The Alternative Budget Britain Didn’t Know It Needed

(A tongue-in-cheek proposal from That’s Business)

Let’s face it, every time a new Budget is announced, half the country sighs, the other half groans, and a small minority pretends to understand the fiscal implications for frozen sausage rolls, beer or cheese.

So, in the spirit of true British innovation (and mild chaos), That’s Business proudly presents The Alternative Budget 2025, a visionary mix of the sensible, the surreal, and the suspiciously achievable.

ECONOMY & TAXATION

Sensible:

Introduce a Small Business Break Month each May, during which every microbusiness pays zero VAT. It’ll stimulate spending, reward entrepreneurship, and allow accountants a brief but blissful nervous breakdown.

Silly:

Replace the pound coin with “Community Credit” tokens printed on biscuit tins. If you can’t afford something, you can always eat your currency. (Economists call this “digestive inflation.”)

COST OF LIVING

Sensible:

Reintroduce capped utility bills for vulnerable households, linked to average weather conditions. Because heating your home shouldn’t require a second mortgage or a small fortune in fleece pyjamas.

Silly:

Nationalise Greggs. Every citizen gets a compulsory sausage roll allowance to offset stress caused by scrolling the news.

TRANSPORT

Sensible:

A new “Small Town Rail Revival” fund to reopen rural stations and reinstate services that were cut before most of us were born.

Silly:

Replace all pothole repairs with miniature trampolines. Keeps the suspension industry busy and makes the morning commute more exciting.

HOUSING

Sensible:

A tax incentive for landlords who convert empty shops into affordable flats. Bonus points if they keep the original shopfront, “Tesco Express (Now With Bedrooms)” has a certain charm.

Silly:

All new housing developments must include one mandatory village duck pond. If you can’t afford a house, at least you can feed the ducks.

EDUCATION

Sensible:

Bring back hands-on financial literacy in schools. If teenagers can calculate TikTok engagement rates, they can learn about interest rates too.

Silly:

Introduce a GCSE in “Arguing on Social Media” with practical exams held live on X (formerly Twitter). Full marks for diplomacy, minus points for using caps lock.

ENVIRONMENT

Sensible:

Incentivise small businesses to go green by offering tax credits for renewable energy, recycling, and using locally sourced materials.

Silly:

Create an Emergency Rain Reserve. If it rains for more than five consecutive days (so, any week in Britain), we export the excess to Spain and call it “liquid GDP.”

CULTURE & LEISURE

Sensible:

A grant programme for independent theatres, museums, and community arts, because culture shouldn’t be something you can only afford after payday.

Silly:

Make the Eurovision entry process part of the national curriculum. Winning it should count as an economic success indicator, right alongside GDP and the price of Freddos.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES

Sensible:

Create a new “Work-Life Balance Office” tasked with encouraging flexible working, four-day weeks, and lunchtime walks instead of limp sandwiches at the desk.

Silly:

Every office must adopt a Chief Morale Officer Cat. Expenses claimable if the cat improves staff motivation, reduces stress, or successfully types an email.

THE CONCLUSION

Our Alternative Budget 2025 might never make it to Parliament (though stranger things have happened), but perhaps it should. Between the sausage rolls, trampoline potholes, and cat-led morale programmes, it’s at least a plan that puts people, and a bit of fun, at the heart of the economy.

After all, if laughter truly is the best medicine, it might just be the most cost-effective national investment.

BrewDog’s “Cheaper Than Therapy” Campaign – Another Marketing Misstep?

BrewDog, the self-styled “punk” brewer known for its rebellious approach to marketing, has once again stirred the pot, this time with a campaign claiming that its beer is “cheaper than therapy and works better.” 

The slogan, which appeared on billboards and social media, has triggered widespread criticism and raised eyebrows across the marketing and mental health communities alike.

The Message That Missed the Mark

On the surface, it’s easy to see what BrewDog was aiming for, a cheeky, tongue-in-cheek slogan tapping into the stresses of modern life. 

But when the joke touches on mental health, it stops being clever and starts looking careless.

Suggesting that alcohol is an alternative to therapy not only trivialises the importance of mental health support but also risks normalising self-medication with drink. 

At a time when mental wellbeing is a major public concern – and when many campaigns focus on reducing alcohol dependency – BrewDog’s messaging feels tone-deaf and out of step with current attitudes.

A Pattern of PR Pitfalls

This isn’t BrewDog’s first brush with controversy. Over the past few years, the Scottish brewer has built a reputation as much for its marketing gaffes as for its craft beer.

The “Faux Feminist” Beer: Their 2018 Pink IPA – launched as a parody of gender pay inequality – was slammed as patronising and tone-deaf.

Employee Relations: In 2021, a group of former employees accused the company of fostering a “toxic culture,” leading to the “Punks with Purpose” open letter.

Marketing Stunts Gone Wrong: From “beer for dogs” to “beer served in taxidermy squirrels,” BrewDog’s penchant for shock tactics has often generated more backlash than brand loyalty.

The Bigger Picture: Marketing Ethics and Social Sensitivity

Marketing thrives on bold ideas, but there’s a fine line between edgy and irresponsible. When brands use sensitive topicsm such as mental health, addiction, or therapy, as punchlines, they risk alienating customers and damaging trust.

