Selling your business is no small feat. There’s a lot to consider. It’s not a task for the faint hearted and you’ll need to set some time apart to complete the sale. Planning makes perfect, you’ll need to think of everything and leave no stone unturned. We’re not here to scare you, but to help you see everything in the bigger picture. Some even plan an exit strategy before even considering selling the business. This can happen years in advance! If you have a well thought out exit strategy, this might be very appealing to buyers. 

Why Are You Selling Your Business? 

First thing to ask yourself is why are you selling your business to begin with? Are you looking to retire, are you bored or have you simply had enough? These are the key considerations as they could impact the business after you have parted ways. Even though you may not be the owner or manager anymore, you still might want to be invested in the business and you’ll need to think about your workforce, customers and suppliers. Will they be affected? 

If your answer is ‘I want no involvement whatsoever’ then it’s likely a full sale is the right option for you. But if you’re only going to be selling part of your business, then you’ll need to make it clear to the third party that you’ll still need financial or management involvement. 

How Should I Sell My Business? 

There are many different strategies available, it’s simply about finding one that suits you. For example, you might want to pass the business on to your children or you’re considering selling it to your employees. Research is paramount.

Dependent on your business, size and sector, most businesses are usually sold in a trade sale to another business. These businesses are often in the same field. There are other options available, you need to make it clear what you want from the sale. If it’s a partial or full sale. Will you be selling your assets like customer data, equipment or intellectual property? 

How Will I Be Paid?

In your agreement, you are entitled to ask for a full payment when the sale is completed, or you may be prepared to accept payment in instalments. 

How Should I Prepare? 

Permitting that your business is profitable, make sure your business is ready for sale. Take a look at the many positive attributes your business has. Do you have a strong customer base, has your income increased year on year? Pick out your greatest achievements and list them. You’ll also want to list any pain points and fix any issues which could affect the business’s value. At this stage you might also want to consider getting a preliminary valuation before you offer it for sale. You want to have your business appeal to buyers. 

As well as those points to consider you’ll need time. There really aren’t enough hours in the day but you’ll need to prepare your business for sale as soon as possible. This will allow you to get all of your records and documentation in one place to present to potential buyers. This will include the likes of financial statements and tax returns. 

You’ve probably nurtured this business from the get go and will more than likely have some emotional ties to it. Like a relationship, sometimes it’s time to let go and the longer you hold on, the harder it is to let it go. 

But you don’t want to panic either. If your business isn’t performing then that’s not a good time to sell. Buyers will pick up on this and are likely to back off. 

How Ampios Can Help

If you’re considering selling your business then help is available. We have a team of experienced advisers that can have a big impact on the success of your sale and the amount you receive. Our lot will help you to prepare for the financial aspects of the sale and any legal issues.  If you need to get in touch, we’d love to have a chat. Give us a call on T: +44 (0)333 987 4672 or send us a message via our contact form.

What Is Equal Pay?

Everyone who works has the right to equal pay. If you do the same job or work of equal value, then you should get the same or equal pay as your colleagues. However, this isn’t always the case. It’s common knowledge that there are still some disparities, despite the law saying otherwise. We’ve touched upon this before, when we looked at gender roles in the workplace. Women are still marginalised and don’t receive the same wage as their male counterparts. 

Am I Being Paid Fairly?

We all know that money can cause many arguments, amongst family, friends and even in the workplace. But there are many things you can do to make sure you’re getting paid fairly before taking it to your employer.

• ask your colleagues
• conduct an equal pay questionnaire
• check job ads
• research job evaluation studies

How Can I Make A Claim? 

If you discover you’re not being paid equally, then your employer might be breaking the law. If you think you aren’t being treated fairly then you can speak to your employer or Human Resources department. Should the conversation be unsuccessful, then it might be worth considering making a claim for lost earnings. An employment tribunal will establish if there are sufficient grounds for compensation to be paid. 

That being said, it is common for workers to do the same basic jobs but receive a different wage. Confusing right. The difference in pay might be  based on each individual’s level of experience. 

What Happens When You Pay Everyone The Same Wage? 

So to stop all of this dispute and unpleasantness, wouldn’t it be easier if everyone got the same wage? Well, Calvin Benton, director of psychotherapy company Spill, tried and tested the method. Initially set up to create harmony and inclusion, he wanted all employees to feel valued and on the same level. 

Us humans have a tendency to reinvent the wheel when it comes to standard procedure but in cases like this, somethings are better left untouched. 

Calvin decided that because all of his staff were contributing the same amount, then they should all get paid an equal amount of money. Excluding skills and experience. The wage was calculated based on the industry and area they worked and lived. 

