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: sme-admin
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…
Generation Z refers to those born between 1997 and 2012. This generation is fast changing the expectations of employment, with many requesting the latest technology, flexible working arrangements, higher salaries and more company perks. So, it’s important for businesses and HR teams to create effective strategies to attract, engage and retain the top Gen Z talent. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z has never known a world without the internet, smartphones, and social media. They are the first true digital natives, growing up in a hyperconnected world where technology is an integral part of their daily lives. Gen Z’s drive and…
Draft legislation shedding light on the proposed single scheme for R&D tax relief has been published & Jenny Tragner, Director and Head of Policy at ForrestBrown, the UK’s leading R&D tax relief consultancy, shares her insights on the key aspects of the new scheme. “The draft legislation revealed more details of the proposed single scheme for R&D tax relief, giving greater clarity on key topics such as the treatment of subcontracted activity. However, important elements such as the rate of relief and timing of the proposed merger remain subject to further consideration and we should expect more announcements on these…
3.3 million (60%) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have experienced supply chain delays in the last year, losing an average of £625,000 in income each as a result, according to new research from Aldermore’s SME Growth Index. Growth opportunities hit by supply delays One in four SMEs who have experienced supply chain delays in the last year have seen a financial impact on their business (27%). The delays have led to increased costs (40%), delays to existing projects (36%) and difficulties in securing new deals (23%). Industries that are reliant on materials were particularly vulnerable to these challenges, with SMEs…