Mark Topps

How to write a business plan (without overthinking it) in 10 Steps Brilliant business ideas are easy to dream up but turning them into something real is the hard part. Whether it be launching or scaling a new concept, they all require a well‑structured business plan.

I have pulled together this simple, digestible top 10 guide to help you build a business plan that’s compelling, credible and actually useful... oh and I have chucked in a free visual to download and use.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-wr...

I have worked with InvictIQ on this blog, looking at how we can use 30 minutes to define a strategy to reset our auditing mindset and move from a tick box to a strategy of true learning tool

Keen to know your thoughts, so do share them in the comments below

invictiq.com/audit-strate...

well done everyone... looking forward to reading this report

What Nesta’s Evaluation Tells Us About the Future of AI in Social Care Magic Notes has been a tool I have been following for a while, after being involved in a number of meetings discussing it as it rolled out a trial with Essex County Council, so when I saw a recent pos...

An interesting time for social care and social workers, as Beams Magic Notes take centre stage to support local authorities and their social work teams

Good to see this report from Nesta

www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-n...

The Rise of Smart Pills For years medication has helped us treat symptoms, fight infections and manage long‑term conditions but we are seeing a new form of medication emerging which is focused not just on treating illnesses,...

For years medication has helped us treat symptoms, fight infections and manage long‑term conditions

But we are now seeing a new form of medication emerging which is focused not just on treating illnesses, but actually tracking it from inside the body.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/rise-s...

OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health, a secure space for personalised health guidance, connecting medical records and wellness apps for smarter, safer health insights. Before we dive into this, if you’ve be...

The introduction of ChatGPT Health signals a major shift in personalised care, and moving Open AI from being “just a chatbot”.

We are truly stepping into a future where managing our health feels less overwhelming and more informed.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/openai...

Happy New Year 🫶

Resolutions and Predictions for Social Care in 2026 In this blog, I’ll share five leadership resolutions for managers and leaders and key predictions for the sector in 2026, helping you start the year with confidence and foresight.

Resolutions and Predictions for Leaders in Social Care in 2026

Read this here 👉
open.substack.com/pub/marktopp...

10 predictions that will define 2026 Here are my ten predictions on what’s likely to happen, why it matters and how to prepare.

After a whirlwind 2025, AI is shifting from “flashy demos” to practical, measurable impact.

Here are my ten predictions on what’s likely to happen but keen to know if you think differently, or if I missed anything..

open.substack.com/pub/marktopp...

Are stay interviews the secret weapon for retention A number of organisations have moved to focusing on retention instead of ploughing thousands into the recruitment churn, and whilst exit interviews provide insights into why employees leave, they come...

I have been doing more work on stay interviews which I feel are a much more proactive approach that helps organisations understand what keeps employees engaged and what might tempt them to leave.

open.substack.com/pub/marktopp...

Time for Shrek the Musical 💚

Are We Witnessing the End of the Internet Browser as We Know it? For decades, the internet browser has been our gateway to the web but with the rise of AI-driven search, the traditional browser experience is on the brink of a major transformation

For decades, the internet browser has been our gateway to the web.

With the rise of AI-driven search and interaction, the traditional browser experience may be on the brink of a major transformation, or even extinction.

I think we could see this happen in 2026!

open.substack.com/pub/marktopp...

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐐𝐂?

The latest figures show that physical inspections have dropped from a peak of almost 23,000 in 2016, to less than 4,500 inspections conducted so far in 2025.

Read the full article by Care Home Professional here 👉 www.carehomeprofessional.com/cqc-inspecti...

Good morning

Is Your Workplace at Risk of a Closed Culture? Here’s How to Spot It and Stop It

As a leader stepping into management, one of the most powerful responsibilities you hold is shaping the culture of your team.

When culture turns inward, becomes secretive or excludes voices, it can quickly become what regulators call a closed culture.

open.substack.com/pub/marktopp...

