Features

All across Britain, the self-starter movement is gathering momentum with people starting side hustles, their own small business or turning their passion project into an income. Research done by OnePoll in collaboration with Mettle last year found that passion (35%), ambition (34%) and hobbies (33%) are the most popular reasons for starting a side hustle. In fact, almost two thirds (64%) say they regret not starting their side hustle sooner.

Welcome to a new series of articles aimed at helping entrepreneurs and founders to start and scale a business. In this series we will be going back to basics and examining some of the questions and areas of concern that many founders or would be founders have. Whilst ‘basic’, nevertheless these topics can be fundamental to setting an early-stage business on the right track for success.

The last couple of years have been tough for businesses. But those that have been able to demonstrate resilience have been best placed to survive, and in many cases even grow, despite the challenging circumstances. Here Alison Watson, Head of the School of Leadership and Management at Arden University, explores how SMEs can ensure resilience drives them towards success throughout 2022.

The environment and sustainability are hot topics; after last year’s COP26, these issues have been supercharged to the front of government and almost every business agenda. Employees, customers and the supply chain now expect companies they work for and with to consider their impact on the environment.  So, can the way we use IT and technology in general help businesses become more environmentally friendly? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’.

The dust has settled on the new year. Employees are over the January slump and everyone is caught up on any work that had fallen by the wayside ahead of the festive break. Businesses are in a position to think clearly about how they want to succeed in 2022 and with the worst of the pandemic well behind us, organisations are now beginning to invest in technology solutions that can help them remain innovative and agile.

When starting a business, the culture you want to create is likely to be one of the first things you talk about; it’s an essential ingredient in building a team of people who hold the same principles and will work to achieve common goals. But it’s all too easy to let that culture slip down the priority list as your business grows. Kristian Gjerding, CEO of CellPoint Digital, explains why it should always be top of the agenda.

Textbooks can only give the bare bones of a successful business strategy. Whether you’re a global corporate or solo freelancer building a brand, accounting, budgets and forecasts will make or break a venture but not faster than a deficit of passion to make an idea a reality. Above all else, it’s the execution that separates what’s ‘just’ a good idea and the startups which will become category winners.

The global pandemic in 2020 has caused a global shift to remote and hybrid work as well as a transition to online or cloud-based solutions, forcing companies to quickly pivot the way they operate without the luxury of careful preparation. Where most companies saw crises, cybercriminals saw opportunities and cybersecurity startups saw growth potentials.

Operating a competitive business in today’s world is seemingly more complicated than ever. New processes are constantly being developed and integrated, hourly insights and analytics are available for analysis, and even your current method of keeping track of stock is becoming obsolete. But how effective are all these new methods and processes?

If you are self-employed or working in your own startup and looking to purchase a home, the mortgage application process will be the same as it would be for anyone else. Like any application, mortgage providers will look at your credit score, your level of debt, any assets you may have and your income.

Having a good credit rating can influence multiple parts of your adult life, affecting your ability to get a credit card, take out a mortgage or even, in some cases, getting a mobile phone contract. In order to get a good credit rating, it is essential to start building credit as early as possible. 

There is nothing easy about creating and sustaining any new business, let alone one that’s offering something genuinely new. That is why 90% of startups fail and more than 20% end up folding within the first year.

In 2021, we saw organisations across every sector throw themselves into recovery and growth, fearlessly adapting to the challenges facing them and investing in the tools and skills needed to futureproof their businesses.

What can we expect to see when it comes to communication and travel trends in 2022?  Following the huge shift across all aspects of our lives over the past two years, here’s five trends to keep an eye out for this year.

Despite the growth and prominence of mobile messengers and office chat apps, email is still an essential part of daily, business life.

Having consistent brand imaging helps set the foundations for any company. Distinct branding, colours, and logos build and maintain a business’ reputation.

It’s Valentine’s season: a time when many are keen to put their best foot forward and are looking to impress.

As a business owner, you can never underestimate the importance and value of goal setting. Goals are the motivating force behind successful businesses of all sizes. Without them, you can’t get from where you are now to where you want to be, so they are crucial for keeping your company moving forwards.

“One of the huge mistakes people make is that they try to force an interest on themselves. You don’t choose your passions; your passions choose you.” These are stirring words from Jeff Bezos, one of the richest and most successful entrepreneurs in the world. And although I don’t doubt that passion was a big part of his decision to build the Amazon brand or become one of the few people to travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere – I don’t consider passion as the main driver in achieving success.