Professional speaker and best-selling author Stefan Thomas entertained as the keynote speaker at the launch of a new Cotswold Networking Group in Cheltenham last week. Stefan, who lives in Oxfordshire, is the author of the best-selling book Business Networking for Dummies and he is a professional speaker having spoken for companies including BT, Lloyds Bank and Utility Warehouse, to name a few. He talked about the ‘real’ way to network, build a business and gain sales at the event which attracted an audience of 120 to the Nook On Five. “It was humbling to be asked to be the keynote…
Author: sme-admin
Freelancers have been urged to look out for eight red flags when starting their own business and working with new clients. Insurance experts from Toolbox by Admiral have researched and revealed eight warning signs that might help identify a difficult client in order to save freelancers their precious time, money, and energy. Freelancing has become an increasingly popular career choice or side hustle for professionals in the UK. Opportunities range across a variety of sectors, but whilst it offers flexibility and independence, it is not without its challenges. As a freelance consultant in the UK, it’s essential to be vigilant and proactive…
Chizubel Egwudo business’ founder and CEO of The Risk of You, is widely regarded as ‘The Risk Champ’, He boasts a proven track record in helping some of the top global companies – including Deutsche Bank, Lloyds Banking and VISA – build risk capability and grow their financial base. In this article he discusses the need for business owners to develop a proactive risk mindset in order to achieve success, and how the misconception of risk is preventing business owners from taking them. According to a report by Deloitte, companies that view risk management as among the most important factors…
By Sam Ross, VP General Counsel at Remote July’s announcement that the Flexible Working Bill had received Royal Assent sparked a flurry of media attention about the future of work. The UK government boasted how the legislation offered millions of workers greater flexibility over where, when and how they will work. But while the new law is a step in the right direction, it is not the comprehensive solution that remote work advocates were hoping for. What does the new bill offer? Initial excitement about the bill in the news overshadowed some key details. For instance, this is not actually a new…
James Hilton, a personal trainer from the Cotswolds, who is a specialist in biomechanics and injury recovery, will be opening the virtual doors to Jim’s Gym, an online ‘space’ supporting people over 55 to lead a more active life. Launched on National Fitness Day, Jim’s Gym will offer subscribers the opportunity to train with James, following his short fitness videos uploaded weekly/monthly, to either become more active or to help maintain an active lifestyle. This year’s theme for National Fitness Day is “Your Health is for Life”, which aims to encourage people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to engage in…
Author: founder of Focused For Business, Hatty Fawcett Hatty Fawcett is an equity expert and founder of Focused For Business which makes it faster and fairer for startups to raise their first or second round of equity investment. Hatty has seen investment from both sides of “the fence”, as an entrepreneur raising investment but also as supporting business angel investors with their investments. Hatty believes equity investment should be available to all, and that it shouldn’t be over-complicated or unnecessarily time consuming. Heading a business on your own can be hugely rewarding and may seem easier at first to make…
Author: Clare Freer, Account Director at Onebright Employees who experience nervousness before presentations often face work performance anxiety, which can hinder their ability to effectively communicate their ideas. A psychologically safe work environment helps individuals to discuss their anxieties and seek feedback without fear of judgment, reducing their nervousness and improving their overall performance. A key aspect of enabling psychologically secure workspaces is gaining complete endorsement from management and the CEO. It’s an investment in a culture that not only benefits the employees but also leads to tangible business outcomes. A key aspect of understanding performance anxiety is how it…
The Thames Valley Expo returns to Reading for its 12th anniversary on Thursday, 12th October, at The Green Park Conference Centre, Green Park, Reading. Great British Expos launched the Reading Business Expo in 2011, and since then, the exhibition has developed and become the largest in the region. The event organisers, Great British Expos, have received inquiries from past attendees of their Thames Valley Expo due to some confusion. Some individuals have mistakenly believed that they are also hosting a similar event on October 19th at the same venue – The Green Park Conference Centre in Reading. …
Author: Richard Nelson, senior technical consultant at Probrand Knowing where organisations should be prioritising their IT spend has become increasingly challenging in recent years. The upheaval of the pandemic followed by an unstable economic climate means businesses are exercising caution, with many downsizing innovation projects, or scrapping them altogether. Instead the focus has shifted to business critical functions including security, which is now overtaking innovation as a top IT funding priority. Prioritising defences isn’t surprising when you consider that more than half of SMEs in the UK have experienced a cyber attack. But do implementing security measures and pursuing innovation…
Recent research shows that almost 25% of medium and large businesses in the UK have been guilty of ‘greenhushing’ in the past year, which refers to companies deliberately playing down their sustainability credentials for fear of public backlash. Instead of dumbing down these efforts, organisations must be fully transparent about their activities, as this provides opportunities to inspire further change in their industries. This is according to Kyocera Document Solutions UK. The reasons for greenhushing vary, with some businesses fearing that openly celebrating their sustainability initiatives will lead to accusations of greenwashing or hypocrisy. For others, it might be due…