Good marketing provokes thought; bad marketing provokes outrage. In an era where consumers value authenticity, empathy, and social responsibility, campaigns like this can do lasting harm to a brand’s reputation.

What BrewDog Could Have Done Instead

BrewDog has a massive platform and a passionate customer base. It could easily have turned its message into something supportive, like:

“Beer won’t fix everything – but it’s better shared with mates.”

“Here’s to talking things out – over a pint.”

Such alternatives could have celebrated community and conversation without undermining mental health awareness.

BrewDog’s “Cheaper Than Therapy” slogan might have been intended as humour, but it’s yet another reminder that tone matters. In today’s marketplace, where social awareness and corporate accountability are more important than ever, this latest misfire risks cementing BrewDog’s reputation not as punk pioneers, but as repeat offenders in the world of marketing blunders.

Just a third of UK tech scale-ups boast AI expertise on their boards – lagging behind FTSE 350 tech giants

UK tech scale-ups are risking failure to meet their growth potential by not appointing artificial intelligence (AI) experts to their boards, according to new research from global growth consultancy, Think & Grow.

Just a third (32%) of the UK’s fastest-growing technology scale-ups boast AI expertise on their boards compared to four in ten (40%) of the largest tech companies on the FTSE 350 index.

The findings highlight a trend between AI expertise and revenue - FTSE 350 tech companies with AI expertise on their boards generate an average revenue of £6.8 billion, dwarfing an average of £953 million for those companies without AI knowledge.

Similarly, half (50%) of UK tech scale-ups with annual revenue greater than £50 million boast AI expertise on their boards compared to just 15% of companies with revenue below that level.

Efforts to appoint AI expertise to boards has increased in recent years as companies look to upskill their boards and leverage growth opportunities. The research findings show that the average tenure of board directors with AI expertise is three years, compared to five years across all board directors.

Additional research from Think & Grow reveals a third (32%) of technology companies plan to appoint individuals with AI expertise to their boards in the next 12 months. Surprisingly, given the clear investor appetite for AI - UK AI companies secured £2.9 billion in private investment in 2024* - 13% of technology companies have no plans to appoint AI expertise to their boards in the next year.

Figures from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and HM Treasury indicate that UK AI companies secured £2.9 billion in private investment in 2024, with average deals worth £5.9 million – with companies in the AI industry contributing £11.8 billion to the UK.

Think & Grow explains that AI expertise is becoming increasingly sought-after as growth companies compete for funding and market share as they look to scale at pace.

Jonathan Jeffries, Co-Founder of Think & Grow, told That's Business: “Companies without AI expertise on their boards risk losing ground to competitors and stifling growth.

“It’s a challenging climate for many sectors but there is huge investor appetite for high-growth tech companies, the issue is many of those who secure funding are unable to maximise the opportunity to propel growth as they lack key expertise on their boards. 

"AI is transforming business and society, ambitious tech companies won’t fulfil their potential if they don’t embrace it.

“The most successful companies weaponise their board connections and expertise to gain a competitive edge – UK tech companies need to ensure that they are building boards that are capable of overcoming upcoming challenges and leveraging commercial opportunities if they’re going to scale effectively.”

These research findings are part of an upcoming report from Think & Grow titled Breaking & Remaking the Next Generation of High Impact Boards which will be published in November.

Think & Grow is a global growth consultancy built to support high-growth tech companies through today's unpredictable and competitive market realities. Over 11 years, it has supported some of tech's most innovative companies, including the likes of Spotify, Stripe, Square, Dropbox, Peloton, Datadog, Canva and Etsy, to successfully scale their businesses and solve unique growth challenges.

https://www.thinkandgrowinc.com

Good News for Older Workers. A third of UK firms are actively hiring older workers

Two fifths of UK employers (40%) are actively hiring people returning from a career break, while around a third are actively hiring (31%) or looking to retain (37%) older workers, new research from independent consultancy Barnett Waddingham (BW) reveals.

The findings reflect an environment of mounting pressures both within, and outside, of businesses. Internally, a growing number of people are delaying their retirement and choosing to work for longer; earlier this year nearly two fifths (36%) of employees said they had already, or were considering delaying their retirement because they wanted to continue working, or due to financial reasons (34%).

At the same time, employers are concerned about staff lacking the skills they need to work (77%), rising mental health challenges among employees (73%), and persistent long-term sickness (68%).

Externally, talent pipelines are under strain. As newly implemented immigration policies came into effect earlier this year, reducing the availability of jobs eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, two thirds (64%) are worried about the shrinking availability of overseas talent. 

Meanwhile, declining birthrates and other factors impacting the way that especially younger workers approach employment, have seen three in five (62%) employers concerned about the future availability of domestic talent.

Employers are increasingly resorting to retention strategies to minimise the organisational risk associated with these pressures. In the past year, 84% have increased the amount they pay their staff, 81% their investment in their values and purpose, while 79% are increasing the amount of training they offer mid- and senior-level staff.

While one in six (16%) expect they’ll lose employees due to visa and immigration changes, 45% offer visa sponsorship and aren’t planning to stop, and 39% are increasing salaries to keep or attract skilled overseas workers.

