Over eight in 10 (88%) small business owners in the North-West England feel like they are ‘winging it’ when it comes to running their businesses, according to new research commissioned by business broadband and phone provider, Plusnet.
The research among nearly 1001 small business owners in North-West England found that more than four out of 10 (43%) cite attracting talent as one of their biggest barriers to business growth.
To help small businesses overcome common concerns, Plusnet has teamed up with a panel of business experts to launch Plusnet Pioneers: an exciting programme of events, content and mentoring in partnership with the UK’s largest independent resource for small businesses, Startups.co.uk.
To launch the programme, North-West England businesses were also asked what issues kept them up at night, with the ability for staff to keep customers happy reported as the most common concern (76%), closely followed by finding new customers through marketing (71%).
Over a third (39%) of small business owners in North-West England find it hard to be a leader and have responsibility over employees, while one in five (20%) fear that attracting talent will be more difficult following the Brexit vote.
Plusnet and its panel of business pioneers hosted a free talent masterclass at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester on 15th March.
The panel discussion, chaired by Startups.co.uk, featured familiar faces from best-loved brands in the industry and successful start-ups:
- Andy Baker, CEO of leading broadband and telephone provider, Plusnet
- Claire Morley-Jones, Founder of HR180, Leeds-based human resources outsourcing company
- Jo Harman, HR Director at Karmarama, the UK’s largest independent communications agency
- Simon Swan, Co-Founder of, Hiring Hub, an innovative online marketplace for recruitment
For more information on Plusnet Pioneers, visit www.startups.co.uk/plusnet-pioneers-manchester/
