Sandy Carter, Vice President of Public Sector Partners and Programs at Amazon Web Services, shared her experience as a pioneering woman in tech. She discussed how embracing diversity drives innovation as well as the importance of empowering the next generation of female leaders.

The last few years have been really challenging, but adapting through necessity has shown us new ways of working that can be just as effective. Despite the stresses of lockdowns, we’ve seen some benefits to our working environments which have fuelled positive changes for employee wellbeing.

Without a doubt, the pandemic has changed our economy forever; and it may not have felt like the most obvious year to launch a business, but with Britons locked down entrepreneurial spirit seems to be inflated as 2020 saw a 12.3% increase in new businesses, the highest growth on record.

In many ways, we actually have to thank the pandemic for highlighting just how unprepared our economies were to tackle a crisis. It acted as a catalyst for change across industry sectors, including higher and further education, that had been slow to embrace digital transformation and stand up to disruption.

Technology Venture Capitalist’s have invested a record £20bn into British startups this year, and with economic recovery at the front of everyone’s mind, there is, surprisingly, a remarkable level of optimism emerging from the embers of the pandemic.

The majority of businesses that are looking to scale in any meaningful way will look to raise funding at some point. As well as the other steps already discussed in this series and in my new book, there are two very specific actions that need to be undertaken; valuing your business and embarking on a fundraising campaign.

A shift towards hybrid working, increased use of digital channels and the rise of new technologies means that businesses rely on the internet now more than ever. A reliable, high-quality connection is a non-negotiable for efficient operations across all industries, but it’s important to determine the right way to connect for your business. While many businesses opt for broadband, could an Ethernet leased line be a better choice?

The past 18 months have been challenging but, as some might say, through adversity comes opportunity. The pandemic has given many people the chance to reconsider their position - what they’re doing and where they want to go - so it comes as no surprise that 2020 saw a record number of startups.

If we aren’t currently talking about the upcoming COP26, that is taking place this Sunday (so article pending next week), or about Facebook rebranding as Meta, (who knows where that came from?) then everyone is talking about the Chancellor’s budget announcement and what that means four the startups and small businesses out there.

A recent Utility Bidder article reveals that hybrid working offices could save businesses up to a net of £1.6bn. 

Online reputation management (ORM) focuses on helping businesses create a positive public impression. To achieve this, a company needs to counteract all the negative material there is online about them. 

When you start a new business there are so many barriers that you need to overcome.  The first barrier is validating your business idea and ensuring that it will be profitable, and that there’ll be a target market willing and able to buy from you. 

The holiday season can be a stressful time for any startup. However, add the current global supply chain issues to the holiday rush, and businesses just might see a repeat of the fulfillment issues from late 2020. 

Every brand thinks they can turn on the charm to impress the ladies, but the opposite is often true. While an enormous 89% of women control daily shopping, the overwhelming majority (a whopping 91%) feel advertisers simply don’t understand us. Shocking, I know.

The digital transformation is bringing significant benefits for firms of all sizes. From new revenue opportunities to reduced transaction costs to better access to information, digital technologies are boosting performance and profitability.

Your team will be at the core of your business and growing one that works for you and your business is probably one of the most important factors in building a successful business.

While you should be proud that your kid can speak fluently in your native language, learning a second language at an early age can open doors to many more opportunities.

I would be lying if I said that raising capital as a female Founder is an easy process. Even those that make it look easy, have faced invisible barriers that aren’t present with their male counterparts. What I have learnt, however, is that having this knowledge - that I am a woman (and woman of colour) and that I am on the backfoot - simply doesn’t help me at all.

Before March 2020, catching ‘fresher’s flu’ was a right of passage for university students. Fast forward 18 months and students around the world stayed indoors to keep illness at bay. However, the pandemic has taught the education sector an important lesson - the value of selecting the right communication tools. 

The startup phase is full of energy and excitement. That being said, taking the time to think about accounting and bookkeeping is a bit like asking which neighborhood wants to sit out the pickup ballgame to serve as scorekeeper.