Features

As Apple unveils its new Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy, “Apple Intelligence”, businesses across various sectors will be anticipating its potential impact. At Slalom we have seen that 84% of UK businesses are already using AI but the majority are in the exploratory stage of implementation, with only 6% having a robust AI strategy. Is Apple’s new offering set to change that?

The power that comes with being in charge can be a wonderful thing. It enables us to make decisions, direct activity and have an impact across a broader scale. But it isn’t just an enabler, because it also changes the people who wield it. Sometimes for the better, but all too often in subtle, hidden ways that make the job of being a leader much more difficult.

The global shift towards cleaner energy is not just an environmental imperative – it’s one of the most lucrative opportunities of our time. As we transition from fossil fuels to sustainable solutions, founders who position themselves in the energy transition space stand to benefit from an unprecedented influx of capital.

The project management sector in the UK needs an urgent rethink. SMEs and other companies and organisations across a wide range of industries are experiencing high failure rates in critical initiatives. Over three decades of experience in digital and business transformation, I’ve witnessed up close how inadequate project-management practices lead to substantial waste of resources and organisational risk.

AI is changing many fields with its fast progress, and governments around the world are facing the difficult challenge of creating good policy governance frameworks that can leverage the advantages of AI while reducing any negative impacts.

Today, when the entrepreneurs of early-stage ventures find themselves very busy with operational tasks, they have little time to focus on expanding their networks and focusing on personal development. Sometimes, they can even simply neglect the value of being in a community and consider it as a waste of time.

The work we do makes a difference. It creates transformations. It brings about change. This is why people come to us: they have a problem they need to solve, a barrier they need to overcome, or a question they need answering.

Brain expert Natalie Mackenzie helps business owners understand their brains better. Here she shares why understanding your cognitive health, and improving it, is key to being the founder of a successful startup.

The Digital Operational Resilience Act, commonly known as DORA, is scheduled to come into force on 17 January 2025. It aims to both harmonise EU Information and Communication Technology (ICT) regulation across EU member states and, more importantly, address a critical gap in how financial institutions manage ICT operational resiliency risks.

In this article, Benjamin Berényi, CEO and co-founder of PastPay, discusses the rapid rise of B2B Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) across Europe and explains why this expanding sector has the potential to rival – or even surpass – the impact of its more established B2C counterpart.

These days, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a necessity. Companies are increasingly recognising the importance of sustainable practices not only for the environment but also for long-term business success. But here’s the question every business owner should ask themselves – do I need a sustainability manager? I firmly believe the answer is yes, and here’s why.

In the Autumn Budget of 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced a series of reforms that have stirred both concern and cautious optimism among the UK’s small business community. Small businesses are widely understood to be the backbone of the UK economy; at the start of 2023 there were 5.6 million small businesses, SMEs had a combined turnover of £2.4 trillion, and SMEs account for nearly two-thirds (61%) of total employment.

In the life of a startup, constant uncertainty is the only certainty. Winning is all about understanding the game, learning quickly, and applying what you’ve learnt to improve the odds.

In today’s world, there seems to be very little that people agree on. We live in divided times, but scratch beneath the surface, and areas of broad consensus do still exist.

The world of work is changing at an unprecedented pace. Driven by advancements in technology and shifting societal expectations, workplace trends mirror cultural shifts, hinting at a bold future where work becomes more adaptable, efficient and human-centred.

In today’s world, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a critical necessity. As global environmental challenges intensify, businesses in every sector are being called upon to adopt eco-friendly practices. This shift is crucial, not only for reducing waste and carbon emissions but also for promoting a healthier future. For startups, this presents a golden opportunity to innovate, disrupt traditional industries and build sustainability into their core operations from the ground up.

Web3 and blockchain are among the fastest-growing sectors within the technology space today. Trends shift constantly, and new technologies with their different applications emerge as quickly as the next – what’s new today could be outdated tomorrow. Many founders in the space often find themselves juggling a difficult balancing act: having to keep their eyes on long-term goals while navigating a market that is moving at an incredible speed.

As the old saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, and we are certainly seeing that play out now with the rocketing rise of side hustles in the UK. Economic and political uncertainty, higher interest rates, and rising taxes have all meant more people than ever before want to start their own business or are exploring other ways to make extra income.

For startups and entrepreneurs, understanding market dynamics is crucial to business growth and brand momentum. Market research provides invaluable insights that can steer your business in the right direction. Yet it’s often not considered a priority part of the planning process, despite its importance in brand building. Here are 10 essential tips to help you grasp the importance of market research for your startup’s success.