Julia Turney, Partner and Head of Platform and Benefits, Barnett Waddingham (BW): told That's Business: “The labour market has bared its teeth yet again, bringing some new, and some familiar, challenges for businesses to contend with when tackling their balance sheets.

“Skills gaps, sickness, a shortage of talent and tightening regulations are all colliding to squeeze employers from every angle. 

"But businesses aren’t standing still: they’re investing in their people and looking to older workers and returners to bridge the gaps.

“But as the makeup of their workforce continues to shift, data and analysis will be the key differentiator. Older workers, for example, bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge that is hugely advantageous to a business, but their needs and wants are notably different from those of younger employees. Understanding these workforce nuances will allow firms to target investment effectively and ultimately retain talent while minimising risk.”

https://www.barnett-waddingham.co.uk

Rent properties? This could be a Lifesaver from Ventaxia New Smart Fan Helps Landlords Prevent Mould as Awaab’s Law Comes into Force

As Awaab’s Law comes into effect today for social landlords in England, Vent-Axia is urging landlords to take proactive steps to improve poor indoor air quality (IAQ), and tackle damp and mould before they become costly problems.

Introduced following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, the law requires landlords to investigate and fix damp and mould issues within strict timeframes, ensuring faster repairs and safer homes. 

Acting early not only protects tenants’ health but also helps landlords avoid spiralling maintenance bills and potential legal claims.

 With private registered providers of social housing spending a record GBP 8.8bn on repairs and maintenance in 2023/2024 and poor housing conditions costing the NHS GBP 1.4bn annually, these figures highlight the scale of the challenge and the importance of prevention. Vent-Axia stresses that tackling damp and mould through effective ventilation is vital to create healthier, compliant homes and reduce future costs.

To help landlords meet these legal obligations, Vent-Axia has launched an industry first with its new Lo-Carbon Revive 7 Switchee-Enabled smart ventilation. 

Designed specifically for social housing, the new Lo-Carbon Revive 7 integrates Vent-Axia’s market-leading smart-enabled fan technology with Switchee’s in-home connectivity to deliver energy-efficient ventilation, real-time environmental insights, tamper-proof performance, and proactive communication between landlords and residents. 

Vent-Axia is the first UK ventilation company to provide remotely accessible fan data to housing providers. This is the first smart technology solution that not only identifies condensation and mould but also actively helps to prevent them.

“Awaab’s Law marks a major shift for the housing sector,” said Joseph Brawn, Product and Marketing Director at Vent-Axia told That's Business.

“Landlords want to do the right thing for their residents, and now have the technology to make it easier by providing proactive protection against condensation, damp, and mould. The Lo-Carbon Revive 7 Switchee-Enabled provides energy-efficient ventilation and now gives landlords the visibility to spot the signs of condensation, damp and mould early, act quickly and maintain healthier homes. And it's not just about compliance; it's about giving residents peace of mind and landlords confidence that their properties are protected.”

The Lo-Carbon Revive 7 is a popular, energy-efficient, filter-less unitary fan offering high performance and near-silent operation. Designed to tackle condensation and mould, the Revive 7 already incorporates a sophisticated in-built data monitoring system; however, by integrating Switchee’s real-time data insights, landlords can now proactively manage properties and support residents in a completely new way. 

Switchee’s user-friendly dashboard provides actionable data, empowering providers to make informed decisions that optimise energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and improve landlord and resident satisfaction.

Providing instant insights into humidity, temperature, and fan usage, the Revive 7 Switchee Enabled gives early detection of damp, mould, or poor air quality. This proactive approach delivers humidity trends across property portfolios, helping social housing providers target resources, identify at-risk homes, avoid unnecessary call-outs, and offer more tailored resident support. 

With direct messaging capabilities and localised temperature tracking, it also enhances communication with tenants, allowing landlords to provide environmental recommendations, such as turning heating on, without needing property access. This proactive approach saves money by preventing the escalating costs associated with damp, mould and repairs.

Designed to meet the specific needs of the social housing sector, the popular Revive 7 offers high efficiency, near-silent operation, a slimmer profile, and great performance, exceeding the updated Part F of the Building Regulations. 

This gives social housing landlords confidence that the new Lo-Carbon Revive 7 can tackle the issues of condensation and mould, while improving the efficiency of housing stock and comfort for residents. Its slimmer profile means the Revive 7 is even easier to install in a wider range of locations, and is especially useful for window applications since it avoids interference with window blinds, improving resident satisfaction.

Vent-Axia’s new solution arrives as landlords face increasing pressure to meet higher housing standards, control costs, and protect residents. With Awaab’s Law now in force, the time for proactive ventilation 

For social housing landlords requiring further ventilation advice visit Vent-Axia’s social housing hub: https://www.vent-axia.com/social-housing.

For further information on all products and services offered by Vent-Axia telephone +44 (0)344 856 0590 or visit www.vent-axia.com.

Workplace stress fuels shift in employee expectations around health support

• Over half (54%) of employees view access to mental health resources as a deciding factor whether to join or stay with a company

• 48% place the same importance on stress reduction programmes

• A third of businesses still not offering stress reduction support for their staff

As workplace stress continues to rise, new data from international recruitment firm, Robert Half, reveals British workers want their employers to do more to boost their physical and mental wellbeing.

