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As we settle into 2025, the ongoing cost of living crisis and economic volatility continue to strain both employees and employers, with many employees facing heightened financial insecurity.

So how can you optimise your benefits budget without cutting value?  The first step is to discover how to reallocate wasted spend, secure better pricing, and leverage tax-efficient benefits to maximise impact.

Managing employee benefits, cost control is always on the agenda. But savings don’t have to come at the expense of employee experience. With a smart approach to benefits design, companies can reallocate wasted spend to more impactful benefits – or a better benefits platform to help you manage it all. This makes the most of your existing budget while boosting value for employees.

This practice is sometimes referred to as “cost-neutral benefits,” but the reality is more nuanced. While some companies can identify and redistribute significant savings, others may already be optimising their spend. Either way, a strategic review of benefits is always worth the effort.

Here are three key ways employers can find opportunities to optimise their benefits budget:

1. Identify overspending on low-appreciation benefits

A common mistake? Investing in benefits that employees don’t value. Recent key research tells us that there is low appreciation levels from employees for their benefits.

The cause is likely to be benefits that don’t align with employee needs.

For example, a Bristol Creatives startup made up of mostly employees in their twenties might be overfunding its life insurance policy, as employees in this age group are less likely to engage with life insurance. By scaling back the coverage from 10x to 2x cover, they could free up a big chunk of their spend—money that could be reinvested in wider range of more relevant benefits, or a platform that helps manage the administrative burden of benefits.

So how can Business Leaders identify these opportunities?

• Employee listening exercises: Gather feedback to understand what benefits employees actually use and value.
• Benchmarking: Compare your offering to industry norms and competitors.
• Usage analysis: Assess participation rates—if uptake is low, it might be time to rethink the existing budget.

But before you go cutting less utilised benefits, remember: there are some benefits that few employees might use, but that are highly valuable and even life changing to them when they do, such as reproductive assistance or critical illness cover. It’s important to balance these factors when assessing your benefits. Speaking to a benefits design expert will be your best bet to strike that balance.

2. Secure better pricing and financial models

‍Cost savings aren’t just about what you offer, but also how you fund it. Many companies lose money by not negotiating the best rates with insurers or missing out on more efficient financial structures.Here are some key ways to make the most of funding:

• Broker negotiations: Ensure your broker is actively working to get the best possible rates.
• Alternative funding models: Larger organisations can explore options like trusts, multinational pooling, captives, and global underwriting.
• Regular supplier reviews: The benefits market evolves quickly—what was competitive three years ago might now be overpriced.

By optimising financial structures, companies can often unlock significant savings without compromising on benefits quality.

‍3. Leverage tax-efficient benefits

‍Another overlooked opportunity is tax-efficient benefits, particularly salary sacrifice schemes. These allow employees to exchange part of their salary for benefits, reducing both employer and employee tax contributions.For employers, this means that you’re able to offer amazing benefits like electric vehicle leasing schemes and even grocery schemes…at no cost to you!

In the UK, salary sacrifice arrangements can create savings on:

• Pension contributions
• Holiday purchase schemes
• Workplace nursery schemes
• Electric vehicle (EV) schemes
• Grocery schemes

For employers not already leveraging these benefits, the savings can be substantial, especially on National Insurance contributions. Yet many organisations fail to fully utilise these tax advantages, leaving money on the table.

Maximise your benefits budget with expert support

Not every company will uncover huge savings—but almost all can optimise their approach. By identifying low-value spend, negotiating better financial models, and leveraging tax-efficient benefits, Business leaders and HR provide a significantly improved offering without increasing their spend.

Want to find out where your organisation can unlock savings? Book a free benefits audit consultation with me –same budget, bigger results.

Chemistry, trust and authenticity are key ingredients in agencies winning new clients.

That’s the finding of jfdi and Opinium‘s annual New Business Barometer, a comprehensive survey of agency business development professionals, across disciplines including creative, digital, experiential, content and social. 

