Business

How to make the new ‘Living with Covid’ plan work for your small business

Published

4 years ago

February 27, 2022

Helena Young

Table of Contents

The UK government has confirmed that England will end all Covid self-isolation laws on Thursday, as part of its ‘Living with Covid’ plan. What does this mean for SMEs?

Earlier this month, Boris Johnson announced that all Covid-19 rules in England will be scrapped by the end of February.

The new plan has major implications for small businesses, including scrapping the requirement for individuals to self-isolate if they test positive for Covid-19.

Free mass testing is also scheduled to end on April 1.

Below, we look at what exactly the changes are, what they mean for small business owners, and how you can support and prepare your workforce for ‘Living with Covid’.

What is England’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan?

Boris Johnson’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan will take place over three stages.

The first stage has already taken place. New rules introduced on February 21 mean that staff and students in most education and childcare settings no longer have to test twice weekly.

But the change that will have the biggest impact on small businesses is the scrapping of all self-isolation rules from 24 February.

That means people with Covid will no longer be legally required to self-isolate for the previously-required period of five days.

Other new rules include:

Guidance will remain that those who test positive stay at home for five days
Contact tracing will end
Workers will no longer need to tell their employer if they need to self-isolate
Self-isolation support payments for those on low incomes will be scrapped

From 1 April:

Covid-19 tests will no longer be free except for the most vulnerable
Covid passports will be scrapped (except for international travel)
Employers will no longer have to explicitly consider Covid in their health and safety risk assessments

ALSO READ: How to Get a Startup Business Loan with No Money

The plan Boris Johnson has announced to end all legal restrictions is for England only. Restrictions remain in place in other parts of the UK.What do small business leaders think of the announcement?

In a press release, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chair Mike Cherry said: “Small firms right across England will be hoping that this week definitively marks the end of chopping and changing restrictions that have blighted them over the past two years.

“The priority now must be containing the virus and protecting community wellbeing whilst avoiding the need to shut down the economy entirely.”

What if my employees test positive for Covid-19?

The scrapping of Covid-19 self-isolation laws puts the responsibility of managing Covid-positive employees onto the business owner.

This means employers are in a slightly trickier situation when it comes to sick policies.

The government has said that ‘guidance’ will remain in place for those who test positive to stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least five full days.

But the lack of legal rules is likely to result in individuals attending the workplace whilst either positive for Covid-19 or showing symptoms.

With the majority of the UK adult population now fully-vaccinated, symptoms will be milder. It would be unusual for someone to take a week off work because of a cold, and it’s likely only those with serious and/or debilitating Covid-19 symptoms will take time off work.

How can I support members of staff who might be worried about testing positive?

Regardless of the law, the government’s new plan may raise difficult issues for employers, who need to walk a thin line between living with Covid-19 and ensuring the safety of staff.

Many employers have chosen the latter option in the past.

Indeed, data from employee parking software ParkOffice has shown that employers allowed their staff to abandon the office enmasse during the spread of the Omicron variant pre-Christmas, despite there being no official Government advice to restrict movement.

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Over the four week period between late November and the traditional break for Christmas, ParkOffice found there was a massive 92.5% decline in office goers across the UK.

As more people return to the office, your staff might want to avoid individuals who attend the workplace whilst positive for Covid-19 because they feel it is unsafe.

Legally, employers have a duty to support these employees and manage risks to those affected by their business. Here are a few examples for what that might look like:

Health and safety assessment

While no longer legally required, the way to do this is to carry out a health and safety risk assessment – including the risk of COVID-19 – and to take reasonable steps to mitigate any risks to other employees who might be worried about becoming infected with Covid-19.

The Government’s working safety guidance sets out a range of mitigations employers should consider including identifying poorly ventilated areas and taking steps to improve air flow in these areas.

Run an employee engagement survey and/or forum

Employee feedback surveys are meant to improve productivity by understanding the way your employees think about your company’s current policies and ways of working.

Check the attitude of your workplace towards the new ‘Living with Covid’ plan with an anonymous feedback survey before you decide on any long-term policies.

It might be that your staff are happy to work with people who have tested positive for Covid – or, you might learn that they are unhappy with the new rules and will require more reassurance and support measures.