The firm’s latest Salary Guide, which reveals skills commanding salary premiums, evolving pay expectations, and the importance of emerging perks and benefits, highlights a growing expectation for companies to offer health-focused benefits as part of their employee value proposition.

This sentiment comes at a time when data from the Priory reveals 79% of people in the UK feel stressed at least once every  month.

According to Robert Half, workers are seeking support from their employers to help tackle the strains on their mental wellbeing.

In excess of  half (54%) have stated access to mental health resources and employee assistance programmes would influence their decision to join or stay with a company, while a further 48% are drawn to companies offering stress reduction initiatives. 

With a third of businesses still not offering any stress reduction support according to the data, it’s clear tackling workplace burnout has become an urgent priority.

Supporting employee wellbeing through physical health initiatives also key

On top of the mental health support workers are seeking, a large number have also indicated a desire for additional perks to help improve their physical health. 

49% of employees say access to gym memberships influences their decision to join or stay with a company. Over a third (36%) also value in-office physical activities such as yoga and group exercise sessions, which 41% of employers currently don’t offer.

For employees working remotely, there also remains a desire for perks to keep them active. 36% of respondents indicated that access to virtual physical activity platforms is desirable, while 42% of employers still don’t feature this in their perks and benefits packages. 

Amid rising concerns about burnout and work-life balance, these findings underscore a clear call to action for businesses to prioritise health-focused benefits as a core part of their employee offering.

Matt Weston, Senior Managing Director UK & Ireland at Robert Half, told That's Business: “This data reinforces what we’ve long believed, employee wellbeing must be at the heart of every organisation’s culture. 

"Here at Robert Half, we’ve made meaningful investments in mental health resources, physical activity initiatives and flexible benefits to support our teams. When businesses prioritise wellbeing, they don’t just retain talent, they empower people to thrive.

“These findings reflect a broader shift in employee expectations, where wellbeing is no longer seen as a perk but a priority. With wellbeing clearly now a key factor in talent attraction and retention, companies that embrace holistic support for their workforce are better positioned to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.”

https://www.roberthalf.com/gb/en

Employees must balance these three basic needs to stay motivated

Employees experience the greatest motivation and wellbeing when their three key psychological needs are balanced, finds a new study led by Manchester Metropolitan University Business School:

• Autonomy: Having the independence to make decisions

• Competence: Feelings of mastery or efficiency

• Relatedness: Feelings of connection and belonging

Drawing on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the study explores how support from leaders and colleagues can fulfil these needs and enhance overall wellbeing.

The researchers conducted a diary study of 85 employees across 10 work days, finding that wellbeing is enhanced when all three needs are satisfied equally, rather than when just one or two are prioritised.

For example, if an employee feels autonomous but lacks social connection, their well-being may improve more by addressing the social connection need rather than further increasing autonomy.

The study also found that managers and colleagues can support in different ways. Leaders are better at supporting autonomy and competence, while colleagues are more effective at fulfilling the need for relatedness.

“We find employees experience the highest levels of balanced needs satisfaction on days where they receive both higher leader and colleague support,” Dr Ioannis Kratsiotis, Lecturer in Organisational Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School told That's Business.

Finally, they found that positive experiences at work, such as balanced needs satisfaction and positive emotions, can positively influence well-being at home, improving vitality and overall well-being.

The study offers practical tips for organisations:

1. Leaders should focus on supporting the least satisfied need to achieve balance, rather than over-emphasising already fulfilled needs.

2. Encourage teamwork and social interactions to enhance relatedness.

3. Implement policies that promote balanced support, such as mentoring, training, and collaboration opportunities.

The research, led by Dr Ioannis Kratsiotis alongside colleagues from Trinity College Dublin, Neapolis University Pafos, and Bergische Universität Wuppertal, highlights the interconnected nature of work and home life, and draws attention to the vital roles that colleagues and managers play in enhancing employee motivation.

Dux-Soup celebrates 10 years and 300,000 users worldwide

Dux-Soup, the LinkedIn automation and lead generation specialist, is celebrating a significant milestone as it marks its 10th anniversary and passes 300,000 users worldwide.

Since launching in 2015, Dux-Soup has empowered individuals, teams and agencies to automate LinkedIn outreach, nurture leads, and grow sales pipelines more efficiently.

Will van der Sanden, Founder of Dux-Soup told That's Business: “Since launch, my focus has been on delivering the safest, smartest and most secure LinkedIn automation platform while putting customer service at the heart of what we do. 

"I’m proud that we’ve met those goals and have a Trustpilot score of 4.7. I’m excited to keep innovating for the next decade, building the value Dux-Soup delivers to professionals who rely on LinkedIn for lead generation and outreach.”

To mark its 10th anniversary, Dux-Soup is giving back to its community with a series of special licence giveaways over the next 12 months. These include four completely free 12-month licences and twelve discounted licences, each capped at £10 / €10 / $10 per month.

Outstanding customer feedback

With cloud-based and desktop deployment options, Dux-Soup has won deserved praise from a loyal customer base, including long-time customers who credit Dux-Soup with transforming their lead generation results and business growth.

