New research has revealed which towns and cities have the best job opportunities for the people living and working within them. The study, conducted by HR software provider Ciphr, compared employment data for 100 of the UK’s most populated towns and cities to determine which locations offer the best potential for job opportunities and good salaries. Winchester came in first place, ahead of Warrington in second, and St Albans in third. Chelmsford, Sevenoaks, Preston, Cheltenham, Guildford, Aberdeen, and Reading also made the top 10. Towns and cities were rated (out of 100) across multiple factors, such as average full-time earnings, recent pay…

Data is one of the most powerful assets at your disposal as a business owner. It informs every area of operations, from finance to sales and of course, marketing. Though immensely valuable to building an effective marketing plan, many businesses, particularly SMEs, tend to fall into one of two categories when it comes to leveraging their data. Some businesses simply do not collect enough data on the things that matter, or if they do, fail to put that information to use, while others collect so much of it that organising and leveraging it effectively becomes an overwhelming task. With data…

Made Smarter North West has launched a new peer-to-peer network to accelerate digital adoption among SME manufacturers. The Digital Champions Network brings together businesses who have engaged with Made Smarter’s adoption programme, including graduates of its Leading Digital Transformation and Leading Change for Digital Champions programmes. The initiative will connect those employees actively engaged in digitalisation, from the top floor to the shop floor, at different stages of technology adoption. In-person and online events will be facilitated throughout the year to enable participants to share learning and experience, forging long-lasting connections. A launch event, at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)…

Selling a house can be a daunting and stressful task. However, equipped with the proper knowledge, you can significantly improve your chances of a quick and hassle-free sale. The We Buy Any House team specialises in selling property fast, and in this guide, they share their expertise to help you sell your home quickly. Enhancing Your Property’s Presentation  First Impressions Matter First impressions are key when selling a house. Potential buyers form opinions almost instantly, so a well-presented home is more likely to attract quick offers. Here are several effective methods to enhance your property’s presentation: Redecoration To maximise interest…

Marketing theory often highlights the inherent disadvantages faced by small brands. Firstly, customers’ brains naturally gravitate towards familiar names, equating well-known brands with trustworthiness. Secondly, advertising tends to be more cost effective for brands with wider availability, further reinforcing the dominance of larger players. These and other factors create a seemingly insurmountable challenge for small brands but, more often than not, the perceived disadvantages of being a small brand are offset by unique advantages that can drive success in ways the big brands envy. Living close to your customer One of the biggest advantages for small and medium-sized enterprises [SMEs]…

More than four in ten (41%) key decision makers at UK SMEs say they are considering an exit from their business in the next 5-10 years, with nearly two in ten (17%) saying they will certainly exit in that time frame. Specialist lender Shawbrook recently surveyed SME leaders on a range of issues including exiting their companies. When quizzed on their preferred method of exit, a private sale (27%) and an acquisition (27%) emerged as the most popular choices. More than a fifth (21%) of key decision makers would look to merge, with nearly a fifth saying they would prefer…

DeepL has announced today the addition of Traditional Chinese to its platform. The addition of Traditional Chinese brings DeepL’s total number of languages to 33, further expanding access to AI-powered, accurate translation specifically tailored for businesses and enterprises alike. Traditional Chinese is the primary form of written communication for over 33 million people worldwide, representing a major milestone for DeepL in supercharging communication globally. Traditional Chinese plays a significant business role on a global scale—serving as the primary form of written communication in key business markets such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. “We understand the importance of these regions…

By: Nathan Carroll, Product Lead, M247 Whichever party won the 2024 general election was going to face a multitude of challenges. While it may not have received as much attention in the media as border control or the future of the NHS in the run up to the ballot, the need for digital to be seen as pivotal for the UK’s future economic wellbeing was something that all parties had to address. As the country’s first line of defence against increasingly sophisticated hacking attacks, cybersecurity must be a principal component of a nationwide recognition programme – which also includes relevant…