In what started out like a good idea, the cracks soon began to show and employees were left angry and disappointed. The more staff they took on, the less hours some people did. When the company advertised for a  £36,000-a-year clerical job, they were inundated with applications because of the out of the norm high salary. However when it came to hiring for a software developer, on the same wage, the applications were nowhere to be seen. 

After giving the system a good try, he listened to his employees and stopped the scheme. His staff are now paid using a traditional structure of pay grades based on seniority in the company and technical expertise.

How Ampios Can Help 

So we ask you this, would you ever consider paying all your staff the same wage? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment down below and get the conversation started!

If you’re struggling with establishing salaries for your workforce we can help. Here at Ampios, we have a team of dedicated specialists that can help point you in the right direction. We can work with your people and can help align the overall vision and strategy of your company. If you need to get in touch, we’d love to have a chat. Give us a call on T: +44 (0)333 987 4672 or send us a message via our contact form.

Unemployment Is Set To Rise Over The Coming Months

Last year was a tough one and we’re already off to a rocky start. Our friends and family have been placed on furlough, they’ve had their hours cut and have even been made redundant. With employers continuing to cut thousands of jobs, this will only leave masses of people unemployed and hunting for jobs once again. 

The office for national statistics has said that it’s likely we’ll see even more people out of work in the coming months. But with many businesses closed, the job market is a hard one to penetrate during this current climate and many skilled and overqualified workers are lending their hand to job roles they never thought they’d be doing. But when people are pushed to their limits and they have bills to pay, sometimes it’s the only option. 

Socialising With Your Colleagues Whilst Working From Home

For those that have been lucky enough to get work during the pandemic the recruitment process has been a completely different experience to what they’re normally used to. Interviews have been conducted via video call and applications are all handled online. Gone are the days when you’d walk to an office building and simply hand over your CV.

Plus with the majority of staff working from home, some employees might not ever get the chance to meet with their colleagues and employers. Without having any time in the office, staff could be finding it hard to bond and get to know their virtual team mates. 

In what is already a challenging environment, communicating through a screen may seem like a doddle however with less human interaction this year, it might seem harder for us to know what to say or how to even begin a conversation that doesn’t involve work.

What Are Other Companies Doing To Help Boost Team Spirits? 

Some companies have identified this problem within their business and have tried to tackle it head on. It’s been reported that some businesses are going the extra mile and have introduced Zoom lunch breaks into the working day. This is all in aid to get employees to get to know one another in a relaxed social setting. 

Investment firm Wealthsimple, pays for lunchboxes to be delivered to its staff homes and encourages them to eat and socialise with their colleagues over a video call. Staff are given the opportunity to get involved, and can join in as and when they want to. 

In what is an incredibly isolating and lonely time, these team lunch breaks are hoping to bring people together. The aim is to give staff some respite and friendly conversation. This gives people time to take a proper lunch break, and distinguish home life and work life, as this can be incredibly difficult the more we stay in the same environment. If things were normal, we’d take regular breaks, meet for a coffee, sit in the canteen, take a short walk. So things shouldn’t be any different just because you’re working from home. 

Are We Taking Proper Lunches?

A work lunch break may seem slightly different now. With no clocking on or off system, or a boss to check up on us, has working from home killed the lunch break ?

We all know that if we take regular breaks, we work more effectively. It’s thought that 41% of British people are more likely to work through their lunch breaks now they’re working from home.

In normal times, working through your lunch break was something we did when we had an increasingly heavy workload. It seems there’s a need to be present and online at all times so you aren’t seen to be slacking. This includes replying to emails and messages within seconds of them landing in your inbox. This fear or anxiety has stemmed due to the fact that we don’t want people to think we aren’t working. Ridiculous, right?

We’ve come to behave in such a manner due to the digital world that we live in. Nothing is ever on stand-by so why are we? People are feeling guilty even when making themselves a hot drink or fuelling their body with food.

Instead of grabbing whatever’s closest and ordering unhealthy takeaway food, we should be making the effort to carefully consider what we’re eating. If you’re providing your body with key nutrients then we’ll feel more energized and refreshed throughout the working week. We’ll sleep better, be more attentive and our concentration levels will thank us for it. 

Not only is it better for your health, but it’s also a legal requirement. Here in the UK, employees are entitled to one break at work per day if they work more than six hours in a day. So take that lunch break! 

Take Your Lunch Break Today

So you can start making the change right now. Don’t prolong it and start on Monday, choose today. This can be the start of your new lunch hour, with no distractions on the side. Close your laptop, mute or silence all notifications and really take an hour off. You’re allowing yourself some well deserved rest, to recharge your batteries and get back to work once you feel energised.

