The new financial year is often an opportunity to get organised for the year ahead. For self-employed parents juggling the demands of running a business with caring for their family, it could also be a good time to review the family planner and take a fresh look at the household budget to ensure they’re getting all the support they’re entitled to. We asked the experts at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to outline the financial help available for our readers so they can access the childcare they need while keeping an eye on their bottom line. What help is available for self-employed parents? The ..read more

Patient-centered care is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on patients’ individual needs and preferences. Anthony Misitano of PAM health says in acute care facilities, this philosophy has gained significant traction as healthcare providers recognize the importance of tailoring treatments to meet each patient’s unique wellness needs. By prioritizing individual wellness needs, acute care facilities can improve patient outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and deliver more effective and personalized care. The Importance of Individual Wellness Needs in Acute Care Facilities In trad ..read more

Word-of-mouth recommendations are powerful. That’s the magic of referral marketing programs, where happy customers become brand advocates, spreading the love about your business to their network. Think about companies like Dropbox offering extra storage for successful referrals or Uber giving credits for referring new riders. These are just a few referral program examples that tap into the trust factor between friends, boosting brand awareness, customer acquisition, and overall growth. However, managing a successful referral program can get tricky, especially as your business scales. That’s w ..read more

Getting a business off the ground brings with it many challenges. And, when it then comes to scaling up, leaders will have to contend with a whole other set of matters. But the hard work is worth it and rewards plentiful. Only 1% of UK’s SMEs are scale-ups, or firms with high-growth potential, and yet they generate nearly £500billion. That equates to a fifth (22%) of all SME turnover, which is a significant number for such a small proportion of the nation’s enterprises. By definition, scale-ups are SMEs growing at 20% or more, in terms of employees or turnover, over the last three years. Ther ..read more

The UK’s labour market faces a worrisome setback as unemployment rates climb, signalling a potential stall in job growth, as indicated by recent data. Figures released reveal a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.2% between December and February, marking the highest level in six months. Concurrently, the proportion of employed individuals declined, while the economically inactive segment, comprising those neither working nor seeking employment, experienced a slight uptick. Economists interpret these developments as potential catalysts for the Bank of England to consider interest rate cuts in t ..read more

Every employee can relate to the struggle and anxiety of meeting project deadlines and work activity timelines. There was even a time when most of us wondered if we could track our work activities. Thankfully, the introduction of time tracker apps has greatly improved the organization of daily to-do lists. Sure, this work time tracking app can track your hours, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg, you know? When applied strategically in business and workforce management, these apps can become your productivity grail, uncovering hidden time-wasters, boosting your focus, and even saving your ..read more

Mario Andretti, the legendary Formula 1 racer, once said the words: “If everything seems under control, then you are just not going fast enough.” This statement has resonated deeply in the business world, where entrepreneurs are often driven by a desire for fast growth and speed. But is this truly the right approach? Is relentlessly pursuing growth without moments of respite really the path to sustainable success? It is tempting to push the pedal and strive for ever-increasing speeds of growth. Entrepreneurs are often encouraged to believe that if they are not constantly sprinting forward, th ..read more

Good marketing has the power to transform a brand’s image and reputation, yet so many companies are losing out from ideas and campaigns that underperform. Ho hum work that fails to connect with audiences and draw them in. Work that burns budget to little end result. It’s easy to write this off as ads simply not being as good today as they used to be, or the “sameness” of digital stuff, but the problem runs deeper. Effective marketing has to be brave marketing. Marketers must be willing to take uncomfortable creative leaps – leaps that contain risk – which in turn requires them to be courageou ..read more

Bloom & Wild, the popular online florist renowned for its letterbox-friendly bouquets, grapples with mounting losses exceeding £100 million during its latest financial year. As cash-strapped consumers tighten their belts, the company faces a tumultuous period marked by shifting consumer behaviour and economic instability. During the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, the London-based retailer recorded a staggering loss before tax amounting to £100.6 million, a stark increase from the £20.5 million loss reported in the previous year. Revenue for the group, encompassing brands like Bergamot ..read more

Thames Water, Britain’s largest water utility, is on a tight deadline to salvage its future amidst financial turmoil. The company has until June 12 to convince regulators that it possesses a credible strategy for survival. Ofwat, the regulatory authority, is set to unveil its draft determinations on water bill projections through 2030, marking a decisive moment for Thames Water. At stake is the company’s ability to attract new equity investors and alleviate its staggering £18 billion debt burden. Efforts to secure the company’s future have been hampered by failed negotiations between Thames W ..read more