Business

There’s a common myth in the tech industry: to start a digital business, especially something as intricate as an online casino, you must be a coder or at least have one on speed dial.

While that might have been the case a decade ago, things have changed significantly.

Today, entrepreneurs are increasingly able to launch successful iGaming ventures without ever needing to write a single line of code. Thanks to the rise of B2B casino platforms, modern operators can concentrate on branding, marketing, and monetization, while specialized providers handle the technical infrastructure.

Welcome to the age of no-code gambling entrepreneurship.

The Platform Revolution

Creating a casino from the ground up can be time-consuming, costly, and fraught with regulatory challenges. In contrast, white-label and turnkey platforms now provide everything from game libraries and payment processing to customer support systems and compliance modules — all set up and ready to use.

You’re essentially renting a complete business solution. What sets one operator apart from another isn’t the code — it’s the vision, the niche, the target audience, and the strategy.

B2B providers like Vegangster are leading the way in this model, allowing entrepreneurs to launch branded casino projects without the need to hire developers or deal with the complexities of backend architecture. These platforms manage server security, licensing guidance, KYC integrations, bonus systems, and much more.

It’s similar to what Shopify achieved for e-commerce or Substack for newsletters — making access easier by removing technical barriers.

Strategy Over Syntax

Successful non-technical casino operators grasp a crucial insight: your advantage lies not in coding but in crafting experiences and maximizing revenue streams.

This involves dedicating time to:

– Identifying markets or demographics that are currently overlooked

– Curating game selections or themes tailored to specific interests (like crypto, live casino, or esports betting)

– Developing a strong brand identity and enhancing user experience

– Creating retention strategies through loyalty programs, personalized offers, and data-driven customer relationship management

These factors significantly influence long-term profitability more than custom-coded features ever could.

You don’t need to reinvent roulette; you need to make it engaging, accessible, and memorable for your audience.

Growth, Not Guesswork

By removing the necessity to build everything from the ground up, you can conserve both capital and time—two vital resources for any startup. This opens avenues for strategic partnerships, affiliate marketing, influencer campaigns, and targeted user acquisition strategies.

Moreover, B2B casino solutions provide analytics dashboards, A/B testing tools, and performance tracking, enabling non-technical founders to make data-informed decisions rather than relying solely on intuition.

Essentially, the modern casino entrepreneur’s role is shifting from engineering to orchestration.

A Business Built to Scale

Scalability is inherent in the platform model. Whether you’re managing a niche Telegram-based casino or a diverse online gambling portfolio, the technology can support it without requiring your direct involvement in development or infrastructure upgrades.

With the growing acceptance of crypto payments, mobile-first gaming, and regional gaming licenses, flexibility is becoming just as crucial as stability. A no-code foundation doesn’t imply a lack of capability; rather, it signifies a shift in focus from technology to traction.

For those aiming to enter the iGaming sector without the burden of a development team, utilizing platforms like Vegangster provides a practical and scalable route to profitability.

Read more:
How to Build a Profitable Casino Business Without Writing a Single Line of Code

His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has blocked more than 100 million malicious emails over the past three years, as the scale and sophistication of cyber threats facing UK government departments continues to escalate.

The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, reveal a sharp rise in attempted email attacks targeting HMRC systems, underlining the persistent risk to critical national infrastructure.

Between November 2021 and October 2022, HMRC blocked 23.7 million malicious emails. That figure rose sharply to 40.3 million between November 2022 and October 2023, and a further 40.9 million were blocked in the following 11 months, up to September 2024.

In total, 105 million malicious emails were intercepted by HMRC’s security systems over the three-year period.

A growing and relentless threat

Cybersecurity experts say the scale of attempted attacks demonstrates the relentless nature of cybercriminal activity and the need for a proactive, robust defence posture.

“These numbers show just how relentless cybercriminals are when it comes to targeting government institutions,” said Andy Ward, SVP International at Absolute Security.

“Email remains one of the primary routes into systems — whether via malware, phishing or spam designed to exploit vulnerabilities. Organisations need a strong cyber resilience strategy that includes real-time monitoring, advanced threat detection and the ability to isolate compromised systems swiftly.”

