Articles and News
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Has Your Business Outgrown Its Systems? Seven Warning Signs
As a business grows, the systems that once worked well can start to create delays, duplication and confusion. This article highlights seven warning signs that your business may have outgrown the way it operates and explains why simplifying processes should come before buying new software.
Your Employees Are Already Using AI: Five Rules Every SME Needs
Your employees may already be using AI to draft emails, prepare proposals, research competitors and create marketing content. Used well, it can save time and improve productivity. Used carelessly, it can expose confidential information, produce inaccurate advice and damage customer trust.
This article sets out five practical rules every SME should follow, from protecting sensitive data and checking outputs to approving tools and using AI to solve defined business problems.
All change: what a new Prime Minister means for SMEs
Political change can create uncertainty for business owners, but SMEs cannot afford to wait for perfect clarity. Rich Olsen sets out seven practical actions leaders can take over the next 90 days, from protecting cash and stress testing the business to reviewing customer risk, watching policy developments and focusing on what they can control.
Why Technical Skill is Not Enough to Grow an SME
Many SME owners start as experts in their field. But the skill that built the business may not be enough to scale it. This article explains why growing SMEs need stronger systems, better delegation and a shift from doing the work to leading the business.
Are you promoting potential or just performance?
Promoting a trusted employee can feel like the obvious next step. But success in one role does not always mean someone is ready for the next. This article explains how SME owners can avoid the Peter Principle by assessing potential, defining the new role clearly and supporting people as they move from operational performance into leadership.
SME Funding in 2026: Moving Beyond Survival Borrowing
Many SMEs are using finance as a short-term fix for cash flow pressure rather than as a planned tool for growth. UKBA member Rich Olsen explains why timing, preparation and broker transparency matter, and how business owners can improve their funding options before pressure becomes urgent.
AI tools for small business: start with the problem, not the tool
AI is everywhere, but not every tool is worth your time. This article explains how small business owners can use AI sensibly by starting with the real problem: wasted time, slow replies, inconsistent marketing, admin overload or repeated work.
Is Your Business Culture Helping Performance or Holding It Back?
Business culture is not a soft issue. For manufacturing, engineering and industrial SMEs, poor culture can delay decisions, reduce productivity and increase pressure on senior leaders.
SME Resilience: Why Confidence Alone Won’t Protect Your Business in 2026
New research suggests UK SME owners feel confident about their resilience, yet many remain exposed to rising costs, weak cash reserves and a lack of forward planning. This article explores the gap between confidence and capability, and outlines three practical steps business owners can take to build stronger, more resilient businesses in 2026.
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