condition. From high-spectrum autism to…