A working day doesn’t mean non-stop work, you should be taking regular breaks. This internalised pressure that’s built up inside us needs banishing quite frankly and we should be endeavouring to focus on our overall health and wellbeing. You can thank us later. 

How Ampios Can Help 

But it shouldn’t just be up to employees to make the change. This pressure should be eliminated from the top down. If your seniors are skipping lunch, then they’re not showing the best example. Here at Ampios, we have a team of dedicated specialists that can help point you in the right direction. We can work with your people and can help align the overall vision and strategy of your company. If you need to get in touch, we’d love to have a chat. Give us a call on T: +44 (0)333 987 4672 or send us a message via our contact form.

Can Your Boss Force You To Go Into Work During Lockdown?

At the time this blog was published, the UK was currently in a national lockdown which meant you could only leave home for work purposes. Whilst this guidance is current, it is regularly updated to sit alongside the ups and downs of the pandemic. Should you be reading this article in a few weeks or months time, then it might not be accurate anymore. We suggest you head to the government website for more up to date information. 

What Are The Rules?

Current government guidance states that you should only go to work if you can’t reasonably work from home. Those that can’t work from home are usually employees that sit within the following sectors: critical national infrastructure, construction, manufacturing, childcare or education and essential public services. These are the people that are helping the country to stay running. 

What Can Employers Do?

The Government has instructed employers and employees to discuss their working arrangements so that all members of staff feel safe in their workplace should they be unable to work remotely. Employers should be taking steps to allow their employees to work from home, this includes providing the necessary IT equipment. If they can’t provide such resources and an employee finds themselves in an office, then they should encourage staff to avoid coming into work during peak times if they use public transport.

To continue operating, businesses must make their offices covid secure. The government has published 14 guides on its website. Employers can use this content as reference to make sure they’re following the guidelines correctly. If you’re a business that operates in more than one setting, such as a factory, warehouse and office, then you might need to seek help from more than one guide. 

For those working in an office or close contact centre based environment, first and foremost, you shouldn’t have any employees that are considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable individuals. That being said, your office can remain open, permitted it is covid secure. Below are some of the government guidelines to help maintain a safe working environment. 

Conduct a Covid risk assessment. 

Throughout this risk assessment, you must identify what work activity or situations might cause transmission of the virus, think about who could be at risk, decide how likely it is that someone could be exposed and act to remove the activity or situation, or if this isn’t possible, control the risk. You can find out how to conduct a covid 19 risk assessment here.

Clean regularly

Insist all members of staff wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitiser on entering and leaving the premises. Make sure frequently used surfaces are wiped down and cleaned with appropriate products. You might want to consider taking on a professional cleaner or delegating some responsibilities to staff on a rota. Invest in antibacterial wipes for all staff and any other cleaning equipment that may be needed.

Wear face coverings

This rule applies more so to visitors including delivery drivers and postmen/women. This will keep your staff protected from any outside germs and bacteria.

Practice social distancing

Introduce a one way system and incorporate the use of floor markers so that staff and visitors can easily follow them. You may also want to reconfigure your office and move desks around so that people are at a safe distance. 

Think about ventilation

By law, employers are required to supply an adequate amount of fresh air into the workplace. You can naturally ventilate an area by opening windows and doors to ensure there’s a fresh supply of air. You can find out more on ventilating your office here. 

Play your part in NHS Track and Trace

Keep a register of all staff and visitors that have entered your premises for 21 days. This includes their name, contact details and time they were on the premises. You can read more information on NHS Track and Trace here. 

Send people with covid 19 symptoms home

If a staff member, someone in their household or a visitor has a persistent cough, a high temperature or has lost their sense of taste or smell, they should be isolating at home. They must not enter the workplace to collect any personal belongings. They must stay at home. From 28 September 2020, by law businesses may not require a self-isolating employee to come into work.

Should There Be Tougher Rules ?

In an article published yesterday by the BBC, it’s come to light that in some cases, employees are being forced to come into work much to the dismay of trade unions. 

Trade Unions are now calling for tougher enforcement of Covid safety rules at work, due to the amount of employees being put at risk. Between the 6th and 14 January, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is said to have received 3,934 complaints relating to coronavirus and took enforcement action in 81 cases. 

On the whole, employers are doing the best they can, but in some instances there is complete and utter disregard for their employees.

If employees are unhappy, and feel unsafe at work then they can contact their local authority or the Health and Safety Executive. 

How Ampios Can Help

If you’re feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and need help at your business, then we can help. We can work with your people and can help align the overall vision and strategy of your company. If you need to get in touch, we’d love to have a chat. Give us a call on T: +44 (0)333 987 4672 or send us a message via our contact form.