Ward added that as threats become more sophisticated, investment in both technology and expertise is more critical than ever to protect government operations.

Sawan Joshi, Group Director of Information Security at FDM Group, emphasised the importance of having a highly skilled workforce to complement cybersecurity tools.

“Protecting critical systems isn’t just about having the right tech in place,” he said.

“It’s also about ensuring staff have the skills to detect, respond and communicate cyber risks effectively. Upskilling and training are essential components of long-term cyber resilience.”

Despite its success in blocking attacks, HMRC has acknowledged that recent changes to its email security systems mean it can no longer categorise threats by type — such as phishing, malware or spam. Experts say this limits visibility into the evolving nature of cyber threats and could make strategic planning more difficult.

The warning comes amid broader concerns about cybersecurity across UK public services, with government departments increasingly targeted by hackers, criminals and state-backed actors looking to exploit weaknesses in digital systems.

With over 100 million attempted breaches already blocked, the latest data offers a stark reminder of the scale of the challenge — and the need for constant investment in defences, talent and resilience to stay one step ahead.

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HMRC blocks over 100 million malicious emails in three years, amid growing cyber threat

Oil prices tumbled to their lowest level in more than four years on Wednesday as escalating trade tensions and unexpected supply increases from Opec+ rattled global markets.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped as much as 5.2% to $58.46 a barrel, falling below the $60 mark for the first time since February 2021.

The sharp fall came amid growing fears that President Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, introduced on 2 April, would dampen global growth and suppress energy demand. At its lowest point, Brent had slumped nearly 20% from its level when the tariffs were first announced.

The US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), also dropped as much as 5.3% to $55.10, before rebounding to $62, up 4% on the day. Brent crude ended the day at $64.82, up 3.5%, after markets rallied in response to Trump’s surprise decision to pause tariff increases for 90 days — excluding China.

Adding to the pressure on oil prices was a larger-than-expected production increase by Opec+ — the alliance of major oil-producing countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iraq. The group announced a combined output boost of 411,000 barrels per day from May, far higher than the 135,000 barrels per day analysts had forecast.

This twin blow — weaker demand expectations due to tariffs and rising supply — prompted major banks to slash oil price forecasts. Goldman Sachs cut its Brent forecast for year-end to $58 per barrel, and to $51 by the end of next year, marking the third downgrade in recent months.

Morgan Stanley also reduced its outlook, lowering its Brent crude forecast by $5 a barrel to $65 for Q2, and $62.50 for both Q3 and Q4. The bank cut its oil demand forecast for the second half of the year by 500,000 barrels per day.

Francisco Blanch, Head of Commodities Research at Bank of America, warned Brent could sink to $50 a barrel in a worst-case scenario — though added that any easing of trade tensions or geopolitical risks could stabilise prices.

The plunge in oil has prompted speculation of falling fuel prices for motorists. Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said wholesale fuel costs were “falling fast”, putting pressure on major retailers to cut pump prices.

“We expect to see the first of these price cuts taking place later this week as the largest retailers buy in new stock,” he said.

Average petrol prices have remained broadly flat at 135.6p a litre, while diesel is unchanged at 142.3p, according to AA figures.

Luke Bosdet, fuel spokesman at the AA, cautioned that falling oil prices may take time to reach forecourts, particularly given the start of the American summer driving season, when US gasoline demand — and prices — typically rise.

“If I have any hope of a big fall in pump prices, it comes later in the summer when the reality of US holidaymakers travelling less hits gasoline demand and brings down its commodity value,” he said.

Rising operating costs, including increases in employer national insurance contributions and the national living wage, may also limit how much of the wholesale savings are passed on to UK consumers, analysts warned.

While markets responded positively to the temporary de-escalation of the trade dispute, the energy sector remains on edge. With supply rising and economic uncertainty growing, volatility in oil markets is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

Read more:
Oil price sinks below $60 for first time since pandemic, before Trump climbdown sparks rebound

President Trump’s surprise decision to suspend higher tariffs on most countries has been cautiously welcomed by European leaders and central bankers, with the Governor of the Bank of France calling it the “beginning of a return to economic sense”.

