With ‘employee training’ Google searches up 40% in five years from 10,000 to 15,000 monthly in the UK, it is clear that people are searching for support, but bringing it up can still feel awkward. Arwa Due-Gundersen, Senior Business Development Manager at Cambridge Advance Online, part of the University of Cambridge Online, says employees shouldn’t feel like they have to push for development on their own. Actively encouraging training and development can have many benefits: Development opportunities encourage retention – 41% of employees surveyed by McKinsey left their last role due to a lack of career advancement and development opportunities, the most common…
Author: sme-admin
Is anything actually free in business? Helen Steel, Managing Director at Streamlion Consulting and a seasoned grants expert, has often heard the term “free money” thrown around when discussing business grants. But as she knows from experience, nothing in business truly comes without cost. In this article, Helen unpacks the hidden time, effort, and commitments behind grants and other so-called “free” offers, revealing why these opportunities are far from free despite appearances. The Reality of “Free Money” in Grants Let’s start with grants. Often called “free money,” these funding opportunities seem like a dream come true for businesses. But hold…
From escape rooms to axe throwing, crazy golf to darts, the competitive socialising sector has been growing in popularity over the last few years. More and more consumers are turning to fun, engaging and interactive experiences to let off steam, and this doesn’t appear to be changing any time soon. Research from market intelligence agency Mintel shows that participation in competitive socialising activities increased by 13 per cent between 2019 and 2023, while 26 per cent of consumers stated they were visiting competitive socialising venues more often in 2024 than in the previous year. Equally, of the UK adults who…
The Bank of England has cut its base rate to 4.0%, signalling a shift towards supporting economic growth after months of speculation. For UK SMEs, the decision offers some breathing space, yet business leaders and analysts agree that underlying challenges remain — from stubborn inflation to tightening access to finance. SME Impact in Brief Borrowing costs fall – The cut to 4.0% will ease repayment pressure and make growth-focused investment more affordable for SMEs. Inflation still bites – Stubborn price rises in services, food, and energy are keeping operational costs high, limiting the full benefit of cheaper borrowing. Funding access…
ESCP Business School’s London Campus has been awarded the Small Business Charter (SBC) accreditation, reinforcing its commitment to empowering UK SMEs through business education, training, and community collaboration. This enables ESCP to deliver the UK Government’s Help to Grow: Management programme, offering SME leaders access to expert-led training to support long-term recovery, resilience, and innovation. This recognition highlights the school’s strong commitment to fostering student entrepreneurship and its support for SMEs and start-ups in its local community of North London through specialised programmes and consultancy initiatives. ESCP has partnerships already established with organisations including Camden Council, Barnet Council, One Kilburn, and the French Chamber of…
Athos Rushovich, Director of Specialist Health Distribution at Vitality says that a wealth of data now points to employee health as one of the biggest factors impacting productivity, adding it’s time to get back to basics. Nearly one in five (17%) SME employees in the tech and IT sector say not being able to exercise is impacting their productivity, with 14% flagging musculoskeletal concerns.* This arguably seems like a quick fix. So, why does it remain a nagging issue? Are employers so knee-deep in the complexities of running a business, they’re missing the obvious – the fact that when people…
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) represent roughly 80% of the Travel & Tourism sector: an astonishing testament to their collective impact. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Together in Travel initiative, SMEs are not just the backbone of our industry; they’re the catalysts for innovation, resilience, and meaningful guest experiences. Their agility and authenticity are shaping the future of tourism, and current hospitality graduates are at the forefront. At Les Roches, a leading hospitality school, nearly one-third of the alumni choose the entrepreneurial path, founding boutique hotels, immersive restaurants, curated experience platforms, and more. These aren’t merely businesses; they are…
“AI is coming for your job.” If you work in marketing, or any industry really, you’ve probably heard that phrase more times than you care to count. But is AI really the threat everyone’s making it out to be? Gemma Spinks, Director of Spinks Creative, explores why the real risk facing brands today isn’t AI, it’s apathy. While AI might be rapidly changing the marketing tool portfolio, it’s lazy, thoughtless execution that’s doing the real damage. Too many brands are letting technology replace their creative thinking and drowning in a sea of mediocracy and complacency. The Rise of Lazy Marketing We…
London, UK, 31 July 2025: New research from leading employment platform Employment Hero has highlighted that payroll compliance is a considerable risk for small businesses – 84% have admitted to payroll errors and more than a third have faced fines costing them thousands of pounds. The survey of 1,000 small business leaders found that 40% have incurred penalties due to payroll issues. Despite spending an average of £2,724 a month to outsource payroll – ranging from £1,625 among smaller SMEs to £3,408 for larger ones – many businesses are still getting it wrong, largely due to outdated processes and systems that haven’t kept…
The 31 July deadline for HMRC’s second payment on account often catches self-employed people off guard, especially those new to Self Assessment or juggling financial pressures. Our research shows 63% find tax returns stressful, 22% lose sleep, and over a quarter sacrifice time with friends and family to get it done. It’s a clear sign that tax time is taking a real toll. Using an income tax estimator can help self-employed people work out what they’re likely to owe, giving them time to plan ahead. Once you have a rough figure, setting the money aside in a separate savings account…