Just living my football dadlife with the youngest at Wembley ⚽️

I guess it beats standing in the rain on the sideline (that’ll be tomorrow!)

Come on England!.. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

A wonderful couple of days at the Caring Times #CareManagementShow

Telecare and remote monitoring have quickly become everyday parts of social care packages, modernising traditional care that is provided

I attended the #DigitalCareSummit and thought I would reflect on remote monitoring

Read my blog with InvictIQ here 👉 invictiq.com/telecare-and...

Providers Unite releases 'The National Social Care Narrative' Social care isn’t a “weak link” but a national infrastructure. Every £1 invested generates up to £2.35 in economic benefit, reduces hospital demand and strengthens communities.

Providers Unite releases 'The National Social Care Narrative'

Read the findings here: open.substack.com/pub/marktopp...

DPD are offering £2,000 after their delivery bot disappeared mid-trial.

Makes you wonder - are we ready for this tech?

Does it help us progress or cut jobs and create more problems?

Good thing or bad thing?

check out this great resource from @thecaringview.bsky.social

Winter Readiness Plan This blog provides some key actions and a winter ready-to-use checklist to help Registered Managers and care providers stay winter-ready.

As we head into the winter period, we know based on previous years this will impact our staff teams and the people we support

This blog provides some key actions and a winter ready-to-use checklist to help Registered Managers and care providers stay winter-ready

open.substack.com/pub/marktopp...

AI's Growing Impact on IVF The future of reproductive medicine lies at the intersection of technology and trust. AI isn’t just a buzzword in the world of medicine and science, but a tool that when implemented responsibly, can t...

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐈 and as someone who has experienced the IVF journey and has children who may do the same, the future of IVF with the support of AI is one that fascinates me.

open.substack.com/pub/marktopp...

October 2025 AI & Tech Roundup After a short hiatus, due to poor health and being busy at work, The Caring Bytes returns! I have been collating the most impactful AI and technology news this month, and boy is it good! Before we div...

After a short hiatus, due to poor health and being busy at work, The Caring Bytes returns! I have been collating the most impactful AI and technology news this month, and boy is it good!

www.linkedin.com/pulse/octobe...

Mandatory Menopause Action Plans are coming - are you ready? Earlier this month, the Government announced that from 2027, menopause action plans will be mandatory for organisations employing 250+ employees.

Mandatory Menopause Action Plans are coming - are you ready?

open.substack.com/pub/marktopp...

We live discussing Common CQC Inspection Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Watch live using this link 👉 www.youtube.com/live/QpRoPS9...

Utilising Software in Social Care - InvictIQ Care software transforming compliance, workforce management, and engagement.

I recently switched Rostering and Care Planning systems, but it got me thinking about digital transformation and the impact digital has on employees and those we support when we don’t have the right systems

This blog explores how software is reshaping the sector

invictiq.com/utilising-so...

Here Are the Catchiest Songs Ever, According to AI and Human DJs What music do we want, do we really, really want? Hint: It's that one Spice Girls song, apparently.

Here Are the Catchiest Songs Ever, According to AI and Human DJs

Here's that study's top 5 catchiest songs:

1. Spice Girls: Wannabe
2. Lou Bega: Mambo No. 5
3. Survivor: Eye of the Tiger
4. Lady Gaga: Just Dance
5. ABBA: SOS

Read the full article here: www.cnet.com/tech/service...

How to map roles against the Care Workforce Pathway 💡I am hopefully going to help with how you can approach this in your organisation

How to map roles against @skillsforcare.bsky.social Care Workforce Pathway

open.substack.com/pub/marktopp...

The primary areas of discrimination I have just caught up on an information-packed webinar, with Business HR Solutions (Consultancy) Limited which was led by Victoria Templeton FCIPD and Abby Ashford as they tackled one of the most crit...

Caught up last night after The Caring View 💚💙 on a insightful webinar with HR experts Victoria Templeton FCIPD & Abby Ashford on tackling discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.

Thought I would share my takeaways with you all...

open.substack.com/pub/marktopp...