To think we started 2020 relieved that we had made our businesses GDPR-compliant and believing the biggest challenge for the year ahead was Brexit. Then there was talk of a deadly virus in China and, within a few short months, it became apparent that we were in the grip of a global pandemic. (more…)
A manager’s main role is to ensure that everyone else in their team is capable of doing their job to the best of their ability. Whether that be giving them the tools and equipment they need or cultivating the work environment that will allow creatives to thrive. (more…)
As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the economy and forces the UK into a second lockdown, the housing market is booming. However, while demand and house sales are high, it is taking longer for transactions to complete because of the backlog from the first lockdown, limited availability of surveyors and increasingly stringent lending criteria for borrowers. (more…)
With the UK set for its first digital Black Friday following a second national lockdown, many companies are hoping to capitalise on what is usually the busiest shopping weekend of the year. (more…)
The second lockdown is causing uncertainty and worry for many business owners. However, lockdown 2.0, as it’s known by many, is the perfect time to ensure that your digital marketing campaigns are performing well, to help you gain the results you need to get through these troubled times. So, how do you make the most out of lockdown 2.0 with digital marketing? (more…)
From full national lockdown and the gradual easing of constraints, to a three-tiered regional system of restrictions and then back into another national lockdown. It’s been a long and arduous time for everyone since Covid-19 first reached our shores earlier this year, and even more so for the many hardworking business owners up and down the country trying to keep disconnected workforces operating smoothly. (more…)
With COVID cases again on the rise and the world bracing itself for months more of strict social distancing measures, for many, the remote working environment is here to stay. While the first priority during the pandemic has been crisis response and emphasising the importance of health and safety, over time, naturally attentions have turned to work and education. (more…)
Leading during a global pandemic is like learning to ride a bike again. You may already know how to ride a bike or how to lead your organisation, but do you know how to ride a bike – how to keep yourself and your organisation upright and moving forward – when the ground around you is constantly shaking? (more…)
The various devastating events of the past year have taken a significant toll on the mental health of countless people across the nation. For many, this has been made worse by the necessity to work remotely.
Where some have thrived whilst working from home, many others have found that this isolation has had a detrimental effect on their mental health and, subsequently, their output. (more…)
My new book, The Book of Real-World Negotiations: Successful Strategies from Government, Business and Daily Life not only focuses on real world negotiation examples, but a subplot that clearly comes through in the book is the power that stories possess when it comes to negotiating. (more…)
There are now more online business ventures in existence than ever before. This only stands to reason, as we have already witnessed countless shoppers migrate to the digital community when purchasing everyday goods and services. While this creates opportunities for budding entrepreneurs, there are many challenges to overcome for an online business to become a success. (more…)
It is often said, both interms of technology and life in general, that if you want something done well, then it is best to do it yourself. And for startups developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), this is very true. (more…)
The COVID-19 pandemic has given businesses around the world a lot to consider. As the virus has upended the lives and livelihoods of many, there are few sectors that have been immune to its effects. And naturally, many business leaders have been thinking long and hard about how they can best adapt to the circumstances and weather the storm. (more…)
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been around for ages, which means it’s a little ‘yesterday’ surely?
Not according to Shon Alam, founder of Bidwedge, who argues that CSR is now more important than ever and outlines how small businesses can capitalise on the opportunities it offers. (more…)
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has posed great challenges to the world at large: with social distancing measures transforming our day-to-day lives, upending the economy, and driving businesses into the ground, no corner of society has been left untouched by the disease. (more…)
Across the globe, we trust scientists, doctors and teachers. Over half of us consider these professions to be trustworthy (Ipsos Global Advisor). Business leaders don’t fare so well. Just one in five are described as trustworthy and, perhaps not unexpectedly, politicians are at the bottom of the heap with a mere one in ten of us placing our trust in them. (more…)
“I don’t like promoting myself online.” I have heard this from so many people and I even used to say it myself. I’ve changed my tune, however, because there is so much that can be gained from strategic self-promotion, if done correctly.
During these strange times, when we can’t network inperson, it is more important than ever to be able to effectively promote ourselfves and our services online. (more…)
As this period of Covid-19 continues with no obvious end in sight small businesses and startups have a lot to contend with. Many businesses are operating in a hybrid mode with some staff back in the workplace while others remain working from home. We are all having to deal with ongoing uncertainly and it’s important to consider how this is affecting your employees. (more…)
As lockdown restrictions continue to lift and employees return to the workplace, it marks an opportunity for businesses to rethink the way they support and nurture their people. Employers able to embrace the ‘new normal’ have the chance to transform the way they work, for the better. (more…)
Stress is an inevitable part of everyday life and our bodies are hard-wired to respond to it. However, it’s clear stress is taking a negative toll on businesses across the country.
