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Erika Lucas

Writer and Communications Consultant

Erika Lucas is a writer and communications consultant with a special interest in HR, leadership, management and personal development. Her career has spanned journalism and PR, with previous roles in regional press, BBC Radio, PR consultancy, charities and business schools.

Zero Hours Contracts – The Debate Cezanne Blog

Zero Hours Contracts – The Debate

Zero Hours Contracts – The Debate in Summary: Zero hours contracts have sparked debate due to concerns about exploitation and lack of benefits, with over a million workers affected. They offer flexibility for businesses with fluctuating staffing needs and can […]

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How to drive performance and productivity in your SME

The important role that SMEs have to play in driving economic growth is increasingly being recognised – and as a result there’s been a noticeable rise in HR circles of efforts to help small businesses manage their people more effectively.

As the employers of over 14 million people in the UK, it is important that SMEs get their HR management right.

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Have great conversations with your team

In a small business, having a ‘happy ship’ is vital. There simply isn’t time for the minor spats, grudges and resentment that can so easily arise simply because someone has been misunderstood or hasn’t got their message across clearly.

Indeed research has shown that a negative interaction with someone has a real impact on productivity – it can take someone several hours to recover not just their good spirits but also their concentration after a difficult or unpleasant exchange with a colleague or their manager.

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How to leave the office behind when you’re on holiday

There’s a definite whiff of suncream in the air this week as the pace of work starts to wind down and employees get ready to head off for their summer break.

Research from the Institute of Leadership and Management suggests, however, that the lead-up to the summer holidays is actually one of the most stressful times of the year and that many managers won’t be fully switching off when they take their well-earned break.

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How HR can support business growth

According to The Federation of Small Businesses, confidence among SMEs is at a three year high – and going by the buzz at last week’s HR Software Show, HR people are feeling particularly positive about the contribution they can make […]

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Are you holding your own business back?

Meddling business owners are the biggest barrier to their own company’s growth, according to some research from Cranfield that crossed my desk this week.  Entrepreneurs, it seems, are finding it difficult to step away from routine, day-to-day tasks and as […]

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