Author: sme-admin

Daniel Patel, Recruitment Director at Eursap, says the tension between rising CV volumes and meaningful candidate feedback is one of the most pressing challenges in hiring today. “The number of applications has risen dramatically, and the introduction of AI technologies has made applying to various positions easier than ever before. This means that there is a problem in terms of quantity right at the beginning of the hiring process, where companies now receive not dozens, but hundreds or even thousands of resumes.” He explains that this shift has changed how employers prioritise their time. “With such numbers, providing each applicant with…

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England and Scotland’s progress at the 2026 FIFA World Cup could help drive  £2.4bn in at-home food and drink spending, as fans increasingly swap pubs for sofas, according to new research from Novuna Personal Finance.  With just one month to go until the tournament begins, fans are already planning how to balance late-night kick-offs with everyday routines – and their spending reflects a clear shift towards home-based viewing. Home win for matchday spend While major tournaments typically boost pubs and bars, this summer is set to favour  supermarkets, takeaways and convenience retailers.   More than half (54%) of UK adults plan to watch matches at home, spending an average of £80 per person on food and drink – equivalent to £2.4bn in total. By comparison, those planning to watch in pubs or…

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Workers across the UK could be missing out on valuable pension tax savings because they do not fully understand how their workplace pension is set up. According to workplace pension provider Penfold, confusion around salary sacrifice, pension tax relief, and contribution structures means many employees may be paying more tax and National Insurance than necessary. For higher earners, failing to claim additional pension tax relief through self-assessment could mean missing out on hundreds of pounds each year. Chris Eastwood, CEO of Penfold, said: “Most people assume their workplace pension is set up in the best possible way. Often, it isn’t. Small pension…

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As customers, we’ve all wasted time communicating with a chatbot when a human could have solved the problem much more quickly, we’ve all witnessed a growing queue because a self-service checkout wasn’t recognising an item’s barcode, and we’ve all frequently had to download apps that require multi-stage authentication and which we might only use for one event or transaction. Yet all of these scenarios have originated because the business we were trying to interact with has aimed to improve customer experience, and has equated implementing more technology with increased efficiency and effectiveness. And that’s why all company decision-makers need to…

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Around 10–20% of recognised pregnancies end in miscarriage, and with IVF also becoming more common, fertility treatment and pregnancy loss are increasingly part of everyday life and workplace conversations.  Against this backdrop, a fertility doctor is warning that some of the language still used at work, such as “at least you can try again”, can fail to reflect just how emotionally and physically complex these experiences really are.  Dr Abhijit Kulkarni, Consultant in Reproductive Medicine at Create Fertility, explains why IVF, miscarriage and menopause are fundamentally different from typical health conditions, and what needs to change in how they are discussed. How…

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New research from Malt, Europe’s leading freelance management platform, has revealed a strong skill shift in favor of AI-related skills as well as low and no-code tools. The demand for traditional software languages like Java (-32%), C++ (-25%) and PHP (-33%) has declined significantly, as companies have shifted their tech strategies in 2025. In contrast, the past year has seen a +1390% increase in n8n projects, a workflow automation tool that requires minimal coding. This is according to the Malt Tech Trends 2026 report  which draws insights from Europe’s largest independent tech community, analysing keyword searches and project briefs from more than…

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The United Kingdom is the third most-searched destination for Americans looking to relocate, as UK businesses seek closer ties with the U.S., increasing the need for cross-cultural training. This month, UK business leaders prepare for the largest-ever UK trade mission to the United States, potentially increasing the number of Americans coming to the UK for work, whether on placements or through relocation. The study, conducted by the cultural intelligence training platform Country Navigator, has revealed the top countries for attracting American workers by analysing annual relocation searches. You can view the study here – https://www.countrynavigator.com/blog/global-talent-report Most searched-for destinations among Americans looking to…

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By Matthew Ekholm, Digital Product Passport and Circularity Specialist at Provenant Businesses in the EU generate approximately 166 million tonnes of waste every year, demonstrating just how much urgency there is to prioritise sustainability and protect the future of the planet. In today’s marketplace, embracing sustainable practices is no longer optional; it’s becoming a defining factor for business success in the new era of consumerism. Customers are increasingly becoming more eco-conscious and looking for evidence of sustainable practices behind the products they’re buying. At the same time governments are also stepping in to accelerate change with initiatives such as the…

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A debt recovery expert has outlined the steps businesses should take to chase outstanding payments effectively, without damaging important commercial relationships. Late payments continue to place significant pressure on the UK economy, with recent figures suggesting they cost almost £11 billion a year and contribute to 38 business closures every day. According to Claire Twells, Partner and Head of Debt Recovery at Smith Partnership, the issue often stems from larger businesses using extended payment terms to protect their own cash flow, creating a knock-on effect across the wider supply chain. Claire, who leads Smith Partnership’s Debt Recovery team, said larger organisations need…

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With AI-generated cover letters becoming increasingly common, candidates are applying faster and at greater scale, raising new questions around authenticity, quality, and what hiring managers are really looking for. To explore this further, Daniel Patel, Recruitment Director at Eursap, has shared his expert insights. “We are seeing a significant rise in AI-generated cover letters. It is no longer occasional; it is widespread, particularly in high-volume application processes. Candidates are under pressure to apply quickly and at scale, and AI tools offer a way to keep up with that pace.” On whether hiring managers can tell the difference, he says the gap…

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