We’re all well seasoned remote workers by now, and we’re sure we’ll be staying at home for a little while longer. It has its pros and cons but what happens when you need to ask your boss for a pay rise? Lucky for you, in this blog, we’ve rounded up the best ways to ask for a pay rise when you work from home. 

With less face to face interactions, the connection between employees and management may seem to be lacking somewhat. Unlike the usual office based antics where your manager could walk by without any notice, we have to plan a video call or send a catch up email to alert them of any news or updates. 

We’re communicating and collaborating with our colleagues less and the sense of team spirit seems to have gone AWOL. In an age where we rely so heavily on modern technology it seems we’ve lost the ability to speak verbally to one another. 

Ask Yourself Why You Want A Pay Rise

With this in mind, this can cause problems for those wanting to progress further up the career ladder. Whilst at home, you may struggle to gain the same insights and leadership strategies managers or members from higher up your team may have. No matter where you start at a company, if it’s a junior position or a senior level executive, we all want to progress and seek opportunities within the company we work at. This gives us the opportunity to learn new things and become more skilful and knowledgeable employees. 

However, with your new environment, it may seem a little awkward and forceful for you to bring up the idea of career progression and pay rises. But like most problems, this one can be easily tackled. Just as you would in the workplace, make sure to seek the right moment at the right time. Nobody wants to be asking for more money at an inappropriate time, take it from us. 

Prepare A List Of Your Accomplishments

First things first, why do you think you’re deserving of a pay rise? Think about all the work you’ve done over the course of the year, how you’ve contributed to the organisation, is there anything that stands out? If the answer to this question is yes, then you might want to keep a record of all the marvellous work you’ve been doing.  There are plenty of tools out there such as CRM systems to simply jotting it down in Excel. If you can show evidence of any improvement or growth for the overall company, then you’ll be onto a winner. Things you might want to look at could be, project status’ milestones and any other relevant analytics. 

The aim of the game is to show how you’ve contributed to any goals that have set the company skyrocketing into success. Once you’ve gathered all your data and information you could even pop it into a presentation to  show original creative flair. You should feel confident and comfortable to present your findings and should have nothing to fear when asking for your pay rise. 

Research The Pay

Before you go wild, it might be worth scouring the marketplace to see similar salaries so you have a figure to aspire to. Just like when you’re interviewing for a position, the company may ask you what salary you’re looking for. If you familiarise yourself with the current salaries within your industry, this is a good place to start. 

Schedule A One On One Meeting With Your Boss

Without coming across as too informal, we suggest you don’t ask for a pay rise over text or email, video works best. Make sure you schedule in a video call that suits both parties. Whilst conducting your call use this opportunity to share your findings. Share your notes, statistics or even share your presentation. Your boss will probably thank you for your efforts and be pretty impressed with the lengths you’ve gone to to get that pay rise. 

All you can do is be honest, open and understanding. We’re in the middle of a pandemic so cash is probably strapped for a lot of businesses. Things are constantly changing and many businesses are having to diversify. You’ve probably taken a lot of work on this year and you don’t want your efforts to go unnoticed. But please keep in mind that your employer might not have the funds to reward you for these efforts. Keep an eye on your timing and work out when it is best to approach your manager. 

Conduct A Follow Up

Once you’ve presented, all that’s left to do is wait. Give your boss some time to think over what you’ve presented. Make sure you don’t set your expectations too high and always make sure to do a follow up with your boss. Send over a summary of your meeting with any notes and action points.  You might need to have a further video call. 

If you don’t get that pay rise just yet, don’t worry. There’ll be plenty of other opportunities to help you get back on the right track and progress in your career. It’s just as important to instigate these types of conversations with your boss so you still get the appraisal you so truly deserve. They won’t forget it. 

How Ampios Can Help

With more of us working remotely, you should definitely consider asking for a pay raise if you think you’re deserving of one.  If your employees are approaching you and asking for pay rises but you don’t know how to  deal with them, we can give you feedback on your approach. At Ampios we can give you personalised guidance on the best way to deal with pay raises and your remote workers.

If you need to get in touch, we’d love to have a chat. Give us a call on T: +44 (0)333 987 4672 or send us a message via our contact form.

It’s The Most Saddest Day Of The Year

Today is Blue Monday, otherwise known as the saddest day of the year. If you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps today, that’s completely fine. If you’re feeling overcome with joy, that’s also okay. Listen to your feelings and don’t dismiss them. Just know that you’re not alone. 

