Category: They Ask, You Answer
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LSIP Advanced Manufacturing: Stoke-on-Trent in 2026
The refreshed Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LSIP, published in July 2026, forecasts 60,000 more higher-level jobs by 2035, with advanced manufacturing named as one of eight priority sectors. But which programmes are actually running, and can a smaller business access them? This post breaks it down in plain terms for SME owners in Stoke and the…
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North Staffordshire SME Manufacturers: Energy, ETS & Hiring
Parliamentary debates and national reports miss the operational reality facing North Staffordshire SME manufacturers right now. Energy contracts locked in at 2022-2023 peak rates, UK ETS compliance deadlines that have already passed, and a BICS application window opening in October 2026 mean the pressure is immediate. This post cuts through the policy noise and gives…
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Set KPIs and Manage a BDM in Stoke-on-Trent
Hiring a Business Development Manager into a flat Stoke-on-Trent SME is a big call, and most owners do it without an HR department to back them up. This guide covers how to set the right KPIs, integrate a BDM without disrupting your culture, and stay on the right side of the Employment Rights Act 2025…