Tyron Giuliani, Founder of Selling Made Social: “Discovering Dux-Soup over eight years ago transformed the scale of my LinkedIn outreach. It’s brought consistency to my innovative client acquisition strategies and tactics, executing them at a level I didn’t think was possible, while keeping my activity & accounts safe on LinkedIn.”

Tracy Enos, CEO of LinkedInAcceleration: “Happy Anniversary! Dux-Soup is the OG of LinkedIn automation software. Thanks to you, I’ve been able to add a lot of zeros to my business. The Dux-Soup team is awesome!”

Ben Pace, CEO Client Matchmaking: “Congratulations to Dux-Soup on your milestone. Your success has fuelled our own. I’ve used every version of the platform, from single-user to Cloud and Agency, and it’s been a driving force behind our growth into a multi-million-dollar agency. Dux-Soup has played a major role in our expansion, our success, and the results we deliver.”

David Adams, Founder of Momentum Solutions: “As a year-one customer, I’ve seen Dux-Soup evolve to meet the needs of professionals driving leads from LinkedIn. I’ve run countless successful campaigns, winning clients across sectors and continents from recruitment to marketing and PR. Just last month, I secured nine new clients using Dux-Soup.”

Demand for LinkedIn automation tools is growing across various industries from recruitment and coaching to technology and professional services, as businesses seek to connect more effectively with their target audiences.

For more details on the licence giveaway, visit www.Dux-Soup.com/10yr

How Businesses Can Ruin Their Advertising and Waste Their Marketing Budgets

How Businesses Waste Their Marketing Budgets. Design Fails and Ad Placement Disasters

I knew I had to write this piece the moment I spotted it an “All You Can Eat World Buffet” advert proudly displayed on the tiled wall of a gentlemen’s toilet. There it was, in all its glossy, full-colour glory, staring back at me from above a urinal.

It wasn’t the photography that killed my appetite, it was the placement. Because no matter how delicious the food might be, no one wants to associate their next meal with a public loo. And yet, somewhere, a marketing team paid good money to put that advert there.

That single misplaced poster perfectly sums up how businesses can waste their marketing budgets — and even damage their reputations — through poor design choices, bad judgement, or sheer lack of context. Here’s how (and why) it happens far more often than you’d think.

1. Poor Design and Kerning Disasters

Good design sells, but bad design can destroy your message in seconds. One of the most common culprits? Kerning, the spacing between letters. It might seem trivial, but a misplaced millimetre can completely change the meaning of your words.

Imagine a cinema promoting the film “Burn Notice.” Without proper kerning, it read as “Bum Notice." 

Or a message of encouragement that completely misses the mark when "We are all in this together is rendered as "We are all in this to get her."

Or a sign that says “Click on Line” but appears as “Click onLine”, confusing at best, and laughable at worst. Poor kerning and font choices can turn your expensive print advert into a social media joke within hours.

Always, always,  test your advert at full size and get a fresh pair of eyes to review it before you sign off.

2. The Wrong Ad in the Wrong Place

Another classic marketing blunder is context blindness, when businesses place adverts without considering where or when they’ll appear.

The “All You Can Eat Buffet” in the gents’ toilet is one example, but I’ve seen worse. When a beloved relative was in a nursing home for end-of-life care, a huge billboard for a funeral director was placed directly next door. Every visiting family member had to walk past it, a stark and upsetting reminder of what lay ahead.

No one at the advertising agency or funeral firm had stopped to think how that placement might feel to the people inside. It was probably chosen for visibility, not sensitivity, but it turned a simple advert into a distressing symbol of poor judgement.

Even online, algorithms can create similar awkwardness. A fast-food chain’s “Grease-Lovers’ Feast” advert might appear before a YouTube video about heart disease. Context matters, and ignoring it can make your business look careless, insensitive, or downright foolish.

3. Throwing Money at the Wrong Audience

It’s tempting to believe that “more exposure” equals “better marketing”, but if you’re paying to reach people who will never buy from you, you’re wasting your budget.

Advertising luxury watches on a discount coupon site? You’ll get clicks, but not conversions. Promoting a vegan café in a steakhouse magazine? Wrong audience, wrong message.

Modern marketing tools let you target very specific demographics, so use them. It’s better to reach 1,000 genuinely interested people than 10,000 who couldn’t care less.

4. Too Clever for Their Own Good

We all love witty campaigns, but there’s a fine line between clever and confusing. Some businesses try so hard to be quirky or ironic that their audience can’t even tell what they’re selling.

If your advert needs explaining, it’s failed. Simplicity sells; confusion doesn’t. Remember, the aim is to communicate, not to prove how creative your agency is.

5. Neglecting Proofreading and Quality Control

A single typo can undermine your credibility. “Buy one, get on free” or “Public Meeting on Pubic Health” aren’t minor errors, they’re reputation-wreckers.

I recall having to point out that a health promotion campaign that the local newspaper I was working for was aimed at promoting supporting prostrate health issues rather than prostate health issues.

Spelling, punctuation, and grammar might not seem glamorous, but attention to detail shows professionalism. Proof everything twice, and then let someone else proof it again.

6. Not Tracking What Works

The final (and most expensive) mistake? Spending money without knowing if it’s working.

