Features

How can entrepreneurs gain visibility of their finances when building their business?

Navigating the financial challenges of a startup can be daunting, particularly in today’s uncertain business environment. With England and Wales recording the second-highest number of company insolvencies this summer since 2009, the stakes are high for entrepreneurs, who work tirelessly to build momentum while carefully managing their investment.

Why your accountant should be a strategic partner from day one

Andrew Moss, corporate partner at DSG Chartered Accountants, explores the benefits of choosing a compatible accountant early in your business journey, and explains why building a long-term relationship can be the key to success later down the line.

Why hybrid environments need in-person energy

It’s official. According to the UK’s Hybrid Work Commission Report, hybrid working is here to stay. What was once a ‘nice to have’ perk for the senior team is now an expectation for many employees, which is reflected in Gartner’s prediction that 39% of global knowledge workers would be practicing hybrid working by the end of that year.

Why AI isn’t just hype – but a pragmatic approach is required

After all the headlines we have read about how amazing artificial intelligence (AI) is and how businesses would literally stagnate if they didn’t have it, it was interesting to read this article in Forbes, who suggest that AI stock is showing “bubble”-like tendencies and may soon experience a sharp correction as businesses struggle to operationalise AI. So, should we write off AI? Maybe not. 

Should startups focus on sales or building a brand? Part One
This article is part 1 of 2 in the series Should startups focus on sales or building a brand?

Over the past two decades, we have witnessed a drastic shift in how companies allocate marketing dollars and how they measure success of their marketing and advertising efforts. Google, Facebook, and Amazon (and recently TikTok) gobble up billions of ad dollars for their ‘performance ads’, ads that promise a click and immediate transaction that can be easily calculated, and performance immediately measured.

Business owners advised to take partial exit ahead of capital gains tax rise

How do small business owners balance financial security with changes in tax and regulations? Jeremy Middleton, CEO of investment firm Middleton Enterprises, and the co-founder of HomeServe PLC, believes the answer lies in a partial exit and explains why business owners should sell shares in their business now ahead of potential capital gains tax increases.

Should startups focus on sales or building a brand? Part Two
This article is part 2 of 2 in the series Should startups focus on sales or building a brand?

In Part 1 of this article, we explored why brands matter, especially for startups. Now we will focus on how brands actually grow in value as people learn about and intensify their preference for them over time.

Powering your business: Choosing the perfect cloud hosting platform

Cloud hosting platforms are the hidden backbone behind the seamless operation of websites and applications, yet many SMEs and solopreneurs remain unaware of their potential. So, what exactly is a cloud hosting platform? At its core, it’s a service that hosts websites, applications and data online, ensuring businesses operate seamlessly across a network of connected servers.

Monzo vs Starling: Which digital bank best suits your needs?

Monzo vs Starling is a showdown of two of the most prominent players in the digital banking market. Both have gained significant attention for their customer-centric approach, technological innovation, and disruption of traditional banking norms. This article provides a comparative analysis of Monzo and Starling, exploring their key features, strengths, and potential areas for improvement.

Why Businesses Need Bots in this New Era

In today’s fast-paced business world, the need for efficiency, speed, and accuracy is more critical than ever. With the rise of advanced technologies, particularly in software testing, bots have become an essential tool for businesses who are looking to maintain that competitive edge.

ChaChing: redefining eCommerce advertising with performance-driven innovation

In a highly competitive digital landscape, where efficiency and performance matter more than ever, ChaChing is leading the charge in transforming how brands and consumers connect. Launched in 2023, ChaChing has quickly emerged as a game-changer in the world of eCommerce advertising, offering a risk-free, performance-based model under the commercial leadership of Joel Williams, Chief Commercial Officer.

3 ways to predict the Next Big Tech Trend before it hits mainstream

In the fast-paced world of technology, predicting the next big idea can feel like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Yet, for those of us deeply entrenched in the tech ecosystem – whether as innovators, influencers, or enthusiasts – staying ahead of the curve is critically important. OG presenter of the original The Gadget Show on UK TV’s Channel 5 and now host of The Gadget Podcast, Jason Bradbury, explains how to get the jump on the next big trend.

Top lessons learnt in scaling to 7 figures

In 2023, Statista found that around 850,000 UK businesses turned over up to £250,000. At the £1 million turnover mark, however, this number dropped to just over 123,000 businesses.

Navigating Critical Change: How to establish a growth continuum to power a tolerance for growth
This article is part 5 of 10 in the series Navigating Critical Change

No reader of this publication needs me to tell them that finding and maintaining growth for a business of any size is not a straight and linear process. Far from it. Ambitions and expectations clash with the realities of operating a business day-to-day. What you want to do is restricted by the constraints of what you can do.

Hannah Thomson on The Joy Club and the evolving AgeTech sector

The Joy Club helps businesses attract, engage, and retain customers in later life through providing its life-changing community and content platform as a benefit and digital channel. The Joy Club Founder, Hannah Thomson, felt inspired after losing her Granny Jean, as she wanted to find a way to pay tribute to such an important person in her life.

From analogue to AI: why harnessing the power of historical data is the key to digital transformation success

Today, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still dependent on paper-based and offline workflows, with data from Inside Government revealing that 55% of businesses across West Europe and North America are still completely reliant on paper. This means that without existing digital systems and a centralised database of historical data, the transition to AI-powered workflows can seem completely out of reach.

How to get the most out of a business coach

SFE Services is a Buckinghamshire-based air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation company. Founded in 2017 and based in Widmer End, High Wycombe, it is owned and managed by husband-and-wife team Grant and Sophie Davenport.

Why threat modelling is key to ensuring online security for startups – and how to implement it

Cyber-attacks are on the rise. From ransomware and phishing to data breaches and insider threats, attacks are not only increasingly common, but more sophisticated too.

How Computer Vision is revolutionising manufacturing

In today’s digital-centric environment, manufacturers are looking to enhance efficiency and increase productivity to stay competitive. It’s a goal that must be achieved against a backdrop of challenges such as labour shortages, supply chain bottlenecks, cost pressures, and even mounting cyberattacks.

Russell Dalgleish: Meet the man turning Scotland’s diaspora into a superpower

Innovation. That’s the answer you’re most likely to get if you ask Scottish Business Network (SBN) founder Russell Dalgleish what Scotland’s most valuable contribution to the world is. He’s not talking about it in the past tense, either. Scotland’s capacity for innovation didn’t stop with world-changing technologies like the telephone, television, and the ATM.