Search Results for: big data

February 23, 2026

The ROI of predictive property management with IoT sensors

by David Rowan • Company news, Facilities management, Property

It’s all well and good eulogising about the technological benefits of incorporating the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT) within property management but do the numbers stack up? What is the likely return on investment (ROI) of shifting from the existing reactive model to something distinctly more proactive and predictive? A recent six-month project at a retirement complex in the Scottish Borders might just shed some light on the viability, or otherwise, of the IoT revolution that’s well underway. (more…)

January 6, 2026

Embedding AI into daily tasks can heighten stress and confuse people about their role

by Neil Franklin • AI, News

While artificial intelligence is taking on work across the economy, it may also create new demands on the human workforce that employers must stay ahead of and respond to. Researchers from Microsoft and Imperial College London highlight in the Society of Occupational Medicine’s (SOM) journal Occupational Medicine that AI tools will bring a multitude of benefits to the workplace. The technology is likely to make accessing workplace health support much easier for employees and managers, for example by automating and simplifying booking processes and appointments. (more…)

January 5, 2026

Actionable workplace wellness initiatives for small businesses

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Wellbeing

American workplaces are going through big changes now. Employee engagement has hit a ten-year low. Small businesses often feel these pressures more intensely than large corporations. Limited resources make turnover and declining morale especially difficult for small firms. When even one employee feels overwhelmed or disengaged, the impact can ripple through an entire team.

Wellness initiatives, however, can serve as a practical and powerful solution. When done thoughtfully, they help reduce stress, improve morale, and create a work environment where people feel supported rather than stretched thin.

In this article, we’ll share a few actionable workplace wellness initiatives that can help you foster healthier habits, stronger engagement, and long-term resilience.

1 Encourage Flexible Work Options

The traditional nine-to-five office hours are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Many employees now value flexibility just as much as salary. Flexibility helps your team balance their work and their actual lives. This reduces stress and prevents that burnout we all fear.

Around 76% of businesses in the UK already offer flexible work options to their employees.

You do not have to go fully remote if that does not fit your small business’s model. There are so many ways you can give your team more control over their time. One common way is to offer telecommuting or remote work. This lets people work from home some or all of the time. It saves them a long commute and saves you on office costs.

If your team needs to be in the office, try flexible hours or flextime. This lets them choose their own start and finish times. You can also look into compressed workweeks. This is where employees work their 40 hours in fewer days.

A popular choice is working 10 hours for 4 days. This gives them a 3-day weekend every single week. This model is great for high-workload industries, such as retail, healthcare, or manufacturing.

2 Foster Happiness with Growth Opportunities

People want to feel like they are moving forward. When employees feel stuck, they start looking for the exit. Offering growth opportunities is a huge part of wellness. It keeps the mind sharp and reduces stress about the future.

For a small business, you might not have a big training budget. That is okay. You can check out the Small Business Association (SBA) Learning Platform. It offers online courses on everything from managing a team to marketing for free. Then there is SCORE. This is a network of retired executives who offer free mentoring.

For those looking to advance their careers, you could offer partial tuition reimbursement for continuing education.

Healthcare roles offer a relevant example. Nurse practitioners are expected to remain in high demand through 2031. Many bedside nurses aspire to move into these advanced practice roles.

Supporting an employee who wants to pursue an MSN-FNP degree can make that goal far more attainable. MSN-FNP stands for Master of Science in Nursing–Family Nurse Practitioner. Rockhurst University explains that this program helps registered nurses transition into primary care for patients of all ages.

Many universities now offer the MSN-FNP degree online. By opting for online degrees, employees can continue working while expanding their skills. Supporting education like this builds loyalty, confidence, and a healthier, more engaged workforce.

3 Create a Comfortable and Healthy Physical Workspace

The physical office environment directly affects how people feel. Small changes in lighting and furniture can boost productivity. These improvements prevent chronic pain and eye strain.

As a small business, you do not need a total redesign to make a difference. You just have to be creative with your space.

Sitting for too long can lead to chronic back pain. Ergonomic chairs support the spine and reduce physical fatigue. High-end chairs are expensive, but there are cheaper options. Lumbar support cushions can make a standard chair better.

Standing desks allow employees to switch positions all day. Standing desk converters are a great low-cost alternative.

Lighting is often overlooked in workplace design. Poor light causes digital eye strain for many workers. This is known as computer vision syndrome or CVS. Data shows that nearly 70% of workers suffer from CVS. Symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes.

Combine overhead and adjustable task lights to customize their environment to prevent discomfort.

Plants lower stress and improve the air we breathe. They can even absorb radiation from our electronic devices. Bring in plants like pothos and snake plants. These are quite affordable and nearly indestructible in an office setting.

Small Steps, Big Impact

Workplace wellness doesn’t require a big budget or a long list of policies. For small businesses, it’s about intention, consistency, and genuine care.