The report, of which Bristol Creative Industries is a partner, found that generating strong chemistry with the client is the most important factor in converting prospects. It was cited by 74% of respondents, up 5% on last year’s report.

The study said:

“Chasing an increased number of opportunities coupled with hybrid working practice and pitch team stretch is making agency chemistry harder to sustain.”

Trust also plays a key role with connections and referrals the most popular prospecting strategies, highlighted by 86% and 74% of respondents.

jfdi said:

“Trust and authenticity has become a superpower in an anxious world fuelled by misinformation and uncertainty.”

When asked about the key internal challenges, time was the most popular highlighted factor, The report said time saving AI tools are one solution, with “speed of adoption over the next 12 months” potentially leading to “a significant competitive advantage for your agency”.

Five and a half months is the average lifecycle of a new business project from initial contact from pitch to client billing, the study said, and the “ghost pitch” continues to rise with 45% stating budget withdrawal as the reason for pitch loss, a 2% increase on last year.

“Agencies can safeguard their interests by activating tighter qualification of budget ‘status’ within client organisations: is it real, speculative or ‘tbc’?,” the report advised.

MotherBoard Event: Essential Insights for Early-stage Female Entrepreneurs

Join MotherBoard in partnership with Bristol based law firm Burges Salmon for an exclusive event designed to support early-stage female-founded start-ups. This session will provide invaluable insights from industry experts on key areas that can help your business thrive, avoid common pitfalls, and set a strong foundation for growth.

Grab your place

What to Expect
This event will feature expert-led interactive breakout sessions. Topics include:

✅ Employment & Incentives – Building the right team and structuring incentives for success.
✅ IP & Brand – Protecting your ideas and strengthening your brand.
✅ Fundraising – What you need to know for raising investment.
✅ Culture & Growth – Scaling your business while building an authentic culture.
✅ Tech & Data – building your tech stack, contracting with software providers and navigating the data protection legislation.

After the breakout sessions, enjoy networking over drinks and nibbles, where you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other female founders at a similar stage and quiz the Burges Salmon team on any legal questions. This is a chance to share experiences, gain new perspectives, and build your support network in a welcoming and collaborative space.

Who the event is for
Female founders at idea, pre-seed or seed stage.

The details
📍 Location: Burges Salmon, One Glass Wharf, Bristol, BS2 0ZX
📅 Date & Time: 11th March 5-7pm
🎟️ RSVP via the meetup link

Spaces are limited, secure your spot today!

Grab your place

Any personal data collected before or during the event will be shared between the joint hosts, MotherBoard and Burges Salmon LLP, for the purposes of pre- and post-event administration and communications with you. Each organisations’ privacy policies may be viewed here: MotherBoard and Burges Salmon.Manage Cookies

How to Prepare and File Your 2024/25 Tax Return as Early as April!

Most business owners and self-employed professionals leave their tax returns until the last minute, facing unnecessary stress and pressure. But what if you could flip the script and have your 2024/25 tax return done as early as April? And be the COOL KID in the room

Imagine the relief of knowing it’s sorted, giving you clarity and control over your finances for the rest of the year!

Why File Early?

1. Peace of Mind – No last-minute scrambles, no worrying about missed deadlines.
2. Better Cash Flow Planning – Know your tax bill upfront and budget accordingly.
3. Avoid the January Rush – Accountants are less busy, and HMRC systems are smoother with fewer delays.
4. Speedy Tax Refunds – If you’re due a refund, filing early means getting your money back sooner.
5. More Time for Strategy – With taxes out of the way, you can focus on business growth and financial planning.

How to Get Started NOW – yes I know it is February!!

1. Get Your Books in Order
Ensure all transactions, invoices, and expenses for the 2024/25 tax year are accurately recorded. If you use accounting software, reconcile your accounts so everything is up to date.

2. Gather Necessary Documents
Prepare bank statements, receipts, invoices, and payroll records. If you’re unsure what’s needed, make a checklist based on last year’s return.

