Monthly Archives: December 2020

How my small business can contribute to reducing climate change

Originally written by Dan Matthews on Small Business
Businesses that protect the environment with lean, efficient operations enjoy a multitude of benefits. Most obvious among these is the warm feeling that comes with knowing you are making a positive contribution towards the battle against climate change.
But green businesses can also save money, improve brand reputation and even increase their chances of securing finance from lenders who are increasingly hawkish about portfolio businesses sustainability credentials.
So how can you ensure your business is as green as it can be? Here are 10 tips to get you started:
1) Make it easier to recycle
Most people recycle as a matter of course in their homes, but at work it’s all too often a different story. Placing a standard paper bin under every desk is a good way to encourage landfill waste, so work out how you can make recycling bins accessible to even your busiest employees.
Invest in clear labelling too; this helps them find the right bins for each piece of recycling and saves time.
2) Encourage low-carbon commuting
This can come in a number of forms, from a ride-to-work scheme to season ticket loans for public transport. If people must drive, consider ways to encourage car-pooling, perhaps

Read more...

Five reasons why Peer Networks could benefit your business

Originally written by Partner Content on Small Business
The year 2020 has proved challenging for SMEs across all sectors but working with like-minded peers to address key issues and opportunities can help businesses to successfully navigate through Covid-19 and the ongoing EU transition.
At a time when SMEs need impactful support, working with other business leaders is an effective approach to share knowledge and find solutions in a trusted and collaborative space – and the Peer Networks Programme, backed by the Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) – aims to do just that.
What is the Peer Networks programme?
Peer Networks is an initiative that will bring together SME businesses to support them as they work together on important challenges, while also coming up with tangible solutions in a collaborative environment.
The programme is being delivered in England locally by the network of Growth Hubs and supported by their respective Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).
Peer Networks will form an important part of the government’s drive to improve productivity and deliver part of the economic response to the effect of Covid-19 on businesses.
It will provide support to SMEs as they move into and through the recovery phase of Covid-19 response, improve SMEs’ capability to

Read more...