Three signs your business isn’t ready for the Christmas rush

The baubles and oversized biscuit tins are filling up the stores.  Parents across the land are starting to encourage good behaviour by reminding their kids that Father Christmas is paying close attention.  According to research by VoucherCodes.co.uk, 16% of people had begun their shopping by the end of last month.  Christmas is coming, and there’s nothing that anyone can do …

Do homeworkers have pointless lives?

An article published by Financial Times this month suggested homeworkers miss out on the important feeling that their lives and work have purpose.  Unsurprisingly, the piece has caused a stir amongst the self-employed and business owners alike. If you keep up to date with management trends and the latest strategies for creating a productive and motivated workforce, you’ll know that …

How to welcome new staff into existing teams

Recruiting a new member of staff for your growing business can be a really exciting time, but it’s something that you should definitely consider carefully before you rush into taking action. One of the key challenges that you’re going to face is ensuring that your new recruit is welcomed into your existing team without any significant teething problems. Now of …

It’s time to rethink your appraisals

  Recent research from PwC revealed that two thirds of larger companies are thinking about revamping their appraisals processes. The 2015 Performance Management Research found that businesses are becoming increasingly eager to ditch the once-a-year approach and instead concentrate on developing practices that create a continuous feedback culture. It’s often suggested that it’s time for appraisals to be scrapped in …

Are your HR practices in desperate need of an overhaul?

You probably started your own business because you’re passionate about bringing your product or service into the world, and providing a much-needed solution for your customers and clients. This people management malarkey though – it’s not necessarily what you signed up for.  Call it a necessary evil if you like, but the fact remains that if you want to grow …