June 11th, 2026 in BlogIf your team feels a little flatter than usual at the moment, you’re not alone. Many small businesses are noticing the same thing: people are still turning up and doing their jobs, but energy levels are lower, patience is thinner, and motivation just isn’t quite where it used to be. This is often described as workplace malaise — a general sense of low energy, reduced engagement, and “going through the motions”. It’s not dramatic, but…
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February 5th, 2026 in BlogAccording to the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) and People Management magazine, tackling poor performance is frequently cited as a top management challenge. This can be magnified in a small business, where the impact of poor or under performance is felt immediately: missed deadlines, customer complaints, or extra work silently piling onto other team members. Yet many managers delay addressing poor performance because…
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November 27th, 2025 in BlogFor many start-ups and small UK businesses, their culture is one of their strongest assets, giving them an inimitable competitive advantage that can drive tangible results and boost productivity. Healthy cultures often exhibit shared purpose, drive, innovation, genuine relationships, loyalty, adaptability and resilience. However, as companies grow, change direction or face prolonged pressures, their culture can shift and be susceptible to…
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June 30th, 2025 in BlogVacation hoarding is a relatively new term used to describe the practice of delaying, carrying over or avoiding taking, entitled paid time off. According to research published earlier this year in The Guardian, only 35% of UK workers have actually been taking their full holiday allocation. Further data from Breathe’s 2024 Holiday Report, reveals almost a fifth of UK workers were leaving more than five days unclaimed at the end of their holiday…
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January 31st, 2018 in BlogWhy do small businesses need new Management Principles? In an increasingly globalised and competitive business world, how can small businesses not only stand out from the crowd, but adapt, survive and prosper? Relying on outmoded traditional bureaucratic and hierarchical management styles favouring control, conformity and discipline, are no longer viable options. So what are the new management principles small businesses need, to respond to…
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January 8th, 2018 in BlogFor busy managers of small businesses, there’s always lots to navigate, interpret and filter around employment law. This short digest will help you focus on some of the most relevant areas likely to affect your business over the first few months of 2018. National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage Increases (April 2018) The National Living Wage will increase to £7.83 per hour and the National Minimum Wage for 21-24 year olds will…
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August 9th, 2017 in BlogCriminal Finances Act – Guidance for Small Businesses What is the Criminal Finances Act? The Criminal Finances Act became law in April 2017 and it is expected that the regulations will take effect from 30th September 2017. The new rules cover both UK and overseas taxes (where there is a UK element). The Criminal Finances Act 2017 will make companies and partnerships criminally liable if they fail to prevent tax evasion by either a…
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July 17th, 2017 in BlogAnthropology and Business Isn’t anthropology something you study in the deep recesses of a university college, along the corridor from archaeology? Anthropology is a field of research which draws on social and biological sciences to understand human behaviour, interactions and cultures. Yet, it is also a growing area of study in business circles too! Big brand, large global corporations have been busy recruiting anthropologists and cultural…
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February 7th, 2017 in BlogFebruary might traditionally be associated with red roses and hearts, but maybe this year workplaces can give their employees the gift of Hygge (a Danish concept, pronounced hoo-gah) to help create more harmony and wellbeing! So what is ‘Hygge’? Hygge caught the imagination of the UK papers and magazines last year, appearing in articles from The Guardian to Elle. If you look on Amazon, you will see a dizzying array of ‘hygge’ inspired…
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January 9th, 2017 in BlogWelcome to my first employment news update of 2017. Over the coming months, please be reassured that I’ll be interpreting and translating employment law changes and finding out what is most relevant to you and your business! National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage Increases (April 2017) The National Living Wage will increase to £7.50 per hour. The National Minimum Wage for 21-24 year olds will increase to £7.05 per hour; for 18 to 20…
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