With so much information coming at us from all angles, it’s easy to forget someone’s last name, which department they work in, or which days they work. It can feel awkward to ask for help in these situations — especially if you’re brand new. Your team members want quick and easy access to information, without having to wait or ask someone for help. What you need is an employee directory. In this guide, we’ll run through what an employee directory is, why they’re useful, and how you can use an employee directory template to streamline the process. We’ll also share a simple yet effective templa ..read more

As a small business, appointing the right people into HR roles is especially important. You need to be able to trust in their knowledge, skills and instincts, and feel confident that you’re putting the care of the rest of your employees in capable hands.  The HR team takes on a lot of the work that a small business founder or CEO initially does — so effectively, they’re an extension of you.  As one of Charlie’s HR advisors, I give small businesses and startups the best possible people advice, and that includes helping them craft HR job specs. So if you want to understand what goes i ..read more

Financial stability remains a common struggle for small businesses and startups, especially in their early stages.  Factors such as seasonal fluctuations, economic circumstances, irregular customer payments, unexpected expenses, and rapid growth can all disrupt cash flow stability. Having sound financial management practices such as a cash flow forecast is the key to achieving a stable and predictable cash flow.  Without a cash flow forecast, businesses cannot meet their financial obligations such as paying employees, suppliers and bills. They also cannot invest and expand their bus ..read more

Many leaders credit regular one-to-one meetings with team members as one of the key drivers of work performance, but in practice, it doesn’t mean they run them frequently.  Big mistake, if you ask me. This is because 1:1s create an environment where employees' needs, challenges and concerns can be addressed.  It’s a great way for managers to build connections with their team members, and make sure they give them the help they need. The problem is always the same though: lack of time and structure always get in the way.  In this post, I’ll share tips on how to conduct effective ..read more

Statistics show that UK workers spend a year of their lives in “unproductive” meetings, about 4 hours per week. For organizations - including small businesses and startups, this is considered a significant loss of time and resources.  One key way to make meetings more efficient and productive is by ensuring clear and concise meeting minutes are taken.  Effective meeting minutes not only serve as a record of what was discussed and decided upon but also help keep attendees accountable and informed. In this guide, I'll provide expert tips on how to write meeting minutes that are both c ..read more

As a small business, you do a lot of learning on the job, and deciding what’s right and what isn’t can involve a lot of trial and error.  If you’re new to performance reviews then it’s likely you’re considering using Excel for your staff performance review template, so I’ve put together this blog to help you decide if it’s the right tool for you. (Spoiler: it wasn’t right for us at Charlie.) What is a performance review? A performance review is a formal way for a manager to discuss how an employee is performing at work.  Sometimes called performance evaluations or performance apprai ..read more

Every organisation relies on effective board meetings to provide strategic guidance and make impactful decisions that shape its future.  But without proper documentation, these meetings can lead to misunderstandings and inefficiencies – this can really reduce the impact of a board meeting. This also means companies lost significant time and money conducting these. Well, the good news is, this can be prevented by running effective and well-recorded meetings.  To help you do this, I’ve written this article to provide CEOs and board members with expert advice on how to create effective ..read more

As a small business, the idea of loaning someone on your team money might seem unlikely. But the truth is that it’s something you need to be prepared for. Because an employee is possibly more likely to approach their employer for a loan in a small business setting than in any other. Small businesses tend to be close-knit, and have a very different working dynamic to their big business counterparts. Their very nature means that the founder or CEO isn’t separated from their team by layers of leadership. You’ll likely know each of your employees by name, and have probably been directly responsib ..read more

Probation periods are crucial for ensuring a good fit between a new hire and the company. They allow you to assess skills, work ethic, and cultural fit. But what happens if the initial time frame isn't enough to make a clear call? Here at Charlie, we understand that building a strong team takes time and careful evaluation. In this guide, we'll equip HR leaders and managers with the knowledge and resources needed to effectively extend a probation period. I'll walk you through the steps involved, from identifying the need for an extension to crafting clear and professional communication with th ..read more

At Charlie, we know our people are the heart of our success. That's why we're constantly innovating our HR practices to build high-performing teams. As HR leaders, it's our responsibility to champion a people-centric approach. Here at Charlie, I've seen firsthand the power of these 7 HR Best Practices: Adopt a diverse and strategic hiring practice. Establish clear company values. Be flexible in all your approaches. Be present throughout the employee's journey (onboarding - training).  Implement forward-thinking policies Build challenges and give autonomy to boost engagement. Make room f ..read more