UserTesting (NYSE: USER), a leader in video-based human insight, has announced the availability of new test templates for the UserTesting® Human Insight Platform that enable companies to better understand their customers’ expectations, behaviours, and perceptions around inflation. UserTesting has designed test templates that help organisations adapt to changing economic trends by gathering customer perspectives quickly–and using the insights to make business and product decisions that keep customers loyal during an economic downturn. According to recent McKinsey findings, By collecting and understanding customer data and insights, companies can address their target customers’ needs to help maintain loyalty for the long term.…
Author: sme-admin
Author: Daniel Fletcher, an associate solicitor specialising in intellectual property at Forbes Solicitors Intellectual property – it might not sound like the most exciting part of setting up and running a business, but it’s arguably one of the most important things to be considered and, wherever possible, protected in order to ensure the long-term success of a company. This is especially the case in increasingly competitive and squeezed markets. SMEs must be aware of the many and complex issues surrounding intellectual property – better known as IP – and be prepared to act to protect their business’ interests. An ounce…
Supply Chains disruptions are rife and it has became even more vital for firms to reduce inventory days. Laurent Descout, Founder and CEO at Neo, looks at how innovations in cross-border payments can simplify the process and reduce costs. A new report shows that supply chain disruptions could cost European economies up to €920 Billion, equating 7.7% of the Eurozone’s GDP by 2023. Factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the current geopolitical situation have compounded existing issues. A BDO survey of 600 finance leaders found that while “the pandemic exposed weaknesses in global supply chains, these issues were percolating well before.” Inventory…
Healthtech innovators, Quanta Dialysis Technologies were presented with the MacRobert Award by Princess Anne on Tuesday night, 12th July. Run by the Royal Academy for Engineering, the prestigious honour has been won by Quanta for developing a revolutionary new compact dialysis treatment. The revolutionary compact dialysis machine enables kidney failure patients to treat themselves at home and relieves pressure on over-stretched hospitals. The MacRobert Award is the UK’s longest-running and most prestigious award for UK engineering innovation. Joining previous MacRobert Award winners including Rolls-Royce, Arup and Raspberry Pi, Quanta was recognised for developing the SC+ system, a portable, easy-to-use, high performance…
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show that the total number of businesses registered within the UK as of March 2022 was 4,894,356, an increase of 3.8% when compared with the end of March 2021. However during that same time period 581,824 filed for dissolution proving that starting a business is often a lot easier than running one; at least when you don’t have the correct skillset. To help out budding entrepreneurs, in the age of the side hustle, Caunce O’Hara, the specialist insurance broker for freelancers and small businesses, reveal their Top Tips for success…
Despite the efforts of the former Chancellor, investment into UK SMEs remains stagnant according to new research from solution-led alternative finance provider Nucleus Commercial Finance (NCF). Aimed at bolstering the investments made by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), just 13% say they have increased investments as a result of the two year “super-deduction”. In fact, a greater percentage (16%) say they have in fact decreased investments in that period. A closer look at the findings reveals that medium sized businesses are most likely to have upped their investment following the announcement (25%). However, even within this cohort a similar number…
Recent research from the ONS has revealed shocking inequality amongst pensions across the UK – as a result of inflation and the rising cost of living – with one third of UK employees not expecting to have any pension provision beyond state pension when they retire. Those who are self-employed or on lower incomes will be impacted the most by pension wealth inequality. With the number of older workers steadily increasing over the last decade, Nick Jones – Head of Retirement Living at Lottie – warns of the impact the pensions crisis will have on older workers approaching retirement: “The…
With Boris Johnson’s resignation, speculation is rife with what he will do next – whether it’s a return to the world of business, or even sales. But despite being a good salesperson, it seems most businesses wouldn’t hire him as part of their sales teams. John Cheney, CEO of Workbooks gives a view on good practice when it comes to ethical selling. “If Boris Johnson were to re-enter the jobs market, could a career in sales be his calling? There can be no denying he knows how to sell. But would you hire him as a Sales Director at your…
Award-winning Oxfordshire photographer and Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society Philip Joyce captured these stunning images of various animals at Cotswold Wildlife Park being treated to cooling enrichments in the heatwave. They feature the Park’s oldest resident, George the Giant Tortoise (86-years old), enjoying a shower from Reptile keeper Meg & Tamanduas (also known as Lesser Anteaters) sticking their long noses into watermelons. Meanwhile, in Lemur exhibit ‘Madagascar’, a Red Bellied Lemur youngster named Matiz adored the frozen rainbow smoothies so much, he wouldn’t let his mum Maren anywhere near the ice enrichment. The most surprising reaction came from the breeding Emu pair,…
Most of the UK is experiencing a heatwave this week, with the hot weather set to get hotter beyond the weekend. For those of us not fortunate enough to enjoy air-conditioned offices it’s certainly uncomfortable, but what exactly are your rights when it comes to working in the heat? When is it legally too hot to work? SME Today got comments from an employment lawyer and a personal injury lawyer . Marcin Durlak, Managing Partner at IMD Solicitors says: “Under the law, there is no maximum temperature that makes it too hot to work, however employers are under obligation to…