François Villeroy de Galhau praised the move as a step in the right direction, while warning that two key challenges remain — the unpredictability of US trade policy and the persistent trend towards protectionism.

Speaking on France Inter radio, he said: “Let’s say it’s less bad news. But there are still two bad ingredients: the unpredictability, which is always the enemy of confidence and growth, and the protectionism.”

He described the broader direction of Trump’s trade strategy as an “own goal” that risked undermining US economic growth and, to a lesser extent, European markets.

Villeroy de Galhau commended EU member states for their composure and unity in the face of uncertainty:

“Those qualities are going to be needed during the negotiations that are going to open. There’s no need to be paralysed and to be passive in the face of what is coming. Europeans must stick together and negotiate well.”

The US had previously announced a 20 per cent tariff on goods from the EU, including Ireland, but this week softened its stance, imposing only a 10 per cent baseline tariff for at least the next 90 days, excluding China, which now faces a 125 per cent rate.

Dialogue ‘likely’ following de-escalation

Ireland’s Tánaiste, Simon Harris, said negotiations with the United States are now “likely” in light of the partial suspension.

“It has been my consistent position, and the consistent position of the Irish government and the European Union, that we need to get into substantive, calm, measured dialogue with the United States,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

He added: “It has always been our preference that that would have happened before tariff announcements. Clearly that was not the position of the United States.”

The de-escalation follows weeks of rising global tension, with stock markets volatile and business confidence shaken by fears of a prolonged trade war.

President Trump’s administration said the tariff pause was designed to allow countries to negotiate better trade terms, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warning that only those who refrain from retaliation will benefit from potential concessions.

European leaders and business groups are now preparing for intense trade discussions, with calls for unity, strategic negotiation, and a renewed commitment to open markets guiding the bloc’s approach in the weeks ahead.

Read more:
Tariff suspension ‘marks return to economic sense’, says Bank of France governor

Tesco has warned that its profits are likely to fall this year as Britain’s biggest supermarket battles growing competition and rising costs in an increasingly aggressive grocery market.

Announcing its full-year results, the FTSE 100 retailer said it had seen a “further increase in the competitive intensity” of the UK grocery sector and expects adjusted operating profit to fall to between £2.7 billion and £3 billion in the year ahead — down from £3.1 billion in the year to 22 February.

The outlook reflects mounting pressure on the industry, as rivals cut prices to gain market share. Last month, Asda reignited a supermarket price war, pledging heavy investment in lower prices as part of its turnaround strategy — a move that sent shockwaves through the sector and briefly wiped billions off the market value of major supermarket groups including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer.

While the UK’s largest grocer has so far weathered the storm, thanks in part to its scale, supplier relationships and the strength of its Clubcard loyalty scheme, it acknowledged that it must remain flexible to maintain its lead.

“Our continued focus on value and quality, coupled with market-leading availability, has contributed to another year of increased customer satisfaction and our highest market share for nearly a decade,” said chief executive Ken Murphy.

Tesco’s market share rose to 27.9% in the 12 weeks to 23 March, up from 27.3% a year earlier, according to the latest data from Kantar.

Group revenue, excluding VAT but including fuel, rose 2.5% to £69.9 billion, in line with analyst expectations. Adjusted operating profit increased 10.6% year-on-year, also matching consensus forecasts.

However, Tesco warned that wage inflation and rising operational costs — especially from changes to National Insurance and the national living wage — will weigh heavily on the year ahead. The retailer, which employs 330,000 people, said it will face an additional £235 million a year in National Insurance contributions, even before the full impact of the minimum wage increases is factored in.

Despite the cautious outlook, Tesco remains committed to shareholder returns, announcing a new £1.45 billion share buyback to be completed by April 2026.

Murphy added: “Building on our strong financial performance, robust balance sheet and positive momentum, we are setting ourselves up for the year ahead with the flexibility to continue to win in a highly competitive market.”