January isn’t the best month. Along with poor weather, we’re all on a Christmas come down. We’ve stopped over indulging and the twinkly lights have gone. We feel tired, cranky and unhealthy. We force ourselves to get fit and eat healthy, which only makes us more tired and cranky and marginally more healthy. 

There’s less cash laying around because we’ve gone a bit too over the top with the Christmas presents. But it was all in the name of fun. That being said, January is one of the best months to look for full time jobs. Companies have a better idea of what they need and whether they can afford to hire new team members. So if you’re looking to make a career change, then maybe now’s the time to get looking? 

Could A Career Change Be Round The Corner For You?

Career changes can be scary at the best of times, never mind during a global pandemic. We’ve also seen the country enter yet another rescission, and we’re ploughing through yet another lockdown. So if you want to leave your job but don’t think you’ll have the financial means to do so, this can leave you in quite the pickle. 

Job satisfaction, or in this case, dissatisfaction, is something the majority of us will come across during our working lives but it’s something you shouldn’t dwell on. You wouldn’t stay in an unhappy relationship so why stay unhappy in your career?

We live in an age where people are constantly aspiring for their dream job, work life balance is more important than ever, so you shouldn’t feel afraid or ashamed if you need to tell your boss you’re unhappy. 

Your boss will more than likely want to hear your comments. This gives them a chance to improve and make work better for all their employees. This will also come in handy when finding new recruits. After all, nobody wants to work for a company that doesn’t care for their work force. It will only reflect badly on them, not you.

A Wristband That Tells Your Boss When You’re Unhappy 

After a quick scour on the internet we found potentially one of the most weird and wonderful ideas yet. Introducing the Mood Beam. On first glance, you might mistake this silicone wristband for a Fitbit, but how wrong you would be. The one thing this does have in common is that it’s a form of wearable technology but it’s job doesn’t track heart rate or how many steps you complete in a day. This nifty device lets your employer track your emotional state.

The strap contains two buttons, one blue and one yellow. You’ve guessed it, you press blue for sad and yellow for happy.

Companies have started dishing the gadget out to employees working from home in the hope that they let them know when they’re experiencing these emotions. Bosses can then see online how workers are feeling and coping. This device helps managers stay in touch with their team and make sure they’re doing ok.

It’s great to see companies creating new and innovative ways to help stay connected to their teams mental health and wellbeing but should you not have the luxury of an advanced technological device, you’ll need to rely on the art of the conversation.  

How To Tell Your Boss You’re Unhappy 

So you’ve thought about it. But how do you act on it? Like you would with any regular meeting, schedule some time out of your day and ask for a short meeting with your manager or whoever is directly in charge of you. This could be a line manager of the CEO of the company, perhaps you’d feel more comfortable with someone for your HR department, choose the right person for you.

First off, a boss might be so busy that they simply haven’t noticed your unhappiness. Us humans have a tendency to say we’re ok when asked but this is often far from reality. So if you need a helping hand, we’ve devised a short but simple structure which gives you some tips and tricks for how to tell your boss you’re unhappy. You can follow this structure below. 

Understand The Issues

Make a list. It’s best to be prepared. Spend time thinking about what you’re going to say and what you’d like to get across. Identify everything you do in your current role and pin point what it is you’re struggling with, that way you don’t go into the meeting with your boss and blurt out all of the negative thoughts you possess.

Prepare What You’re Going To Say

Treat this like a mock presentation. For each point you’ll be making, prepare a suggestion or idea that can help alleviate your stress or pressure. So think about what you’re unhappy with, why and how you think it could be changed. This will help you to stay focussed and will show your boss that you’ve taken real time to think about your problems carefully and constructively. Your boss will be happy to hear you’ve been proactive and taken the time to think of solutions. Your boss might even be able to get to work  straight away on some ideas and can even help tackle the issues.

Schedule A Meeting

Plan head of time. Don’t spring a meeting on your boss with little to no notice. This meeting could take a large portion of time and you don’t want to feel rushed. Make sure you check their calendar to see if they’re free for the majority of the day.

Monitor Your Body Language

Just as you would a job interview or any high profile, important meeting, it’s key to stay professional. Your emotions are valid but remember your place. It’s important to monitor your body language. Maintain eye contact, sit up straight. Don’t forget your manners and thank your boss for taking the time to listen to you.

Explain Why You’re Unhappy

It might come as a surprise but your boss isn’t a mind reader. Don’t point the finger or place blame onto anyone, that will more than likely get you nowhere. Keep in mind, that positive mental attitude. Be honest about your feelings and let your boss know exactly how you feel but do so in a respectful manner.