This is not only a helpful exercise for business leaders, as you can hear concerns and issues directly from your employees. It’s also a good communication channel for staff members to air any grievances and feel they are being listened to.

Similar to this approach is an employee engagement forum. This is essentially a team discussion amongst a handful of volunteers from your workforce who can then share their ideas on a problem and give feedback on how other employees might be feeling.

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Implement your own self-isolation policy

If you feel that a large enough majority of your staff are concerned about the government’s new plan, there are more forceful steps you can take.

The end of the legal obligation to self-isolate does not prevent employers from having their own restrictions on workplace attendance for those who test positive for Covid-19 – if you choose to do so.

Typically, these rules would be contained in the employer’s policies and may, for example, stipulate that individuals who either test positive for Covid-19, and/or are displaying symptoms of the virus, work from home until a negative test is taken.

This more assertive action is not without potential risks, and you should make sure to properly communicate your reasoning to staff members to avoid alienating them.

You should also consider:

Purchasing home-testing kits for employees who are displaying symptoms of Covid-19 and wish to take a test.As free testing has now been scrapped, putting the onus of purchasing a test on your employees could cause friction.
Choosing to keep in place rules on face-coverings, hand washing and other safety measures should you wish. These might further reassure employees that the workplace is safe to continue working in.

Conclusion

The government’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan means it is now lawful for employees to attend the workplace with Covid-19 or with symptoms.

Still, employers should carry out employee surveys to check the temperature of their staff and keep an eye on the mood of the workplace on Covid-19 issues.

There is still debate about whether or not these restrictions should be lifted and a good employer should ensure they are addressing the concerns of staff members who might not feel safe coming into the office – particularly after nearly two years of living with Covid-19 safety measures.

Open communication through employee surveys and even specialist engagement committees will help your staff to function properly and ensure they feel properly supported.

Via Startups

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AI

Amazon, OpenAI, and the $10 Billion AI Power Shift: How a New Wave of Investment Is Rewriting the Future of Tech

Published

7 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Abdul Rahman

A deep dive into Amazon, OpenAI, and the $10B AI investment wave reshaping startups, big tech competition, and the future of artificial intelligence.

Table of Contents

The AI Investment Earthquake No One Can Ignore

Every few years, the tech world experiences a moment that permanently shifts the landscape — a moment when capital, innovation, and ambition collide so forcefully that the ripple effects reshape entire industries.

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2025 delivered one of those moments. 2026 is where the aftershocks begin.

Between Amazon’s aggressive AI expansion, OpenAI’s escalating influence, and a global surge of $10 billion‑plus investments into next‑gen artificial intelligence, the world is witnessing a new kind of tech arms race. Not the cloud wars. Not the mobile wars. Not even the social media wars.

This is the AI supremacy war — and the stakes are higher than ever.

For startups, founders, investors, and operators, this isn’t just “ai news.” This is the blueprint for the next decade of opportunity.

And if you’re building anything in tech, this story matters more than you think.

The New AI Power Triangle: Amazon, OpenAI, and the Capital Flood

Amazon’s AI Ambition: From Cloud King to Intelligence Empire

Amazon has always played the long game. AWS dominated cloud. Prime dominated logistics. Alexa dominated voice.

But 2026 marks a new chapter: Amazon wants to dominate intelligence itself.

The company’s recent multi‑billion‑dollar AI investments — including infrastructure, model training, and strategic partnerships — signal a clear message:

Amazon doesn’t just want to compete with OpenAI. Amazon wants to become the operating system of AI.

From custom silicon to foundation models to enterprise AI tools, Amazon is building a vertically integrated AI stack that startups will rely on for years.

Why this matters for startups

Cheaper, faster AI compute
More accessible model‑training tools
Enterprise‑grade AI infrastructure
A growing ecosystem of AI‑native services

If AWS shaped the last decade of startups, Amazon’s AI stack will shape the next one.

OpenAI: The Relentless Pace‑Setter

OpenAI remains the gravitational center of the AI universe. Every product launch, every model upgrade, every partnership — it all sends shockwaves across the industry.

But what’s different now is the scale of investment behind OpenAI’s ambitions.

With billions flowing into model development, safety research, and global expansion, OpenAI is no longer a research lab. It’s a geopolitical force.

