With more people than ever working under non-standard contracts, it can be hard getting payslips right. Croner are here to help.

Do you know what the term ‘pro rata’ means and how to work out pro-rata pay and holidays for your employees? Croner explain.

In February the Church of England Synod passed the Diocesan Synod Motion introduced by the Diocese of Worcester, encouraging churches and cathedrals to consider creating floral arrangements without floral foam and using UK-grown flowers and foliage. It caused a wave of anxiety amongst florists thinking that there was going to be a full ban that would extend to all of us. Luckily this motion does not introduce full bans or rules and is very much for guidance, and is advisory

Gross misconduct allows UK employers to summarily dismiss an employee without notice or pay, but only after following a fair disciplinary process (investigation, hearing, right to appeal) in line with ACAS guidelines. To minimise unfair dismissal risks, clearly define gross misconduct in contracts/handbooks, document everything thoroughly, and send a precise termination letter stating reasons, termination date, and appeal rights. What is gross misconduct? What is the best app

Easter is a growing retail opportunity for florists. Easter is not just a small seasonal event—it’s a major spring retail opportunity driven by home decorating, gifting, and family gatherings. By focusing on seasonal flowers, gift bundles, table décor, and early promotions, florists can significantly increase sales during the Easter period. I have found that over the years in retail floristry, Easter has had its highs and lows, but in recent times, especially in the UK, spend

Easter can be an unpredictable trading period for florists depending on when it falls in the calendar. Too early and business can be affected by the weather, and a late Easter may mean that the spring flowers, which are traditionally associated with this time of year, are coming to an end. Easter puts a full stop on a busy few months, the peaks of Christmas, Valentine’s and Mother’s Day have come and gone, the days are warmer and longer and ahead is the summer. Capitalise on

Discover the best free marketing tools to support your small business, from email marketing and CRM to automation platforms and analytics tools. Marketing doesn’t need to be expensive to be effective. For small businesses with limited budgets, the right marketing tools can make a big impact, and many of them are free. Whether you're looking to automate tasks, manage customer relationships or monitor campaign performance, there are digital marketing tools available that cost n

How do you deal with a difficult bride without losing the contract? Karen Barnes shares her tips and explains why diplomacy is so important.

Su Whale shows how spring flowering bulbs can make profitable impulse purchases for Easter gifting.

Spring is one of the most vibrant and commercially exciting seasons for florists especially in the UK. From Mother’s Day to weddings and Easter displays, customer expectations are high and so are the stakes for freshness. As temperatures fluctuate between chilly mornings and mild afternoons, proper handling becomes critical. I have created a practical, season-focused guide to help extend vase life, reduce waste, and keep customers coming back for longer-lasting blooms. I alwa

Su Whale encourages us all to create more sales opportunities with houseplants.

Internal carbon pricing is quite a complicated concept and one which currently seems most relevant to large businesses and organisations rather than small businesses. However, it’s still important for small business owners to be aware of this aspect of sustainable operations and to have a basic understanding of its purpose and implementation. Internal carbon pricing is where a business places a monetary value on each tonne of carbon emissions it produces Calculating internal

Karen Barnes explains why PR matters and shares her tips for generating valuable free media coverage through careful planning.

Did you know that an unauthorised leave of absence could lead to disciplinary action or a misconduct claim for your employee? So what should you do if you have an employee who has taken an unauthorised leave of absence or an excessive absence from the business? In this article, we will take you through what an unauthorised leave of absence is and some of the common questions we get asked. If you require support in your legal issues and handling unauthorised absences, get in t

With the arrival of the new year, wedding consultations are beginning to pour in, signalling that this will be a busy wedding season.