Ask For Ideas

If you’ve thought about the problem many times but don’t have any solutions that’s also fine. Use your time to ask your boss if they have any ideas. Your boss will probably have a few suggestions and might even engage you in a brainstorming session to find the best solution for you. 

Move Forward

Once the meeting has come to a natural end, use your time to move forward. Think about how any suggested changes are going to be implemented. In some cases, these ideas may need more planning, it could be a structural issue or something that needs to involve more of your team. Further meetings may be required, but this is a great starting point and you’d done all the hard work. You should feel a huge weight lifted off of your shoulders and change should start to happen. Please keep in mind this might not be an overnight solution and time may be needed for you to feel better. If this doesn’t happen within three months of your initial meeting then it may be time to look elsewhere. 

How Ampios Can Help 

If you’re struggling to keep morale up and need some extra support for your employees, then our team of dedicated specialists can help point you in the right direction. We can work with your people and can help align the overall vision and strategy of your company. If you need to get in touch, we’d love to have a chat. Give us a call on T: +44 (0)333 987 4672 or send us a message via our contact form.

Another year has been and gone and what a whirlwind 2020 was. We’ve said goodbye to the 2010s and we’re now entering a new decade, the 20s. Although they may be slightly less roaring than the 1920s, we still think there’s plenty of opportunities coming our way and hopefully your way too! So that’s why we’ve rounded up the top business trends for 2021 and compiled them in this nifty blog that you can keep coming back to.

1. Re configure your workspace

With some of us having worked from home for the past 10 months, is this the new norm? Business owners will be saving money on rent and bills and employees can save money on fuel and enjoy a longer stint in bed. Like many things in this world, it has its pros and cons. The key takeaway here is that there needs to be balance. Employers should allow their workforce to act freely and adopt a new work life balance. They should have the opportunity to choose whether they want to work 5 days in the office, 5 days at home or split your time between the two. We suggest finding the right balance for you and your team. You may want to think if you still need your office, or if hiring as space as and when you need it is more beneficial. 

2. Storing your data

We live in a growing digital world. Technology will continue to accelerate and see countless breakthroughs. We all produce data, manage it and consume it. If you watch TV shows and movies on your smartphone, you still count! As more and more people have access to the internet, the rate at which we use the digital platforms is set to skyrocket over the next 3 to 4 years. It’s predicted that 75 percent of the world’s population will interact with data every day by 2024.

Moving forward, businesses need to consider how they store and access their data. Not just from a privacy and security aspect, but how they interpret that data. A smart business decision would be to carefully and properly analyse the data available to you and use this when making business decisions. This could include a full remodel of your business and could even come into play when targeting your customers. 

3. Make Room For Change

We’ve seen how easy it is for businesses to adapt so easily to change. It’s about identifying your skill set and realising what you can offer your customers, even if it sits outside of your usual products and services. If we take a look at what some companies did throughout the pandemic, it’s pretty inspiring. Be aware of how you can move with the times and not get stuck in the past and get left behind.

4. Automation

In a year where we’ve seen companies file for administration and leave our high streets and our hearts. It’s fair to say that everyone is looking to cut costs. People will be tightening their belts over the coming months and will be saving every penny they can. With this in mind, businesses might need to pay close attention to their processes and procedures. The modern era focuses a lot of its energy on time and money. As we just mentioned in key trend number 2, technology is a powerhouse and we’ve already seen the effects it has on the workplace. Particularly in warehouses and factories, we’ve seen robots take control of jobs that used to require humans to do. But due to the speed at which a robot can work, not to mention the wages that won’t be forked out, businesses are considering this is a viable option. 

5. Customer Service

Again, staying firmly in the world of technology. Businesses may need to take the plunge into adopting new ways to surprise and delight their customers. As we’ve spent more and more time away from physical retail premises, businesses have had to get creative and devise new ways to give their customers that wow factor. Technology allows businesses to use aviators, AI and VR to offer simulations to users. Such as trying on clothes and makeup without actually touching or seeing a product. It allows the customers to explore and discover what’s available to them without actually leaving their home and before committing to a purchase. 

6. Set your company goals

A company with no clear vision or mission will get left behind. A new wave of talent is coming, and these young workers want to work for a company that believes in their brand and the products and services they offer. Businesses need to be clear and concise, honest and transparent. By laying all your cards on the table, from your suppliers and materials, can all help you to be a better business. It’s expected that companies publish their wins, from an environmental perspective of social one. People like to see change for the better.

7. Sustainability

It’ll come as no surprise that the environmental crisis is very real and change needs to happen globally. Companies across the globe are making a conscious effort to reduce their carbon footprint. Making small changes such as recycling, adopting a cycle to work scheme and using energy saving light bulbs, are all small changes that you can implement. You can read more about sustainability in our blog post on how to make your business more environmentally friendly here.

