Blog

Since launching in 2005, the Enterprise Nation team has helped thousands of people start and grow their businesses. Led by founder Emma Jones MBE, Enterprise Nation continues to be the most active UK small business community and a leading campaigning voice for small business. Joining Enterprise Nation connects you with resources, community and connections you need to reach your business goals.

We talk a lot about the benefits of flexible working and how it can help you grow your business cost-effectively. We also talk about how more and more businesses are allowing employees to work flexibly. But do we have any stats to back that up? Well, actually we do"¦

Or, rather, Enterprise Nation sponsor Regus does. Earlier this year, the workplace solutions provider asked 17,000 business people across the globe whether they allowed flexible working in their business and what they thought the perceived benefits were. What's apparent from the 

 report is that, from Mexico to China, flexible working - allowing employees to work flexible hours or from locations away from their workplace - is becoming a mainstream practice.Â  In fact, according the Regus survey, 81 per cent of businesses globally offer their employees a choice about where and when they work. Businesses in Romania (79%) were most persuaded of the benefits of flexible working and businesses in Australia (48%) the least convinced. Here are some of the benefits of flexible working identified by Regus and what the survey respondents thought:

60 per cent of the survey respondents believed that flexible working practices, whether related to office hours or location, were more cost efficient than fixed office working. This belief was most prevalent in Spain, South Africa and the Netherlands.

According to the survey, 70 per cent of businesses globally flexible working is more family-friendly than fixed working practices and offers and effective way to motivate and reward family-friendly employees.

Four out of ten businesses (41%) believe that flexible working improves employee productivity and a third believe that motivation also increases when flexible working is allowed. This belief is most common in Belgium and Denmark and least common in Canada.

One fifth of businesses globally (21%) also feel that flexible working helps attract a wider talent pool (21%) and even allows them to employ valuable people that live in more remote parts of their country (19%). This belief, unsurprisingly, was most strongly held in three very large countries - the USA, India and Canada. It was far less significant in Belgium"¦

The same number (21%) also believed that flexible working enabled businesses to scale up quickly in periods of sudden growth. Regus note that this is of particular interest in emerging economies, where growth can be rapid and considerable.

In the UK it seems that we're not as keen on flexible working or as convinced of its benefits as many other nations are. In fact, we seem to have slightly mixed feelings. For example, fewer UK businesses than the global average believed that flexible working was more cost-effective or resulted in more productive staff. However, UK businesses are more likely than the global average to believe that flexible working gives access to a wider talent pool or that it motivates staff. UK businesses, though, are keen on outsourcing - and we'll be looking more closely at this next week, thanks to another Regus survey.

The report notes also that, overall, flexible working practices are on the increase across the globe, with cost being the main stimulus. "Businesses the world over are finding they need to prepare themselves in order to avoid the pitfalls of unnecessary overheads. Those in developed economies need to contain costs in order to return to full profit. Those in emerging economies want to grasp rapid growth without incurring escalating and uncontrolled costs," the report notes. But these businesses are finding other benefits, too: "Many firms are now using flexible hours or locations to motivate and reward their employees. In addition to increasing employee loyalty and motivation, flexible working is reported to increase productivity, improve self-discipline and allow businesses to access a wider talent pool including workers that reside in remote parts of the county, as well as young families and working mums."

Read more about flexible, virtual and mobile working on Enterprise Nation

Outsourcing? Get an exclusive $75 credit with Elance

Claim your exclusive $75 Elance credit through Enterprise Nation

Flexible working - a growing global trend

<p>I'm a <a href='http://www.danmartinuk.com'>freelance content creator and event host</a> who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I have 18 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from billionaires like Sir Richard Branson to the founders behind brand new start-ups. I've worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company's blog and social media. I'm based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community and have strong connections to major business organisations in the south west region. In total, I've hosted over 50 events; from intimate meet-ups to conferences with an audience of hundreds including events for international brands like Facebook and Xero. I'm also a big fan of podcasts having hosted Enterprise Nation's Small Business Sessions as well as lots of online events including Facebook Live interviews, webinars and three live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street. With my partner, I co-run Lifestyle District, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.</p>

<p>I'm here to help. I'm volunteering free advice calls of up to an hour as part of the Recovery Advice for Business scheme, over the next 6 months. Please get in touch to see how I can help your business.&nbsp;</p>

Freelance content creator & event host

Small businesses encouraged to 'lead the charge to net zero'

Government urges small companies to do their bit in the race to net zero.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;I'm here to help. Please get in touch to see how I can help your business.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;An FCA and CTA with over 30 years in the accounting profession and a private employee owned&amp;nbsp;group&amp;nbsp;provides a unique blend of practice and commercial experience great for advising clients and providing a quality, cost effective accounting franchise.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Understanding and working within commercial business constraints enables&amp;nbsp;you to benefit from practical, technical advice on tax, year end, accounts and business issues.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Using&amp;nbsp;jargon-free explanations to help&amp;nbsp;you understand your finances and grow your business successfully.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

CEO and Founder

Small business finance – tax cashflow

This group is for small businesses from any sector to discuss the best way to improve their tax cashflow or to better understand their tax cashflow.

&lt;p&gt;I’m Graeme Haskett, and I know only too well just how lonely entrepreneurship can be. I've been there for over 40 years, and a long time ago made the mistakes you've already made or are making now, as well as the ones you’ve yet to make.&lt;br /&gt;
I can assist you with every area of your business, including HR issues, productivity, raising finance, pricing, expansion, new products, sales &amp;amp; marketing, contractual help, and so much more.&lt;br /&gt;
Your secrets will be safe with me, and I hope you’ll come to thinkof it as, ‘like talking it over with a wise and trusted friend’.I look forward to working with you.&lt;/p&gt;

Owner

SME Growth Coach and Executive Mentor. I can help you with those issues that keep you awake at night

&lt;p&gt;I have run&amp;nbsp;my own small businesses all my life, as well as looking after the interests of others. I&amp;#39;ve been there, done it, and worn the tee shirt. I can help you with your unresolved problems and issues, your dilemmas, and with your doubts. If you need confidential, independent but experienced advice, or just a second opinion, then I can help you and at minimum cost.&lt;/p&gt;

I am the Co-Founder Jampot Business support. We work with entrepreneurs, small businesses and startups supporting them with everything from EA to HR, Marketing to Finance/Accountancy, Web & Graphic Design to Legal Consultancy and all on a here-when-you-need-us basis.