Businesses

South African Businesses Need Specialised Payroll Software to Navigate Complex Compliance Landscape

South African Businesses Need Specialised Payroll Software to Navigate Complex Compliance Landscape: CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA — South African businesses face unique payroll management challenges that require specialised software solutions, according to industry experts. With frequent changes to tax regulations and compliance requirements, companies need purpose-built payroll systems that address the specific demands of the South …

Most businesses won’t pay more national insurance. But the UK’s small employers still need support

Most businesses won’t pay more national insurance. But the UK’s small employers still need support: Stock-Asso/Shutterstock There are nearly 5.5 million businesses in the UK. It may come as a surprise, however, to learn that most of these (about 4.1 million) are not employers. They might be, for example, the sole traders we call to …

Financial skills like managing debt are key to success, but Ghana’s small businesses don’t have them

Financial skills like managing debt are key to success, but Ghana’s small businesses don’t have them: Mongta Studio/Shutterstock Financial literacy is vital for individuals and households. Simply put, it’s the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills: budgeting, managing debt, making sound investments, and understanding financial statements. These skills are crucial for businesses, …

Businesses that try to come clean about their impact on nature can end up concealing more than they reveal

Businesses that try to come clean about their impact on nature can end up concealing more than they reveal: Fahroni/Shutterstock Humans have overfished the ocean, cleared forests, polluted water and created a climate crisis by burning fossil fuels. These actions are affecting biodiversity around the world, from remote islands to our own backyards. Biodiversity can …

Small businesses can help South Africa fight unemployment if they get proper support – study

Small businesses can help South Africa fight unemployment if they get proper support – study: South Africa has an alarming unemployment rate of approximately 32.1%. Solutions have been elusive. The unemployment rate has been consistently high for decades. Our research has revolved around entrepreneurship. We have examined the “liability of newness” related to small and …

Why do identical informal businesses set up side by side? It’s a survival tactic – Kenya study

Why do identical informal businesses set up side by side? It’s a survival tactic – Kenya study: The population on the African continent will have nearly doubled by 2050, according to UN projections. About 800 million more young Africans will enter the job market by then. Combine this forecast with the high youth unemployment rate …

The Spotlight Effect: Why Getting Listed in Niche Publications Matters for Businesses

The Spotlight Effect: Why Getting Listed in Niche Publications Matters for Businesses: In today’s crowded digital landscape, visibility is key for businesses of all sizes. While major publications and directories have their place, niche industry-focused publications can offer unique advantages and be essential for targeting specific audiences. Let’s explore why getting mentioned or listed in …

Teaching prisoners to start businesses can help them return to society

Teaching prisoners to start businesses can help them return to society: When people are released from prison back into society, they can find themselves in an unknown world for which they are ill-equipped. They need stability and security to get their lives back on track – yet often have nowhere to go. They also tend …

Autumn statement: earlier tax cuts could boost UK economy, but businesses also need more certainty

Autumn statement: earlier tax cuts could boost UK economy, but businesses also need more certainty: It’s the right time to cut taxes to grow the economy, according to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Both he and the chancellor have been discussing the “path to reducing the tax burden” in recent days. The government is set to …

Nedbank launches Avo Solar to make solar power accessible to more households and businesses

Nedbank launches Avo Solar to make solar power accessible to more households and businesses: With many South Africans seeking affordable and reliable solar power solutions to protect their homes and businesses from load-shedding, Nedbank has launched its first set of market-leading solar financing packages available on its Avo Solar website. The packages aim to make …

How smaller businesses can become net-zero influencers and enablers

How smaller businesses can become net-zero influencers and enablers: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock What if all of the UK’s 48,000 hairdressing salons and barbershops started sharing water and energy-saving advice with their clients, alongside a clipper cut or a wash and blow dry? Previous studies have demonstrated that hairdressers can shape customers’ environmental behaviour with guidance they can …

Big businesses say they are helping to restore ecosystems – but proof remains elusive

Big businesses say they are helping to restore ecosystems – but proof remains elusive: A coral restoration project in Indonesia. Martin Colognoli/Ocean Image Bank, CC BY-NC-SA We’re witnessing first-hand an alarming decline of the world’s ecosystems, which is having a devastating impact on the people who rely on them. In many cases, it’s no longer …

X users will need protection after the ‘block’ feature is removed – here’s why businesses are better than people at moderating negative comments

X users will need protection after the ‘block’ feature is removed – here’s why businesses are better than people at moderating negative comments: Evolf / Shutterstock In a recent post, the owner of X, (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk, announced his plans for the social media platform to remove its blocking feature, except for in direct …

How rising interest rates are affecting UK businesses

How rising interest rates are affecting UK businesses: Stock-Asso/Shutterstock From chip shops to tech start-ups, and even large, well-established companies, rising interest rates have had an impact right across the business world. After 14 consecutive base rate hikes by the Bank of England since 2021, this is causing particular problems for companies with a lot …

Hiring refugees is not just ‘doing a good thing’ – research shows it can also help businesses

Hiring refugees is not just ‘doing a good thing’ – research shows it can also help businesses: Pressmaster/Shutterstock The global refugee population is more than 26 million people, according to some estimates. Such largescale movements of people affect many countries and have created significant interest among business and management researchers in recent years as companies …

Why workers in small businesses can struggle with mental health and ‘presenteeism’

Why workers in small businesses can struggle with mental health and ‘presenteeism’: Ground Picture/Shutterstock If you are struggling with your mental health, is it better to come to work or stay off sick? You may think your employer would prefer you try to keep working, but many employers would prefer you take time off to …

Businesses that address social or environmental problems often struggle to survive: 3 things that can help them

Businesses that address social or environmental problems often struggle to survive: 3 things that can help them: Social entrepreneurs play an important role in alleviating poverty. Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images Social enterprises are organisations that promote social or environmental issues as their core business. They are useful to societies in lots of ways. They can help …

Regulators including Ofgem use codes of practice to curb bad behaviour by businesses –– how to tell if this works

Regulators including Ofgem use codes of practice to curb bad behaviour by businesses –– how to tell if this works: Janis Abolins/Shutterstock UK energy regulator Ofgem wants to make its voluntary code of practice on prepayment meters compulsory. It introduced the code in April 2022 to protect people from being forced onto prepayment meters for …