The ability to address an audience is a key skill in business. It’s vital whether you are trying to motivate your SME team during challenging times, announcing financial results or presenting your product or services to potential customers. Yet government statistics reveal that more than one in six UK businesses with a skills gap say their teams lack expertise in making speeches and presentations. This failing in speaking proficiency, whether it be among founders, CEOs, managers or junior staff, can reduce a company’s ability to convey and reach its goals, undermine confidence in leadership groups, increase silos, hamper sales and hold…
Author: Greg Robinson
New Research Lifts The Lid On The Potential Impact Of Cyberattacks On Unprepared Businesses One in five SMEs would have to close their doors within three months if they experienced a data breach, estimating that a cybersecurity attack would cost them up to £100k in lost revenue and fines, new research has revealed. A poll of 1,000 SME business owners has highlighted issues around data security in the UK workplace, with 21% of businesses describing their current approach to security as reactive rather than proactive. The research also reveals how modern working habits may increase exposure to sensitive data, with nearly a third (32%) of SME employees working from coffee…
As demand for women-focused fitness continues to rise, Curves stands out as the world’s fourth largest franchise. Built around its signature 30-minute workout and community driven model, the brand offers a scalable franchise system designed for rapid growth while meeting the evolving needs of today’s female fitness consumers. The fitness landscape has shifted significantly in recent years. Women are increasingly seeking supportive, non-intimidating environments tailored to their lifestyles, particularly those balancing careers, families and personal wellbeing. Traditional gym models, often perceived as male-dominated and performance-led, can feel misaligned with these expectations. This has created clear market opportunity for concepts like…
Health and safety specialist Andrew Wilkinson of Swindon-based Secure Safety Solutions is warning company owners to be vigilant around issues which may become ratified in HSE law in the future. “In the world of health and safety we always have to be ready for changes and 2026 will be no exception. Legislation and safety standards evolve over time and no company wants to find themselves facing enforcement action. Prevention is always better than cure. The safety of staff and members of the public should always be of paramount importance to business owners,” Andrew said. He’s come up with five areas…
Social care technology platform AgoraStaff has been named one of Google’s Top 30 GovTech start-ups in the UK, recognising the company as one of the most innovative digital solutions helping to modernise public sector services. The team was invited to attend the Google GovTech Showcase, where selected start-ups pitched their technology to an audience of government stakeholders, policy advisers and investors. AgoraStaff’s Director of Compliance, Jolene Williams-Pears, attended the event and delivered a live pitch outlining how the platform is helping care providers connect directly with vetted carers through a digital marketplace. She said “Being recognised in Google’s Top 30…
A recent change to DBS rules means eligible self-employed professionals can now apply for Enhanced DBS checks through a registered umbrella body – something that was previously only possible if an organisation applied on their behalf. Samantha Vaughan, Chief Product Officer at Complete Background Screening (CBS), says the update reflects how working patterns have evolved, with more people operating independently in roles that involve trust and responsibility. “Over the past few years we’ve seen a rise in self-employed professionals working directly with families or vulnerable individuals,” Samantha said. “That includes tutors, carers, therapists and personal assistants. Until recently many of…
Global hiring platform Indeed reveals that more than 1 in 2 employers in the UK believe AI and automation will be the primary drivers of workforce skill changes in the coming years, with 52% anticipating at least a modest shift in the capabilities required. As businesses continue to adopt AI-based solutions, its presence in day-to-day operations is rapidly expanding. In fact, one in six UK companies now uses AI daily to solve business problems, reflecting how embedded the technology has become across sectors. This growing integration is already delivering tangible benefits: Indeed’s AI adoption data finds that 77% of UK workers who…
A Manchester-based accelerator has been named the North of England’s only programme to feature in the Financial Times’ Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs 2026 list, underlining Manchester’s growing profile as a base for successful start-ups. Alumni of the Exchange programme, which supports early-stage founders with mentoring, networks and investment-readiness support, have raised more than £78m in funding and created over 1,000 jobs to date. The recognition comes amid continued scrutiny of regional imbalances in UK innovation funding. London continues to attract a disproportionate share of venture capital investment, intensifying debate about the strength of scale-up infrastructure in regional technology clusters. Exchange, which is…
A UK-based sports technology company founded by biomechanical expert Dr Dario Cazzola and Roy Shubhabrata has played an important role in the record-breaking success of TeamGB’s bobsleigh and skeleton team and their record-breaking gold medal run at the recent Winter Olympics. Dario is using computer vision technology and AI to transform how elite athletes and teams analyse and improve performance using video, which is analysed in a matter of minutes, so that actions and improvements can be taken quickly and easily. The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association were among his company’s first clients. “In a world where minute improvements are so…
Perform Partners, a multi-award-winning change delivery consultancy, has recently supported Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT), alongside Ingram Micro, to launch Fixter, a teacher-led AI feedback and assessment tool. This innovation acts as a ‘teacher sparring partner’. Rather than replacing the educator’s judgement, the AI-powered assistant works with them, adding an extra layer of consistency, efficiency and objectivity to support teachers in delivering high-quality marking and feedback. This approach allows teachers to reclaim up to five hours each week; creating space that can be channelled back into teaching or used to reduce the strain of extended workdays. The Fixter project was…