3. Review Allowable Expenses & Deductions
Maximise your tax efficiency by claiming all allowable expenses, from office supplies to home office costs. Check for new tax reliefs and allowances that apply to your business.

4. Check for Any Outstanding Payments
Make sure all invoices are settled and that you’re clear on any outstanding taxes owed.

5. Consult Your Accountant (If Needed)
If you use an accountant, schedule an early consultation. They’ll help ensure accuracy and advise on ways to reduce your tax bill.

6. File Online Through HMRC
Once everything is prepared, file your return via HMRC’s online system and keep a copy for your records.

The Best Part? You’ll Be Free to Focus on Growth!

By tackling your tax return early, you eliminate unnecessary stress and free up valuable time to plan ahead. Instead of worrying about deadlines in January, you can be strategizing for the next phase of your business.

So why wait? Start prepping in April, and by the time others are just beginning to think about their taxes, you’ll already be done!

With the latest government Budget bringing an increase in employer National Insurance costs, after my recent webinar members asked me “how” in practical terms to look at the best benefits to help combat the rise.

With tax rises worth £40bn announced in the Budget 2024 to fund the NHS and other public services, it’s fair to say businesses have been hit hard.

And with the increase in employers’ National Insurance (NI) from 13.8% to 15%, it will certainly have an impact on the financial packages provided for employees.

So how can Bristol Creative Member Employers navigate this change? Remember, when it comes to mitigating NI rises, employee engagement is your ace in the pack.

With employers facing a brand new cost, the need to communicate and educate around the fundamentals of employee benefits schemes is of vital importance.

Miscommunication is a major issue causing a disconnect between employers and employees, with just 50%of employees saying they know what their employer is offering, despite nearly nine in ten (87%) employers believing their benefits are communicated clearly and simply.

That is a major sticking point. In a challenging climate where budgets are expected to stretch further, this is an area for improvement.

By pointing employees towards salary sacrifice benefits, those selections can help employees and employers save money, with those actions ultimately leading towards the latter paying less in National Insurance payments. Remember, benefits in kind are much more efficient than being paid the salary equivalent.

From that, companies will have a larger pot of funds to focus on other aspects, including pay rises, professional development funds and company perks.

And to maximise the value of your employee benefit scheme, there are a number of ways you can handle these communications.

Without strong communication, employers cannot fully understand the demands of employee which can offer poor value for money for both employer and employee. In a challenging climate where budgets are expected to stretch further, this is an area for improvement.

In today’s world, you’re required to do so much more than simply put your benefits online. The way you communicate to employees will help your salary sacrifice proposition, offering clarity and knowledge via personalised communications.

It’s also vital that employers communicate and emphasise the value of salary sacrifice benefits, to help both themselves and employees save. But which are the best ones available?

Well, the are the most fruitful and popular and certainly worth investigating if you haven’t already are holiday trading, pensions, cycle to work, and electric vehicles.

Typically, holiday trading allows employees to purchase up to five extra days of annual leave on top of their contracted allowance. What’s better, they can even make tax and NI savings on the trade, ensuring you make savings too.

But what if they want to save for a rainy day? For those that perhaps prefer to work, it’s possible to sell any unwanted annual leave (be mindful that there is a limit to the amount of days you can sell too). You as the employer will pay colleagues at the agreed daily rate for working, but this of course is subject to tax and NI.

Either way, employees can either choose to spend more time on annual leave or put some money aside.

When it comes to pensions, Bristol Creative Employers often tell me that they can face a difficult task educating different demographics on the importance of their pension. But when offered via salary sacrifice it can help save on tax and NI, which ensures that it appeals to all parties.

And while I appreciate pension is not always the most captivating of subjects, there are distinct advantages of offering a salary sacrifice pension including the ability for employees to grow their contributions at a quicker rate, as you as the employer will be making a higher contribution each month. In addition lowering a salary to align with salary sacrifice means employees pay a lower rate of tax and NI too.

