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Technology played a critical role in mitigating the impact of the virus. Whether helping employees to perform their jobs or providing a platform for fulfiling products and services, technology enabled new ways of doing business.

The mid-market already had a reputation for agility but the COVID crisis has forced leaders to take an even closer look at how their operations can be more responsive. As they prepare for the future, businesses are taking stock of their existing operations and questioning whether they are fit for purpose.

In the immediate aftermath of COVID-19, businesses looked to improve their cash flow management and focus on day-to-day survival, leaning heavily on government support packages. But longer-term, businesses will need greater liquidity as they move to financial self-sufficiency after governments scale back support.

The global pandemic has provided an enormous shock to businesses and, for many in the mid-market, fundamentally tested their ability to deal with crisis and disruption. Indeed, according to Grant Thornton's IBR data, 42.2% of global respondents think they will need to improve crisis management processes after the COVID crisis.

The most radical and immediate impact of COVID-19 has been on people. New ways of working have put increased pressure on managers and their teams. Lockdowns and remote working have blurred the lines between business and professional lives and brought to the fore the physical and mental wellbeing of workforces.

The global pandemic combined with self-isolation and economic uncertainty is changing the way people consume products and services – possibly forever.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents extreme challenges to businesses and the competitive landscape will be a hot bed of innovation, quick pivots, divestments and acquisitions as businesses devise new models to recover growth.

COVID-19 has challenged the business landscape like no other event before it and many in the mid-market are now fully-focused on building greater resilience into their operations.

Regulatory changes can be challenging at the best of times but with many businesses focused on day-to-day survival, recent rule changes have proved particularly problematic.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is challenging. Each year, new Standards and amendments are published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) with the potential to significantly impact the presentation of a complete set of financial statements.

Granting lease incentives is a common way to encourage a new lessee to sign up to a new lease contract and fill vacant premises. Lease incentives may take various forms depending on the negotiation between the lessee and the lessor.

The economic turbulence caused by the global coronavirus pandemic has left many mid-market business leaders finding access to finance restricted. Against this backdrop, leaders are increasingly looking at private equity finance (PE) as a funding option. However, some remain nervous about partnering with the industry. Here we explore some of the common myths we come across when speaking to mid-market businesses about PE investment.

At a time when access to finance is proving critical to many, mid-market businesses are looking beyond traditional sources and turning to private equity to fund their growth. Our specialists explore how private equity firms are now working with their portfolios and how the mid-market can benefit from investment.

With deals coming back to market, four private equity specialists shed light on current deal flow, where opportunities for private equity firms will lie in the future and how they can adapt to realise them.

It is safe to assume that for the majority of retail businesses, 2020 has offered some unique challenges. Lockdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have affected parts of the retail industry differently, with some owners having to close temporarily and some thriving in the new environment.

The social partners have agreed to extend short-time work. Phase III of short-time work can be applied for from October 1st.