New study from borofree reveals that the events of the last year meant that financial worries caused workers to take off an average of three working days HR Directors are keen to reboot employee productivity as people return to the office, with 83% saying they will be prioritising plans to improve employee productivity over the next year September 2021, London: Since the start of the pandemic, rising financial stress due to an uncertain economy has created a downward spiral on employee wellbeing that has ultimately impacted employee performance and therefore companies as a whole. New data released today has revealed…

Neo, the treasury management, payments, and FX fintech, today announced that it has cleared $1 billion through its multi-currency accounts, which went live in June 2020.  The firm has made huge strides in the past year and now has over 200 corporate clients across Europe sending and receiving payments every day. Furthermore, over 3,000 banks across the globe are connected to its Bank Identification Code (BIC) on the SWIFT network. According to the 2021 European Association of Corporate Treasurers survey, managing multiple bank accounts and relationships is one of the greatest challenges for treasurers. Neo helps corporates overcome this issue by generating their…

Metapack, the global leader in ecommerce delivery technology, today announced that it has launched new shipping plans for retailers around the world. From small and medium businesses to large global enterprises, the new transparent pricing models from Metapack have been launched to help retailers expand their business by providing quick and direct access to its Delivery Manager platform.    As the shift to ecommerce becomes more prevalent, it’s essential for all retailers to have access to the right scalable shipping technology and infrastructure to meet the growing delivery experience demands from consumers. Recent research highlights that 86% of consumers plan to continue shopping more online after the pandemic, with 42% planning to make fewer trips to stores. Sitting alongside Metapack’s Enterprise plan, the new Essential and Professional shipping bundles…

Mark Fosh, Divisional Director at Howden Employee Benefits and Wellbeing looks at  the key risk areas that business leaders should be aware of as they look ahead to supporting employee wellbeing for the future of their businesses. COVID-19 has changed the way we live and work and this has not only introduced new risks for employers across the full spectrum of wellbeing, but it has also exacerbated pre-existing ones. We have identified four key risk areas that business leaders should be aware of. Financial pressures With the government’s Furlough scheme coming to an end in September, businesses will be under…

The volume and quality of personal data businesses can collect (and the ease with which it can be stored, accessed and used) has myriad benefits, but also carries risks, especially in today’s regulatory environment. A recent study has shown that 85% of SMEs understand GDPR, but more than half are still not meeting the legal requirements. Elliot Fry, Managing Associate at law firm Cripps Pemberton Greenish gives SMEToday’s readers some pointers. Leaving aside the reputational damage a breach can cause, it’s hard to miss the eye-watering fines imposed by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on companies who have failed to keep personal…

New  research, commissioned by automated Purchase-to-Pay providers, Yooz, claims that Half of all UK finance leaders say they are concerned by the potential disruption caused by new international trade agreements and Brexit laws. This has also been compounded, with 44% of UK finance leaders stating that Covid-19 has had a significant impact on their ability to process payments. 49% of finance leaders said they believe the UK’s exit from the EU and the single market will affect their ability to process payments. This increases to 53% of financial decision makers in large enterprises (500+ employees), citing concerns over potential disruption with international…

A new survey by NerdWallet, one of the UK’s leading financial comparison sites, has revealed that over half (57%) of Britain’s entrepreneurs are “very willing” to put their personal finances on the line to pursue their dreams of becoming the next Branson, Dyson or Sugar. With 66% of entrepreneurs choosing to start their own business in a bid to achieve financial freedom, NerdWallet’s survey reveals an attitude of ambitious risk-taking when it comes to personal finances among British business owners. 31% were willing to put their house on the line to make their business sustainable; with a further 45% giving…

A Belfast connected fitness company is set to launch a world first in the at-home fitness equipment market following a major investment boost from American Game of Thrones producer, Bernadette Caulfield. The couple has secured almost £1million investment following the backing of several private investors. ReformRX, founded by entrepreneurs Neal and Yvette McGaffin, is the world’s first connected reformer pilates machine that brings the luxury boutique fitness experience into the home. Reformer pilates, a workout that’s championed by athletes and celebrities across the world, involves specialist equipment, the reformer, being used to practice traditional pilates exercises to allow for a…

