Sarah Cheesman

Host at The Happy Prophet Podcast

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sage.com

Articles

One to one meeting: A guide for managers and HR teams

2 weeks ago | sage.com | Sarah Cheesman

A one to one meeting can be one of the most valuable parts of your working week when they’re done well. Whether you’re in HR or managing a team, these regular check-ins give your employees the space to talk honestly, feel heard and stay motivated. They should go beyond just tracking work. Use them to give people an opportunity to build trust, raise concerns early and focus on their personal growth.
How to successfully move your business to a four-day work week

2 months ago | sage.com | Sarah Cheesman

What if working less could actually achieve more? The concept of a four-day work week is no longer just a dream for employees or a radical experiment. With more than 200 UK companies already adopting the model, many businesses are wondering if it could work for them. Moving to a four-day work week has the potential to improve productivity, boost employee morale, and even help attract and retain top talent. But it also comes with its challenges. So how can you successfully make the shift?
How CFOs and finance teams can improve financial processes in 2025

Jan 27, 2025 | sage.com | Sarah Cheesman

CFOs and finance teams are facing increasing pressure to streamline operations, improve decision-making, and drive growth. The challenge is that traditional financial processes—reliant on spreadsheets, legacy systems, and manual interventions—no longer cut it. In 2025, it’s absolutely essential for you to rethink how these processes are structured and adopt new approaches that boost efficiency, profitability, and scalability.
Gross profit and net profit: What’s the difference?

Jan 22, 2025 | sage.com | Sarah Cheesman

Understanding the difference between gross profit and net profit is crucial for running a successful business. Whether you’re planning your budget, pricing your products, or tracking your financial performance, knowing how these two figures differ—and why that matters—can help you make smarter decisions.
How the Apprenticeship Levy is changing in 2025

Jan 20, 2025 | sage.com | Sarah Cheesman

If you’re a UK business owner, you’ve likely come across the Apprenticeship Levy. If you’ve not heard of it, it’s a scheme designed to fund apprenticeship training. However, in 2024, the Government announced some transformative changes. The levy will soon become the Growth and Skills Levy, backed by a £40m investment. These updates aim to make training and development more accessible and impactful for businesses of all sizes.
Gross profit and net profit: What's the difference?

Jan 16, 2025 | sage.com | Sarah Cheesman

Understanding the difference between gross profit and net profit is crucial for running a successful business. Whether you’re planning your budget, pricing your products, or tracking your financial performance, knowing how these two figures differ—and why that matters—can help you make smarter decisions.
How to create an effective HR strategy in 2025

Jan 15, 2025 | sage.com | Sarah Cheesman

A well-structured HR strategy is more important than ever before. Not only does it help you fill job roles and manage payroll, it also helps to align your people with your business goals, therefore supporting business growth, productivity and long-term success. Whether you’re a small business looking to grow, or a medium-sized enterprise scaling up, a clear HR strategy means you’re taking the right steps to attract, retain and develop the right talent in the right way. But where do you start?
How to create an effective HR strategy in 2025

Jan 14, 2025 | sage.com | Sarah Cheesman

A well-structured HR strategy is more important than ever before. Not only does it help you fill job roles and manage payroll, it also helps to align your people with your business goals, therefore supporting business growth, productivity and long-term success. Whether you’re a small business looking to grow, or a medium-sized enterprise scaling up, a clear HR strategy means you’re taking the right steps to attract, retain and develop the right talent in the right way. But where do you start?
Earning before tax explained: How much can you earn tax-free?

Nov 28, 2024 | sage.com | Sarah Cheesman

When it comes to managing your finances as a sole trader or small business owner, understanding your earning before tax is essential. Knowing how much you can earn before paying income tax can help you to plan ahead and avoid surprises when tax season rolls around. The good news is that there’s a specific threshold—called the Personal Allowance—that allows you to earn a certain amount tax-free.
Claim VAT back with these easy steps

Nov 19, 2024 | sage.com | Sarah Cheesman

Value Added Tax (VAT) is a fact of life for UK businesses, but did you know you can often reclaim some of it? Claiming VAT back can help reduce your expenses, but it’s important to understand when and how you can do this to avoid making mistakes. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps to successfully reclaim VAT, explain when VAT claims are allowed, and share practical tips to help you navigate the process.