As the year draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on where we stand in both our personal and professional lives. Are you working to make a difference? Are you driven to make an impact? Or, are you simply working to meet your needs? These are important questions to ask as we move into the new year, as they can provide clarity and purpose for the year ahead.

Working to Make a Difference

For some, the drive to make a difference is a powerful motivator. Whether it’s within a community, workplace, or in personal relationships, striving to create a positive impact can be deeply fulfilling. However, it’s important to ask whether your efforts align with your personal values and long-term goals. Are you directing your energy towards things that resonate with you? Reflecting on these questions can help ensure your work remains meaningful and sustainable in the long term.

Being Driven to Make a Difference

Feeling driven to make a difference can be a powerful force, providing the motivation to push forward and take action. However, passion alone is not enough—it needs direction. If you’re driven to make a difference, consider how you are turning that drive into tangible actions. Evaluating how your motivation translates into practical steps can help turn aspirations into concrete achievements.

When You’re Not Sure If You’re Making a Difference

For many, the demands of everyday life can leave little room for bigger ambitions. If you’re unsure whether you’re making a difference or feel that your efforts don’t matter, remember that this is a common feeling. Meeting life’s basic needs, particularly in challenging times, is an achievement in itself. However, if you feel a desire to do more, the new year offers an opportunity to start small. Making a difference doesn’t always mean grand gestures—often, the smallest actions can have the most profound impact.

Working to Make Ends Meet

For those focused on simply making ends meet, it’s important to recognize that survival and providing for your family are essential and honorable pursuits. The pressure to be driven by a larger purpose can feel overwhelming when you’re focused on daily needs. Even in the midst of the ordinary, there can be meaning found in acts of kindness, connecting with others, or taking pride in the daily efforts that sustain you.

Looking Ahead to the New Year

As we approach the new year, it’s not about judging or categorizing where you stand, but about encouraging self-awareness. Understanding where you are now can help you set meaningful goals for the future. Whether your goal is to make a big difference or make small, meaningful changes, everything begins with intention.

Take time to reflect, set achievable goals that align with both your current situation and your aspirations, and let those goals guide you toward a year filled with purpose and self-discovery.

A new government-backed initiative will be established to represent the UK’s mid-sized businesses, which have long been overlooked despite their significant contribution to the economy. According to a NatWest report, these “unsung” firms could add an additional £115 billion to the UK economy by 2030, driving growth, particularly in regions outside of London and the southeast.

Mid-sized businesses make up just 0.5% of UK companies but employ over 7.3 million people, more than a quarter of the private sector workforce. These firms play a vital role in key areas such as the West Midlands, northeast England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and Scotland, the report revealed. Despite their importance, challenges such as skill shortages, poor regional infrastructure, and a lack of representation have hindered their growth.

Unlike Germany’s Mittelstand, where mid-market firms benefit from a strong collective identity and advocacy platform, the UK’s mid-sized businesses have struggled to find a unified voice. Their interests are often overshadowed by larger corporations and small business groups.

To address this gap, a new “mid-market council” will be launched in 2025, supported by NatWest and the Department for Business and Trade. The council will serve as a collective voice for mid-sized firms, representing key industries and tackling critical issues such as infrastructure, planning, and skills shortages.

Paul Thwaite, CEO of NatWest, emphasized the need for greater visibility for mid-sized businesses. “They don’t have a collective voice. There’s a lot of talk about small businesses, and large corporates have their own platform. These businesses need to be treated as a distinct segment,” he said.

The NatWest report also highlighted that mid-sized firms are disproportionately affected by poor infrastructure, including transport, broadband, housing, and grid connectivity, especially outside the southeast. Additionally, a lack of skilled workers and restrictive planning regulations have further impeded their ability to grow and innovate.

Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, welcomed the creation of the new council, noting that mid-sized businesses have the potential to outpace other sectors in growth, exports, and productivity. He added that the council would help “amplify their voice” and unlock the untapped potential in this important segment of the economy.

The establishment of the mid-market council marks a significant step toward supporting the UK’s mid-sized businesses, which could play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and creating jobs across the country.

As the holiday season approaches, many employees eagerly anticipate the annual office Christmas party. But for some, the traditional boozy bash may no longer be the festive highlight it once was. Increasingly, workers and employers alike are reassessing the format of these year-end celebrations, seeking to strike a better balance between fun and inclusivity.

One significant shift this year is the rise of alcohol-free office parties. According to Fortune magazine, about 20% of office parties will be alcohol-free, reflecting growing concerns about the health impact of drinking. Event management company Together reports that 74% of Gen Z workers are especially mindful of alcohol’s effects, prompting companies to provide mocktails and non-alcoholic options to accommodate their preferences. But it’s not just younger employees abstaining—many people are opting out of drinking for various personal reasons, including health, financial concerns, or simply personal preference.

Another factor contributing to the change in office party dynamics is the financial burden some employees face. For junior staff, the cost of attending an office party can be substantial, with expenses for new outfits, transportation, and drinks after the company’s tab runs out. This has led some companies to reconsider the traditional evening event in favor of more affordable options, such as a daytime celebration or a casual lunch.

For those with families or heavy work schedules, late-night festivities can be a challenge. A growing number of workers are expressing a preference for more inclusive, daytime events that allow for better work-life balance.

However, the issue of inappropriate behavior at office parties has become a serious concern. A survey by legal platform Valla found that 1 in 10 employees planned to skip their company’s holiday event to avoid unwanted sexual attention. With alcohol flowing and social barriers lowered, workplace misconduct at these gatherings is a known risk, and recent legal changes highlight the importance of addressing this issue.

In October 2023, the Worker Protection Act introduced new requirements for employers to prevent sexual harassment at work-related events, including holiday parties. Failing to meet this duty of care could lead to higher compensatory awards in the event of a legal claim. This shift has made it crucial for companies to ensure a safe and respectful environment at all office events, from office parties to team-building activities.

Ultimately, companies are being encouraged to focus on inclusivity and respect when planning celebrations. Rather than simply following tradition, employers are urged to consider their workforce’s diverse preferences, promote healthy behaviors, and create positive, memorable experiences that everyone can enjoy. For some, this may mean a move away from the classic party and towards charitable giving or alternative celebrations, which could resonate more with younger generations, as seen in recent surveys.

As businesses adapt to the changing landscape, the key takeaway is clear: office celebrations should reflect the evolving values of the workplace, fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity while celebrating hard-earned achievements.