Jo Riley from Cardiff launched CancerPal after her mother died of cancer, the business has already sold thousands of products  in the UK with sales doubling over last year CancerPal, ‘the Amazon for cancer patient care’ has helped thousands of people access a specialised range of products and care boxes to ease the effects of cancer treatment since it was set up in 2019. It offers a comprehensive range of cancer care products, making it easy for patients and their loved ones to buy. It also shares information, advice and tips to help people emotionally and physically navigate cancer treatment.…

From confusion over multiple reference numbers to uncertainty over differing year end dates, understanding tax liabilities and paying tax on time can be a minefield for SMEs. In its recent response to the HMRC’s broad Call for Evidence on Timely payment, the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) flags up various concerns that must be addressed to better understand and accommodate the impacts on different groups of taxpayers, says the IFA’s Director of Professional Standards, Anne Davis. As part of the government’s 10-year strategy to build a trusted, modern tax administration system, HMRC’s recent consultation encouraged a collaborative, open and transparent…

There has never been a better time to join the tech industry. According to recent data from search engine Adzuna and Dealroom for the Government’s Digital Economy Council, hiring for the digital tech sector has surged past pre-pandemic levels, with 132,000 tech vacancies recorded in one week in May and vacancies now at their highest level since 2016.  But the buoyancy of the tech job market comes with increased competition for the best positions. This means that candidates have to bring their best to every interview – but how? Ian Chaplin, Talent Experience Manager – UK & EMEA provides some guidance. The following are four ways to improve your chances of landing…

The relationship between people and machines is evolving, and it will change almost every facet of human existence in the coming years. Perhaps the most profound change, however, will be to how humans think about the role of work in their lives. How Automation, AI and Machine Learning will revolutionise the world of work is a new book by Anthony Wheeler and Ronald Buckley that looks how the relationship between people and machines is evolving For all those thinking ‘it will never happen’ to me, HR Without People? Industrial evolution in the age of automation, AI and Machine Learning demonstrates how even…

All businesses, whatever the sector and whatever the size will, at one time or another, either be asked to sign contracts with post termination restrictions or will be wanting to rely on such restrictions to protect its own business. Whether or not the Court will enforce such terms is a question of reasonableness. Liam Tolen Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution Team at Ashfords LLP provides some insights for SMEToday. For example, it would be great (albeit unreasonable) if you could protect your client base against competition indefinitely. This is especially true when you are protecting against competition from those who might…

Mike Elliff, CEO, TYL By NATWEST There is no doubt that the accelerated adoption of digital and contactless payment technology is one of the most important trends to arise from the Covid-19 pandemic. This acceleration is most often attributed to enforced lockdowns creating a situation where cashfree e-commerce became the only option for consumers. Coupled with heightened hygiene awareness and social distancing concerns, these habits look set to stay and businesses will need to adapt. However, despite the rising consumer demand for digital and contactless payments, our latest sign-up data shows that 55% of customers registering for the Tyl platform…

Employees have not rushed back to workplaces in the weeks following Freedom Day, with the number of staff in the office remaining stagnant at 11.7% in July. That’s why IT support specialists, ramsac, have compiled the ultimate guide to businesses safely re-opening their doors to staff while supporting them if they choose to work between the office and from home. Here’s a look at two of the potential difficulties all businesses need to consider, and how to successfully navigate them. Improving home internet speeds: Internet speeds have become one of the most important factors in a home office. Unfortunately, not…

Professional services provider, The Uncommon Practice, has announced new growth with the expansion of its offer to include an accounting division under the name of The Uncommon Accountants. The new structure sees the business delivering on its ambitions to provide fully integrated professional services support for SME owner-managed businesses, with the promise of saving clients both time and money. Currently, of the £60billion plus a year spent by SMEs on professional services, research shows that more than £12billion is wasted on unnecessary or bad advice. The Uncommon Practice business model seeks to change this through a full-service offering, with one…