Category: Small business

You’ve probably come across the term ‘Blue Monday’, also known as ‘the most depressing day of the year’. Since 2005, this day, which always falls in January, has been calculated using factors such as stress levels, frequency of travel and time spent sleeping. According to the formula, this year’s Blue Monday will fall on 15th January.

Of course, Blue Monday is just pseudoscience, but it is useful for raising awareness about mental health in the workplace. In recent years this has been talked about more and more, and it’s obvious why: the Mental Health Foundation has found that providing support for employees with mental health issues could save UK businesses up to £8 billion per year.

If you want to foster a supportive environment for mental health in your business, here are some of the best ways to do it.

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For small business owners, working from home can be fantastic, and if all you need is a desk and an internet connection then setting up an office in the spare room is a great way to save both money and time.

However, outside a regular office it can be easy to forget about safety, and this could mean you’re putting your health at risk, as well as the health of any employees or clients who come to your home.

That’s where Home Office Safety and Security Week comes in. From the 8th to the 14th of January, business owners are being encouraged to think about and improve their home office safety. You can use the hashtag #HOSSweek to discuss the topic online, or read on to discover 5 tips to make your home office safer.

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A new year means new beginnings, for both you and your business, and what better way to give your business a fresh start than by finding a professional mentor?

Mentors are particularly useful for new businesses and start-ups, because they can provide advice and connections during those crucial early stages and give your business a better chance of succeeding. Mentors can also be valuable for established businesses wishing to change direction or expand into new markets.

If you’re interested in finding a mentor to make your entrepreneurial dreams come true in 2018, read on to find out more.

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When was the last time you listened to a podcast?

For me, it was two months ago. And it was my first time.

Podcasts have never really been on my radar, until a couple of months ago, when I discovered that they’re really big right now.

According to Rajar, almost 10% of adults in the UK download podcasts each week, which equates to around 4.7 million people. So, why tune into podcasts?

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Between the indulgence of Christmas and the celebration of New Year, there’s a strange week that has been given a number of names – Twixtmas, the Fallow, Romjul (meaning ‘half holy’ in Norwegian) – and it can often feel like limbo.

When it comes to working during this week, different businesses take different approaches. Some close down for the entirety of the festive season, while others expect their employees to be back at work as soon as the Christmas bank holidays are over.

If you’re not sure whether to keep your business open for Twixtmas, here are some of the main pros and cons to help you decide.

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The Christmas party: love it or hate it, the end-of-year do is big business in the UK. In fact, a 2015 investigation by Eventbrite estimated that UK businesses spend an average of £1 billion per year on festive parties.

So what makes a great Christmas party, and how can you bring the whole company together for a truly memorable celebration? If you’re struggling for ideas, look no further: here are six ways to celebrate a company Christmas.

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‘Tis the season of mistletoe, mulled wine and… business plans. That’s right, December is National Write a Business Plan Month, and while business planning might be the last thing on your mind, it’s actually a really good way to prepare for a new working year.

Not sure where to start? Here’s all you need to know about writing a killer business plan.

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5th December is International Volunteer Day, a day created by the United Nations to celebrate volunteer organisations and raise awareness about the importance of volunteering. Each year volunteers from all over the world offer up their services for everything from litter picking to blood drives to fundraising events.

For small business owners, International Volunteer Day is a great opportunity to give back to the community. Plus, volunteering can bring all sorts of added bonuses that can help to build your business.

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This week is Global Entrepreneurship Week #GEW2017, celebrating entrepreneurship all over the world. During November around 35,000 events and competitions are expected to take place – connecting millions of participants to potential collaborators, mentors, and even investors across the globe.

The lifeblood of our economy
Entrepreneurs are a vital part of our economy, stimulating future growth. But, being an entrepreneur isn’t always easy. Entrepreneurs often have big dreams – which can hit a harsh reality. These are some of the lessons that many business owners learn the hard way:

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Here at Get Ahead VA our team of virtual assistants includes experts in a wide variety of fields. From Accounting to Admin, Hootsuite to Holiday cover, Email Marketing to Excel, our VAs can add value to many aspects of your business.

In this guide our founder and director Rebecca talks about her favourite ‘tools of the trade’ – the mobile tools that enable her to manage the business successfully.

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