It’s worth remembering, pensions are typically the biggest financial benefit you as the employer provides, and the biggest that an employee receives (other than salary). You can be really smart about your pension by focusing on sustainable funds which ticks a huge box for ‘Gen Z’s’ right now.

Cycle to work is the ultimate benefit for combining wellbeing and financial savings.  Not only does it save on tax and NI, it also keeps employees fit and helps to drastically reduce the cost of commuting. What’s more, it also allows the employee and employer to be more sustainable.

According to CycleScheme, 51% of people now want to cycle to work. And with the opportunity to spread the cost of a new bike over 12 or 18 months while making tax and NI savings, you can join the hundreds of Bristol Creative Members who have already realised that making the transition from seat to saddle is a good deal.  It’s pretty straightforward. Employees can hire a bike and/or safety equipment to travel to work, usually for a period of 12 or 18 months. By saving employees tax and NI, they select a voucher or choose a bike from you or your third party. From there they will agree with the hire arrangement and pay the full value of that through salary sacrifice and finally, at the end of the hire agreement, the employee can either extend the agreement, return the cycle and/or equipment or buy it outright.

Last but not least, an electric vehicle scheme which offers several benefits for both employees and employers.  Since the lease payments are deducted from the gross salary before tax and NI contributions are calculated, employees pay less income tax and NICs. This effectively reduces the overall cost of the vehicle. In addition to being a more sustainable choice compared to petrol or diesel cars, electric vehicles typically have lower running costs too. Currently, electric vehicles do not have to pay for road tax. Compared to leasing a petrol or diesel car, electric vehicles benefit from lower Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) tax rates.  Employers also benefit from reduced NI contributions because the employee’s gross salary is reduced. Again, tapping into the sustainability focus, providing access to electric vehicles also helps companies to enhance their green credentials.  Members often ask how the benefit works.

An electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme allow employees to lease a new electric car through s the employer for a set period, such as a year or longer. Employees pay for the lease directly from their pre-tax salary, before income tax and NI deductions are applied. This arrangement saves them the tax they would have otherwise paid on the lease amount. Employers typically work with leasing companies to provide these vehicles. The terms of the agreement, including duration and the type of vehicle available, are predefined, and employees must agree to these terms.

So, there you have it. When it comes to combatting the NI rise, maximise your employee engagement across the board, and use insights, and of course the latest trends, to tailor communications to employees. You’ll improve uptake in salary sacrifice benefits (saving everyone money), significantly improve ROI and, most importantly, put talent attraction and retention in a positive light.

Where do you start?  Un:fade is here to help and offers a free benefits audit for qualifying members.

saintnicks have been appointed by Mitsubishi Pencil Company UK (MPCUK), a leader in innovative writing instruments, to handle its POSCA and uni-ball brands.

Together, both MPCUK and saintnicks will harness the power of storytelling and dynamic creative content to bring MPCUK’s uni-ball and POSCA brands closer to its customers.

Through a series of innovative campaigns and brand activations, we will be reinforcing the brands’ trusted reputations for high-quality pens and creative markers, while fostering a connection with audiences through relatable, inspiring narratives.

“We’re incredibly excited to team up with saintnicks,” said Hannah Hurling, Head of Marketing at MPCUK. “Both uni-ball and POSCA have always been about enabling creativity and self-expression, and saintnicks’ expertise in storytelling and bold creative ideas makes them the perfect partner to bring our vision to life.”

The uni-ball brand was established in 1979 and is owned by the Japanese Mitsubishi Pencil Company, which has a rich legacy dating back to 1887. Today, uni-ball is a leading name in the UK stationery market, renowned for high-quality writing instruments that combine innovation with reliability. The brand’s commitment to quality, performance and design has made it a favoured choice among students, professionals, and creators, solidifying its reputation as one of the most well-known brands in the UK market.

For over 30 years, POSCA has accompanied creativity in all its forms, quickly becoming a favourite tool for artists worldwide. Initially embraced by graffiti artists, the brand’s popularity quickly spread beyond urban spaces. Today, POSCA markers are recognised globally for their vibrant colours and versatility, making them ideal for a wide array of applications—from street art and fine art to illustration, portraits, and home crafts.

