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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People & Team
Video
Chris Mayne of Forsberg Services says it’s your culture which delivers your strategy
Chris Mayne is operations director at Forsberg Services, an engineering company based in Lancaster which specialises in producing high-precision navigation solutions for businesses across a range of sectors, including automotive, container ports, telecommunications and defence.
Motivation
Leadership & Strategy
Article
What vision and values building really teaches you
Sometimes it's the journey that teaches the most about your destination – at least that’s how I feel having been part of a vision and values building process.
Vision & Values
Article
I’ve been in hospitality for 30 years, but I never stop learning
As MD of Dukes Collection, a boutique hotel in London and Dubai, Debrah Dhugga has developed a keen eye for what customers are really looking for.
People & Team
Article
Using an alternative performance appraisal can help improve staff retention
Choosing an alternative performance appraisal method can help with more than goal setting – it can help with employee retention and wellbeing too.
Performance management
People & Team
Article
Leading a worried workforce: Are you supposed to be counsellors now?
Furlough has kept the wolves from the door, but it's also left leaders trying to keep a worried workforce motivated during the coronavirus outbreak.
People & Team
Article
Boost the company culture with a lunch time activity
Lunch breaks can help boost team energy levels and integrate new team members quickly into the company culture, believes Shai Aharony, a business leader with lots of employee engagement experience.
Motivation
Digital Readiness
Article
Productivity hacks using commercial technology
Technology has the ability to bamboozle and empower businesses in equal measure – it all comes down to education and execution. One business leader tells us about one of his productivity hack, using a CRM system to power decision making.
Digital Commerce
Planning
Article
The secret to hospitality success? Creating a welcoming space
Many board game cafés have a reputation for being unwelcoming to gaming newcomers. Chance & Counters set out to become a different kind of business.
Create a distinct offering
People & Team
Downloadable
Steps to building an onboarding process for new employees
Onboarding process steps you need to consider, including how to improve employee performance and a complete onboarding checklist.
People & Team
Article
Cutting half its staff provided a renewed focus for LifeSkills
It takes a brave leader to make half their employees redundant and slash turnover, but that’s exactly what LifeSkills boss Spencer Fearn has done.
Motivation
People & Team
Article
Why it helps to define what good staff performance actually looks like
From a weekly health check to project management software, staff performance is at the forefront of the agenda for Love Energy Savings and Smarter Digital Marketing as the two businesses look to make the workforce more productive.
Performance management
Leadership & Strategy
Article
Stuck in a lift with 10 business leaders – what would you ask?
Series one of the It's The Small Things podcast featured ten small change champion CEOs, founders and leaders. Take a quick tour to find out was learnt.
Improve your own leadership capabilities
People & Team
Article
How the best SMEs continue to motivate high performers
A company's top employees need to remain incentivised and engaged if they are going to remain with the business. Let them get frustrated or bored and they will leave for pastures new. We talked to two companies striving to motivate high performers.
Motivation
People & Team
Article
Catering to modern day shoppers on the high street
Household names are falling in record numbers as brands fail to provide an offering that resonates with modern-day shoppers on the high street. But there is hope, if a different approach is taken.
Talent development
Leadership & Strategy
Article
A shared approach to a charitable initiative can bring a team together
When Nick Gold, MD of motivational and after-dinner speakers agency Speakers Corner (speakerscorner.co.uk) wanted to introduce a charitable initiative into the workplace he considered two approaches.
Vision & Values
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.
People & Team
Video
Matthew Thomson of Fifteen Cornwall says drawing on your team’s knowledge can drive up productivity
Matthew Thomson of Fifteen Cornwall explains how important it is to draw on your employees’ expertise – especially what they know about your customers.
Talent development
Sales & Growth
Article
How multiple product lines can be a more successful approach
While it may be tempting to focus on a few product offerings to really nail the proposition and offering, Be the Business spoke to five businesses not afraid to go big with their product lines to test and learn from customer feedback.
Expanding & Exporting
Digital Readiness
Article
The most effective digital tools for growing businesses
The best business tools increase productivity and focus. Digital tools link teams, improve collaboration and act as personal organisers. We spoke to business owners about what’s worked for them.
Digital Commerce
Planning
Article
Coronavirus: Managing your business cash flow
The delicate balance between sales, creditors and debtors has been disrupted by coronavirus. Finding ways to manage cash flow has never been more important.
Planning
Article
Good cash flow forecasting will show the way
Peter Watson explains how his four-point coronavirus crisis survival strategy is backed up by careful cash flow forecasting that will inform big decisions.
Digital Readiness
Article
Delighting consumers with an innovative customer service strategy
From providing a direct link to the CEO to incentivising feedback, innovative customer service approaches are worth taking the time to devise and execute – as Be the Business found out.
Digital Commerce
Digital Readiness
Article
Six business leaders share their favourite productivity tools
We’ve created a list of some of the best productivity tools available chosen by business owners for business owners.
Digital Commerce
People & Team
Article
Ashley Challinor: Finding the right role for me
After stints as cabin crew and running chalets in the French Alps, Ashley Challinor joined The Headland Hotel two years ago and set about finding the right role for her skill set.
Listen to employees