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
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
Learnings from a 133 year-old family bakery business
An Open Business Days event gave 30 family firms the chance to extract learnings from Frank Roberts & Sons, a fifth generation bakery operation.
Seek external advice
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.
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
Digital Readiness
Article
Don’t use outsourcing to hide from a problem
Outsourcing should never be used as a way to blindly hand ownership of a problem to someone else knows Dave Walker, director of technology at storage specialist Lovespace.
Digital Commerce
Digital Readiness
Article
Using collaborative tools to provide evidence-based business improvements
From smartphone-based features to digital conferencing options, collaborative tools are helping streamline and improve a wide variety of business-critical processes – with increased productivity and better innovation at the heart of it all.
Digital Commerce
Digital Readiness
Article
Seconding employees from other businesses to drive innovative thinking
Seconding employees offers a fresh perspective and boosts personal development. It’s a win-win-win opportunity, so why are secondments so rare?
Collaborative tools & analytics
Article
Pivoting from one business offering to another
As one of her hospitality firm came to a screeching halt, Hattie Mauleverer took solace in an astonishing spike in demand for her other business offering.
Planning
Article
Coronavirus cash flow crib sheet
Cash flow is going to be a big focus for all businesses the next 12 months. This article brings together expert advice, tips and best practices.
People & Team
Article
We invest in learning and development schemes to see great outcomes
If you want results from your learning and development schemes, then you need to invest in them believes Stephen Oakden, director of BE Design.
Talent development
Sales & Growth
Article
Three ways entering business awards can give you a competitive edge
Entering business awards might not be at the top of your to-do list, but we think it could be once you find out how three family business leaders gained an upper hand by doing so.
Marketing & Sales
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
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
Leadership & Strategy
Article
SMEs decide if pivots are permanent or passing trends
Some businesses have responded to coronavirus by altering services or doing something completely new. We look at how SMEs are pivoting to protect revenues.
Leadership Behaviours
Digital Readiness
Article
Ecommerce insights from Mountain Warehouse and Emma Bridgewater
Having left the world of consultancy to carve out a career in retail, Kath Brown shared with Be the Business the ecommerce insights she picked up while working for outdoor apparel business Mountain Warehouse and ceramics brand Emma Bridgewater.
Digital Commerce
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
People & Team
Article
How to break the culture of presenteeism in a busy workplace
Presenteeism is soaring in British businesses. Leaders share their advice on to tackle the issue before it causes stress or burnout.
Motivation
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
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
People & Team
Article
The 25 year-old MD who’s not afraid to ruffle some feathers
When taking the reins at a family business the tendency may be to abide by the status quo. Chloe Watmore has torn up the rule book and breathed new life into a stagnated enterprise.
Talent development
Planning
Article
A design process tapping into customer needs to develop products
Whether it's launching a new product or improving an existing one, market research is essential. Trunki puts customers at the heart of its design process.
Change your mindset around future planning
Leadership & Strategy
Video
Three tips for improving your business’s productivity
Andrew Peters, from Siemens, passes on three tips for improving your business’s productivity, based on his experiences in business over the past twenty years.
Leadership Behaviours
Sales & Growth
Article
When does it make sense to turn work down?
Making the decision to turn work down is agonising. But focusing on your USP and profitable business is essential. So, when should you turn work down?
Marketing & Sales
Sales & Growth
Article
How pop-ups provided a gateway into new cities
Board game café business Chance & Counters took the leap and opened a second site after 18 months, but not before some clever pop-up related research.
Identify target markets