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50% OF UK BUSINESS FOUNDERS FEAR THEY WILL NOT SURVIVE 12 MONTHS | Andy Fishburn
Andy Fishburn, Managing Director at Virgin StartUp, speaks to Clayton M. Coke of Podcast Radio to discuss why 50% OF UK BUSINESS FOUNDERS FEAR THEY WILL NOT SURVIVE 12 MONTHS
Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) make up 99% of businesses in the UK, supporting 27 million jobs across the country and collectively account for £4.5 trillion in annual turnover.
Recognising their pivotal role in the UK economy, the former government made 2024 the “Year of the SME” to highlight their plight and tackle the key issues they face.
But now, new research has revealed that half (50%) of founders are concerned that their venture will not survive the next 12 months, versus only 11% having the same concerns last year.
That’s according to the new Founder Barometer report from Virgin StartUp, which has revealed that the cost-of-living crisis (52%) is the biggest challenge they face today. This explains why, from this new government, they would most like to see:
Business rates scrapped (33%)
Greater support for businesses and regions outside London (32%)
A cut in corporation tax (26%)
The facilitation of greater access to capital (23%).
When it comes to mentorship, more than one in 10 (13%) say the most valuable advice comes from fellow founders/peers, and 11% from online communities – with almost one in five (19%) having experienced a eureka moment after engaging with them.
Meanwhile, 16% say spending time with fellow founders has improved their mental health, while 17% have received expert knowledge and information from their communities.
Andy Fishburn, Managing Director at Virgin StartUp, Virgin’s not-for-profit home of entrepreneurship, which Richard Branson launched in 2013, discusses the need for continuous support as well as funding to founders, and what they can gain from better engaging with each other to celebrate the launch of the Virgin StartUp Community Platform.
16 Jul 2024
URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO TACKLE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NEURODIVERSE WORKERS | Clare Reynolds
Clare Reynolds, Business Psychologist, Pearn Kandola speaks to Clayton M. Coke of Podcast Radio to discuss why URGENT ACTION IS NEEDED TO TACKLE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NEURODIVERSE WORKERS.
A new report released today (Tuesday 16th July 2024) reveals workplaces across the UK are experiencing endemic discrimination of neurodiverse workers, with almost half of employees admitting they’ve experienced discriminatory behaviour towards neurodiverse colleagues.
It is thought that about 15 to 20 percent of the world's population is neurodivergent, a general term which includes conditions such as Autism, ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADD: Attention Deficit Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.
The Neurodiversity At Work (2024) report by Pearn Kandola, a business psychology consultants, found when job hunting, the barriers neurodiverse candidates face were “bias and negative attitudes” from employers, based on neurotypical assumptions and employers not offering or making reasonable adjustments.
KEY FINDINGS AT A GLANCE:
Almost half of employees (46%) have experienced discriminatory behaviour towards neurodiverse colleagues
Six in ten (63%) neurodiverse employees mask their condition from colleagues, and more than two in five (42%) admit to feelinguncomfortable asking their employer for adjustments to accommodate their neurodiverse traits
Six in Ten managers in the workplace have never had any training on how to manage colleague with neurodiversity
When they were able to navigate the job application and interview process, many found the workplace a hostile environment, with 6 in ten (63%) neurodiverse employees revealing they masked their condition from colleagues – hiding their discomfort or emotions - and more than two in five (42%) admitting they were uncomfortable asking their employer for adjustments to accommodate their neurodiverse traits.
Training was also lacking with seven in ten (70%) workers in the UK believing businesses do not do enough to accommodate people with invisible disabilities – such as providing visual aids to help people with dyslexia. Of those surveyed who manage staff at work (45%), six in 10 had never had any training on how to manage colleagues with neurodiversity.
Clare Reynolds is a Business Psychologist at Pearn Kandola who contributed to the report, and discusses the findings, and the importance of tackling inequality for neurodiverse workers and what more needs to be done.
11 Jul 2024
Avon UK appoints Dragon's Den Star as Chief Inspiration Officer | Sara Davies MBE
Sara Davies MBE, Entrepreneur & Avon UK's Chief Inspiration Officer speaks to Clayton M. Coke of Podcast Radio to discuss her new role as Avon UK's Chief Inspiration Officer
Entrepreneur, founder of Crafter’s Companion and business investor Sara Davies has been appointed as Avon UK’s Chief Inspiration Officer.
Avon research reveals nearly a third of British women face barriers when starting their own business including knowing how to access finance, not knowing where to start, as well as lack of confidence
Being an Avon Rep enables women to work flexibly and gives them the tools and opportunity to run their own business as well as the potential to become a Leader and coach a team of Reps
Beauty brand Avon UK has appointed prolific entrepreneur and businesswoman Sara Davies MBE as its Chief Inspiration Officer.
The role will see Sara help more women run and build their own successful business and she will host inspiring masterclasses to coach and mentor Avon Reps while offering tailored advice on how to be their own boss, grow their businesses and lead a team.
Sara’s appointment comes as Avon research shows various factors deter many women from starting their own business.
The research reveals a third (33%) of women in the UK believe setting up their own business is in favour of men and just under a quarter (23%) feel they have fewer choices than men when it comes to starting their own business.
While there is appetite to change working circumstances, many women continue to face obstacles to achieving their goals.
Nearly a third (31%) of women say there are barriers to them starting their own business including money/finance (53%), not knowing where to start (40%), lack of confidence (39%), fear of failure (37%) and lack of knowledge of the market (33%).
Sara Davies, Avon UK’s Chief Inspiration Officer, said:
“I am thrilled to join Avon UK as its first Chief Inspiration Officer.
“It’s a brilliant opportunity to work with new and existing Avon Reps who have the hunger to build and run their own business, on their own terms.
“The research reflects so many of the barriers I came up against when starting up my own business.
“I know that it still impacts women today, who have that drive, but face the same issues.
“I have always been passionate about entrepreneurship and helping people to realise their ambitions so having the opportunity to share my own knowledge and experience to inspire others is incredibly exciting.”
Sara’s top tips for building your own business and motivating a team:
Have a plan, set your goals and put them on paper: writing down what you want to achieve helps you to stick to your plans and hold yourself accountable.
Do your research: ensure that you feel a connection to the brand and what they stand for. This will make promoting your business feel natural.
Build a personal brand: give customers the chance to buy into you, not just the products you sell.
Use your support network: reach out to those around you for advice and be loud and proud when something goes well for you.
Lead from the front: as your business grows your team will increasingly look to you for inspiration and motivation. Successful leadership doesn’t come from what you do occasionally but from what you do consistently.
Tailor your leadership style: listen to what each individual team member needs to support their growth and development as you recruit new talent. If someone has done a good job, tell them and...
Inside a recent episode
TIME TO RAISE THE PROFILES OF WOMEN AND CLOSE THE GENDER BREAK | Lisa Johnson
Published 13 Jul 2023 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Can you give us an idea as to how that lack of funding really constricts female dead startups much more than their male counterparts? Yeah, well, what we know statistically is that most of the funding available out there is claimed by male businesses, male founded businesses. […]
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