// PREDICTIVE INTELLIGENCE //
KEY STRATEGIES FOR SMES NAVIGATING FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTY IN 2025
In the UK, several changes for businesses are coming into effect in April, following on from the Budget last autumn. According to a survey by the British Chamber of Commerce, 82 % of business leaders say their business will be impacted. Sabby Gill, CEO at Dext, explores how SMEs can manage their business finances for the year ahead.
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OLLOWING THE AUTUMN BUDGET, several changes will be made from April 2025 which could put business owners in a state of financial flux.
This includes changes to the National Minimum Wage and increases to the National Insurance employer contributions. According to a survey by the British Chamber of Commerce, 82 % of business leaders say their business will be impacted, specifically in the areas of recruitment( 58 %) and prices( 54 %), with business leaders saying they’ re sitting on a‘ powder keg of costs’.
Adding to this is the Spring Budget which comes with expected tax rises and spending cuts, which will both add more pressure to the economy.
While economic uncertainty isn’ t new, these come at a pivotal moment for how business owners manage their financial processes.
Throughout this year the leading trend for business owners will be either shifting to or optimising their financial processes. With real-time data to hand, leaders will be able to make smarter, quicker decisions in an unpredictable landscape.
This will unlock accurate scenario planning for businesses enabling savvy leaders to effectively navigate uncertainty and spot opportunities, therefore setting themselves up for success in years to come.
Incorporating AI technology into financial planning
As AI and automation become more effective, now is the time to embrace digital tools that can give an accurate and real-time picture of a business’ financial health, including a view of how external pressures may create crunches or, for some, opportunities.
This is where scenario planning also comes in. Using insights built from data, business leaders
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THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR THE LEADING TREND FOR BUSINESS OWNERS WILL BE EITHER SHIFTING TO OR OPTIMISING THEIR FINANCIAL PROCESSES.
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