Why productivity matters
Productive companies get more out of what they’ve got, enabling them to increase their profits, pay higher wages and invest in their future. More productive businesses mean a more prosperous country. Discover why productivity matters below.
Filter
Sales & Growth
Article
Think local for success with unusual export countries
Red tape, complex regulations and confusion over which authority to approach regarding which issue can make exporting to any country, especially those in the developing world, difficult, time consuming and expensive.
Expanding & Exporting
Digital Readiness
Article
It’s The Small Things: Graze CEO Anthony Fletcher
From humble beginnings to 500 staff, Graze is an amazing British business story. CEO Anthony Fletcher talks about the small decisions being made each day.
Develop the use of business data
People & Team
Article
Creating team leaders to maximise sales and profitability – stories from the beauty and hospitality worlds
As a business grows it gets harder and harder to stay on top of all day-to-day activities. Nurturing and empowering team leaders helps take some of the pressure off, as Be the Business found out.
Talent development
Planning
Video
A business mentor gave me a sounding board for my ideas and decisions
A business mentor may seem formal, expensive or out of reach, but there have never been more opportunities to access an experienced individual to bounce ideas off in times of need and drive effective change.
Ambition
Leadership & Strategy
Article
If you don’t think your business needs to improve you’re kidding yourself
Believing that a business, and the management team at the helm, should never stop trying to improve, Geometric Manufacturing managing director Paul Wenham explains why it can be such an effective outlook.
Leadership Behaviours
Sales & Growth
Article
One size doesn’t fit all: Trunki’s method for identifying export markets
Most companies wait until they’ve conquered the domestic market before targeting export markets. But Trunki had to think quickly when requests grew.
Identify target markets
Planning
Article
Rapid innovation in a traditional sector
Lockdown for business owners Mark Holden and Tom Jenkinson mandated a period of rapid innovation – and a glimpse of an interesting new world.
People & Team
Article
Performance management can actually be fun
By its nature, performance management can be a sensitive subject for employees. But one company has found a way to make it more engaging and goal orientated.
Performance management
Leadership & Strategy
Article
A look at the management style changes made by successful business leaders
Whether they realise it or not, leaders in everything from business to sport have a management style. What separates the best from also rans is the ability to change this style as the environment around them evolves.
Leadership Behaviours
Sales & Growth
Article
Marketing on a shoestring – the creative ways to get your company’s name out there
From flash mobs to listing on Groupon, discover how four innovative SMEs embraced marketing on a shoestring to great success and carved out new ways of acquiring customers.
Marketing & Sales
Digital Readiness
Article
Stop multitasking and focus on working smarter instead
It’s more tempting than ever to complete multiple tasks at once. But how effective is multitasking? Does it improve productivity or not?
Digital Commerce
Digital Readiness
Article
How Facebook Live cookery sessions are putting one business on the map
When coronavirus threatened their business, The Cooking Shed turned to Facebook Live and connected with some surprising new customers.
Collaborative tools & analytics
People & Team
Video
Bronwen Bamber of Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses believes engaging your team brings success
Bronwen Bamber is new product development manager at Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses in Lancashire, a family business dedicated to making the very best handmade British farmhouse cheeses.
Motivation
Digital Readiness
Video
How digitally simulating your business can transform productivity
Andrew Peters tells us that using digitalisation tools to simulate your business can create step changes in productivity by helping you to see whether your processes are aligned with your value streams.
Digital Commerce
Leadership & Strategy
Article
How to build a self-managing business
Pete Fraser has never been one for micro-managing and has built a self-managing business that let's him get his head out of the sound more often than most.
Improve your own leadership capabilities
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Three business leaders explain how they make tough business decisions
Whether it's firing someone or working out who to promote, many leaders struggle when it comes to making tough business decisions. Be the Business found out seeking advice and simply biting the bullet helps.
Leadership Behaviours
Planning
Article
Setting long-term landing zones helps drive business growth
Landing zones help define what the success of a company looks like in the long-term. Providing focus for the management team and helping drive motivation at every level of an organisation.
Ambition
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Want the best day of your career? Join an advisory board
Our interim finance director, Regina Lombard, joined our Advisory Board programme for family businesses and had one of the best days of her career.
Seek external advice
People & Team
Video
Chris Blade of Cumbria Crystal sets his team a one per cent productivity challenge
Chris Blade is managing director of Cumbria Crystal, a manufacturer of bespoke crystal in Ulverston in the Lake District. Cumbria Crystal is the last producer of completely hand-blown and hand-cut, full-lead, luxury English crystal in the United Kingdom.
Talent development
People & Team
Article
Experimenting with cost-effective perks and rewards
Providing perks and rewards to employees can help create a happier, more motivated and united workforce. Be the Business spoke to three companies about what is offered – from office ski-trips to street parties, and from health monitors and pension provision.
Motivation
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Coronavirus: How to come up with new revenue streams
While there is lots of government business support available during the coronavirus outbreak, it may be time to start thinking about new revenue streams.
Digital Readiness
Article
How to ensure ongoing personal development
The role of business leaders continually evolves as a company grows. This means you need to ensure ongoing personal development and continually learn new skills knows Lisa Forde, Director of Dotty about Paper.
Collaborative tools & analytics
Article
Did you choose the right video conferencing technology?
Explores ten factors SME might need to consider when choosing a video conferencing service to meet their needs post-coronavirus.
Sales & Growth
Article
Focus on what makes you truly unique as a business
When brother and sister team Harry and Leah Lobek decided they couldn’t put off starting a business any longer, the two knew the concept needed to stand out in a crowded market. The end result, London Shell Co., definitely hits the mark there.
Marketing & Sales