Small Business Britain is teaming up with the global hiring platform Indeed to help small firms solve people challenges, as entrepreneurs increasingly cite the need for skilled workers as a barrier to growth and a source of stress.
The new ‘People for Business’ programme will provide focused help for small firms to find, hire and retain talent to fulfil their growth ambitions. This will consist of a series of free webinars on recruitment and people management topics, as well as sharing research and insight on best practice from successful entrepreneurs.
Kicking off on 25 September, the programme will also explore the impact of the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and flexible working, as well as managing skills and challenges such as staff shortages and pressure on pay with rising inflation.
This comes as early findings from Small Business Britain and Indeed’s research shows that half of business owners (51%) say not being able to hire the right staff stops their business growing and 59% admit it puts pressure on them personally.
Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain, said: “People are at the heart of the small business experience, and having the right team around entrepreneurs can make all the difference in helping firms scale and grow.”
“With the UK’s continuing tumultuous economic background, it is not always straightforward for small businesses to identify, hire and manage staff. We’re excited to offer this new programme to help entrepreneurs overcome these barriers, alongside exploring how they can lead the way on the future of work through embracing innovations such as AI and flexible working.”
Bill Richards, UK Managing Director at Indeed, added: “The labour market has been a bright spot amidst economic headwinds but too many companies still find the hiring process complex and slow. These inefficiencies are costly to businesses and frustrating for candidates, and as our research shows, can take a personal toll on owners.
“Our partnership with Small Business Britain will guide entrepreneurs on ways to simplify hiring and quickly match to quality candidates, and ultimately reduce the time it takes to hire someone. By solving these challenges, we help owners focus on creating thriving businesses and serving their communities.”
Small businesses can find out more about the new People for Business programme here.