8. Social Engagement

It’s common knowledge that using social media is a necessity for most and if not all businesses. These digital platforms allow businesses make their presence in the online realm and establish themselves whatever their business may be. You’ll find that it’s the easiest way to get free publicity and advertising. You have total control and can speak to your customer base and potential clients in a friendly and timely manner. Honing in on this, it’s clear that customers want brands to be more open and honest with them. They don’t want companies to hide behind the words of its social media or marketing teams. They want real information and a real look at how businesses operate, this can be done from behind the scenes videos and imagery along with how to’s.

9. Support Your Staff

We would go as far to say that this should be the most important key trend that we’ll be talking about in this blog.

We’re all very much aware of how important mental health and wellbeing is. In a year where we’ve had relatively little to no person to person contact, peoples mental health could be compromised. Employees don’t want to and shouldn’t have to experience burnout, but should be appreciated and applauded for any exceptional work that they contribute to and produce.

Much like customer retention, businesses want to  keep a hold of their most valuable employers and avoid a high turnover of staff. Company leaders should enforce a good work life balance and promote employees to take regular breaks and step away from their work to ensure they’re not being consumed by their workload. 

To prevent mental health problems, we should be educating senior members of staff and management teams, so that work forces feel fulfilled. Every human being likes to be praised. Many people strive for a career that isn’t separate from their personal life but can benefit it. People are under the impression and idea that they  should be working all the time, and if they’re not, then they feel guilty for feeling this way.

As an employer you should be preventing this in the workplace. Be human and communicate with your staff in both a personal and professional capacity. Let them know that you’re available to talk things through and offer support should they need it. Every employee wants to feel valued. 

How Ampios Can Help Your Business In 2021

At Ampios we know people. We have a great and we pride ourselves on our ability to nurture our client and employee relationships. We host a team of varied experts that have worked in the business sector for multiple years. We’ve got HR experts to finance wizzes. If you’re feeling a bit jaded and need some clear direction for the year ahead, we can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and rework them into a business model that suits you.

Perhaps after reading this blog, you’ve already pinpointed some areas that you’d like to improve but just need a little bit of help in doing so. That’s where we come in. If you’d like to speak to us, contact us now for a free consultation. You can contact us via this webform or give us a call on + T: +44 (0)333 987 4672. 

New £9,000 Government Business Grant Offered To Support Businesses 

Due to the new national lockdown, the government has announced extra economic support for businesses across the UK.

The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, informed the country, that the Government is to offer an additional £4.6 billion to help businesses that have been most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 

This will see the likes of the retail, hospitality and leisure sector get a payment of up to £9000 per business premises in a one off cash grant. The grant will be based on the rateable value of the property on the first full day of restrictions.

This comes on top of the current monthly grant of £3000 and the extension of Furlough till April. Local councils will also receive half a billion pounds to support businesses within their area. 

The Chancellor also stated that £729 million pounds will be made available to the administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to support local businesses and economies. 

The plans for the future remain unclear, but the Government has confirmed that it will perform an audit on its outgoings. A budget will be presented in early March. It is then hoped there will be more detailed information on what the economic response will look like from Spring onwards. 

Can I Apply?

If you’re a business that was forced to close from the 5th of January because of the restrictions, then you can apply. If you were closed between the 5 November and 2 December 2020 then you can also apply. 

You’re eligible if your business:

• is based in England
• occupies property on which it pays business rates (and is the ratepayer)
• has been required to close because of the national restrictions from 5 November to 2 December 2020
• has been unable to provide its usual in-person customer service from its premises

However, you’re not eligible if: 

• you can continue to operate during the period of restrictions because you do not depend on providing direct in-person services from your premises
• you have chosen to close, but have not been required to close as part of national restrictions
• your business is in administration, insolvent or has been struck off the Companies House register
• you have exceeded the permitted state aid limit

How To Apply

Please contact your local authority if you think you’re eligible for the £9,000 Government Business Grant. If you’re unsure of what jurisdiction you fall into, you click the link here. Simply type in your postcode and the results will show at the top of the page. Your local council can provide you with all the information you need regarding support during these unprecedented times. You can also refer back to the Gov website here, which outlines all of the support business can receive.

If you caught our blog post last week, we touched upon the new rules UPS had implemented to ensure diversity in the workplace. Now diversity seems to be on everyone’s mind and with good reason to! Here at Ampios, we believe that there should be no gender inequality in the workplace and more women in leadership roles. That being said, we still have a long way to go. 

