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.
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Planning
Article
How one founder is giving a helping hand where it’s needed most
When one of his clients ordered more work, Jublo founder Joshua Atkins saw the chance to do his bit in a time of crisis.
People & Team
Article
Building a cost-effective training culture requires knowledge sharing
Developing an internal training culture is essential to keep employees engaged, motivated and productive. Be the Business spoke to three companies, each of which have taken different approaches to training staff.
Talent development
People & Team
Article
Are you managing your freelance team as effectively as possible?
While it often makes sense to engage with a freelance team or temporary workers, three creative SMEs tell what needs to be done differently – and what should remain the same - to get them working efficiently.
Talent development
People & Team
Article
Tried and tested approaches to deal with staff missing targets
Be the Business spoke to three forward-thinking SMEs about the strategies employed to both identify when staff are missing targets, and get them back on track.
Performance management
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Weighing up quick business wins with longer-burn strategies
It may be tempting to launch into a series of grand plans designed to catapult your company to the next level, but ignoring quick business wins could mean you struggle with momentum.
Leadership Behaviours
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
People & Team
Article
Meet the businesses that pool employee evaluation
Regularly evaluating the performance of your staff can help a business better meet individual and collective targets. We talk to two companies developing new employee evaluation techniques to engage with staff about their tasks and expectations.
Performance management
People & Team
Video
Making the employee appraisal process about personal development targets
Rather than making the appraisal process about how staff are performing by measuring them against metrics and targets, SC Group is prioritising personal development.
Talent development
People & Team
Article
SMEs need to develop career paths or risk losing staff
Small businesses have to establish viable career paths to retain staff. Three business leaders share the steps they’ve taken.
Talent development
Sales & Growth
Article
Taking control of your marketing strategy – and reaping the benefits
It’s hard to win new customers and grow without a marketing strategy, but how do you decide who best to tell your story?
Marketing & Sales
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Communicating vision and values to a scattered team
Despite having a dispersed team – 85 marketing directors who work part-time for businesses all around the UK – Clare Methven knows they all sing from the same hymn sheet.
Vision & Values
People & Team
Article
World Cup productivity: Trust your staff now and reap benefits later
While it may be tempting to crack down on employees getting caught up in World Cup fervour in the workplace, adopting an approach based on trust and accountability can create a buoyant atmosphere that lasts beyond that final whistle.
Motivation
Sales & Growth
Article
Diversifying revenues through an outdoor cinema and survival courses
While it may have be tempting to focus on the core offering, Luton Hoo Hotel's efforts in diversifying revenues is a great lesson in not being afraid to experiment with new offerings, as general manager Matthew Long explained.
Marketing & Sales
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Coronavirus: How to collaborate with other businesses
With demand for many products and services falling fast, learning how to collaborate with other businesses is one way to lessen the coronavirus impact.
Planning
Article
Executive education is a powerful tool for leaders
Business leaders have to keep learning. Working with peers and the management team is important, but executive education also plays a crucial role.
Ambition
Leadership & Strategy
Article
A day in the life of former Cisco CEO Phil Smith
While the average working day of a top-level CEO is hard to nail down, Cisco’s Phil Smith had some tried and tested strategies to ensure his hours in the office and on the road were as efficient and effective as possible.
Leadership Behaviours
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
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
Continuous improvement: Why it’s important to not just change for change’s sake
While it may be tempting to fully embrace the continuous improvement mantra, Be the Business found out why change for change's sake can sometimes be damaging and detrimental to progress.
Leadership Behaviours
People & Team
Article
Focus on your people’s talent, and it’s impossible for competitors to copy you
Faced with a personnel predicament after Optimity secured a funding injection, Anthony Impey decided to train up his existing people talent rather than hire cookie-cutter staff.
Talent development
People & Team
Article
Don’t fret about the costs – consider the motivation gains
"Company rewards schemes do come at a cost, but also help form the corporate culture, attract talented people and maintain job retention at high levels”, said Dave Barnett, who believes strongly in motivation strategies.
Motivation
Sales & Growth
Article
Exporting into unusual countries can open up unexpected doors
Doing business successfully to one unusual export country can lead to opportunities in others.
Expanding & Exporting
People & Team
Article
Business is like sport, you need to balance strengths and weaknesses
Thinking that business is like sport has allowed Roger Smith to focus on building the right mix of people at the family business he's now at the helm of.
Motivation
People & Team
Video
How one of Britain’s leading hoteliers builds his teams
Tom Ross shares his experience as a leading hotelier at the helm of brands including The Pig Hotel Group and Hotel du Vin, focusing on why people are key.
Talent development