Tesco has sought to protect its margins by balancing premium ranges with discount lines, and by continuing to price match Aldi and Lidl. The company also owns Booker, the grocery wholesaler, and operates stores in eastern Europe and the Republic of Ireland, providing it with some geographic diversification.

Despite the strong underlying performance, Tesco shares fell 4% to 321p in early trading, as investors reacted to the more cautious profit guidance.

With inflationary pressures persisting and competition only intensifying, the supermarket sector is entering a period of significant turbulence — and Tesco’s latest results show even market leaders are not immune.

Read more:
Tesco warns that supermarket price war will eat into profits

AI-driven workplace platform Dosen.io has raised $2.3 million in an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round to combat the rise of ‘quiet quitting’ — the growing trend of employee disengagement that’s costing businesses billions in lost productivity.

Led by Affinity Ventures, with participation from Unshackled Ventures and Fuel Ventures, the round exceeded its original target by 50%, underscoring strong investor confidence in Dosen’s mission to realign performance and purpose in the workplace.

Founded by Ronan Wall, Victor Burke and Cian McCarthy (pictured), Dosen enables HR teams and business leaders to increase productivity and retain top talent by aligning company strategy with employee values and aspirations — a key factor in today’s hybrid and remote-first working landscape.

Addressing a $500 billion productivity problem

Recent data reveals that 95% of employees don’t understand their company’s strategy, and 85% feel no sense of purpose at work. The result? A surge in ‘quiet quitting’ — where workers mentally disengage and do only the bare minimum.

Dosen aims to reverse this trend through a platform that uses AI to match company goals with individual employee development, creating tailored learning journeys for each team member. “Dosen is designed specifically to help HR teams and senior leaders solve the biggest challenge they face right now – underperformance or the loss of their best talent,” said co-founder Ronan Wall. “This investment allows us to reach more people and companies and put an end to the trend of ‘quiet quitting.’”

How it works

Dosen combines company inputs — such as strategy, structure, and KPIs — with employee data, including personal values, skillsets, and development goals. The result is a customised learning journey that directly ties personal growth to company outcomes.

For employees: It creates purpose-led development pathways tailored to their roles, ambitions and growth areas.
For employers: It aligns learning with strategic goals and boosts ROI through scientifically validated engagement tools.

“By automating the personalisation of training at scale, we’re excited to make a significant impact for organisations and the people within them,” said co-founder Victor Burke.

Already generating revenue, Dosen has demonstrated strong results for multinational clients, especially those experiencing transitions such as rapid hiring, organisational change or high churn.

“The impact has been transformative,” said one client. “Our workforce isn’t just adopting but truly embodying the organisational practices that help us deliver on our mission.”

The new funding will be used to expand Dosen’s team, accelerate product development and deepen its market reach.

“The most exciting thing about Dosen is that the product is still in its infancy,” said co-founder Cian McCarthy. “We see a huge opportunity to drive even greater levels of employee purpose and company performance.”

As workplace culture continues to evolve and retention remains a priority, Dosen.io is emerging as a powerful tool for businesses looking to connect their people with their purpose — and unlock performance in the process.

Read more:
Dosen.io raises $2.3 million in oversubscribed round to stop ‘quiet quitting’

President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause on tariffs above the 10% baseline rate, offering a temporary reprieve for most US trading partners — with one notable exception: China.

In a post on Truth Social, the President confirmed the pause would take immediate effect, while also declaring a punitive 125% tariff on Chinese imports, citing a “lack of respect” for global markets and Beijing’s decision to launch retaliatory tariffs on US goods.

The UK, already subject to the baseline 10% tariff since last week’s “liberation day” trade shake-up, appears to remain unaffected by the latest move.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent insisted the 90-day window is not a retreat, but a strategic move to encourage negotiations. “We are expecting countries to come to us with their best deal,” he said at a White House briefing. “Do not retaliate, and you will be rewarded.”

