Twitter is great, just don’t make an Elon Musk-sized mistake February 18, 2019 Despite a staggering $20m personal fine from the US finance watchdog the SEC and the loss of his chairmanship at Tesla for an errant tweet, we learned last week that Elon Musk’s 280-character updates have won the approval of Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, aka @Jack. “He’s focused on solving existential problems and sharing his thinking [...]
The Dragon Awards are on the hunt for London’s most responsible businesses February 18, 2019 In an uncertain time for business and society, it is encouraging to know that so many London-based firms remain dedicated to going the extra mile for their local communities. Businesses are increasingly doing more to benefit society and have the greatest possible impact through their working practices. I regularly meet companies that are championing responsible recruitment [...]
Make your business spark joy using Marie Kondo’s KonMari approach to tidying up February 15, 2019 When Marie Kondo released “The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up” in 2011, it soon became a bestseller. Clearly, the KonMari approach – the notion of removing anything from our homes that doesn’t bring us happiness – resonates. Kondo is now taking Netflix by storm with her TV show, encouraging more people to get purging. Whether [...]
Still feeling entitled? Britain is facing a crisis of intergenerational inequality February 15, 2019 This week, I was audacious enough to suggest that free TV licences for pensioners should not be a public spending priority. The backlash was fierce. “I have paid taxes all my life,” came the outraged cries on social media. This is mostly true, as long as you take “all my life” to mean “until I [...]
DEBATE: Should Philip Green be stripped of his knighthood? February 15, 2019 Should Philip Green be stripped of his knighthood? John Oxley, an expert in law, history, and Conservative politics, says YES. Knighthoods are honours, tied to historic notions of chivalry. They are awarded not just for achievement, but for character. Removing them is a public repudiation of bad behaviour. Leaving them in place is tacit approval. [...]
How to value your startup February 14, 2019 | City Talk Do you have a great idea for a startup but feel overwhelmed by the funding options? You’re not alone. Many fledgling entrepreneurs have a great idea and sound business plan but start scratching their heads as soon as money is mentioned. Every startup needs money to grow so it is important that you value your [...]
Thinking of investing in your employer’s Workplace Isa scheme? Here’s your guide February 14, 2019 From a simple savings account to a product that helps you buy your first home, we are not short of Isas to choose from. And with 10.8m adults subscribed to at least one type of Isa in the last tax year, they’re also very popular. But, unless your employer offers it, there is one type [...]
It’s Valentine’s Day – here’s what to do when your romantic and professional lives collide February 14, 2019 If you date anyone in your industry, make sure you’re prepared to marry them. The stakes are just naturally so much higher when you decide to work with your partner – or date your colleague. In one fell swoop, you can tear up your relationship and professional status, divide a workplace into rival factions, and have [...]
Is your office too cold? It may be affecting your productivity February 13, 2019 As Londoners, we like to complain about the weather – it’s one of our favourite pastimes. In fact, office smalltalk has survived on it for decades. But is it productive? With the recent snow and chilly conditions, February has firmly made its frosty presence felt, so complaints from employees about office temperatures will undoubtedly have increased. [...]
We are forgetting the vital art of constructive disagreement February 13, 2019 Disagreement is great. I wouldn’t blame you for disagreeing with me about that, especially right now, when politics is dominated by apparently intractable arguments that spill over into every aspect of our lives. But give me a minute to try and convince you. Without disagreement, nothing would ever change. Dissent from the status quo is a [...]