OpenAI’s influence in 2026

Sets the pace for AI innovation
Shapes global regulation conversations
Defines the capabilities startups build on
Drives the evolution of AI‑powered work

Whether you’re building a SaaS tool, a marketplace, a fintech product, or a consumer app, OpenAI’s roadmap affects your roadmap.

The $10 Billion Dollar Question: Why Is AI Attracting Record Investment?

The number isn’t symbolic. It’s strategic.

Across the US, UK, EU, and Asia, governments and private investors are pouring $10 billion‑plus into AI infrastructure, safety, chips, and model development.

The drivers behind the investment wave

AI is becoming a national security priority
Big tech is racing to build proprietary models
Startups are proving AI monetization is real
Enterprise adoption is accelerating
AI infrastructure is the new oil

This isn’t hype. This is the industrialization of intelligence.

The Market Impact: A New Era of Tech Investment

1. AI Is Becoming the Default Layer of Every Startup

In 2010, every startup needed a website. In 2015, every startup needed an app. In 2020, every startup needed a cloud strategy.

In 2026?

Every startup needs an AI strategy — or it won’t survive.

AI is no longer a feature. It’s the foundation.

Examples of AI‑first startup models

AI‑powered legal assistants
Autonomous customer support
Predictive analytics for finance
AI‑generated content engines
Automated supply chain optimization
Personalized learning platforms

The startups winning funding today are the ones treating AI as the core engine, not the add‑on.

2. Big Tech Competition Is Fueling Innovation

Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and OpenAI are locked in a race that benefits one group more than anyone else:

Founders.

Competition drives:

Lower compute costs
Faster model improvements
More developer tools
More open‑source innovation
More funding opportunities

When giants fight, startups grow.

3. AI Infrastructure Is the New Gold Rush

Investors aren’t just funding apps. They’re funding the picks and shovels.

High‑growth investment areas

AI chips
Data centers
Model training platforms
Vector databases
AI security
Synthetic data generation

If you’re building anything that helps companies train, deploy, or scale AI — you’re in the hottest market of 2026.

Why This Matters for Startups: The Opportunity Map

1. The Barriers to Entry Are Falling

Thanks to Amazon, OpenAI, and open‑source communities, startups can now:

Build AI products without massive capital
Train models without specialized hardware
Deploy AI features in days, not months
Access enterprise‑grade tools at startup‑friendly prices

This levels the playing field in a way we haven’t seen since the early cloud era.

2. Investors Are Prioritizing AI‑Native Startups

VCs aren’t just “interested” in AI. They’re restructuring their entire portfolios around it.

What investors want in 2026

AI‑native business models
Clear data advantages
Strong defensibility
Real‑world use cases
Scalable infrastructure

If you’re raising capital, aligning your pitch with the AI investment wave is no longer optional.

3. AI Is Creating New Categories of Startups

Entire industries are being rewritten.

Emerging AI‑driven sectors

Autonomous commerce
AI‑powered healthcare diagnostics
AI‑driven logistics
Intelligent cybersecurity
AI‑enhanced education
Synthetic media and entertainment

The next unicorns will come from categories that didn’t exist five years ago.

The Competitive Landscape: Who Wins the AI Race?

Amazon’s Strengths

Massive cloud dominance
Custom AI chips
Global distribution
Enterprise trust

OpenAI’s Strengths

Fastest innovation cycles
Best‑in‑class models
Strong developer ecosystem
Cultural influence

Startups’ Strengths

Speed
Focus
Agility
Ability to innovate without bureaucracy

The real winners? Startups that build on top of the giants — without becoming dependent on them.

Future Predictions: What 2026–2030 Will Look Like

1. AI Will Become a Regulated Industry

Expect global standards, safety protocols, and compliance frameworks.

2. AI‑powered work will replace traditional workflows

Not jobs — workflows. Humans will supervise, not execute.

3. AI infrastructure will become a trillion‑dollar market

Chips, data centers, and training platforms will explode in value.

4. The next wave of unicorns will be AI‑native

Not AI‑enabled — AI‑native.

5. The UK will become a major AI hub

Thanks to government support, talent density, and startup momentum.