Gender Inequality In 2020

According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2020, global gender equality will take another 100 years to achieve. The report found that the largest gender disparity was the Political Empowerment gap, with only 24.7% of the global Political Empowerment gap having been closed in 2020. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. There was a significant increase in the number of women in parliaments compared to the last study. Although we have seen noticeable change, there’s still major room for improvement. We can see these steps being taken in Thailand, Spain and Latvia where the number of women in parliament has increased massively. However in 85 of the 153 countries covered in the report, they had never had a head of state leader that identified as female.

With this point in mind, we’d like to point you in the direction of one powerful woman making headlines in politics in 2020. We’re sure you’ve heard of Kamala Harris by now. She made history a few weeks ago when she became the first woman and the first woman of colour to be elected Vice-President of America. This isn’t the first time she’s made history either, in 2017, she became the first South Asian-American senator in US history and the second African-American woman elected to the senate. A pretty big achievement if you ask us.

It’s great to see progression in areas such as politics, but this needs to be replicated and transferred across many sectors. Not only just for women, but for those in ethnic minority groups who are hugely under-represented compared to their white counterparts. 

Gender Equality Across The Globe

If we look to our Nordic Neighbours, Iceland is the most gender-equal country in the world. It’s taken the top spot for the 11th time in a row, closing almost 88% of its overall gender gap. This is then followed by all of the Scandinavian countries with Norway in second place , Finland 3rd and Sweden 4th. 

This poses the question, if these countries can close the gap so significantly, then why isn’t the rest of the world following.

According to The Harvard Business Review, they found that women in leadership positions were perceived as being every bit as effective as men. Women scored at a statistically significantly higher level than men on the vast majority of leadership competencies that were measured. So surely it makes sense to see women in the top percentage when it comes to key decision making roles such as being CEOs. Research conducted by Catalyst in January of this year found that Only 4.9% of Fortune 500 CEOs and 2% of S&P 500 CEOs are women. 

Just a few days ago, a story published by CBS news confirmed the reality that inequality is still rife in our society despite the push to create a fair and cohesive world. The study conducted by Women Political Leaders and Kantar, shows how inequality persists in how society views leadership.

Media and entertainment, natural sciences  and banking and finance were classified as sectors that women were seen as suitable leaders. Despite their apparent success in the banking and finance sector, this is a sector with a huge male presence that dominates top leadership positions. Only 2% of bank CEO positions are held by a woman and only 20% of board seats. 

Global Opinions On Women In Leadership

Another key question was presented to the study group. The study asked if the respondents would feel comfortable with a woman holding some of the highest positions of power within a country. 

Answers in the U.S showed that perhaps progress is lacking, as 69% said they’d be comfortable with a woman as CEO but 62% were comfortable with a woman as head of government. 

However, this shouldn’t be a question we’re asking in 2020. It’s evident that these gender constraints we learn in early childhood right through to adulthood disable us from seeing the sexist myths used to brainwash society. If we deny both genders the tools and platforms to make breakthroughs in any industries then surely we’re denying the human race the right to progress. 

Women Throughout History

It might seem hard to believe in today’s world but it was once illegal for a woman to do many of the things we take for granted every single day. If we roll back the years to 400 BC, you could have faced the death penalty for practicing medicine, a shocking but very real risk women had to face.

If it’s predicted we won’t see gender equality for the next 100 years, let’s see how far we have come over the last 100 years.

Here are a just a few things women couldn’t do but now can (to some extent) 

• Hold property on the same terms as men
• Serve on a jury
• Open a bank account or apply for a loan
• Be refused service for spending their own money in a pub
• Become an accountant or lawyer
• Have a right to equal pay
• Be considered a ‘person’ in the eyes of the law
• Sit In the House Of Lords
• Work on the London Stock Exchange
• Obtain a court order against a violent husband
• Access the contraceptive pill
• Get a legal and safe abortion
• Report Marital Rape

What’s Next For Women In The Workplace

We’ve seen trail blazers pave the way for modern women to take a stand and fight for their rights to get their voices heard which were for so long dismissed and deemed unimportant. Women have been discriminated against for centuries and people are sick and tired of the treatment they still face in today’s world. It’s time to break gender norms and collapse these outdated stereotypes that have been the narrative for most women. No longer are women there to serve and sacrifice.  Women will continue to challenge traditional roles and their work isn’t finished yet. If women can still be forced to wear heels by their employer then we believe this is just the type of encouragement they need. 

At Ampios we believe anyone should have the right to work in top leadership positions, and if women still haven’t gained equality then it’s a battle we stand by. 

If you need help at your business, then we have years of experience in a range of different businesses and sectors. Don’t hesitate to get in touch.