Category: Articles

Regardless of the industry or country, there has been a significant shift in the way we work and our work locations. We have smoothly adapted to a digital workplace, remote working, a return to the office, and a future that will likely incorporate a hybrid of all these approaches. Wherever you stand on the future of the office, collaboration and teamwork is imperative for a productive and successful business that will stand the test of time, says Joanna Knight OBE, Group CEO of Moneypenny, the UK’s leading provider of outsourced communications, a company consistent recognized as a Great Place to Work.

The power of your people.

For me, it is about creating a sense of unity whilst also celebrating people’s differences. As individuals we are unique, and we bring a whole scale of skills, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives with that. Bring these together with a common purpose or goal and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. If you give people insight into how you are going to make it happen, not just the aim, then you invite them to think about it, giving ownership and they will work towards it too. Collectively taking people on the journey with you.

A teamwork culture empowers people, treats them as the individuals that they are and values that, harnessing this power to work better. It means creating an environment where people have a voice and feel comfortable to ask questions, raise concerns and share ideas. Individuals need to be supported and be supported for who they are, and they should be encouraged to become the best that they can be.

Create a clear, shared vision. Not simply one that is issued from management team level, sit down with people, discuss it, and agree the vision together. That way not only do you get feedback from all angles and perspectives, but also people feel a connection to the plan. It’s all about communication and not being afraid to ask and openly discuss what is not going well. If there is nothing going wrong, you are not looking hard enough!

Add that to a safe environment where people are heard and valued, and you can bring together a diverse group of people with individual yet complementary strengths and set them up to succeed. At the heart is cooperation and collaboration.

Not only does a culture built upon teamwork build cohesion and efficiency, but it also fosters innovation. A successful teamwork culture fosters diversity of thought, a can-do attitude and creativity, strengthening problem-solving and helping make better decisions, faster.

Furthermore, it provides learning opportunities, individually and collectively. Learning from their own mistakes and those of others when shared in a safe and supportive environment means fresh approaches, and new skills sets.

How to build a strong culture?

Teamwork needs to be an integral part of the DNA. It will only work if it is reflected in all that you do, your people, processes and culture. Walk the walk and talk the talk.

To create this there needs to be trust, excellent communication, and collaboration not only between all team members but all colleagues, managers and leaders. A sense that it is how we do things.

There needs to be a clear common goal, one that everyone understands and can strive for. Milestones can then be measured, contributions welcomed, and success achieved as a group. And when these goals are visible others can support them and contribute.

Diversity needs to be welcomed. It is where we find diverse and innovative solutions, and where we learn, which leads to better problem-solving, creativity and better results. Different views mean that you question any assumptions and bias, addressing stagnation in your working practices and improving collaboration, not to mention agility and innovation. No idea or opinion is a bad idea (within boundaries, of course).

That safe environment I mentioned previously is one where people have the confidence to air concerns and share ideas, good or bad, without judgement or fear. And that goes for anyone within the business, without hierarchy or pre-conceived barriers associated with job titles. Everyone is unique and should be valued as such.

In empowering people to become the best that they can be, a teamwork culture celebrates people’s own unique perspectives and achievements. From an informal thanks to a formal recognition from a manager the individual is valued and appreciated. And when you have a team or company full of people who feel recognised, you are harnessing the true power of your people.

One last thing. And one that is so often overlooked is fun. One of Moneypenny’s founding principles was to create a place where people wanted to work. It is reflected in all that we do, from our quirky offices to following our own path, to our approach to our people. We are all human. We all need to smile, enjoy ourselves and know when to stop. Creating a space to build relationships at work but that aren’t all about work, benefits everyone. It fosters collaboration, trust and support.

Why is it important to build a culture of teamwork?

We often view teamwork in a confined context, such as for a specific project or team. What we should do is see it as a crucial element in establishing a strong organisational culture, one that serves as the foundation of a business. By fostering a better work environment, a place where people want to work, we can cultivate a workforce that is more engaged, works better, and is more efficient. Most importantly, when the entire business works together, it becomes a powerful force.

Construction projects rely on heavy machinery for success. From excavators and bulldozers, this equipment forms the backbone of every successful endeavor. Yet, buying or leasing these powerful tools can be quite an investment. This comprehensive guide is intended to assist construction companies and finance managers to make informed decisions when purchasing or leasing heavy machinery.

Understanding Heavy Machinery Financing Options

Financing heavy machinery can be a complex, yet essential task for businesses that rely on these assets for operations. Various financing options are available, each providing distinct advantages and disadvantages, including equipment loans, leasing arrangements, and hire purchase agreements.

