I’ve worked for over 20 years in small and large organisations. I’ve worked with a variety of stakeholders, from the most senior to those who were contracting or consulting in the firms, as well as front line customers and clients. I know what it’s like to work with difficult stakeholders, especially those that you have to work closely with and those who you have to rely on to help you deliver your objectives.
[continue reading…]HR and Staff Management
A collection of our core guides on HR and Staff Management for small business owners:
Managing staff holidays can be challenging, especially for small businesses as the teams are smaller and arranging cover can be difficult. All workers are entitled to paid annual leave, therefore you will need to be prepared to have staff off from work for four to six weeks per year. Successfully managing staff holidays helps to create a happier team, boosting the productivity of the business.
Hiring employees to your business is a sign of growth and expansion and something that should be celebrated. However, it can be a daunting process, especially if you don’t have any experience in hiring staff and employees. You must therefore be prepared to ensure that you have made a good decision and hired the right person.
When working remotely, productivity can inadvertently suffer, especially if you are used to working in an office setting. Whether you’re just not used to your desk at home, feel distracted by all the comforts readily available, or miss having someone to bounce ideas off – staying on top of your game can be quite a challenge.
[continue reading…]Gareth Southgate has been praised highly for the positive management of the England football team in the Euros 2021 as well as in the 2018 World Cup.
‘Long COVID’ also known as ‘post-COVID-19 Syndrome’ is when the COVID-19 symptoms last weeks or months after the infection has gone. Being able to spot the signs and symptoms of Long Covid amongst employees will be vital over the coming months for UK companies. Psychotherapist Noel McDermott offers the following advice to employers on how to detect whether a member of staff could be suffering from Long Covid, signs to look out for and how to fully support them.
[continue reading…]Socialising with colleagues feels good, but it also has benefits for the business. Working face-to-face with colleagues can both help maintain a good working culture and boost collaboration. But a year of working from and/or furlough has seen many workers coping with social isolation.
[continue reading…]Salary benchmarking has become one of the most important tools for businesses seeking talent. If you’re struggling to find the best and you’re offering the average wage, it’s tempting to up your offering and see who takes the bait. But what if you don’t have the budget – or the inclination – to inflate the market? Are there more important things to job seekers than money? What are the options open to your business?
[continue reading…]You must act fast to avoid your business being harmed by bad air quality. Productivity is one of the most important variables to examine for every company. Your earnings will almost likely rise if you can increase your productivity. As a result, it’s no surprise that business owners all over the world are constantly seeking innovative ways to boost productivity and engage their employees.
[continue reading…]You don’t need us to tell you that the world of work has changed. If you are involved in working remotely, you’ll also know that some aspects of work life have become even more exhausting.
[continue reading…]There’s no denying that COVID-19 affected every part of the business world. From a major switch to remote working and mass closures—temporary and permanent—the effects of the pandemic were far-reaching. One area that hasn’t gone unscathed is training and development.
[continue reading…]February is Random Acts of Kindness Month and top UK reward and incentives experts Appreciate, home of Love2shop, have developed a business tool for success that’s generated by goodwill.
[continue reading…]In the modern economy, there is no shortage of candidates for any positions in a company. It appears as if the employers are successful in finding the most suitable candidate for a post within no time. But, this is not as easy as it looks. There is always a chance that you will end up hiring the wrong person for the job and this may trigger a series of negative consequences. This incorrect person may turn out to be unmotivated, lazy, or unqualified and he or she may influence the working atmosphere in your company adversely. When you spend a lot of time training the prospect and end up looking for another one, it costs a lot of time and money.
[continue reading…]Responding to the coronavirus lockdown protocols, many businesses have embraced remote working as a safer, sometimes more convenient, alternative to being in the office. This has been widespread and will, in the long-term, likely normalise the practice of remote working. Yet, as a less than desirable short-term side-effect, many organisations are overlooking basic compliance with tax regulations and data protection laws.
[continue reading…]Hiring the right people for your team is both a science and an art. You might have a very clear idea about the qualifications and experience you require for a role, but how do you find the right person among the many candidates with similar credentials? It requires rigorous enquiry, intuition, experimentation and knowledge of the key areas to consider.
[continue reading…]We’ve had recent good news in relation to vaccines but also a reminder that Covid-19 will be with us for some time yet. This means it is very important for all small businesses to have processes in place so that you can keep going safely and without business owners feeling too much weight on their shoulders.
[continue reading…]Death in Service Cover, also known as Group Life Insurance, is a company Life Insurance policy covering multiple employees that have owned and paid for by your business.
[continue reading…]For many companies, Keyman Insurance offers vital business protection against the death of a key person. You can also add Critical Illness Cover, which provides an extra layer of protection if the key person becomes critically ill. The most common critical illness claims are for cancer, heart attacks and strokes.
[continue reading…]No company wants to have to lay people off, but it is often necessary due to budget issues. Especially during this difficult time, almost every business in the country has been impacted. COVID-19 brought the world to a halt including millions of businesses. Many lost their employees, and some of the biggest names in business had to let go of thousands of staff members.
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