Michelle Ovens
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Articles by Michelle Ovens
Why AI is essential to the small business ecosystem
For years, starting and running a small business has meant doing more with less. As a founder, you are often the marketing, finance and customer service team all in one, without the resources large organisations have easy access to. This means time is one of your most precious commodities. There are only so many hours in a day. This is why the opportunity presented by AI is so significant for small businesses. It isn’t simply another technology or piece of software for entrepreneurs to adopt.
It's no longer university or nothing... entrepreneurship is a solid option too
Last week hundreds of thousands of young people found out whether they have secured the A-level grades they were hoping for. For many, those results will be the passport to university, with this year's figures showing a rise in the number of people who secured their first choice university and a record overall number of places offered. For others, they might have meant clearing, an apprenticeship, further training or a rethink about what comes next.
What small businesses need from the new prime minister
As the country prepares for a new Prime Minister, there is a real opportunity to renew the Government’s commitment to the UK’s 5.7 million small businesses. SMEs account for 99% of all UK businesses, so as the new Prime Minister takes office, it is vital that small businesses are placed at the heart of the UK’s growth agenda.
How the Maple Review will unlock opportunity for people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
One of our core missions at Small Business Britain is to make the entrepreneurial landscape in the UK open to all. Through the Lilac Review, we have been working to understand and remove barriers to entrepreneurship for Disabled people. This work culminated in a comprehensive report and the launch of the LILAC Centre, the UK’s first flagship business incubator and research centre dedicated to advancing the success of Disabled entrepreneurs.
Despite entrepreneurial load, female business owners thrive
For women across the UK, launching a business is both an economic decision and a catalyst for growth, happiness, and confidence. As our new research in partnership with Starling Bank shows, this journey is both inspiring and demanding. While entrepreneurship has its challenges, women still thrive while being business owners, finding freedom and flexibility in the process, and making an impact on their communities.
Helping microbusinesses to have full opportunity to grow
There is a very clear opportunity to help founders at this stage – who are often hugely ambitious, resourceful and resilient. Yet the path to growth for businesses of this size isn’t always clear-cut or straightforward. This has always struck me as an important problem to solve. So we set about fixing it! This month, our iconic ‘Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme’ returns, and has already seen over 1000 sign-ups, with a full waiting list.
how do we change this?
Protected: Entrepreneurship is not inclusive: how do we change this? iStock / Getty Images Plus / JLco - Julia Amaral
Research finds ‘marked rise’ in women starting firms to boost work-life balance
Research has revealed a “marked rise” in the number of women across the UK starting their own businesses, driven by people looking to improve their work-life balance. Industry group Small Business Britain reported a continued positive shift in the number of female entrepreneurs despite significant cost pressures facing people looking to start businesses.
‘Marked rise’ in women starting firms to boost work-life balance
Research has revealed a “marked rise” in the number of women across the UK starting their own businesses, driven by people looking to improve their work-life balance. Industry group Small Business Britain reported a continued positive shift in the number of female entrepreneurs despite significant cost pressures facing people looking to start businesses.
Small businesses need a major boost of support
There are no easy solutions here, and I know from speaking to business owners on the ground that they are under a lot of stress. In times like these small businesses need support more than ever. Rather than doom and gloom, they need hope and confidence. While there is no ignoring the major challenges out there, I think we need to focus on practical support and ideas, as well as greater recognition of the massive opportunity bubbling away amongst our small business eco-system.
What should the next Prime Minister do for small businesses?
With a new Prime Minister just around the corner, it is a good time to think anew and reflect on what is really needed for small businesses and how Government can supercharge this most important, and inspiring, part of our economy and communities. There are some clear things that the next leader needs to do to support our nation’s 5.6 million small businesses, who are facing yet another mountain to climb with the cost-of-living crisis biting hard and a recession biting harder.
Sole traders are getting left behind on the digital journey - it’s time to supercharge them
We are now - hopefully - reaching a point where we can talk, positively and seriously, at last about recovery from the pandemic. We are now - hopefully - reaching a point where we can talk, positively and seriously, at last about recovery from the pandemic. A place also, where we can step back and look at the incredible journey that small businesses have been on over the last few years, and where they are going next. It will take years to process this time in history.
How do small businesses recover?
The last two years have brought a rollercoaster of fortunes for small businesses. Each time it seems a corner has been turned, another hurdle has arisen. The last two years have brought a rollercoaster of fortunes for small businesses. Each time it seems a corner has been turned, another hurdle has arisen. There is hope that 2022 will be calmer and kinder. But even if this is the case, how can small businesses recover from a crisis this big?