Construction companies can also obtain machinery through equipment loans provided by banks and financial institutions, with machinery serving as collateral against additional requirements such as deposits or agreements for additional security measures. Once paid off, ownership of the machine transfers outright.

Leasing

Leasing offers businesses another viable option to rent machinery over a specific period. Monthly payments tend to be lower than loans, often including leasing company maintenance services. Once their lease term has ended, businesses have the choice between purchasing or continuing leasing it from there or returning it altogether.

Hire Purchase Agreements

Hire Purchase is an alternative financial solution that combines elements of both loaning and leasing financing arrangements. Under an HPA agreement, businesses agree to make an initial deposit payment and then regular instalments over an agreed-upon time frame. Unlike leasing arrangements, which retain ownership until all payments have been completed by their lease company. HPA agreements offer more flexibility than traditional loans while simultaneously spreading costs over time.

Financing Pros and Cons

When looking to buy heavy machinery, financing options can have a dramatic effect on your company’s finances and cash flow. Each option provides its own set of advantages. Therefore, you must carefully consider which meets your business’s needs and budgetary constraints best. Some important considerations to keep in mind may include:

Cash Flow: Leasing or hiring purchases may offer more manageable monthly payments than loans, making them particularly effective tools for businesses operating with tight budgets.

Tax Benefits: Depending on the laws in your country, some financing options could provide tax breaks that reduce the overall cost of purchasing machinery.

Owned: Leasing agreements may result in ownership. This ownership can have significant benefits for businesses, such as trading up for newer models at the end of its useful lifespan.

Long-Term Costs: Leasing and hire purchase may lead to higher overall costs due to interest charges and fees compared with purchasing an asset outright.

Exploring Leasing Solutions

Exploring leasing options can offer businesses several distinct advantages when it comes to acquiring heavy machinery, especially those on tight budgets or seeking to protect capital. Leasing gives access to high-quality equipment without incurring substantial upfront costs associated with outright purchases. Instead, payments can be spread into manageable monthly installments for greater cash flow management and flexibility in financial planning.

Leasing offers numerous advantages to businesses. Lease agreements can be tailored specifically to the needs of each company’s business, with terms and conditions that can be altered according to the length or type of equipment required, as well as including maintenance service contracts to help ensure efficient operation during its lease period.

Leasing may offer tax benefits in certain jurisdictions, with lease payments usually qualifying as business expenses that reduce both taxable income and overall tax liabilities for companies leasing equipment, further increasing its attractiveness as a financing solution.

Comparing Financing vs Leasing Options

Businesses searching for new equipment must consider financing and leasing as potential acquisition methods, each approach providing benefits that depend on each business’s specific financial circumstances and operational needs, with financing typically providing greater financial flexibility than leasing options.

Financing equipment involves taking out a loan to buy it outright, creating ownership. Once paid back, ownership passes fully onto your business without further financial obligations associated with owning and using it. Machinery ownership may also serve as collateral against future loans that might help build credit.

Humanity in the corporate world, why we need it and how it creates a more productive workplace

What is humanity in the corporate world and why do we need it?

On the face of it, we shouldn’t have to explore what humanity means and why it makes commercial sense. But we do. In the recent State of the Global Workplace report by Gallup, 41% of employees report experiencing “a lot of stress”.  Those who work in companies with bad management practices (actively disengaged) are nearly 60% more likely to be stressed than people working in environments with good management practices (engaged), according to John Clifton, Gallup’s CEO.

We have seen solutions being put forward to respond to the challenge, with wellness programmes and mental-health days in abundance, as are initiatives to support different groups in the workplace, be they for ethnic groups, gender diversity or for neurodivergent people.  Yet still we hear a great deal about workplace stress as the report from Gallup highlights.

So, what is going to make the difference? And how do we respond at a time where commercial pressures are increasing and the response (as is often the case) includes reduced headcount, expecting teams to do even more and cutting learning and development budgets, which all contributes to developing the very people who make a difference to the top and bottom line.

Rather than focusing on plasters to cover up the cracks and programmes to deal with the stress in the system, we must take a long hard look at what is driving the stress and what can be done about it.

I have worked in the corporate world for 25 years and I’ve been coaching for ten.  I am in a privileged position to hear what is really happening under the surface for individuals, what makes them thrive and of the challenges that they face as they try to navigate politics, process and pressure – to succeed.

For the most part, people want to contribute and have influence. The saying that individuals leave a manager, not a company is frequently true. So, what can be done? How can we look to bring humanity into the workplace in a way that fulfils the commercial demands of a business as well as the needs of our people.

