Why productivity matters
Productive companies get more out of what they’ve got, enabling them to increase their profits, pay higher wages and invest in their future. More productive businesses mean a more prosperous country. Discover why productivity matters below.
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Planning
Article
Rapid innovation in a traditional sector
Lockdown for business owners Mark Holden and Tom Jenkinson mandated a period of rapid innovation – and a glimpse of an interesting new world.
Sales & Growth
Article
Our customers need us – but we can’t get to them
Louise Hosking, founder of Hosking Associates, is rapidly moving the business – and sharing her industry knowledge – online for customers.
Manage customers proactively
Planning
Article
Coronavirus: Your company’s legal obligations
As the coronavirus outbreak continues it's important to stay up to date with how new developments affect your legal obligations as a business owner.
Planning
Article
Coronavirus: Controlling fixed costs
It’s always good to control your fixed costs but, during the coronavirus outbreak, it could make all the difference to the survival of your business.
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Coronavirus: How to negotiate with your landlord during the outbreak
With coronavirus uncertainty, you may be thinking about the best way to negotiate with your landlord about future rent. Here's how businesses should do it.
People & Team
Article
Coronavirus: Staff welfare during the outbreak
Coronavirus is already having a significant impact on staff welfare. How you protect your workforce could prove vital to the health of your business.
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Three successful coronavirus-led business pivots
With continuity a thing of the past, all leaders will need to be thinking about business pivots. We look at how three shifts produced quick results.
Leadership & Strategy
Article
How to handle a 650 per cent surge in demand
Creative Nature founder Julianne Ponan looks back at the the surge in demand the busienss has had since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Your best lockdown decisions – We ask 18 business leaders to reflect
Be the Business asked 18 SME leaders to tell us the most impactful lockdown decisions they’ve made since the coronavirus outbreak began.
Leadership & Strategy
Article
I suggested to our competitors that we all suspend trading
At the start of the coronavirus crisis, Hattons Model Railways MD came up with a bold idea that had the power to help everyone – competitors included.
External Collaboration
Digital Readiness
Article
Prioritising new business development
Yash Dubal, founder of A Y & J Solicitors, has chosen to seize the moment and come out fighting with exciting new business development and a marketing push.
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Coronavirus: How to make tough business decisions
Falling revenues and future uncertainty driving by the coronavirus outbreak means that many leaders are facing tough business decisions.
People & Team
Article
Meet the family-run care home business going the extra mile to support staff
Lucy Craig is taking remarkable steps to support staff and reduce the stress they face as the impact of coronavirus continues to grow.
Sales & Growth
Article
This firm is seeking new revenue streams amidst the chaos
Finnmark Sauna planned to maintain its rate of expansion in 2020, and the founders are using new revenue streams to ensure coronavirus doesn't slow them down.
Digital Readiness
Article
Coronavirus: Protect your business from cyber attack during the outbreak
Evidence is emerging that cyber attack criminals are seeking to exploit coronavirus. However, there are a number of clever tools at the disposal of SMEs.
People & Team
Article
Coronavirus: How to reduce your workforce in a controlled way
The coronavirus outbreak has made the prospect of job losses and the need to reduce your workforce immediate. Here's how to do it in a delicate way.
Digital Readiness
Article
How Facebook Live cookery sessions are putting one business on the map
When coronavirus threatened their business, The Cooking Shed turned to Facebook Live and connected with some surprising new customers.
Collaborative tools & analytics
Planning
Article
Coronavirus: How to establish business continuity during the pandemic
Business continuity planning helps your business to retain some normality in the event of a major disruption. Follow our step-by-step guide to staying on track during the pandemic.
Planning
Article
Coronavirus: Managing your business cash flow
The delicate balance between sales, creditors and debtors has been disrupted by coronavirus. Finding ways to manage cash flow has never been more important.
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Struggling SMEs brush up on survival skills
A look at SMEs which are struggling to survive following a decline in revenue and a drop in customer demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
Leadership Behaviours
Article
Pivoting from one business offering to another
As one of her hospitality firm came to a screeching halt, Hattie Mauleverer took solace in an astonishing spike in demand for her other business offering.
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Coronavirus: How to come up with new revenue streams
While there is lots of government business support available during the coronavirus outbreak, it may be time to start thinking about new revenue streams.
Planning
Article
A step-by-step guide to getting your business open for business again
With the government publishing plans to enable certain sectors in England to open for business again, here are some important steps to consider.
Planning
Article
A successful CBILS application: Give banks as much info as you can
When Plastic Card Services set about applying for the government's CBILS funding pot, it knew overdelivering information would be the successful approach.