The collaboration comes at a time when consumers are seeking more authentic connections with the brands they choose. MPCUK has long been a trusted name in writing and artist tools, offering consumers writing pens and creative markers that combine quality, style, and reliability. The new partnership is set to enhance the brand’s visibility, reinforce its connection with customers, and celebrate the art of writing and the power of creativity.

I keep forgetting to sell.

Yet my business keeps growing.

Let me share why.

The morning after speaking at a women’s event in Bath, I felt the familiar pang of regret. Once again, I’d forgotten to mention anything about the packages I offer.

Absolutely no mention, zilch, nada of the many different ways women can work with me to define their story and be courageous in sharing it. Hell, I never even mentioned the BIG thing I’m in the process of launching; the She Roars Club.

Bugger. Bugger. Bugger.

But then I checked my social media. New connections. Coffee invites. DMs – all from the fabulous ladies I met the night before. And all because I did the one thing that feels natural to me now, I shared my story.

Because here’s the thing: Selling doesn’t have to feel like selling.

When you share your story—why you do what you do, who you help, and the impact you create—people connect. They trust. And that’s what leads them to buy.

It’s the same thing I tell my clients when they confess that selling makes them cringe. When they worry they sound pushy, or desperate, or just plain awkward. When they’d rather do anything—literally anything—than talk about their own brilliance.

We’ve been conditioned to believe that selling is about persuasion, pressure, and pouncing at the right moment with a pitch-perfect offer.

But what if I told you that selling doesn’t have to feel like selling at all?

What if I told you that simply telling your story—why you do what you do, who you help, and the transformations you create—can be enough? That your customer’s stories, their wins, their breakthroughs, can do all the selling for you?

Because here’s the thing: People don’t buy because of slick sales tactics. They buy because they feel something. They see themselves in your story. They connect. They trust. And when that happens, selling becomes effortless.

That’s why my inbox was full the morning after my talk. Not because I pitched, but because I shared.

That’s exactly why I created the She Roars Club, a space for women who want to use their stories to sell in a way that feels natural, authentic, and powerful. No awkward pitches. No pressure. Just stories that attract the right people.

The She Roars Club is for women who are brilliant at what they do but struggle to articulate their value. It’s a place where you’ll learn how to craft your story with confidence, show up with impact, and attract the right people without ever feeling salesy.

If that sounds like what you need, join the waitlist here:

https://hilarysalzman.podia.com/the-roar-of-her-story-she-roars-programme

There, phew. I finally remembered to mention the ‘thing’! That wasn’t so bad after all.

👋 Hey, I’m Hilary – I share posts that inspire women to tell their story to attract their dream clients and build a business that’s unapologetically them.

💓 If you know a woman in your network that this post could help, why not share it with them?

One of the big benefits of Bristol Creative Industries membership is the ability to self-publish content on our website. We’ve seen lots of great content published in 2024 including some brilliant business advice.

Here are the 30 most popular advice posts of the year. The list includes some posts from 2022 and 2023 that have continued to attract views thanks to their great tips.

Want to publish business advice on our website and make it into the top 30 most popular content in 2025? Become a member of Bristol Creative Industries.

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1. Current landscape for freelancers

Written by Moxie and Mettle

Click below or read the article here.

Current Landscape for Freelancers

2. Mastering the art of pop-up experiences: A guide for experiential designers

Written by Imagineerium

Click below or read the article here.

Mastering the Art of Pop-Up Experiences: A Guide for Experiential Designers

3. Six brand strategy models for focus and structure

Written by Halo

Click below or read the article here.

6 Brand Strategy Models For Focus And Structure

4. How does Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) work?

Written by Varn

Click below or read the article here.

How does Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) work?

5. How to measure SEO success: 7 key metrics

Written by Varn

Click below or read the article here.