You do not have to do it all at once, however. The key is to start small. Pick one or two initiatives that feel doable right now and build from there. Over time, these small actions create a culture where people feel supported, not just as employees, but as humans. And when your people thrive, your business does too.

January 5, 2026

How healthcare leaders can enhance their business acumen

by Freddie Steele • Company news

No one enters into healthcare looking forward to dealing with budgets, profit margins, or return on investment. They do it because they want to make a difference. Still, the reality is hard to ignore. Great care depends on great decisions. And many of those decisions require more than just clinical expertise. They require business acumen. This means a balanced mix of financial savvy, strategic thinking, and real-world insight.

But can healthcare leaders do without this skill? Probably not. According to the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), problems with finances ranked second in the list of concerns for hospital CEOs in 2023.

The message couldn’t be clearer. Healthcare leaders need to enhance their business acumen if they want to run successful practices without losing sight of the people they’re called to care for.

Is Business Acumen Essential for Healthcare?

Short answer? Yes. But let’s look at why.

When we talk about business acumen, we’re really talking about the ability to make smart decisions that keep the door open.

For healthcare leaders, this goes way beyond spreadsheets. It’s about seeing the whole picture: patient needs, team dynamics, financial sustainability, and the entire ecosystem of your healthcare organization.

And yes, this matters. A lot. In fact, the World Economic Forum clearly ranks business acumen as the No.1 skill every people leader needs, with almost 90% of chief people officers saying it is their top priority in the coming months and years.

While this data applies across industries, it’s no less relevant in healthcare. In other words, knowing how the business side works is no longer optional. It’s expected.

To put things in their proper perspective, without business acumen, you might provide great care, but would you be around to provide it next year or the year after?

How to Enhance Business Acumen as a Healthcare Leader

So, how can you enhance your business acumen as a healthcare leader? And no, you don’t need a four-year MBA. Here are practical tips that can work in your healthcare system.

Listen to Your Patients

Your patients aren’t just the people you provide with healthcare services; they’re also your customers. And you know the good thing about customers, feedback from them is gold for business development. So, listen to them.

Paying close attention to what your customers are saying helps you spot gaps in your services. Do they complain about access to telehealth? Perhaps some mention how hard it was to get a follow-up appointment. Insights like these help you fix processes, reduce complaints, and improve outcomes.

We saw a good example of this in 2024, when employers reported growing interest in expensive obesity medications, including GLP-1s. Tuning into patients’ conversations will tell you whether to expand your services in this area or not. It’s like using patient engagement to drive business strategy.

Take Specialized Courses

While listening to patients will give you insights into the direction your practice can take, alone, it’s not enough. You can take things a step further by considering a structured environment where you can learn the skills to do the business of healthcare better.

The good news? You don’t have to do another four-year course for this. There are accelerated online programs for working healthcare professionals that you can do to enhance your business acumen.

Take MSN-MBA dual degree online programs, for example. These programs teach you how to both oversee clinical operations and establish policies and processes for better patient care results.

What’s more? According to Spring Arbor University Online, programs like these give you two Master’s Degrees in just two years and five months. And you don’t have to quit your job, too.

You can also consider short courses or weekend workshops on healthcare finance for non-financial managers. In this case, the goal is not to become an expert but to ‘speak the language’ so that you know what to look out for when running a healthcare practice.

Find Mentors

Finding a mentor is a secret advantage that not many people use. These are people who’ve been where you are now and are where you want to be in the future. Of course, they’ve likely experienced some of the challenges you’re currently facing and are in the best position to tell you what to do.

Experiencing high turnover rates in your clinic? A mentor can tell you how to make them stay.

According to a 2024 study published in the Journal of Healthcare Leadership, healthcare professionals who participate in mentorship programs report increased leadership awareness, better coping with stress, and improved confidence as leaders. The benefits are self-explanatory.

Follow Industry News

One final way to stay on top of your business acumen skills is to keep abreast of industry news. Why? Because the world of medicine moves fast.

Take 2025, for example. Probably one of the biggest healthcare industry trends was artificial intelligence (AI). PWC even predicted that it will power the future of medicine, with 77% of healthcare executives making it a top priority investment for the near future.

Now imagine you’re not paying attention to industry news and don’t have this information. You’ll be left behind while others leverage AI tools to make data-backed decisions.

Bottom line? Stay on top of things. Even if it’s one solid newsletter, subscribe to it.

Building Your Business Acumen in Healthcare

Managing a healthcare facility is tough work. You’ve got to make sure that the numbers add up while at the same time, ensuring that patients get the best possible care. Enhancing your business acumen is one of the most effective ways to make this work. Hopefully, the points discussed in this article have shown you how to do just that.

It’s important to point out that this doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow and thoughtful process, but one that pays off at the end. The best way to go about it is to pick one strategy and work on it. Once you start seeing results, you move on to the next.

