Entrepreneurs who have started a business through the government-funded Start Up Loans Company can now access second-phase funds from the high street bank Santander, with more banks said to be agreeing to be joining the process.
Category: In Business
Advice on growing your small and medium sized business, SME, in the UK. Hiring and managing staff and finance plus marketing all on one website
Thrive Back to Work
Going back into the job market can be a very scary experience. Whether you have had a child recently or you have just taken a break and lost your confidence, nobody finds it easy. Janice Haddon, Managing Director of Morgan Redwood, reveals her professional top tips on how to gain back your confidence and thrive in work….
How to conduct a formal disciplinary hearing
In my last column, I shared the best practice way to undertake a disciplinary investigation. It was for when you get that call that your employee is alleged to have done something and you need to find out if, where, what and when. This time I want to share how to actually conduct the disciplinary hearing itself.
Employee engagement tools for SMEs
Employee engagement is often spoken about by organisations of all sizes as an ultimate goal – but why? Do we really know what is at stake and how compelling it can be to work in an organisation where engagement is high?
How to conduct an effective performance review that motivates employees
Performance reviews are a core responsibility for any manager. When they’re undertaken well, motivation thrives, relationships flourish, talent develops and productivity is enhanced. Yet, many managers dread appraising their people – and many employees don’t think much of the process either.
British Chamber urge Conservative Party to be more ambitious for Britain
At the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester this week the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has issued a clear message to the Prime Minister and his colleagues to ‘get moving’ on the delivery of pro-growth policies that will benefit the nation as a whole.
SMEs waste over £500 a year by not shopping around for competitive prices
New research has revealed that billions of pounds are being lost by SMEs every year because they fail to research and find the best deals when they take out or renew insurances and make regular payments.
Do you know what your working style is?
To get more out of your team, first figure out how your employees (and you) work best–and then assign tasks accordingly.
How to undertake a Disciplinary Investigation
It’s the one question I get again and again from clients. That call of ‘Ive just been told Joe has done x,y and z, what do I do now?’ and my response is always ‘you need to undertake an investigation into the incident and make a decision after that’.
Family enterprises show signs of healthier credit quality
While family owned businesses are especially vulnerable to problems of succession, their longer-term outlook generally leads to greater stability, finds Taron Wade, Associate Director at Standard & Poor’s
Sulking, shouting or sharing – what’s your company’s culture?
Emotional resilience and conflict management expert Julian Hall of Calm People explores the cultures that leaders accidentally create and the effects they have. From sulking to shouting and sharing to shrinking violets, why a company’s culture is what a manager makes it.
Lack Of Support For Managers Leads To Leadership Problems And Crisis Of Organisational Culture
New research released from the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, reveals that 36 per cent of line managers have not received any training for their role, and that time for effective line management is too often squeezed or lost in favour of more immediate task oriented priorities.
Coffee bean innovator grinds out a win at Pitch 2013
An entrepreneur who turns used coffee beans into fuel has been crowned the champion in one of the UK’s longest running small business competitions.
Ten Surprising Secrets for Success
Shed Simove is an inventor, business maverick and the author of ‘Success Or Your Money Back’. Here Shed reveals his ten surprising secrets for success.
Do you want to get engaged?
Clive Leake, leadership and management specialist at Whow! Leadership explains how to get buy-in from your team and engage your workforce to improve your profits…