Countries that maintain open dialogue and refrain from countermeasures could secure more favourable treatment under Trump’s evolving tariff regime, Bessent added. He noted that Mexico and Canada remain within the 10% tariff bracket and emphasised that the pause creates an opportunity to resolve broader trade issues, including currency manipulation and non-monetary barriers.

Trump’s post explained the rationale behind the decision: “Based on the fact that more than 75 countries have called representatives of the United States to negotiate … and that these countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way … I have authorised a 90-day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered reciprocal tariff during this period, of 10 per cent, also effective immediately.”

The announcement triggered an immediate reaction in financial markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged by 1,800 points, while the S&P 500 climbed more than 300 points in just 20 minutes.

While the tariff pause has been welcomed by markets, the 125% rate on Chinese goods underscores the increasingly confrontational tone in US-China relations. Analysts say the targeted move risks inflaming global trade tensions at a time when markets and businesses are already on edge.

For UK exporters, the news brings some relief. With the 10% baseline remaining in place, no additional duties are expected — at least for now. However, the three-month timeframe leaves the door open for further developments depending on the outcome of negotiations.

The White House has not confirmed which sectors will be prioritised during this negotiation window, but a new round of trade talks is expected to begin within days.

With the global economy closely watching, business leaders and policymakers are now assessing the implications of a tariff landscape that remains volatile — but perhaps, for now, a little less severe.

Read more:
Trump tariffs latest: 90-day pause announced, but China hit with 125% rate

Sipay, the rapidly scaling Turkish fintech specialising in embedded finance and payment solutions, has raised $78 million in a Series B funding round, pushing its valuation beyond $875 million.

The round was led by US-based venture capital firm Elephant VC, with support from QuantumLight, the investment firm founded by Revolut CEO Nik Storonsky.

Recognised as Turkey’s fastest-growing fintech by Deloitte in both 2023 and 2024, Sipay has seen its revenue multiply fivefold year-on-year, ending 2024 on a $600 million revenue run rate. Profitable since 2023, the company has continued to gain momentum since its $15 million Series A round led by Anfa in June last year.

The new capital injection will power Sipay’s international expansion, with a focus on forming strategic partnerships and networks in emerging markets. The move follows strong growth in its domestic market, where the company boasts 6.3 million digital wallet users and 25,000 registered merchants.

Founded in 2019, Sipay offers a comprehensive suite of financial products for both businesses and consumers. Its business platform enables firms to manage payments, FX transactions, and embedded finance through a unified dashboard, while Sipay Personal provides users with an all-in-one money app covering digital wallets, investments, and loyalty schemes.

To date, the company has processed over 100 million transactions and works with global payment giants including Visa and Mastercard. Its client roster spans from traditional banks and industrial groups to tech disruptors, including QNBpay (a QNB subsidiary), Nasdaq-listed Hepsiburada’s payment service Hepsipay, and Alibaba-owned Trendyol.

Nezih Sipahioğlu, Founder and Global CEO of Sipay, commented: “This investment fuels our mission to redefine the global payments ecosystem. Our unified platform offering diverse financial products and services helps businesses and individuals achieve true financial freedom. This new funding round will allow us to take the next step in our global journey, bringing Sipay’s comprehensive payment solutions into new emerging markets.”

Peter Fallon, General Partner at Elephant VC, added: “In today’s fast-evolving digital economy, seamless and secure payment solutions are more critical than ever. Sipay is playing a vital role in reshaping the financial landscape to be more inclusive, secure, and efficient. We’re proud to support Nezih and the team as they expand their success beyond Turkey.”

With the backing of top-tier investors and a strong track record of growth, Sipay is positioning itself as a global contender in the competitive fintech space, focused on transforming financial infrastructure and boosting financial inclusion across borders.

Read more:
Sipay, Europe’s fastest-growing fintech, raises $78m Series B, hitting $875m valuation

There was a time, not so long ago, when America was the greatest country in the world.

Not just because it said so on the telly, not because it could nuke you from space, or because every high school film ended with a slow clap and a national anthem. No — because it led. With ideas, with invention, with democratic ideals (however hypocritically applied), with a swagger that came from real cultural capital, real global respect. America didn’t just show up to the party — it built the damn house.