Entrepreneurs are our secret weapon on the road to Net Zero
The spotlight of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) focused minds recently on the peril the planet is in, and the need for urgent action. The business response is also reaching a tipping point. The summit has been a powerful backdrop for big businesses to highlight important targets and ambitions. Yet the progress that small businesses are making to step up their efforts also deserves greater attention. Behind the scenes, bit by bit, small businesses are increasingly moving towards net zero.
Michelle Ovens - Elite Business
Michelle Ovens CBE is founder of Small Business Britain , the UK’s leading champion of UK small businesses. Michelle is also director of Small Business Saturday, a campaign to support, inspire and promote small businesses, on the day and beyond.
We need a ‘Plan B’ for business this winter too
Around this time last year, conversation picked up about a ‘tough winter’ being on the cards for small businesses. Here we are again with a perfect storm forming, and we need a plan in place to get them through. Around this time last year, conversation picked up about a ‘tough winter’ being on the cards for small businesses. Here we are again with a perfect storm forming, and we need a plan in place to get them through. Now headlines are racking up about another ‘winter of discontent’.
Why the Paralympics was vital viewing for entrepreneurs
I always look forward to the Paralympics. The Tokyo Games, as well as making fantastic spectatorship, were a well of inspiration. They brought so many lessons about hope, ambition, and resilience, which can be applied to business, as much as sport. I always look forward to the Paralympics. The Tokyo Games, as well as making fantastic spectatorship, were a well of inspiration. They brought so many lessons about hope, ambition, and resilience, which can be applied to business, as much as sport.
No freedom for small businesses
“Freedom Day” was a weird one for a lot of people, particularly small businesses. Rather than popping the champagne corks, many tell me they still feel like hostages to fortune, trying to conjure yet more stamina for another uncertain few months. “Freedom Day” was a weird one for a lot of people, particularly small businesses. Rather than popping the champagne corks, many tell me they still feel like hostages to fortune, trying to conjure yet more stamina for another uncertain few months.
Cheering small businesses on along an uncertain path
Businesses didn’t get the news that they hoped for back in June, when the government was forced to delay the end of restrictions by potentially another four weeks. Businesses didn’t get the news that they hoped for back in June, when the government was forced to delay the end of restrictions by potentially another four weeks. While delays to the roadmap are understandably unnerving, we must keep the bigger picture in focus. One that is getting a lot more positive.
A roaring recovery must ignite the fire for sustainable growth
If the roadmap of lifting all restrictions on the 21st goes to plan, June will be a historic milestone for the nation. For small businesses that have lived through one of the most challenging periods on record it will signal fresh optimism and progress. If the roadmap of lifting all restrictions on the 21st goes to plan, June will be a historic milestone for the nation.
Covid’s legacy must address entrepreneurial inequalities
What will the world be like post-covid? Whilst the virus will be around for some time yet, hopefully we are edging closer to finding out. Throughout the crisis there has been much talk about using Covid as an opportunity to reshape society. It is vital that we keep these conversations going and turn them into positive action. The pandemic has had a profound impact on us all, not least in the inequalities it exposed that will be impossible to forget.
Where is your head right now?
Most of us have been on an emotional roller-coaster over the last year. Where is your head right now? Most of us have been on an emotional roller-coaster over the last year. The recent announcement of a roadmap towards the easing of lockdown is encouraging, but for many small businesses there is still a long way to go on this tumultuous journey. Having greater visibility on what the road ahead looks like will certainly help firms to focus and plan.
How to be resilient - lessons on surviving a crisis
Last year saw breath-taking changes to the small business landscape. Businesses have ceased trading overnight; businesses have gone through desperately difficult times and found a way through; Last year saw breath-taking changes to the small business landscape. Businesses have ceased trading overnight; businesses have gone through desperately difficult times and found a way through; and some businesses have even started or grown in the crisis, realising new opportunities through the gloom.
Building Back Better: Lessons Learnt In A Crisis
Louise Brogan helps small businesses survive and thrive Louise Brogan “Being smaller can make it easier for a business to change direction,” says Louise Brogan of SocialBeeNI. It is definitely time to change direction. It is time to talk about small business resilience. These are unprecedented times and they are not ending soon. We need to take what lessons we can from this crisis, and use them to build a more secure future.
How do you plan in a pandemic?
We had a very different Christmas, and now we are having an exceptional New Year. We had a very different Christmas, and now we are having an exceptional New Year. January is traditionally the time for a fresh start and exciting diary planning, booking holidays and kicking off resolutions to develop yourself and your business. But this year inspiration can be hard to find. There are, of course, still many things to feel positive about.
