The UK and Japanese export credit agencies (ECAs) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support their future collaboration on projects around the world. This will help them as they work together to broker more deals which support exporting businesses. The UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) MoU sets out revised terms of cooperation which support ambitions for sustainable development outlined in the Hiroshima Accord, G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII) and UN Sustainable Development Goals. With a focus on export credit policy and co-investment projects, continued partnership between the two ECAs will support…
Author: sme-admin
To mark Pension Awareness Week this week (11th to 15th September), Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing has launched its latest research findings, ‘SME Workplace Pensions and Benefits Research Report.’ The report sheds light on a significant issue: a substantial number of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are failing to fully maximise the benefits of employee workplace pensions, leaving potential retirement savings untapped. Based on a comprehensive survey involving 500 SME employers and 500 SME employees*, the research found that 90% of employees said their employers haven’t encouraged them to increase their workplace pension contributions to secure enhanced retirement provisions. Many…
The latest research from Bibby Financial Services (BFS) reveals that small and medium sized (SME) manufacturing businesses across the globe are being significantly impacted by current economic conditions. Indeed, four in ten (40%) manufacturers surveyed across nine key international markets agree that global business conditions are worse now than during the pandemic, and over a quarter (27%) also report that the situation now is worse than it was following the global financial crisis. As global manufacturing activity has weakened, so has the outlook of the sector’s SMEs towards the wider economy. Only 16% of businesses surveyed think the global economy…
A recent tribunal case found that Halifax Bank of Scotland had unfairly dismissed an employee for promoting her cake-making “side hustle” while on long term sickness leave, awarding her compensation of £22,000. This highlights the difficulties that employers can face when managing employees who seek to earn extra income alongside their primary job. Whilst not a new concept, advances in technology and the growth of the gig economy have increased side-hustle opportunities. For example, e-commerce sites such as Etsy, Ebay or social media provide money-making opportunities . Moreover, Gen Z is reportedly more entrepreneurial than older generations, favouring multiple income streams to…
Author and keynote speaker, Kim Campbell, shares key learnings from her time in the armed forces Before becoming a leadership coach, Kim Campbell spent 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader in the US Air Force. She led more than 1,000 military and civilian personnel both at home and abroad. Over time, she began to realize that many of the lessons she learned in the cockpit had broad applicability to her role as a leader as well. Kim comments: “Fighter pilot culture is unique, we spend our lives working in a high-stakes environment, where we have to make split-second…
As employees return from holidays and kids go back to school, many will be counting the days to their next vacation. A growing number of firms – including Microsoft[i] – have introduced ‘unlimited’ paid time off as an attractive wellbeing benefit for employees, but according to Adrian Lewis, Co-founder and Global Lead for Activ People HR these policies need to be carefully thought through to ensure they work for both the employee and employer. Adrian’s comments come after recent news revealed that a worker was punished by their employer for taking too many days off sick, despite the company offering an ‘unlimited’ paid…
According to new research from ICONOMI, the crypto social investing platform, in the last two years, nearly one in 12 (8%) of UK adults – equating to 2.65 million people – has invested in cryptocurrency. When it comes to the driver or influencer behind making this leap, one in seven (15%) of us has been advised to do so by our children. In fact, ICONOMI’s data reveals that ‘kidfluencers’ have had more success at convincing their parents to invest in crypto than any of the other mainstream investment options available in today’s market. With the average crypto investment in the…
As a business owner, you know that scaling your business is no easy feat. It takes hard work, dedication, and a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed. Statistics show that fewer than 4% of businesses scale beyond 10 employees and one of the most important things you can do to increase your chances of success is to understand the personality types of your team members; and yourself! In this article, Kevin Brent, Founder of BizSmart® and author of The Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System, provides insight into the different personality types and shares an excerpt from his book, to help…
Many employees lack the knowledge and skills to help prevent suicide in the workplace, revealed new research by MHFA England ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10 September. Over 1 in 20[1] people make a suicide attempt at some point in their lives. Data shows as many as 650 suicides in the UK each year could be work related – this is approximately 10% of all suicides.[2] MHFA England’s new research, among 2,000 people in work, found many don’t know what to do if they’re concerned a colleague is thinking of suicide. A third of people surveyed (33%) believe…
As the demand for artificial intelligence (AI) talent skyrockets, five of the fastest growing AI roles to watch out for have been revealed. FDM Group, a global talent solutions provider, has named five roles and industries that are significantly harnessing AI potential in 2023. AI has experienced a rapid expansion in recent years and even more so in the last few months, reshaping industries and revolutionising how businesses operate. And with AI becoming increasingly prevalent, there is a soaring demand for skilled professionals who can harness its potential. With ample opportunities available, it’s the prime time for candidates to brush up…