But not anymore

And I don’t say this with glee. I’m not some sanctimonious Brit revelling in Uncle Sam’s decline while sipping tepid tea in a London kitchen. I say this because facts matter. Because rhetoric isn’t reality. And because under President Donald J. Trump — not once, but now twice elected as Commander-in-Chief — the United States has taken a chainsaw to its global reputation, its domestic integrity, and its long-term prospects.

Let’s be clear: America hasn’t been ‘great’ in the aspirational, post-war, Statue-of-Liberty sense for a while. But this time, it feels terminal. It’s not just decline. It’s wilful decay.

The environment? A joke. Trump’s ghoulish love affair with coal has been re-consummated. In a flurry of pen-strokes that would’ve made a 19th-century industrialist swoon, he reopened the gates to coal-fired power plants. Actual coal, like it’s 1902 and we’re all still clapping at the lightbulb. His executive order gutted environmental protections that were already on life support, essentially telling the EPA to sit down and shut up while we choke on soot.

Meanwhile, while the rest of the developed world sprints towards renewables, the U.S. is trying to mainline fossil fuels through a rusty IV drip. All while the Colorado River dries up, wildfires turn into seasonal events, and Miami starts to look like Atlantis.

But maybe that’s just optics, right? So let’s follow the money

Trump’s tariff tantrum — sorry, strategy — has laid waste to international trade. The man has slapped 10%, 20%, sometimes 50% tariffs on everything from Chinese electronics to EU steel, Japanese cars to Korean microchips. The goal? “Bring manufacturing home.” The result? A global trade war that’s got American businesses stockpiling foreign goods like doomsday preppers while prices spiral and consumer choice shrivels.

Even AI — the very sector that could give America a 21st-century edge — is being throttled. Tariffs on the microprocessors, rare earth metals, and servers required for cutting-edge AI have forced U.S. firms to contemplate relocating R&D overseas. Imagine voluntarily handing the AI crown to Beijing because you wanted to punish Huawei. That’s what’s happening.

And what does Trump do? He brags. About the “billions” pouring into the Treasury from tariffs. As if we’ve forgotten that tariffs are just taxes with a passport. The American consumer pays for those billions, Donny — not Xi Jinping. Target shoppers are paying for your trade war.

Then there’s the moral rot

Trump’s executive orders have surgically dismantled diversity, equity and inclusion policies across federal agencies. Not trimmed. Not restructured. Erased. Gone are initiatives designed to level playing fields, improve representation, and — dare we say it — bring America into the modern age.

He’s gone further still, launching a frontal assault on transgender rights. Under the guise of “restoring biological truth” — a phrase that could’ve been nicked from an Orwell novel — he’s reversed federal protections for trans individuals in employment, healthcare, and education. In 2025. In America. The supposed land of the free. Unless, of course, you don’t fit a narrow, white, hetero-normative mould.

But the most stomach-turning development? The sudden halt of foreign aid under a 90-day “review.” Aid to Africa. To Latin America. To parts of Europe still clawing back from conflict and catastrophe. Trump calls it a realignment. The State Department calls it a pause. But make no mistake: it’s abandonment. From the country that once airlifted hope. That once promised to be the world’s emergency exit in times of crisis. Now, it’s just another door slammed shut.

And yet — the man remains popular. His rallies are Woodstock for the wilfully ignorant. He’s turned politics into vaudeville, diplomacy into dogfighting, and the Oval Office into a green room for Fox & Friends. And America, bizarrely, keeps clapping.

So no, America is not the greatest country in the world. Not anymore

Not when it criminalises compassion. Not when it treats knowledge like a threat and science like an opinion. Not when it confuses bullying with strength, isolationism with sovereignty, and nostalgia with policy.

Greatness is about more than flags on lawns and missiles on standby. It’s about vision. Inclusion. Progress. It’s about leading not because you can, but because others want to follow you.

And right now? Nobody’s following.