If you’re not measuring conversions, clicks, calls, or visits generated by your campaigns, you’re throwing money into the dark. 

Use tools like Google Analytics, promo codes, or unique landing pages to track performance. Advertising should always be an investment,  not a gamble.

Key Takeaways: How to Avoid Wasting Your Marketing Budget

Check your design... and your kerning. A single spacing mistake can change your entire message (and make you go viral for all the wrong reasons).

Think about placement. Your advert might look great on paper, but does it still work in context? The world’s best buffet poster won’t tempt diners if it’s hanging near the urinals.

Target wisely. Spend your budget reaching the right audience, not the biggest one.

Proof everything. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are part of your brand’s credibility.

Track results. If you’re not measuring what works, you’re just guessing. Use analytics and feedback to make smarter marketing decisions.

The AI approval paradox: Why 2/3 of approved tools fail employees

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from experimental to essential in a record time. 

According to McKinsey's 2025 State of AI report, 78% of organisations now use AI in at least one business function, while their use of generative AI has increased to 71%.

However, widespread adoption masks failure in execution. According to the latest Cybernews survey, whilst 52% of employers have approved or provided AI tools for their workforce, only 33% of employees using those approved tools say they fully meet their work needs.

The result? Governance structures are failing to prevent the very vulnerabilities they were designed to address. 

Despite widespread awareness of the dangers, 59% of employees use unapproved AI tools, and 75% of them share sensitive company and customer data with these unauthorised applications, creating the very security breaches leadership aims to avoid.

Žilvinas Girėnas, head of product at nexos.ai, a secure all-in-one AI platform for enterprises, explains why the approval paradox continues despite widespread awareness of security risks.

“This isn't a user problem but a procurement and implementation crisis. We're approving AI tools on promises and checklists, not on how well they fit work practices. Insufficient tools lead employees to bypass approval, risking customer data on unknown platforms,” he told That's Business.

The rise of “shadow AI”: A conflict between productivity and risk

The failure of approved tools is creating a dangerous trend known as “shadow AI.” This phenomenon describes employees using unauthorised software and platforms to get their work done, creating a massive blind spot for IT and security leaders. 

This practice results in a clash between the company's need for security and control versus the employee's interest in productivity and efficiency. 

Employees are rarely acting with malicious intent. They are simply seeking the convenience, speed, and features of AI tools that actually allow them to do their jobs better and faster.

Leadership then faces a dilemma, to either block the use of unapproved tools and risk losing a critical productivity edge or to permit their use and lose control over the company's most sensitive data. 

The potential risks are tangible. When employees use unapproved tools, 75% admit to sharing potentially sensitive information, including customer data, internal documents, financial records, and proprietary code. 

Once this data enters an unapproved AI platform, companies lose control over what happens to it. While these platforms have privacy policies, most employees never read them, and the policies themselves often permit data to be stored, used for model training, or even exposed to other users.

This leakage of intellectual property and confidential information increases a company's vulnerability to costly data breaches, a risk that can increase breach costs by an average of $670K, according to IBM. 

This entire shadow ecosystem often thrives in a corporate "gray zone," where official policies are either absent or quietly ignored by managers who also want their teams to perform.

“The gray zone exists because having a policy on paper doesn’t mean it is an effective one. Many organisations implement AI policies with just a simple ‘I acknowledge’ checkbox, without providing training, approved tools that work, or ongoing communication on how to apply the rules practically. 

"When employees don't understand the policy or lack real alternatives, they make their own decisions. That's when sensitive data starts flowing onto platforms the company hasn't vetted. A policy is only as effective as the training, tools, and feedback systems that support it,” says Girėnas.

Why sanctioned AI tools miss the mark

The disconnect between high adoption rates and low employee satisfaction is the direct result of a flawed, top-down implementation strategy common in many organisations. The problem often isn’t the technology itself, but an absence of planning and user involvement.

Leaders, rushing to participate in the AI boom, frequently make procurement decisions in a vacuum, choosing tools based on vendor promises or security checklists without a clear understanding of their teams' day-to-day workflows. 

This can lead to “innovation theatre,” where companies adopt AI tools superficially to signal modernity but fail to integrate them into the business. When employees are not involved in the selection process, the result is predictable. a sanctioned tool that doesn't solve their problems.

This failure typically manifests in three critical areas:

Limited functionality. Companies approve generic, one-size-fits-all tools without understanding what different teams actually need, pushing employees toward unapproved alternatives built for their specific work.

Poor workflow integration. Approved enterprise tools are often standalone applications, disconnected from the daily systems where employees work.

Lack of training and clear guidance. Many organisations have a significant guidance gap, leaving employees without adequate training or support from leadership.

“The problem is that companies are treating AI adoption as a finish line. They buy a platform, check a box, and celebrate their ‘innovation,' but they skip the real work of changing processes and ensuring the tool actually solves a real-world problem for their employees. Employees aren't rejecting AI — they're rejecting a solution that was thrown over the wall at them without any thought. They’re left with a tool that feels more like a burden than a benefit,” says Girėnas.

Practical steps forward

According to Girėnas, solving the approval paradox requires a shift away from a top-down, tool-first mindset. He outlines four non-negotiables for organisations to build a secure and productive AI ecosystem.

