As over five million businesses wake up to a second national lockdown, Sage, the market leader in cloud business management solutions, has announced a full range of free tools, support and guidance. The package helps businesses remain compliant, stay organised, get paid fast, have full visibility of cash flow and engage their employees, all crucial operationally during this lockdown.
Sage’s Coronavirus Hub has been a destination for small and medium sized businesses looking for support since its launch in April. During the country’s first lockdown, well over 300,000 visitors accessed the latest government guidelines, webinars with guests including Paul Scully MP, and practical guides covering:
- Advice on accessing the latest Government financial support measures
- Insight into how to maintain business continuity
- Efficient remote working
- Informative ways to look after employees during lockdown
Recognising that 73% of businesses turned to technology during the first lockdown*, Sage has innovated at pace to help businesses pay their people accurately and on time. Its Job Retention Scheme Module has been used by tens of thousands of customers so far and will be updated, to meet emerging government guidelines around the extended employee furlough scheme. More than 600,000 businesses have access to the tool, which helps any business calculate their payroll commitment and get the nation’s workforce paid, without delay.
Paul Struthers, EVP & Managing Director of Sage UK & Ireland, said: “We know the nation’s small and medium sized businesses have unflinching ambitions, no matter what the environmental conditions. A second lockdown gives our customers more to worry about, but Sage is by their side, helping them take control. From our technology, to expert advice – we’re here to help.
“Businesses across the UK have demonstrated extraordinary resilience and adaptation but will need intensive support to continue to succeed. We therefore urge the Government to continue to provide targeted and local support, placing digital investment at the heart of its strategy. As businesses rely on technology to operate, we must use this moment to bolster their chances for future job creation and cracking the UK productivity puzzle. SMEs created 73%** of all jobs following the financial crisis in 2010 – and their survival is integral to our country’s economic recovery.”
* Investing for Recovery, report by Sage and research consultancy Capital Economics, November 2020.
**State of Small Business, report by Sage and Nesta, October 2017.
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