America may still be powerful. It may still be rich. But greatness — true greatness — requires moral authority, cultural curiosity, and the humility to evolve.

That America? The one that built the Marshall Plan, funded the Moon landing, and gave us Maya Angelou and Miles Davis?

It’s a memory.

And if Trump gets his way — it’ll stay that way.

Read more:
America is not the greatest country in the world anymore

As a tech entrepreneur who built my business before, during and since the pandemic, I’ve seen the shift that every business owner and organisation has seen.

The shift from office working, to remote working, to hybrid working, and now to somewhere in between. So, while organisations still grapple with how best to approach remote working and every organisation takes a different approach to it, there are some common themes that consistently crop up in conversations.

The flexibility around remote working undoubtedly has its advantages, and yet at the same time it has also introduced significant challenges – many of which are quietly eroding productivity, work-life balance, and employee well-being. And it’s these challenges which have led me to starting my new venture, namely, uRoutine. A venture focused on supporting people and organisations and giving them more structure, support, routine and accountability in an increasingly chaotic world.

Remote Working and Its Impact

The pandemic accelerated a move towards remote working that nobody was quite prepared for. While the freedom to work from anywhere was initially celebrated, it soon became clear that the lack of routine was taking its toll. Without the natural structure of the office – think commutes, coffee breaks, and set working hours – many people found themselves working longer hours with fewer boundaries. In fact, while it may not seem like a lot, research from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the average workday increased by 48.5 minutes post-pandemic. Many would argue, I believe rightly so, that this is leading to higher stress levels and burnout.

The lack of separation between work and home has caused serious issues for employees, even the ones who celebrate remote working. A study by the Royal Society for Public Health revealed that 67% of remote workers felt less connected to their colleagues, while 56% reported increased levels of anxiety and stress. Additionally, many are struggling to prioritise their health and well-being, as work bleeds into personal time. Ultimately, these problems result in a decline in productivity rather than an improvement, despite employees spending more time at their desks.

Where Routine Can Help

So, what’s the answer? Well, let’s take a look at the power of routines. The truth is that human beings thrive on structure. Some may argue that they like flexibility (and perhaps they do when it comes to certain things like weekends and downtime), but structure in the form of a routine is ingrained in most of us from a very young age. Set bedtimes, mealtimes, school timetables, etc. Without clear start and end times, scheduled breaks, and set goals, it’s all too easy to drift into an unhealthy cycle of overwork and inefficiency. Establishing routines is key to reversing this trend.

A structured workday reduces decision fatigue, can foster discipline, and keeps people on track. Research from Gallup shows that employees with a well-defined routine are 25% more productive and report lower stress levels than those working without structure. Routines also create a sense of accountability – regular check-ins, clear deliverables, and scheduled focus time ensure that work gets done efficiently, while at the same time allowing employees to step away and recharge when needed.

So, How Can Businesses Engage with Employee Routines?

Well, while uRoutine’s platform is still in development, there are a few other key things that can already be explored. To make a real impact, businesses should be setting clear expectations around working hours, meeting schedules, and communication norms. These should all be done to ensure that employees don’t fall into an “always-on” culture. Encouraging time management techniques and training can help employees focus while avoiding burnout. Leveraging technology can also help. Technologies that are both advanced and simple and ones that already exist in most workplaces, such as shared calendars, project management tools, and structured workflows, can keep teams aligned and accountable. Most importantly, organisations have got to prioritise employee well-being by encouraging boundaries, designated break times, and mental health support, ensuring that people perform at their best without sacrificing personal time.

Final Thoughts

The future of work is evolving, and businesses that embrace structure will thrive in this new landscape. The reality is, without routine, we risk losing clarity, accountability, and ultimately, efficiency. By integrating well-designed routines into our workdays, we can reclaim control, boost productivity, and ensure that employees feel supported rather than overwhelmed.

That’s exactly why we created uRoutine – to help individuals and businesses navigate this new reality. If we want to build a sustainable future of work, we need to start by bringing structure back into our daily lives.

Read more:
The Ever-Increasing Need for Employee Routines