Map employee workflows before selecting tools. Analyse daily workflows for different roles, from marketing to engineering, and identify friction points, data needs, and gaps. Use this map as a blueprint for selecting tools that solve real problems and drive meaningful adoption.

Offer a secure sandbox, not just restrictions. Creating a sanctioned alternative within a controlled environment provides access to powerful AI models with guardrails and audit trails. 

This meets employees' need for advanced tools while giving organisations control, turning a security risk into a managed asset.

Implement a “living” policy with ongoing feedback. Treat policies as living documents, not static ones. Create simple channels for employees to give feedback on tools and rules. This helps update policies to stay current, preventing them from becoming irrelevant as employees set their own rules.

Identify internal AI champions. Identify employees who are already seeing success with AI tools and create structured opportunities for them to showcase their workflows, share tangible results, and demonstrate the real-world changes they've achieved.

This transforms AI adoption from a top-down process into a peer-driven one, where employees learn from colleagues who speak their language and understand their specific challenges.

Celebrating National Mentoring Day. Why Mentorship Matters in Business

Every year on 27th October, the UK celebrates National Mentoring Day. 

It's a time to recognise the incredible value of mentorship in business, education, and personal development. 

Founded by Chelsey Baker, the day aims to highlight how mentors can transform lives and help build stronger, more confident, and better-connected professionals.

In the world of business, mentorship isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a vital ingredient for growth, innovation, and long-term success.

The Power of Mentorship in Business

Behind every successful entrepreneur or business leader, you’ll often find a mentor who offered guidance, perspective, and encouragement during the early stages of their journey. A mentor can:

Share valuable experience, helping you avoid common pitfalls.

Offer fresh perspectives, especially when you’re too close to a problem.

Expand your network,introducing you to new contacts, clients, or collaborators.

Build confidence, through reassurance and accountability.

Mentorship isn’t a one-way street either. Many mentors report gaining renewed motivation and insight from the fresh ideas of those they guide. It’s a partnership of growth.

Mentorship in the Modern Workplace

In today’s hybrid and fast-changing business environment, structured mentoring programmes are more important than ever. Whether it’s a small business pairing new staff with experienced team members, or large companies running formal mentorship schemes, the benefits are tangible:

Improved staff retention, employees who feel supported are more likely to stay.

Leadership development,  mentoring helps identify and train future managers.

Diversity and inclusion, mentors can play a vital role in helping underrepresented groups progress.

Innovation, shared ideas between generations and departments spark creativity.

Encouraging mentoring within your organisation is one of the simplest ways to strengthen your culture and improve overall morale.

How to Get Involved in National Mentoring Day

If you’re looking to take part, there are plenty of ways to do so:

Become a mentor,share your experience and guide someone starting out.

Seek a mentor, don’t be afraid to ask for help; it’s a sign of ambition, not weakness.

Host a mentoring event, online or in person, to encourage networking and growth.

Celebrate your mentors, thank those who’ve helped shape your business journey.

Join the conversation, use the hashtag #NationalMentoringDay on social media to share your story.

Even a short chat with a trusted advisor can spark a breakthrough, and that’s the real magic of mentoring.

Final Thoughts

At That’s Business, we believe mentorship is one of the most effective tools for professional and personal success. It’s not about hierarchy or superiority, it’s about connection, trust, and shared growth.

This National Mentoring Day, take a moment to recognise the people who have guided you along your path, and consider how you might do the same for someone else. A few words of wisdom can make a world of difference.

Share Your Story

Has mentoring made a difference in your business?

We’d love to hear from you. That’s Business is featuring UK companies, entrepreneurs, and mentors who’ve seen success through mentoring.

Email us at afj_uk@Yahoo.com to share your story and inspire others this National Mentoring Day.

That's Food and Drink: The Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers ...

That's Food and Drink: The Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers ...: The Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers (CIBD), the most widely recognised provider of technical education in the distilling indus...

ReBound cuts carbon emissions per parcel by 23% during Peak season

ReBound Returns has reported a 23% fall in average carbon emissions per parcel during the 2023-24 Peak season, compared with the same period in 2022, as retailers across Europe strive to improve sustainability amidst booming Black Friday sales and returns.

The omnichannel returns specialist, which handles millions of parcels every Peak season, attributed the drop to targeted sustainability measures including greener transport options, improved route planning and fuller truck loads.

ReBound’s efforts mean over a quarter of goods now travel by rail, a switch that can cut emissions per shipment by up to 89%. The company has also expanded its use of fully electric and hybrid vehicles, alongside HVO - a renewable diesel made from 100% hydrotreated vegetable oil or animal fats - which produces up to 89% fewer emissions per kilometre than standard diesel.

Further reductions have been achieved by maximising truck capacity, lowering emissions per parcel. Any remaining footprint can then be offset through ReBound’s carbon compensation programme.

Sustainable return management is a draw for customers, with over 70% stating it was important to them that that returns are handled in an environmentally friendly way (ReBound Returns survey of 400 UK retail consumers May 2025).

Emily McGill, Sustainability Communications Manager at ReBound, told That's Business: “Returns are an inevitable part of retail, particularly after the Golden Quarter, but they don’t have to come with a heavy carbon cost. 

