Leading global business travel and expense management platform, TravelPerk, launches new research revealing nearly half (44%) of business travellers have no official company-level travel insurance, with 24% relying on personal policies and 15% on credit card insurance – leaving many exposed to risks. Whilst travel can be unpredictable, with research showing 78% of global business travellers faced travel disruption, employers are missing key areas to support employees on the road. TravelPerk’s recent travel disruption survey revealed the types of travel disruption with 13% of travellers experiencing lost or delayed luggage, and 11% having health or medical emergencies. Today’s research launch uncovers the…
Author: sme-admin
A bold rebrand can breathe new life into a business, helping it stay relevant in a fast-changing market. But when done poorly, it can do quite the opposite, drawing criticism, confusing customers, and in some cases, damaging brand loyalty built over decades. Here, insolvency practitioners Liquidation Centre look at some of the most talked-about rebrands that left audiences less than impressed, with expert commentary from Director Richard Hunt on what businesses can learn from their mistakes. PrettyLittleThing – 2025: A Step Too Far Into Minimalism? In March 2025, PrettyLittleThing unveiled a sleek new visual identity, swapping its signature bright pink branding for…
Plenty of companies say they’ve got a great culture. They point to Friday drinks, office snacks, or a ping pong table as proof. But here’s the truth: a handful of perks doesn’t mean your people are happy, supported, or likely to stick around. If your business is struggling with high turnover, low motivation, or slowing growth, it’s time to stop hiding behind surface-level “culture” and face what’s really going on. In this article, Gemma Spinks, Director of Spinks Creative, explores what a real culture looks like, and why it’s the one thing that separates thriving companies from the ones just getting…
Deloitte has announced the winners of the UK’s Best Managed Companies 2025 at an awards ceremony at the McLaren Technology Centre. The UK’s Best Managed Companies programme shines a spotlight on private businesses from across the UK and the performance that drives them. The programme is an initiative of Deloitte Private, which provides personalised solutions to privately owned businesses and family enterprises. This is the inaugural year of the UK’s Best Managed Companies awards, with the programme already established in over 45 territories across the world. It recognises top private companies for their organisational success and contributions to their industry and the economy.…
Microplastics are now found in every corner of our planet – from the deepest parts of the ocean to the air we breathe to the food we eat. A 2022 study found microplastics in the blood of 80% of people tested, while the UN Environment Programme estimates that 13 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year. Cleaner Seas Group is taking action head-on. Their microfibre filters – already being used across domestic, commercial and industrial settings – capture harmful plastic fibres before they ever reach the ocean and our waterways. This new facility takes it a step further, transforming…
As recently reported by StartUps.co.uk – Chinese fast fashion giant, Shein, has been hit with a consumer watchdog complaint over alleged ‘dark marketing’ and using bad practices to manipulate customer behaviour. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), made up of 25 members across 21 countries, has accused Shein of using “dark marketing” techniques, which it says are designed to pressure shoppers into impulsive purchases. Emily Sadler, Senior Commercial Solicitor at law firm Harper James, explains what this means for smaller businesses and how they can stay compliant with their marketing tactics: “Shein’s recent scrutiny has brought renewed attention to so-called ‘dark patterns’ and…
Authored by Jonathan Cooper, Founder & Director of The Director’s Helpline and The Director’s Choice. The Context Last month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its first quarterly estimate of GDP for 2025. The headline was encouraging: a modest return to growth after a prolonged period of economic stagnation. It was the kind of news many had been hoping for. However, beneath the surface, the picture is much more complex. ING analysts have identified two main drivers behind the positive Q1 data. First, there may have been a surge in production early in the year due to uncertainty around…
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Great British Expos proudly hosted the vibrant 13th Annual Windsor Expo at Royal Windsor Racecourse. Fifty diverse businesses from across the region came together, showcasing an impressive array of services such as accountancy, innovative marketing strategies, reliable IT support, and expert legal services. Alec Jones-Hall, the passionate Director of Great British Expos and the mastermind behind the event, expressed his excitement, highlighting that this year’s participation level reached an impressive peak not seen since before the disruptions of 2020. The Expo provided an invaluable platform for local businesses to highlight their unique offerings and products…
A Harvard, MIT, and Wharton study revealed that VC pitches voiced by men were more than twice as likely to secure funding as identical pitches voiced by women. For generations, women have been deemed biologically more risk-averse than men – but is that really the case? The myth stems from the outdated notion that risk-taking is inherently masculine, with traditional studies often framing risk through a narrow male-centric lens. To challenge the narrative, experts at VIP Grinders explored how women aren’t less risk-averse – they’re more risk-aware and, in fact, strategic risk-takers. They also teamed up with career experts JobLeads to offer 5 strategies for women to break through the glass ceiling at work. Research from VIP…
Jose Ucar, international communication and influence expert, will deliver a new virtual session titled “The Art of Difficult Conversations”, in collaboration with findcourses, part of Keystone Education Group, on Thursday 26th June at 4 PM (UK time). This interactive webinar is designed for professionals, leaders and teams who want to master the art of handling challenging conversations in a way that strengthens relationships and supports long-term organisational success. Whether it’s resolving tension, sharing feedback, or aligning on goals, difficult conversations are an essential part of working life. Yet many people avoid them—often at the expense of clarity, trust and performance.…