Businesses across the world have been and continue to face extreme financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19. Amongst those struggling the most are charities; the very organisations built to help those in need.

GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland will be represented by a host of innovative mobile companies at Mobile World Congress (MWC) and Four Years From Now (4YFN) 2022 next week in Barcelona. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Connectivity Unleashed’ and centres on advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), as well as the implementation of 5G.

Talent is a vital resource for the success of any business. Today, in any successful growth strategy, technology must be at the forefront. However, the reality is, attracting, developing and retaining talent that can support this growth is one the biggest issues facing any business due to the simple fact that technology is always evolving and there will always be a gap between demand for the latest technology and the skills to fulfill it.

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’.

In the words of Bill Gates, 'Content is king' and this applies for startups. Quality content not only helps to boost awareness and improve SEO, but is also a marketing tool that will start conversations and showcase brand value. It is perhaps one of the most vital tools a business can have, but it’s amazing how many startups still don’t utilise it to its full potential.

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?

When lockdown hit in early 2020, the world as we knew it changed overnight. Once bustling city streets were silent, shopping malls were empty of people, social gatherings were banned, and remote working was enforced. 

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.

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

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

Honest question… As a business owner or entrepreneur, how often do look at your to-do list and think 'there’s not enough hours in the day or days in the week'? How often do you say 'I wish I had more help around here?' or find yourself doing tasks that you know could be done by someone else?