Poor mental health costs employers between £1,205 and £1,560 per employee every year. This cost is for all employees, not just those who are ill, so we asked Brendan Street of Nuffield Health to show how employers can cut the cost of stress. (more…)
Starting a business of your own can prove to be a very rewarding experience from a long-term point of view. Still, even the most successful ventures suffered from “growing pains” during their initial stages. These stressful situations can take a toll upon the mindset of any business owner or freelancer. (more…)
Employees need to know that leaders and managers at all levels believe the wellbeing of staff really does matter; that they are committed to providing the resources and doing whatever is necessary to make their workplace a good place to work.
Here are five ways to help ensure that happens: (more…)
Getting noticed online is harder than ever. Not only are there more websites out there than ever before but the established players in most niches are firmly entrenched at the top of SERPs.
If you want your website to get anywhere near those coveted top three spots you need to look at ways to improve your online marketing. (more…)
As the UK remains subject to strict measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has identified a surge in ‘coronavirus-themed’ malicious apps, websites, phishing emails and messages that seek to steal confidential or sensitive information. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has even suggested that the UK has been the most severely targeted country for COVID-19 related phishing emails. (more…)
From dodgy design, to a lack of information, instinctively when you land on a website you will know whether it feels like a website you can trust.
Subtle cues as to whether you can trust a website become even more important if you are considering parting with your cash. (more…)
One of the main benefits of all the technology that surrounds us these days is that it allows us to do things that would have been outsourced in the past. And when you’re running a start-up or a small business on a shoestring it makes sense to go down the DIY route for all sort of requirements – your branding, design & print and your presentations for example. (more…)
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme opened on 20 April, and the uptake has been huge; at the start of May, claims had been made for a quarter of private sector workers.
Under the scheme, employers can claim 80% of staff wages from the Government, up to a cap of £2,500 per month; they can choose to top up the surplus but do not have to. (more…)
Where do you stand legally if you have outstanding contracts that you cannot fulfil through no fault of your own, or have contracts with others for the supply of goods or services which they cannot fulfil?
We asked Amanda Hamilton, Chief Executive of the NALP to outline the legal implications. (more…)
Many of us are feeling much more anxious than usual as lockdown continues to disrupt our lives and our businesses.
Anxiety can make it hard for us to concentrate, be creative, and adversely affect our ability to adapt to the changing business conditions, to make the most of any opportunities, and to plan creatively for the future. (more…)
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a seismic shift in how we do business. With face-to-face meetings being replaced by online meetings, calls and conferences, many of us have had to rapidly adapt to new technologies. So how can you communicate more effectively online? (more…)
The coronavirus pandemic has meant businesses across the UK have had to rapidly embrace remote working. The scale and speed that businesses have had to adapt to employees working from home has meant a steep learning curve for many small business owners. (more…)
During the COVID-19 lockdown many businesses have discovered they are perfectly capable of working remotely and delivering most of what they do online.
Sadly, this isn’t the case for millions of businesses working in fields like hairdressing, massage, physiotherapy, children’s parties, cleaning or catering. But this doesn’t mean that business needs to completely stop. (more…)
Recruiting is evolving with technology at a frenetic pace. The future will be more machine-driven than perhaps ever before in the ever-expanding quest for recruiters who have to ensure they are hiring the best quality candidates. (more…)
When done correctly, affiliate marketing can help generate sales and help you make more profits.
If you’re thinking of trying affiliate marketing for the first time, here’s some advice to help you get it right. (more…)
The current COVID-19 pandemic is presenting business leaders with some very difficult decisions.
At times like these, there is an even greater spotlight on the actions and behaviours of those leading businesses. Here, we look at the key issues leaders need to keep in mind to avoid damaging their reputation and losing trust. (more…)
The Government has advised businesses to encourage staff to work from home wherever possible. While some businesses may be well versed in how to manage staff who work from home, for others this is likely to be new territory.
You’ll want to ensure that despite having less regular contact with your staff, business is still able to carry on as normally as possible, so we asked Francesca Mundy, Senior Legal Editor at Sparqa Legal to highlight key issues for employers to consider. (more…)