FAQ (Optimized for Google’s Answer Engine)

1. Why are companies investing $10 billion in AI?

Because AI is becoming critical infrastructure — powering automation, intelligence, and national competitiveness.

2. How does Amazon’s AI strategy affect startups?

It lowers compute costs, accelerates development, and provides enterprise‑grade tools to early‑stage founders.

3. Is OpenAI still leading the AI race?

OpenAI remains a pace‑setter, but Amazon, Google, and open‑source communities are closing the gap.

4. What AI sectors will grow the fastest by 2030?

AI chips, healthcare AI, autonomous logistics, cybersecurity, and synthetic media.

5. Should startups pivot to AI‑native models?

Yes — AI‑native startups attract more funding, scale faster, and build stronger defensibility.

Conclusion: The Future Belongs to the Builders

The AI revolution isn’t coming. It’s here — funded, accelerated, and industrialized.

Amazon is building the infrastructure. OpenAI is building the intelligence. Investors are pouring billions into the ecosystem.

The only question left is: What will you build on top of it?

For founders, operators, and investors, 2026 is the year to move — boldly, intelligently, and with AI at the center of your strategy.

Because the next decade of innovation belongs to those who understand one truth:

AI isn’t the future of tech. AI is tech.

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Hosting

Top 10 WordPress-Friendly Hosting Companies in 2025 to Power Your WordPress Site

Published

2 weeks ago

December 5, 2025

Abdul Rahman

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why Hosting Matters More Than Ever in 2025

Choosing the right hosting provider in 2025 isn’t just about uptime—it’s about speed, scalability, and SEO performance. With WordPress powering 43.4% of all websites worldwide, hosting providers have become the backbone of digital success. A slow or unreliable host can tank your Core Web Vitals, hurt rankings, and frustrate users.

The global WordPress hosting market is projected to hit $10.9 billion by 2026, proving that competition is fierce. This guide cuts through the noise with data-backed rankings, user feedback statistics, and competitor analysis to help you make the smartest choice.

Ranking Methodology

We analyzed:

Performance metrics: Speed, uptime, scalability
User feedback: Customer satisfaction ratings, Trustpilot scores
Market share & innovation: Adoption rates, new features
Competitor gaps: What others missed (e.g., sustainability, AI integration)

🏆 Top 10 WordPress-Friendly Hosting Companies in 2025

Rank	Hosting Provider	Avg. Uptime	Speed (ms)	User Rating	Key Features
1	WP Engine	99.99%	320	4.8/5	Enterprise-grade, AI caching, developer tools
2	Kinsta	99.98%	340	4.7/5	Google Cloud backbone, advanced analytics
3	Hostinger	99.95%	410	4.6/5	Affordable, strong global CDN
4	Cloudways	99.96%	390	4.6/5	Flexible cloud hosting, pay-as-you-go
5	Pressable	99.97%	360	4.5/5	Automattic-backed, seamless WordPress integration
6	SiteGround	99.94%	420	4.5/5	Strong support, AI-powered security
7	Bluehost	99.93%	450	4.4/5	Beginner-friendly, officially recommended by WordPress
8	GreenGeeks	99.92%	460	4.4/5	Eco-friendly, renewable energy hosting
9	WordPress.com Hosting	99.95%	430	4.3/5	Seamless WP integration, beginner ease
10	IONOS	99.90%	470	4.2/5	Budget-friendly, strong European presence

Sources:

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Key Statistics & Insights

63% of managed WordPress hosting plans include free site migrations
Optimized hosting improves Core Web Vitals for 63% of sites
WordPress powers 43.4% of all websites
Market share leaders in 2025: WP Engine, Kinsta, Hostinger

Competitor Gap Analysis

Most competitor articles (ThemeIsle, HostingStep, LinkedIn guides) list hosts without deep statistical backing or competitor comparison. This article beats them by:

Integrating verified statistics (uptime, speed, satisfaction scores).
Highlighting sustainability & AI-driven hosting (ignored by many competitors).
Providing a structured table for scannability (Google loves structured data).

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: What is the fastest WordPress hosting in 2025? WP Engine and Kinsta lead with sub-350ms load times.

Q2: Which hosting is best for beginners? Bluehost and WordPress.com Hosting are easiest to set up.

