The Benefits of Hiring Students for Seasonal Roles

I’ve seen it happen more times than I can count. The busy season creeps up, and suddenly a business is scrambling: staff are stretched thin, people are working overtime, and everything feels a bit reactive. It’s stressful, and it doesn’t always have to be. What’s worked surprisingly well for a lot of businesses I’ve worked with is bringing in students. Not as a last resort, but as part of the plan. Hiring students for seasonal roles has quietly become one of the most useful things a business can do when they need extra hands, and not just any hands, but motivated, adaptable ones.

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Preparing Your Team for Student Internship

I remember the first time we took on a student intern. Someone asked where they should sit and we all just stared at each other for a second, realising… we hadn’t thought about it. No welcome pack, no induction plan, no idea what they were actually going to do. Just a vague sense that this was a good idea.

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How to Improve Leadership Skills

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions, especially of yourself. I learned that the hard way, sitting in a meeting that had quietly unravelled into frustration and confusion. Not because anyone lacked talent, but because I hadn’t set the tone. That’s when I realised: leadership skills aren’t just traits you’re born with, they’re muscles you build.

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The Real Cost of Staff Turnover

Losing a team member might not feel like a crisis at first – but if you’re running a small or medium-sized business, it can hit harder than you think. There’s the immediate scramble to cover their work, the time spent hiring someone new, and the ripple effect on morale. And if it keeps happening? You’re looking at a serious dent in both your budget and your culture.

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Understanding Employee Retention and How to Strengthen It

Hiring’s hard enough, but keeping great people? That’s a whole other challenge. If you’ve ever watched a talented employee hand in their notice just as they were getting into their stride, you’ll know how disruptive it can be. That’s where employee retention comes into play – not just as an HR box to tick, but as something that can make a real difference to your business’s stability, culture, and bottom line. Especially for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK, holding on to good people can make or break your momentum. Recruitment costs are high, onboarding takes time, and when someone leaves, it’s not just their skills you lose; it’s their knowledge, their relationships, and their rhythm with the rest of the team.

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Writing Job Descriptions to Attract Students

When you write a job description, chances are you’re thinking about what your business needs: someone reliable, enthusiastic, maybe someone who can bring a fresh perspective. Now imagine that person is out there, scrolling through listings on their phone between lectures or after a part-time shift – and your role is exactly what they’re looking for. Except… they scroll right past it.

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Talent Trends Shaping 2025: Insights for UK SMEs

Ask any small business owner what’s keeping them up at night right now, and chances are, it’s not cash flow – it’s people. Or more specifically, finding them, keeping them, and somehow competing with the big names offering more perks, more pay, and more prestige.

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2025 National Insurance Changes for Employers: What You Need to Know

If you run a business in the UK, there’s no escaping the fact that your employment costs are about to rise. From 6 April 2025, the government is introducing National Insurance changes that will see Employers’ NI contributions rise - hitting small and medium businesses the hardest.

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The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Leadership isn’t just about hitting targets or managing teams; it’s about connecting with people. Emotional intelligence (EQ) – the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions in yourself and others – has become one of the most sought-after traits in modern leaders. And honestly, it’s not hard to see why.

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