Business growth

Over the past year supply chain issues and staff shortages have been making headlines with factors such as COVID 19 disruptions, the blockage of the Suez canal, and Brexit implications all being blamed as the perfect storm for what is being deemed as the staffing and supply crisis in the UK. To investigate how the supply chain issues and staff shortages are affecting small business owners up and down the country, we have surveyed 520 small business owners to reveal the implications that both the supply chain and staff shortages are having on their business and what they think can be done to help ensure small businesses get through another period of hardship. 

Employees are one of the most valuable assets a business has. Hiring additional staff members signals your business is growing and you alone can no longer shoulder the workload, so your employees are essentially there to help your business continue to thrive. That said, expanding your workforce doesn’t come cheap so you want to be sure your staff are performing to a high standard, right? But how?

Us Brits are a nation of animal fanatics, and the COVID pandemic has highlighted that more than ever with the number of households opening up their door to a four-legged friend booming over the past 12 months.  Being stuck at home with more time on our hands has given dog-lovers the perfect opportunity to settle their new fur babies in and provide the care and attention needed.

The way your business is perceived by consumers is absolutely key to its success, which is why brand personality is mission-critical, and more so than ever in 2021 when Joe public can come into contact with your business across umpteen different channels. Consumers typically have a gut reaction towards a business in the same way they might a person - they either feel a connection and a positive affinity, or they don’t. In fact, these emotional connections are so powerful they can have a direct impact on your business’s bottom lines.