Your patients, your team, and your healthcare operations will thank you for it.

December 11, 2025

Neuroinclusive workspace design – addressing the current industry shortfalls

by Guzman de Yarza and Ana Gorriti • Comment, Workplace design

In recent years, there have been significant developments in making workplaces more inclusive and accessible for a diverse range of individuals. However, there is one area which is emerging as the next critical evolution in workplace strategy: neuroinclusive workplace design. Neurodivergent employees often bring unique strengths in areas like innovative problem-solving, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional pattern recognition, but many workplaces are still failing to adequately accommodate these individuals. (more…)

December 11, 2025

BCO calls for paradigm shift as regional cities fall behind on sustainable offices

by Neil Franklin • Environment, News, Property

A widening gap in the availability of highly sustainable offices across the UK is putting the economic prospects of smaller regional cities at risk and could undermine national net-zero goals, according to new research from the British Council for Offices. The report, Viability and Sustainability in the Regions, warns that a large share of office space outside major centres may become economically obsolete if current trends continue. It suggests this could lead to what it describes as “sustainability gentrification”, with organisations unable to find space that meets their ESG commitments in cities such as Exeter, Newcastle and Sheffield. (more…)

December 10, 2025

Five strategies to enhance HR efficiency in modern workplaces

by Jesse Yancey • News, Workplace

HR departments are supposed to be the backbone of modern workplaces, but many are struggling to keep up. You’ve probably seen it firsthand: talented HR teams getting bogged down in administrative tasks when they should be driving real organizational change. The problem isn’t lack of effort. It’s that most HR departments are still operating like it’s 2010. Today’s business world moves fast, and your HR processes need to match that pace. (more…)

November 28, 2025

Time to admit we were wrong about Canary Wharf and other business districts

by Mark Eltringham • Features, Flexible working, Property

There was a time during and after the pandemic when it looked like time was up for the world’s major business districts. For a start Canary Wharf looked like it would need to completely reinvent itself as firms started to relocate to smaller more central premises. Instead of housing tenants such as HSBC it would focus on becoming a mixed-use space with more homes and leisure facilities. Hell, we even published a feature setting that all out ourselves. But it’s funny how things turn out. The latest news is JP Morgan’s announcement of a vast new headquarters building in the area. The bank, already one of the largest employers in the UK financial sector, has confirmed plans for a three million sq ft tower on the waterfront that will accommodate 12,000 staff and represent an investment estimated at £3 billion. (more…)

October 9, 2025

Is a smart building worth it? My research says the answer is an unequivocal yes

by Dr Matthew Marson • Comment, Property, Technology

For my book, The Smart Building Advantage, in which I tracked the evolution of the recent built environment, I trawled through more than a decade’s worth of data. I wasn’t short of material. I studied the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, 22 Bishopsgate in London and NEOM in Saudi Arabia, amongst many extraordinary examples of how buildings and technology can work together. From these, I concluded that smart buildings are like chameleons in the way they’ve adapted to meet the shifting demands of the corporate zeitgeist. (more…)

September 17, 2025

People are still powering productivity in the era of AI

by Nick Gold • AI, Comment, Workplace

Employee productivity has been cast into the spotlight in recent months, thanks to the acceleration of AI. Our new research shows that 50 percent of businesses are prioritising employee productivity over the next two years, budgeting for resources that promote individual staff performance and effectiveness. AI’s growing role in the workplace is, of course, a key driver of this trend. But it’s not the only factor. Increased remote work and other operational challenges mean businesses are looking to maximise efficiency and get the best possible return on their investment. (more…)

September 16, 2025

Just one more CoreNet? Give it to me.

by Esme Banks Marr • Comment, Property

Last week, CoreNet Global’s EMEA Summit returned to Amsterdam, and with it, the familiar rhythm of connection, conversation, and the occasional déjà vu. I’ve attended a handful of these, and every year I tell myself I pretty much know what I’m in for… and yet, I keep coming back. Why? Well, let me unpack. First, let’s talk about the setting. Amsterdam is one of those cities that feels like it’s permanently on the front foot. It’s forward-thinking, relentlessly innovative, and always busy shaping the future. From cycling-first urban design to a thriving HQ and campus workplace scene, it’s a natural stage for a conversation about “Innovate to Thrive”, this year’s conference theme. I’ve always had the sense that the city itself lives that mantra. (more…)

September 5, 2025

In spite of some headlines, hybrid working is not in decline in the US

by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News

Gallup’s latest research on working patterns among remote-capable employees in the United States suggests that hybrid working is proving far more resilient than some headlines about a wholesale return to the office would imply. The data shows that hybrid work remains the dominant arrangement and has not significantly declined, even as political and organisational pressure grows to increase in-person attendance. The survey finds that just over half of employees who can work remotely are now in hybrid arrangements. This represents a slight decline from the previous two quarters, falling from 55 percent to 51 percent. (more…)