"We’re proud that our work is making a tangible difference in reducing emissions during the most demanding period of the year. The retail sector has a unique opportunity to tackle a growing environmental challenge by optimising the management of product returns, and we hope that the wider industry will join the charge.”

ReBound manages over100 million return transactions annually for some of the world’s best-known brands. Its technology and logistics network give retailers visibility and control over every stage of the returns process, supporting more circular and sustainable operations.

Zen Internet celebrates 30 years – making it the longest standing independent ISP in the UK!

Zen Internet, a B Corp certified business, has marked its 30th anniversary with a celebration at its Rochdale headquarters, honouring three decades of innovation, growth and doing business “the right way”.

The company officially opened its doors for business on 13 October 1995, following its incorporation by founders Richard Tang (CEO) and his brother Daniel on 13 September. 

It’s 30-year milestone makes it the UK’s longest-standing independent Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Richard started Zen with just £5,000, a few Linux PCs, and six dial-up modems perched on an Ikea shelf. It’s grown from a two-person start-up into one of the UK’s leading independent ISPs, employing over 650 people and serving businesses and consumers nationwide.

“It’s testament to our longevity that we are the UK’s oldest ISP,” Tang told That's Business. “All our main competitors when we started have long since disappeared, yet we’re still here, stronger than ever, and still independent.”

From pub idea to pioneering ISP

Zen’s story began in the summer of 1995 when Tang, then a software engineer, first heard about the Internet. Over a pint in a local pub, he asked his brother, Dan, if he fancied setting up an Internet provider – and Zen was born.

By October that year, the pair had launched their first £10-a-month dial-up service, created from Richard Tang’s kitchen table, which could support six simultaneous users sharing just 64 kbps of bandwidth.

In 1998, Zen turned its first profit and by the early 2000s was riding the broadband wave, doubling turnover year-on-year and expanding rapidly across the UK.

Zen’s story is not just about technology, but also about the North West’s role in the UK’s digital economy. From its Rochdale base, the company has proved that innovation and resilience can thrive outside London and put Greater Manchester on the map as a hub for connectivity and digital services.

Tang’s decision to base Zen in Rochdale, rather than London where most ISPs clustered, helped the fledgling company stand out. “It gave us space to grow,” Tang said. “We wanted to do things differently, and being outside the London bubble was part of that.”

Over the last 30 years, Zen has evolved alongside constant technological change and the internet itself – transitioning from dial-up to broadband and fibre services – while staying true to its independent roots.Reflecting on the company’s journey, and looking ahead, Tang said: “When I started Zen, I could never have imagined how transformational the Internet would become. The fact that we’re still here 30 years later – thriving, independent and making a positive impact – is beyond my wildest dreams.”

“Zen remains proudly independent. I’ve seen so many of my peers sell up, but that’s never been my goal,” he said. “Zen exists to do right by people and the planet. Money is just the fuel to make that happen.”That ethos underpins Zen’s B Corp certification, achieved in 2020, which recognises its social and environmental responsibility. From carbon reduction initiatives to employee empowerment, Zen continues to lead by example in how a tech company can balance profit with purpose.

Brits get nostalgic as Zen charts 30 years of going online

To mark its 30th anniversary, Zen commissioned new research exploring how Britain’s relationship with the internet has evolved — from floppy disks and dial-up tones to TikTok and AI.

The “Boomers vs Zoomers” study revealed that 31% of Brits remember floppy disks as their first way to access the internet, while a third of 18-year-olds have no idea what a floppy disk even is. Four in ten say YouTube or Facebook were their first online obsessions, while almost a quarter recall buying clothes as their first online purchase.

When asked what they miss most about the early days, Brits cited “simplicity” — a contrast to today’s always-on, endlessly scrolling digital world. Yet, despite changing habits, the internet’s role in modern life has never been more vital: a third of people said they couldn’t live without it, with top reasons including entertainment (60%), reconnecting with friends (54%) and learning or upskilling (35%).

“We’ve been there since the very beginning of the UK internet, which has come from nowhere to become a critical part of our lives,” said Tang. “What’s clear is that while platforms change, the human drive for connection and creativity has remained the same. The next 30 years promise to be even more transformative.”

Looking ahead, a third of Brits believe that robots will take over household chores and driverless cars will be commonplace within 30 years — predictions Tang thinks will arrive much sooner.“I’d say both within the next 15 years,” he added. “And what all these advances will rely on is strong, secure and reliable connectivity — exactly what Zen was built to provide.”

For more on Zen Internet’s 30-year journey, visit: Zen Internet: 30 Years https://story.zen.co.uk

Key milestones in Zen Internet’s journey:1995 - Zen Internet is founded in Rochdale in 1995 by Richard and Daniel Tang1996 - Zen launches its first internet dial-up service with capacity for just six simultaneous users2005 - Zen expands into broadband services as the UK internet revolution takes off2011 - Zen moves into new purpose-built headquarters, Sandbrook Park in Rochdale2020s - Zen drives rollout of full-fibre broadband across the UK, supporting homes and businesses with gigabit connectivity2025 – Zen celebrates 30 years as the UK’s longest-standing independent ISP

The company remains privately owned and headquartered in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

https://www.zen.co.uk