Hervé Chapron, SVP Global Sales, GM EMEA for Semarchy discusses how MDM is democratising business intelligence (BI) and driving data clarity, literacy, and utility across organisations. When thinking about data quality and business intelligence (BI), imagine your business as an imposing, multidimensional house. High quality data, supported by Master Data Management (MDM) builds the foundation, ensuring the entire structure is reliable and future proof. Poor data, on the other hand, is like using subpar materials, leading to vulnerabilities and costly repairs. The rooms in your data house represent different departments, interconnected yet serving specific purposes. BI tools act as utilities…
Author: sme-admin
In line with its manifesto promise, the Labour government recently announced the appointment of Tom Hayhoe as the new Covid Corruption Commissioner to investigate alleged frauds that took place during the pandemic. Here, Hamraj Kang, founder and Senior Partner at KANGS Solicitors, examines the Commissioner’s likely areas of focus, including the companies and individuals that can expect to be placed under the spotlight. Key focus Kang said: “It appears that the new Covid Corruption Commissioner’s remit is to focus on the government contracts that were issued to various parties during the height of the pandemic, as opposed to the schemes that…
New data has revealed that plumbers are the most in-demand trades across the UK. That’s according to new research by Vansdirect, which analysed the latest labour demand volumes from the ONS to uncover trades that are attracting the highest number of job adverts. Plumbers came out on top with 23% of all job adverts targeting tradespeople in the past year. Electricians (19%), carpenters (12%), builders (12%) and security system installers (9%) all made up the rest of the top five.[1] Interestingly, ‘painters and decorators’ saw the highest increase in job adverts, with a 175% increase over the last three months. These…
The Renters’ Rights Bill is poised to introduce transformative changes to tenancy laws in England, marking the most significant overhaul in decades. Key reforms include banning Section 21 ‘no-fault evictions’, transitioning all tenancies to periodic agreements, and implementing measures to limit rent increases, ban bidding wars, and enforce higher property standards. This comprehensive legislation aims to provide greater security and stability for the country’s 11 million private renters, enabling them to establish long-term roots in their communities. The removal of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions is a major worry for landlords. Many believe it will make regaining possession of properties more…
Fractional leaders are transforming business growth by providing flexible leadership support at a fraction of the cost of full-time executives. Sara Daw, Group CEO of The CFO Centre and The Liberti Group, is a leading expert in this field. Currently pursuing a PhD in fractional leadership, she has also published research on the subject in her book Strategy and Leadership as Service. In this article, she delves into the rising trend. For many organisations looking to scale up, fast growth is the Holy Grail. There are many reasons for this; rapid growth can help a business capture a larger share…
The myth that older people are more prepared for retirement is just that – a myth – according to new research from independent consultancy Barnett Waddingham, which shines a light on the lack of preparedness in the over-50s for shocks. Ill-health and care Only a fifth of all savers in the UK (19%) have fully considered getting a serious illness in their retirement plan, Yet surprisingly, it’s the under-50s driving this; 25% have prepared, versus just 16% of over-50s. 43% of this older age group have ‘thought about it’ but not included it in their retirement planning, and almost a…
Full-time employment is going backwards following the Government’s disastrous decision to go after employers in its budget. Employment Hero’s SmartMatch Salary Report uses real-time data from 90,000 employees across small businesses with 1-500 employees in the UK. Collected at the end of November, the first real-time data reflects the impact of the Government’s Budget in late October, where employer NICs were increased by 1.2%. Employers appeared to immediately react to the changes, which are not due to come into force until April, slashing hiring and letting some staff go. Overall the amount of people in full-time employment shrunk by 1.2%…
Andy Ramsbottom, Director of Global Strategic Accounts at Escode, discusses how to protect investments through software escrow In today’s volatile financial landscape, safeguarding investments has never been more crucial for venture capitalists (VCs) and private equity firms (PEs). The recent turbulence in global markets underscores the importance of being proactive in protecting capital, particularly when investing in the tech sector. With the UK’s tech funding showing signs of recovery, now is the time for investors to take decisive steps to make sure their investments are sound. One of the most effective tools at their disposal is software escrow—a crucial mechanism…
New research from Simply Asset Finance highlights the challenges UK SMEs face following the Labour Government’s first Budget and the rise in employee National Insurance contributions. Half of UK SMEs (50%) expect the policy to hinder business growth, with 31% saying it will hinder their own business specifically, according to new research from Simply Asset Finance. Just 34% of businesses say that they don’t need to do anything in response. While most sectors are similarly impacted, it is among the Agriculture, construction, and manufacturing sector that the biggest challenge is being faced. Here, just 11% say they won’t need to…
In August 2024, The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act came into force across the European Union. Ahead of the anticipated introduced of an AI Bill in the UK, Ed Rea from technology lawyers Arbor Law assesses the changing regulatory landscape and advises businesses on how they can prepare for what lies ahead. A world first On August 1, the European Commission’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act came into force, marking the first comprehensive AI law in the world. The AI Act applies to every company supplying AI systems within the EU and providing output from an AI system in the EU. Systems and practices…