Why office romance is good for business
Romance in the workplace is good for productivity according to research by Protecting. It talked to over 950 business owners, managers and HR directors and found that there were workplace relationships in 100% of the organisations polled. 62% of those employees who had office romances thought it had benefitted their work and career while just 18% said they regretted it. Employees said in-work relationships increased their loyalty to the company while 70% of managers said staff worked better if they were in a relationship with someone in the same organisation.
New faces in Cabinet represent business
David Cameron has appointed Anna Soubry as Minister for Small Business and given her a place at the Cabinet table. Mike Cherry, FSB policy director, said: "With Anna Soubry's appointment to Cabinet, small businesses can now feel more confident that their concerns will be heard at the highest level." Sajid Javid is taking Vince Cable's old job as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "The two biggest priorities in Sajid Javid's in-tray should be kick-starting a revolution in exports and working with us to ensure that firms can get new recruits with the skills and motivation to get ahead in the world of work."
Cost of commuting rises
Almost a third (29%) of UK workers now spend over 5% of their salary on commuting. This is the finding of a poll of 4,000 senior business people across the UK by Regus. And the average proportion of pay spent on commuting by UK workers is now 4%, a rise from 3% in 2010. For 11% of respondents the daily commute costs them over a tenth of their monthly pay packet.
China mission seeks 40 entrepreneurs
A subsidised trade mission to China, aimed at helping 40 of Britain's smallest firms establish trade links with the Far East, is to be led by Enterprise Nation. Emma Jones, Enterprise Nation founder, said: "We're offering the kinds of opportunities that are usually only given to big businesses." The mission is looking for applications from firms that wants to source production in China as well as those that want to sell to Chinese consumers. The three-day trip will include flights, accommodation, visits with Shanghai's leading entrepreneurs and an introduction to Alibaba contacts at its Hangzhou headquarters. Applications should be submitted by Friday May 29.