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…
Author: sme-admin
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.…
Author: Ravi Sidhu, Subject Matter Expert, Credit Risk, Dun & Bradstreet SME lending is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the increasing availability and sophisticated application of data. For too long, small and medium-sized enterprises have faced persistent hurdles in accessing finance through traditional methods due to strict lending criteria and substantial collateral. The good news, however, is that we have seen an increase in challengers entering the arena. Challenger banks now account for 60% of lending to SMEs, increasing lending options that previously didn’t exist. With this, we’ve seen the rise of new data-driven tools and approaches that are…
Dr Jo Salter MBE is a pioneering force in both aviation and leadership. Best known as the first female fast jet pilot in the Royal Air Force, Jo earned her wings in 1992 and flew the Panavia Tornado with 617 Squadron, rising to prominence in a field historically dominated by men. Her trailblazing career didn’t stop there — she has also been a leader of an all-male squadron, a passionate advocate for women in STEM and defence, and a Trustee of The Royal Air Force Club. Her journey from military service to the world of business is a testament to…