The Nation Backs Small Business
Rowena Howie, founder of Revival Retro, had her biggest sales day on Small Business Saturday since ... [+] pre-pandemic Revival Retro Unperturbed by fog, snow, tiers and lockdowns, the general public stepped up in their millions this weekend to support the small businesses who have done so much to support them throughout 2020.
Open For Business
Sophie and Simon Webster, founders of Simon Webster Hair, look forward to opening up for Christmas Simon Webster Hair That ringing of bells you can hear is not yet Santa, but the tinkle of doors opening as businesses, particularly of the “non-essential” kind, open back up for much of England at least after a second national lockdown.
Boosting business through the winter
Small businesses got a bit of a welcome boost recently, with news about a vaccine for COVID-19 on the horizon. A glimmer of hope that 2021 could bring much better things. Small businesses got a bit of a welcome boost recently, with news about a vaccine for COVID-19 on the horizon. A glimmer of hope that 2021 could bring much better things. But right now, we are still very much in the eye of the storm and there are likely to be continued challenges over the winter months yet to come.
Improvise, Adapt And Overcome
Clare Talbot Jones has adapted her business in 2020 to ensure survival and growth Talbot Jones Ltd “Improvise, adapt and overcome.” So said Gunny Highway in Heartbreak Ridge, quoted to me by the phenomenal Clare Talbot Jones, founder of Chartered Insurance Broker Talbot Jones Ltd. Clare practices what she preaches, or in this case what Gunny preaches.
How much resilience do you have left? Probably more than you think
We talk a lot about how resilient small businesses are. Entrepreneurial life is full of so many challenges that this special quality - to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going. How much resilience do you have left? Probably more than you think… We talk a lot about how resilient small businesses are.
Are You Exhausted?
Beverley Logan, Founder of Badass Mother Runners, creates active wear and virtual events for mums ... [+] who like to run Badass Mother Runners For small businesses, as for many others, it has been a marathon not a sprint. It started in March and just has not let up much. Thank goodness for summer sunshine, making the journey lighter for some. Holidays cancelled. More importantly- time off cancelled. Pressing on. On the edge of your seat for new announcements of grants and loans and schemes.
Certain Uncertainty
Sarah Bartlett moved Hound Helpers online during lockdown to help dog owners with support and ... [+] training Hound Helpers One thing is for certain, there will be much uncertainty this autumn. There will be local lockdowns, there will be tightened belts across the board, there will be a return to Brexit with the end of transition looming, and there will continue to be a seismic shift in how we travel, work and play as the ripples of COVID-19 continue to rock the 2020 boat as we head into winter.
A small winter is coming: How to prepare
School’s finally back, days are getting shorter, the temperature has definitely taken at least a little dip, and small businesses are preparing themselves for the final quarter School’s finally back, days are getting shorter, the temperature has definitely taken at least a little dip, and small businesses are preparing themselves for a final quarter of what has been one of the strangest, hardest and most complex year for trading in living memory.
A Breath Of Fresh Business Air
Brother and sister team Emeka and Ifeyinwa run Chuku's the first Nigerian Tapas bar kicking off the ... [+] SmallBiz100 Chukus Fresh air has been a fairly important thing this last six months... distancing, daily exercise and safety has meant that a breath of fresh air has been more important than ever! That same wind is blowing through the entrepreneurial community of the UK with a boom in new start-ups - a gust of new business that is breathing life into communities and the economy.
How Covid Made Us Fall Back In Love With Small Business
Habiba Chowdhury founder of My Curry Club has launched online during lockdown Habiba Chowdhury, My Curry Club I tend to look on the bright side of life. While this is a bit more of a challenge in a pandemic, I am not the only one who appreciates the fact that the collective experience of Covid-19 has changed us all a little. We are now a lot more appreciative of the people and things we might have once taken for granted.
The road back - Elite Business Magazine
Shops have thrown open their doors, pubs are serving up and hairdressers are ready to wash and go. Shops have thrown open their doors, pubs are serving up and hairdressers are ready to wash and go. It’s enough to make you think we are returning to the way things were! While the easing of lockdown is hugely positive for small businesses and customers alike, there is also a growing recognition that things won’t just go back to the old world.
The Stories We Will Tell
Aarti Parmar, founder of AP Brand Communications, helps businesses tell their story through brand ... [+] strategy, coaching and design Aarti Parmer Human beings are story tellers by nature. It is how we articulate who we are; it is how we remember the things we deem important; it is how we teach those that go ahead of us.
Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention
Toni Cassidy, founder of Glamavan, has turned her business around in Lockdown to deliver online Glamavan We do love a cliche. And a crisis does bring it out in us brits. There is no place like home. Forewarned is forearmed. Don’t cry over spilt milk.... and necessity really is the mother of invention. The thing about cliches is that they are usually based in truth, and we are starting to see remarkable invention as the small businesses of the U.K. look to work their way out of this difficult time.
The big small business digital pivot
There are few mercies about the Coronavirus crisis, but at least this pandemic happened deep into our digital years – with online-retail, videoconferencing and super-fast broadband all accessible. There are few mercies about the Coronavirus crisis, but at least this pandemic happened deep into our digital years – with online-retail, videoconferencing and super-fast broadband all accessible. This saving grace could not be welcomed more by small businesses.
There Is Light At The End Of The Small Tunnel
Steph Douglas, Founder of Don't Buy Her Flowers, is finding growth and optimism for her small ... [+] business https://www.dontbuyherflowers.com/ Don't Buy Her Flowers The chips are down, literally for many takeaways, but small businesses are definitely not down and out as glimmers of light and hope start to peek through the small business sector. Things are tough, let’s not sugar coat it. If you are a small business, it might feel like a continuous uphill slog.
Strength In Numbers
Jo Bevilacqua, founder of Serenity Loves in Peterborough, shares her advice and how she is ... [+] responding to the crisis with Small Business Saturday on Facebook Live this week Small Business Britain Let’s start with some numbers....
Small businesses need more than financial aid to beat coronavirus.
If the business landscape this century was defined by the financial crash in its first decade and by Brexit in the second, just three months into the 20s we might well be living through the defining moment of the century. If the business landscape this century was defined by the financial crash in its first decade and by Brexit in the second, just three months into the 20s we might well be living through the defining moment of the century.
Small Business Big Ambition
Small businesses celebrate big ambition Small Business Britain Google ‘Ambitious’ and you’ll find the word is defined as “determined to be successful, rich, powerful”. Search a thesaurus and you’ll find “forceful”, “pushy”, “assertive”, “aggressive” and “power-hungry”.
Look To Small Businesses To Rebuild Consumer Trust
Public trust in institutions has reached a nadir in recent years. Despite a slight global rise in business trust between 2018 and 2019, the latest Edelman Trust Barometer found that just 40% of the UK mass population trust our institutions, and more than half believe the way business works today is not good for society.
Support for Small Business should come through confidence
What do small businesses want to see from political party manifestos this week? What do small businesses want to see from political party manifestos this week? It’s a question up for much debate as all parties line up to list their top small business fan favourite commitments this week. From business rates to late payments, the usual suspects were all present, and of course largely correct. But policy for this sector needs to be more than a list of promises.
How to set yourself up for success on Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) are heavily promoted and highly anticipated annual events which have now merged into a global four-day spending spree. Statistics show that in 2018, Shopify merchants collectively made over $1.5 billion USD in sales over the Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) weekend. At their peak, merchants generated over $37 million USD in sales per hour and $870,000 USD per minute.
Google's Kim Spalding explains company's SME direction
Once upon a time, Google's Kim Spalding owned a winery with her husband. Today, she brings her experience to the multinational firm where they're providing digital tools to help small businesses grow. Thought big multinationals only cared about ‘number one’? In fact, one of the most successful ones out there, tech giant, Google is changing perceptions about how established industry giants relate to their smaller counterparts.
Building a great culture: A case against best practice - Real Business
There has never been a greater desire for companies to establish a great culture, but how do you mould one that reflects your ideals? “Companies that proactively manage culture demonstrate revenue growth over a 10-year period that is, on average, 516% higher than those that do not,” said Kotter and Heskett’s in their study regarding this matter. But how do organisations actually create and manage a performance-driving culture?
Prince Andrew scandal hits the startup community hard
Following the Epstein scandal, major sponsors have pulled out of Prince Andrew's startup competition, Pitch at the Palace. Have budding businesses lost a vital resource? It’s safe to say that November 2019 will not go down as one of Prince Andrew’s best moments in life.
Why politicians should cast their vote for small businesses
As each main party prepare to launch their manifesto this week, voters wait for the various lists of promises to make their lives better and small businesses are no exception to this. There will be no shortage of goodwill pledges to reduce business rates and taxes from the main parties, but while these are important, they are part of complex age-old structures that need a fundamental rethink and do not get to the heart of why small businesses exist.
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