Features

The pandemic triggered a serious economic shock, giving rise to great uncertainty. CEOs, CFOs, investors and shareholders have had to restructure their financial plan to get to the next stage of growth and recover sales. Moreover, in every company there comes a time when a change is required. This is where we welcome the interim CFO, or in other terms, the prototype of a modern day CFO.

On 11th March, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) to provide much-needed economic relief to the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the bill focuses on the revitalisation of businesses as a whole, as the health crisis had many negative impacts on the economy and typical operations.

This Saturday (21st August) is World Entrepreneurs’ Day – a time for us to celebrate entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership across the globe. It’s also an opportunity to put youth entrepreneurship centre stage.

Author: Sam Smith, CEO of finnCap

Entrepreneurial business leaders looking for new technologies to help their SMEs to grow and thrive now have a powerful new tool at their fingertips, with the launch of the fully-funded Technology Adoption Service.  

Data privacy is a major issue and that’s only going to increase in importance globally. Companies that take a well thought out approach to market expansion will most certainly want to consider the privacy regulation of each new country they enter. This is because the risk of noncompliance can have substantial consequences. The fine for a violation of GDPR can be up to 4% of annual revenue.

The coronavirus pandemic has led companies to explore new options and working methods. In fact, many companies have adopted remote working on an absolutely massive scale. While senior management initially varied on this bold new way of doing things, but so far, the results have been pretty positive, to say the least. This is because a hybrid work model basically streamlines many, if not most working processes. It does this by the simple expedient of blending remote and semi-remote employees with their office-based counterparts.

As our calendars become populated with the resurgence of corporate events post-lockdown, many event managers will want to strike the right balance between in person and online. 

Educational institutions worldwide are leveraging technology provide to learners with better educational resources. Students are no longer dependent on a single teacher or instructor’s knowledge to learn their subject. They have access to a world of information at their fingertips.

You’re finally ready to take the plunge and start your own business. You have great ideas for your startup, but you’re slightly nervous about the risks you’re about to take, and you’re wondering if the dedication and hard work that goes into self-employment are worth it.

Did you know it takes less than 0.1 seconds for people to form a judgment of a face they are shown in a picture? It’s no surprise when we consider how much information people need to process in today’s society. However, this creates a problem for organisations.

A lot of people these days start to think about targeting a particular market segment, with a very narrow audience. This isn’t the worst idea in 2021, especially for those willing to launch a startup, it could potentially help your business and bring you more revenue than you expected.

The global eCommerce markets experienced a remarkable boom period over the past 18 months, presenting agile firms with an unprecedented opportunity to secure growth from a retail sector which, even in normal trading conditions, had been on an unstoppable rise for several years.

The mental health of employees should be a concern for all companies, regardless of size. Creating a culture that supports mental health is not only a moral – and often legal – imperative, but also business savvy. The consequences of a workforce with poor mental health are expensive. Proactive, innovative strategies in relation to employee mental health should therefore be part of all company toolkits.

The last year has caused a huge shift in the business landscape, with technology and digital skills being more fundamental than ever for all businesses. Research shows that businesses integrating digital skillsets across the workforce could increase the UK economy by around £92bn.

Hannah Holland, Managing Director and founder of HLD Management, HLD Models, HLD Studios, Levelled Up: The Podcast, a leading female lead management company, is a strong powerful female entrepreneur. Since its inception in 2019, HLD has quickly grown to become a leader in the female Talent Management industry. We caught up with Hannah to find out more about her, her journey and HLD Management.

Coined by environmental campaigner Jay Westerveld 35 years ago, ‘greenwashing’ refers to activities by businesses that are designed to make them look like they are more environmentally sound than they really are.

Business owners are feeling the pressure to adapt in an ever-changing world. The accelerated pace of change required during the global pandemic has highlighted the need for organisations to place digital transformation at the forefront of their strategies. However, putting those plans into action is another story and the difficult truth is that 70% of digital transformation projects fail.

There’s no denying that high-profile influencer marketing, when executed well, can drive a mass of traffic and word of mouth hype. But now thanks to ASA laws, influencers now have to be transparent when working with brands on these campaigns, which can leave customers feeling unsure as to whether an influencer is being authentic. As a result, a brand’s reputation can take a massive hit. 

It’s safe to say we’ve all had more time on our hands during the last 16 months or so. A trio of lockdowns have given us the chance to pause and reflect on what really matters. And, while it’s been a difficult year, important conversations have been sparked leading to the beginnings of some positive change.