10 • IT, technology & communications ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE


Business Guide - brought to you by APL Media •Wednesday 15 February 2023 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Breaking down career barriers ISO compliance: why overpay?


Coachcube is an online mentoring platform that aims to eliminate barriers to career and education opportunities for people in the UK. The London-based startup donates 95% of fees generated to UK charities and good causes. Founded in 2021 by Oxford


University graduate Sylvester Lewis, Coachcube empowers people to make informed career and education decisions by matching members with an experienced professional and/or academic mentor to gain insight and advice about a specifi c industry, job role, skill set or application process. Completed via video, the


mentoring sessions are a simple exchange of knowledge, experience, insights and information from one person to another who wants to learn more about a particular subject. The aim is to enable mentees to secure a place or role at their dream institution or company. Coachcube already has an active membership of over 500 mentors and mentees. Having raised £250,000 in seed


funding last year, the company aims to secure an additional £1m in crowdfunding. Coachcube has also been selected by the Mayor of London to help deliver the ‘New Deal for Young People’ initiative. Sylvester Lewis studied a master’s


in Engineering Science at Oxford University before moving into the


In a competitive world, a growing business needs to stand out from the crowd


SYLVESTER LEWIS


fi nance industry specialising in mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets in the UK and US. Alongside his corporate roles, Sylvester has helped friends and small businesses raise capital for business growth with investment received totalling over £12m.


For more information Visit: coach-cube.com


businesses stay head and shoulders above their competitors. From the initial interview, business assessment and GAP analysis to the fi nal certifi cation, CAW will be with you every step of the way. With the right support from the


right people in just 14 days, you could be on the way to your fi rst intern- ationally recognised accreditation or that next potential client. Initial company assessments are FREE.


Gaining an industry standard accreditation such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 status lets potential clients know that you do things right, without compromise, every time. Traditionally, achieving


Quote discount code SpringSave to receive an extra


10% off. Offer ends 21 June 2023


the correct standard took time, money and eff ort that most SMEs just couldn’t aff ord. CAW does things diff erently — it’s helped hundreds of companies prove that they too can make the grade without expensive consultancy fees, repetitive visits and endless admin. CAW’s business consultants


have decades of experience helping ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Make competitive and informed pay decisions


Business owners have rarely faced so many challenges at once. Infl ationary pressures, the cost of living crisis, labour shortages and pressures on supply chains have created unchartered economic territory


Inflation soared in 2022 compared to previous years, but pay awards did not keep pace.


0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10%


2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Lower Quartile Source: Paydata pay database, January 2023.


Employers are striving to balance aff ordability and sustainability with giving employees meaningful remuneration. Escalating costs for both


employers and employees mean stark comparisons with infl ation mask the nuances involved and shape employee perceptions about current pay rises. Despite external infl uences, pay awards remained


largely consistent up until March 2021 at 2%, when pay rises failed to keep pace with rising infl ation. When considering the total


reward package, it is important to acknowledge the signifi cant increase represented by projected pay awards of 5% for 2023. Direct comparisons with infl ation during ongoing turbulent global events, and infl ation having remained so low


for so long, make setting pay in these circumstances challenging. The Offi ce for National Statistics projects infl ation falling sharply from the middle of 2023, easing pay pressure in the long-term. However, this may be too late for employers with spring pay reviews.


2017 Median 2018 2019 Upper Quartile 2020 Pre-Covid CPI 2020 All year 2021 2022 With ongoing challenges around Reward management


specialists at Paydata have been helping


employers effectively manage their approach to


reward and HR for 25 years. Get in touch to discuss your requirements


labour supply, rising recruitment costs and the war for talent, employers must also remain alert to employee needs to avoid losing people unnecessarily. Being open and transparent about the process the organisation goes through in setting its approach to reward is one way to address any misconceptions. Using salary benchmarking services to access the latest market intelligence will help provide clarity and support evidence-based pay decisions. How employers engage with employees and communicate pay decisions will be crucial. During the pandemic, communication played a key role, helping employees feel secure and updated in


unprecedented times. Reduced salaries and


furloughing were communicated with the


considered message that employers could not aff ord to overextend themselves in times of uncertainty.


With aff ordability and


sustainability remaining key concerns for many, employers must take a similar considered approach to how they communicate with employees and manage expectations. Total Reward Statements provide a valuable tool, outlining the wider investment in each employee beyond pay, encompassing benefi ts packages and learning and development opportunities. By maintaining an objective and


considered approach, organisations can weather current challenges, drive down employee turnover and secure buy-in to maintain employee engagement, ensuring employees feel seen and heard.


Get in touch


T: 01733 391377 E: info@paydata.co.uk W: paydata.co.uk


SERVICES INCLUDE: • ISO and accreditation consultancy, • Documented or paperless management systems • Internal audits • Compliance outsourcing • Bids and tender writing and more. Making your company compliant


shouldn’t cost the earth. Take the next step today.


For more info


To book a free business review with an expert E: bookmyreview@CAWConsultancy.co.uk To view the full range of services, visit: cawconsultancy.co.uk


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