With more than 99% of the UK’s 5.6 million businesses classed as small or medium enterprises, SMEs form the backbone of the UK’s economy. Despite this, according to the government’s Insolvency Service, the number of businesses in England and Wales that went bust last year hit a 30-year high.
Category: Columns
Columns, blogs and opinion from some of the UKs leading business opinion makers and entrepreneurs and small business owners
Why embracing Industry 5.0 is a game changer for SMEs
Many of the challenges faced by businesses today are complex, multifaceted and interconnected – requiring a combination of human ingenuity and technological capabilities to solve.
Getting AI right: How automation can help manage your business finances
There’s no doubt that AI adoption is here and possibly more widespread than you would have thought.
How a positive culture can help your company thrive
‘Culture’ is another of those business buzzwords that can be hard to pin down but, in your position as leader, things will get increasingly harder if you don’t take the time to define and cultivate a positive organisational culture of your own.
The Untapped Potential of Scaling Internationally for UK SMEs
As a business owner and advocate for scaling globally, I’ve observed a striking paradox within the UK’s economic landscape.
Do you need a Knight in shining armour in business?
The latest series of BBC’s The Apprentice concluded recently with gym owner Rachel Woolford receiving a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar and a professional collaboration which should help to accelerate her business and open many new doors for the young entrepreneur.
They say size doesn’t matter. They’re lying
There may be few certainties in life, but when it comes to the marketing world, there are several hard facts that account for why it is really, really tough to go from being a small business to a large one.
Change for the better
The phrase “Nothing stays the same” is often used when we look perhaps nostalgically at the past.
Trading Digitally: Understanding The Regulatory Requirements For Selling Age Restricted Products Online
E-commerce continues to grow in popularity with over 20% of purchases expected to occur online in 2024. This growth can be attributed to various factors, including online retailers now selling a variety of products and customers increasingly looking for discounts, greater choice and convenience.
The long game: Avoid risky get rich schemes with wealth management planning
We’re all familiar with get rich quick opportunities: a promise of making a fast fortune that often seems too good to be true, but many people buy into anyway.
To be culturally relevant, you need to be in culture
Steve Jobs has been quoted many times on many topics. One of his most interesting analyses was regarding Microsoft
The Importance of digital detoxing for busy working professionals
A digital detox may seem impossible in today’s technology driven world; however, there’s huge value in taking a step back and embracing time offline, and in recent years the notion of digital detoxing has become increasingly prevalent.
When is it the Right Time to Ask for Help with your marketing?
Developing brand awareness in the market is one of the most challenging barriers that small businesses face. SMEs can easily miss out on potential sales opportunities if they don’t market themselves effectively as customers, buyers and suppliers won’t know where to find them or what’s on offer.
Brexit: business success beyond the borders
The aftermath of Brexit has presented both unprecedented challenges and unique opportunities for businesses in the UK.
Dragons’ Den – Are we in or out?
One of the most common questions I get asked by other business owners is whether getting investment from Dragons through Dragons Den guarantees success, and whether the experience is as daunting as it appears.