Autumn 2020


9 Contents Autumn 2020 edition 5 7


13 24


18 4 Industry news


The latest developments from all sectors and all markets in which SMEs are active


9 The New Look Office


The workplace has had to adapt and change with the times – but will it ever change back?


13 Thriving & Surviving


How many small businesses found success in new markets as the pandemic hit


18 Mental Health


Cut-off and feeling insecure – steps employers need to take to support those who support them


22 Brexit Law


It’s easy to forget, but it is still happening and there are legal implications


24 Staff Engagement


Why those two words have become so critical to the way we work


30 Innovation & Tech


The apps we came to reply on during Lockdown and the ones inspired by it


32 Appointments


The leavers, the joiners, their new roles and what’s expected


editor, SME magazine EDITOR’S LETTER T


he past five months have been among the most testing in recent memory for businesses of all sizes. For SMEs, almost six million of which form the backbone of the


UK economy, it has been especially tough with report aſter report predicting that many simply will not recover. Yet, in all the adversity, there have emerged some real stories of


resilience that have underlined the spirit of entrepreneurialism that has long driven Britain’s High Streets. Since Lockdown began in March until restrictions began to ease last month, our online portal, SMEWeb has been recording stories of diversity, many of which were not only inspiring but paved the way for entirely new approaches to what business success looks like. Not to mention the potential. We profile some of them in this issue, along with features that


delve a little deeper into what we now glibly call the new normal. We look at what the office of the future will look like – assuming we will all have offices – and the importance of effective engagement with staff working remotely. But, possibly most important of all, in a time when we have


learned to appreciate our health services more than we ever have, the need to recognise the effect all this has had on the mental health of those lucky enough to survive but facing a very uncertain future. Enjoy the issue...


While every care has been taken in compiling this publication, and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and the promoters will not accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication without permission is strictly forbidden. ©Publications UK Limited 2020. The publishers make no recommendation in respect of any of the advertisers, and no recommendation may be implied by way of the presence of their advertisements.


www.smeweb.com


Managing Director: Stewart Lee Editor:


Art Director: Production:


Sales Manager: Advertising: Enquiries:


Richard Burton David Hicks


Angela Brown Stephen Meir


sales@publicationsuk.co.uk +44 (0) 20 8238 5000


SME magazine 3


Richard


Cover Photo: Lise Van Trijp


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