Create a safe space for people to speak up

In coaching we talk about psychological safety and creating an environment for individuals to share what is going on for them.  A human workplace encourages space for people to try things out, share what’s on their mind and learn from mistakes. 

How often, when the going gets tough is the natural response as a manager to be more demanding, challenging and to move into self-preservation mode, rather than to explore root causes?

Instead of increasing stress by demanding more, ask how you can release the weight of the pressure on the team or individual.  A coaching approach encourages listening, questioning and challenge, and thinking creatively, together. How can you help this process? The act of being listened to is the first step in releasing the pressure and focusing on the way forward.

Focus – decide what you will not do

Working with my coaching clients who are frequently stepping up into bigger roles, I ask the question “what will you not do tomorrow that you do today?” 

When financial targets put on the pressure, often the first ask is, what more can we do? I have seen on many occasions people trying to deliver more with the same resources (people or financial), or frequently, with less (headcount or budget reduction, or both).

Yet, a better question may be what will we not do? It is often a harder question to answer because it requires letting go of what has gone before. Examples of this might be servicing clients who were once strategic but are no longer profitable, or re-working data and reports for multiple internal decision-makers, or delivering the same service with a lower headcount.

A commercial lens means that the bottom line is in focus, but a coaching lens requires leaders to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. “More” often leads to burnout and stress and “less” requires strong leadership, decision making and ultimately greater risk taking – yet it can also release the stress and pressure from the people – who in turn are able to give more to the cause and ultimately increasing productivity.

Be transparent and honest

Energy comes in two forms, positive and negative. When individuals face uncertainty, negative energy tends to prevail, instead of people focusing on the task in hand, corridor conversations focus on the ifs, buts and maybes.  Being transparent and honest with information creates an environment where adult-adult conversations can be held. 

In coaching, we often refer to Transactional Analysis, a model first mooted by Sigmund Freud that helps to analyse transactions in communication with others. The “Parent, Adult, Child” analogy can be hugely helpful in raising awareness of how two people interact and the different ego states in existence. If ego states are not stable, the result can often be increased stress in the system.

Ask yourself which mode do I need to be in and how can I bring the conversations to a level that increases energy and focus, enhancing commitment and productivity?

Put people first – blend a coaching approach with a commercial focus

It sounds simple, but yet when the going gets tough how many conversations really put people at the heart of the conversation? Development budgets are cut, performance conversations pushed back and the very people that have the potential to deliver on commercial outcomes are left feeling disillusioned and under-valued.

I have witnessed first hand, that coaching is one of the first things to go, a “nice to have” or “discretionary” spend. If all leaders had a coaching approach to support and stretch their people, I could understand it, but unfortunately, they don’t. 

Ironically, the skills of a coach become even more important in tough times. Having the ability to step back, be curious, challenge, explore new ways of working and creating a safe space to experiment and learn are essential to delivering on business growth.

Supporting team members to find their passion, contribute to something meaningful and go above and beyond for the wider cause is central to building a more productive workplace.

The skills of a coach are equally valuable in having conversations with clients and customers – building relationships, offering insight and solutions to grow business together. Putting the human back into business.

So, the next time the going gets tough, rather than asking what more can we do, think about how a coaching lens can support the bottom-line focus, to create an environment that fosters curiosity, compassion and challenge – and ultimately improved productivity and commercial success.

By Helen Wada

One in four professionals don’t bother to network at all, despite nearly 80% deeming it crucial for career success. The idea of initiating conversations with strangers and navigating small talk can feel daunting and exhausting. 

However, a study has found that people who actively work on their networks are up to 72% more likely to be promoted. With nearly 50% of working professionals considering a career move this year, networking inevitably emerges as a critical competency.

In response to this reality, business building experts at Wix.com shared a no-nonsense networking guide to help ambitious professionals elevate their game.

Dos

Be mindful of body language

It only takes seven seconds for people to form a first impression of you. Show genuine interest in your conversation partner by avoiding closed body language like folded arms, hiding your hands, or looking away mid-conversation. 

Additionally, don’t underestimate the power of a handshake. Even brief human touch triggers the release of oxytocin, also called the ‘bonding hormone’, which promotes trust and mutual respect. A firm handshake with eye contact is key to indicating your readiness to connect.

Ask thought leadership questions 

Engage your conversation partner by asking thought-provoking questions to demonstrate professionalism. Instead of closed-ended questions, try asking: “Have you noticed any recent changes in the industry?”, “Do you have anything exciting coming up in the future?” or “What’s the biggest challenge in your line of work?”  This not only showcases your knowledge but also encourages a deeper, more meaningful conversation, setting you apart as a thoughtful and passionate professional.