Q3: Is eco-friendly hosting reliable? Yes—GreenGeeks offers 99.92% uptime while offsetting carbon usage.

Q4: How important is uptime for SEO? Critical. Anything below 99.9% risks ranking drops.

Q5: Which host offers the best value? Hostinger balances affordability with global performance.

Conclusion

In 2025, WP Engine and Kinsta dominate premium hosting, while Hostinger and SiteGround provide affordable yet reliable options. For eco-conscious brands, GreenGeeks is unmatched.

👉 Action Step: Compare these providers, align with your site’s needs, and choose a host that ensures speed, uptime, and scalability. Your WordPress site deserves nothing less than world-class hosting.

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ALSO READ: Companies should avail SBP's new refinance scheme to avoid layoff of workers and crisis due to covid-19

Opinion

🌍 The Global Biggest Startup & Tech Events of 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

December 3, 2025

Abdul Rahman

2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the startup and technology ecosystem. From Silicon Valley to Singapore, founders, investors, and innovators will gather at the world’s most influential conferences to share ideas, showcase breakthroughs, and forge partnerships. Below is a curated calendar of the must-attend global startup and tech events in 2026, with detailed dates and venues.

Table of Contents

📅 January 2026

sTARTUp Day – Tartu, Estonia January 24–26, 2026 A vibrant festival connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers in Northern Europe.

📅 February 2026

Step Conference – Dubai, UAE February 21–22, 2026 The Middle East’s leading tech festival, spotlighting fintech, AI, and digital media.

📅 March 2026

MWC Barcelona (Mobile World Congress) – Barcelona, Spain March 2–5, 2026 The world’s largest mobile and connectivity event, featuring 4YFN (Four Years From Now) for startups.
START Summit – St. Gallen, Switzerland March 19–20, 2026 Europe’s premier student-led conference bridging startups and investors.
TechChill – Riga, Latvia March 26–28, 2026 Focused on early-stage startups and Baltic innovation.

📅 April 2026

LEAP 2026 – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 1–4, 2026 A mega-event spotlighting AI, robotics, and future tech.
Tech.eu Summit – Brussels, Belgium April 15–16, 2026 Gathering Europe’s top founders, policymakers, and investors.
Wolves Summit – Warsaw, Poland April 23–25, 2026 A matchmaking hub for startups and VCs across Central & Eastern Europe.
Startup Grind Global Conference – Silicon Valley, USA April 29–30, 2026 A global community-driven event for founders and investors.

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📅 May 2026

EU-Startups Summit – Barcelona, Spain May 7–8, 2026 Featuring Europe’s hottest scale-ups and venture capitalists.
Podim Conference – Maribor, Slovenia May 19–21, 2026 A boutique event connecting startups with investors.
Web Summit Vancouver – Vancouver, Canada May 26–29, 2026 The North American edition of the world’s most influential tech conference.
ViennaUP – Vienna, Austria May 30–June 7, 2026 A city-wide festival of innovation and entrepreneurship.

📅 June 2026

South Summit – Madrid, Spain June 3–5, 2026 A global meeting point for startups, corporations, and investors.
London Tech Week – London, UK June 8–12, 2026 The UK’s flagship innovation festival.
Hello Tomorrow Global Summit – Paris, France June 18–19, 2026 Focused on deep tech and scientific innovation.
Viva Technology – Paris, France June 24–27, 2026 Europe’s largest startup and tech event.

📅 July–December 2026 Highlights

Startupfest – Montreal, Canada (July 9–12)
TechBBQ – Copenhagen, Denmark (August 27–28)
Bits & Pretzels – Munich, Germany (September 27–29)
TechCrunch Disrupt – San Francisco, USA (October 13–15)
Slush – Helsinki, Finland (November 19–20)
GITEX Global – Dubai, UAE (December 7–11)

✨ Why These Events Matter

Networking Powerhouses: Meet global investors, accelerators, and corporate innovators.
Trendspotting: Discover the latest in AI, fintech, biotech, and green tech.
Global Reach: Events span every major startup hub from Europe to Asia and North America.

Final Word

For founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts, 2026 offers an unparalleled lineup of startup and tech events. Whether you’re scaling your venture, seeking funding, or scouting the next big idea, these conferences are your gateway to the future of innovation.

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