A couple have shared their experience of navigating menopause in a book thought to be the only one in the UK which shares their joint experience of this important period in a woman’s life. Kate Usher, who owns and runs Menopause in Business to help organisations become more menopause-inclusive, has worked with her husband Neil to share their joint experience of menopause. Kate was one of 25 per cent of women who suffer extreme and debilitating symptoms caused by this period of life. “A Couple’s Guide to Menopause – navigating the change together” was published on Friday August 2 by…

Last month’s global IT outage, which affected 8.5 million Windows PCs, once again highlights the vulnerabilities in the computer systems of some of our largest companies and organisations. The failure, triggered by an update of CrowdStrike cybersecurity software, disrupted services and sectors including airlines, online transactions, cash machines,  card payments for retailers like Morrisons and many high street banks. Even NHS GP and cancer-treatment appointments were cancelled. The CrowdStrike crisis is not an isolated incident. Major tech outages have recently impacted customers and operations at McDonald’s, Greggs, Deliveroo, Tesco and Barclays. A new Roq survey (attached) has found that a…

 ShipEngine, a leading shipping API, today announces that it has partnered with innovative location technology what3words, enabling seamless deliveries and strengthening the online customer experience. From today, what3words has been added to ShipEngine’s robust API, making it available to retailers, platforms and 3PLs across the UK.    what3words provides a simple way to communicate precise location. Every 3 metre square in the world has been given a unique address made of 3 random words: a what3words address. For example, the what3words address for what3words’ London headquarters is ///filled.count.soap. what3words makes it simple for customers to pinpoint a precise delivery location and for delivery drivers…

FinTech Scotland proudly announces the launch of the 7th Annual FinTech Scotland Festival, running from September 25th to October 4th, 2024. This year’s festival promises to bring together the dynamic and collaborative Scottish fintech community, showcasing its remarkable growth, innovation, and energy. Attendees will engage in critical discussions on topics shaping the global fintech landscape. Building on the success of previous years, Scotland will welcome over 2,000 fintech professionals and enthusiasts from Scotland, the UK, and around the world. The programme kicks off with the Fintech Summit at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on September 25th, organised by leading tech publisher…

Business owners are being told of ways to keep remote workers engaged, among rising concerns phones are limiting productivity. Business specialists at TelephoneSystems.Cloud are advising managers and business owners to limit distractions among employees. This comes after it is revealed employees spend an average of two hours per day on their phones for non-work activity. Research also found 80% of employees admit to using their smartphones for personal activities at work. Balancing employees’ work and phone use is essential to managing a productive workload, according to the business specialists.  A few daily phone check-ins can slowly turn into remote workers avoiding their work commitments and…

To start your own business you need several important things – an idea, a lot of determination and the funds available to get the ball rolling. But how much does it cost to start a business? From company formation prices and legal requirements, to payroll and insurance, recognising the costs of starting a business can make sure your idea is viable. Start Up A-Z, the only free company formations agent in the UK, has created a guide for new entrepreneurs to help them understand what costs they should be aware of when starting a business. What are the typical UK business…

A perfect storm is brewing in the cybersecurity sector where an increase in cyber threats is compounded by a major skills shortage and lack of women representation.  Cyberattacks can shut down infrastructure, close businesses, drain bank accounts, and more. Protecting systems and data from sophisticated hackers has never been so important, and the value of the global cybersecurity market is predicted to reach an eye-popping £340 billion in 2030.   Despite the industry’s apparent wealth, a worrying dearth of cybersecurity professionals, especially women, currently exists. A mere 24% of the global cybersecurity workforce are women.  From recruitment challenges to the gender pay gap, cybersecurity services…

UK Finance has launched a new site including a step-by-step digital guide and FAQ to support charities and other voluntary organisations open and manage bank accounts. The new site also includes a free Account Finder tool, to help organisations in the voluntary sector find the best account for their needs. The launch of the site is the final step of a project run by UK Finance to deepen understanding of the specific issues felt by charity bank account customers. UK Finance has worked with charitable organisations, members and regulators to develop the digital guide to help improve how community accounts…