How to Measure SEO Success: 7 Key Metrics

6. Transferable skills in the creative sector

Written by Moxie and Mettle

Click below or read the article here.

Transferable skills in the creative sector

7. The top transferable skills in TV production

Posted by Carnsight Communications

Click below or read the article here.

The top transferable skills in TV production

8. Here are 7 steps to PR yourself

Written by Carnsight Communications

Click below or read the article here.

Here are 7 steps to PR yourself

9. Podcast vs broadcast: Spot the difference

Written by David Sheppard

Click below or read the article here.

Podcast vs Broadcast: Spot The Difference

10. PR touchpoints: what are they and why are they important?

Written by Carnsight Communications

Click below or read the article here.

PR touchpoints: what are they and why are they important?

11. Exploring experiential design trends shaping 2024

Written by Imagineerium

Click below or read the article here.

Exploring Experiential Design Trends Shaping 2024

12. Shopify for SEO: Top 10 benefits and three mistakes to avoid

Written by Varn

Click below or read the article here.

Shopify For SEO: Top 10 Benefits & 3 Mistakes to Avoid

13. What is greywashing and why is it important?

Written by OggaDoon

Click below or read the article here.

What is Greywashing and why is it important?

14. The challenges of crafting a brand story and how to overcome them

Written by Bopgun

Click below or read the article here.

The challenges of crafting a brand story & how to overcome them

15. Leveraging machine learning algorithms in a cookieless future

Written by Superb Digital

Click below or read the article here.

Leveraging Machine Learning Algorithms in a Cookieless Future

16. How organisations can build higher levels of trust

Written by Rich Roberts

Click below or read the article here.

How organisations can build higher levels of trust

17. Apprenticeships? It’s time to bust some myths

Written by Vid Communications

Click below or read the article here.

Apprenticeships? It’s time to bust some myths…

18. 5 ways AI can enhance creativity and engagement in experiential design

Written by Imagineerium

Click below or read the article here.

5 Ways AI can enhance creativity and engagement in experiential design

19. Apprenticeship: Finding your next star

Written by Vid Communications

Click below or read the article here.

Apprenticeship – Finding Your Next Star

20. A creative freelancer’s guide to a mid-year review

Written by Gather Round

Click below or read the article here.

A Creative Freelancer’s Guide to a Mid-Year Review

21. Why TikTok has to be part of your content strategy

Written by Ambitious

Click below or read the article here.

Why TikTok has to be part of your content strategy

22. Greenwashing: Walking the line between authenticity and deception

Written by OggaDoon

Click below or read the article here.

Greenwashing – Walking the Line Between Authenticity and Deception

23. SEO for beginners: Unravelling the mysteries of SEO for up-and-coming businesses

Written by BrisTechTonic

Click below or read the article here.

SEO for Beginners: Unravelling the Mysteries of SEO+ for Up-and-Coming Businesses

24. A comprehensive guide to outbound links for SEO

Written by BrisTechTonic

Click below or read the article here.

A Comprehensive Guide to Outbound Links for SEO

25. How to position yourself as an expert in your field

Written by Blog Write

Click below or read the article here.

How to position yourself as an expert in your field

26. DEI – a quick-sprint guide to inclusive brand language

Written by SIM7

Click below or read the article here.

DEI – a quick-sprint guide to inclusive brand language

27. Spring cleaning 101: how to organise your email inbox

Written by Carnsight Communications 

Click below or read the article here.

Spring cleaning 101: how to organise your email inbox

28. How to write copy in the right tone of voice for your brand

Written by Blog Write

Click below or read the article here.

How to write copy in the right tone of voice for your brand

29. To B or not to B? Our journey to B Corp certification

Written by The Discourse

Click below or read the article here.

To B or not to B? Our journey to B Corp certification

30. The ultimate guide to TV advertising costs

Written by South West Film

Click below or read the article here.

The Ultimate Guide to TV Advertising Costs

Want to publish business advice on our website and make it into the top 30 in 2025? Become a member of Bristol Creative Industries.