Spruce up your LinkedIn profile

With over 65 million influential figures on LinkedIn, leveraging the platform to connect with highly-regarded people in your industry is a savvy move. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and polished so when you make new connections through networking, your profile clearly reflects your goals, professional achievements, and areas of expertise. This will help reinforce a strong, positive impression.

Ditch the sales pitch and craft your elevator pitch

Networking isn’t about making a hard sell, it’s about building lasting relationships. Remember, instead of telling people what you do, tell them why you do it. Direct pitching can lead to meaningless connections that are a one-way street. Instead, have your 60-second elevator pitch ready and practice it privately, or with a friend before networking events. A brief yet impactful introduction could spark conversations about how you can contribute. 

Don’ts

Don’t focus on quantity over quality 

Avoid the ‘spaghetti against the wall’ approach of randomly connecting with people and praying that something would stick. Instead, be strategic and focus on building a network that aligns with your career goals and ambitions. Invest your time on people who can offer valuable insights, mentorship, or opportunities relevant to your professional aspirations, to effectively bring your career to the next level.

Don’t put people on pedestals 

Feelings of inadequacy might overwhelm you when you enter a space where high reputation, seasoned professionals gather. It’s important to keep your chin up and don’t assume yourself to be inferior to others. Remember, no one is ‘too good’ for you to engage with at a networking event, it’s all about being proactive and prepared. 

Don’t forget to follow up 

You will most likely return from a networking event with a stack of business cards. Don’t simply stash them away, the first 24 hours are crucial for reaching out to keep the conversation going. Express gratitude, recap your conversations, and propose next steps – are there opportunities discussed at the event to follow up or areas where you could offer help based on their needs or interests?

Don’t only speak to people you know

A study found that over half of attendees chose to spend time with people they already knew, despite 95% of them expressing a desire to meet new contacts. While it’s natural to gravitate towards those we are familiar and comfortable with, this inadvertently closes doors to new opportunities and innovative ideas. Speaking with people from varied backgrounds will broaden our perspectives during networking.

AML Compliance for Cryptocurrency Firms: The Importance and Risks of Non-Compliance

The importance of rigorous compliance processes cannot be overstated in the developing digital asset sector. One such critical process is the crypto AML check online, which ensures that digital currency transactions are not exploited for money laundering or other illicit activities. This adherence to strict anti-money laundering standards is essential for maintaining the legitimacy and stability of crypto operations. This article explains how crypto companies comply with AML regulations and what risks they face if they do not.

What Is AML in Cryptocurrency?

AML in cryptocurrency refers to the set of regulations and procedures designed to prevent bad actors from using crypto platforms to launder money. The question often arises, “What is AML check?”. Simply put, an AML check involves verifying the identity of clients and monitoring their transactions for suspicious activities. These checks are integral to a comprehensive crypto AML program to secure operations against financial crimes.

Anti-Money Laundering for Crypto Firms

Crypto firms, encompassing a broad range of companies involved in digital currencies and blockchain technologies, are under increased scrutiny to implement effective AML measures. These entities include cryptocurrency exchanges, wallet providers, and initial coin offering (ICO) organizers, as well as decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and blockchain service providers. The primary AML measures they must adopt are:

• Ongoing monitoring. Continuously tracking financial transactions to detect and report suspicious activities.
• Identity verification. Rigorously verifying customer identities to ensure they are not involved in corruption or other illegal activities.
• Transaction limits. Setting thresholds for transaction amounts to prevent large-scale, suspicious movements of funds.

Such measures ensure that firms adhere to AML rules, maintain operational integrity, and build trust with regulators and the public.

Ignoring Crypto AML Regulations: Possible Consequences

The consequences of non-compliance with AML regulations in the crypto industry can be severe:

• Legal penalties. Firms may face fines, sanctions, or even criminal charges, leading to significant financial and reputational damage.
• Operational disruption. Non-compliance can lead to operational interruptions, including the suspension or revocation of licenses.
• Loss of business. Customers and partners may lose confidence and dissociate themselves from firms perceived as non-compliant.

These risks highlight the critical nature of compliance in safeguarding the interests of the firms and their customers.

The necessity of anti-money laundering (AML) crypto compliance cannot be understated. As the digital currency landscape develops, so too must the strategies to combat financial crime. Firms must stay informed and proactive in their compliance efforts to reduce risks and enhance the security of their operations. In doing so, they not only protect themselves but also contribute to the broader goal of establishing a safe digital financial market.