Charlie Mullins

OP

Opinion 4 min read

What my eight-year legal battle says about the gig-economy and workers’ rights in the UK

After nearly a decade fighting an intense legal battle with a former employee, last week an employment tribunal in Croydon came down in favour of my company concluding that he was not entitled to an eye-watering ?74,000 worth of holiday pay. I detail the story, including the impact it had on my family values driven business. This true tale, rife with liberty taking, shows how the rights of SMEs themselves must be defended as much as those of the employees who work for them.

OP

Opinion 4 min read

Business owners must wise up to the new digital fraud threat

As fraudsters try to perpetuate crimes from the comfort of their bedroom, SMEs must ensure they don't leave the digital front door open for criminals to charge their way through.

OP

Opinion 4 min read

Securing public contracts: Are SMEs finally getting a look in?

The ability to bid for and secure public contracts has, for a long time, been in the hands of larger companies. A new government initiative hopes to give SMEs more of a chance, but will it do enough to change the unequal bidding landscape for good

OP

Opinion 4 min read

In tumultuous times, it’s vital to retain talented and dedicated staff

Given the extensive turmoil created by this seemingly never-ending Brexit debacle, why are many managers even considering improving their staff benefits strategy?

OP

Opinion 4 min read

Is the entrepreneurial world the most accepting of diversity?

What makes a successful entrepreneur" The answer is not as complex as you might think. All you need to do is identify a problem, and solve it. This is exactly what budding entrepreneur Katie Redstar did when she started a successful company that offers sign-language services to businesses. Being deaf caused her to face discrimination in her past life, but entrepreneurialism opened new doors.

OP

Opinion 4 min read

How do you grow into a successful entrepreneur” It’s all in the climb

How do you become a self-made entrepreneur" Through hard work and sheer determination. The way you get there is through the experiences you build, and the important decisions you're bound to make. In other words, it's all in the climb.

OP

Opinion 4 min read

It’s time to bring down workplace gender stereotypes

There's no denying that gendered jobs are harmful to the economy, starving industries from the potential brilliance opposing genders could bring.

OP

Opinion 4 min read

Don’t let Brexit uncertainty bleed our SMEs dry

Brexit risks a reduction in capital investment, which will weaken SMEs' ability to grow and prosper.

OP

Opinion 4 min read

Apprenticeships are a vital way for SMEs to attract the workforce of the future

SMEs which value their apprentice programme will reap the greatest rewards and stand a much better chance of retaining their people once those apprenticeships come to an end.

OP

Opinion 4 min read

The side hustle is enabling a new generation of entrepreneurs

The tough economic conditions of the last decade have proved hard on many an entrepreneur and those who survived or thrived have done so due to their ability to dig deep and adapt.