Labour should be worried. That’s not to sound like a gurning tabloid—we’re better than that—but the early signs are far from reassuring.
Category: Columns
Columns, blogs and opinion from some of the UKs leading business opinion makers and entrepreneurs and small business owners
Why Leadership Belongs to Everyone in Your Business
In many businesses, leadership is seen as something that happens in boardrooms or during quarterly reviews – a responsibility held by the few. But for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing fast-changing markets, staffing pressures and rising customer expectations, that top-down model simply doesn’t hold up.
Technological Innovation: How are Greece and the UK Leading the Way?
Across the globe, countries are waking up to the potential of advanced technology.
“Did You Mean That Like That?” Conversations – Recognising Unintentional Bias in Business
Let me start with this: most bias isn’t loud. It doesn’t storm into the room or make a scene. It’s subtle. It hides behind compliments, casual comments, and unspoken assumptions. And that’s exactly why we need to prioritise talking about it. In today’s workplaces, many of us genuinely want to be inclusive. We pride ourselves on being
Redundancy gone wrong: A case that reminds employers what not to do
A recent Employment Appeal Tribunal case highlights how failing to support staff in finding suitable alternative roles can render a redundancy dismissal unfair, even when fair selection criteria have been followed. Here’s what SMEs need to know to avoid similar risks.
Job applications: the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
What can dishonesty mean in the context of a job application, and how should employers deal with it?
The Power of No: Why, When and How to Say It
Running a small or medium-sized business often means navigating a constant stream of demands. From emails requesting your insight to acquaintances seeking introductions, and charities asking for your time or support, it can feel like your attention is endlessly divided.
The Ever-Increasing Need for Employee Routines
As a tech entrepreneur who built my business before, during and since the pandemic, I’ve seen the shift that every business owner and organisation has seen.
America is not the greatest country in the world anymore
Business Matters columnist Richard Alvin explores why America is no longer the greatest country in the world, citing the dramatic policy shifts under President Trump’s second term.
The Rural Recruitment Struggle: Finding the Right Staff Outside the City
Hiring the right staff has always been a challenge for businesses, but for small businesses operating outside major UK cities, the struggle is even more pronounced.
Why is it important to get outside? Practical tips to make outdoor activities part of your daily routine
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, it’s easy to spend most of our time indoors -whether at work, home, or commuting between the two.
What came first, the purpose or the people?
We’ve talked a lot about purpose, and while it should be at the very heart of your organisation, it’s been long debated what should come first – a clear purpose or the ‘right people’? It’s ‘the chicken or the egg?’ equivalent for business.
Eddie Jordan made me feel like I knew him: why voices on radio and podcasts move us more than TV ever can
Is audio more emotive than TV? Richard Alvin explores how voices on radio and podcasts create deeper connections than on-screen personalities, from Eddie Jordan to Robert Elms.
Kemi Badenoch’s Net Zero U-turn: A Political Play or a Policy Disaster?
Kemi Badenoch has always prided herself on being the straight-talking, no-nonsense politician, unafraid to ruffle feathers and say the supposedly unsayable. A darling of the right, a would-be Thatcher 2.0, she has spent her political career carving out an image of economic pragmatism wrapped in a distinctly ideological package.
Thank goodness for Mark Carney: The quiet genius poised to lead Canada
Mark Carney’s measured leadership, global economic savvy, and calm persona make him the ideal next Prime Minister of Canada in this insightful opinion piece.
