Nigel Vaz shares his agenda as the new president of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising May 20, 2019 When Nigel Vaz was offered the role of president of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), it took him almost a week to decide whether or not it was a responsibility that he wanted to take on. The IPA represents and supports the marketing sector. It’s the industry’s professional body, incorporated by Royal Charter, [...]
Handshake, bow, or kiss? A global guide to business etiquette May 20, 2019 When it comes to international business etiquette, there is one overarching rule: when in a foreign country, do as they do. Having a good working knowledge of social and regional business protocols will help avoid misunderstandings that can jeopardise business. Here are some tips to help you out. Namesake Use the correct titles when making [...]
How a relationship break-up spurred this founder to build ‘Ebay for travel’ to help flog unwanted holidays May 20, 2019 When you think of unwanted items, holidays don’t tend to spring to mind. But according to Simon Powell, founder of TransferTravel, billions of dollars are wasted globally on unwanted travel every year, while an estimated 220,000 hotel rooms are paid for and never used every day in the US alone, wasting $8.6bn annually. And with [...]
To avert the deluge, business must unleash its heroic spirit May 20, 2019 After us, the deluge. These are the words not of our Prime Minister, but from another troubled time and uttered by Madame de Pompadour, the lover of King Louis XV of France. The French Revolution would prove the prophecy. And for revolutionaries since, the idea of the deluge has inspired. Karl Marx went as far [...]
DEBATE: Are workplace non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) being attacked unfairly? May 20, 2019 Are workplace non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) being attacked unfairly? Trevor Bettany, partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, says YES. Workplace NDAs have long been used to enable employers and employees to protect their reputations and move on following the breakdown of a working relationship, by providing assurances that neither party can discuss details of the often-disputed complaints. [...]
The secret to the productivity puzzle? Work fewer hours May 20, 2019 The UK faces a tough productivity problem. According to the Office for National Statistics, British productivity has improved by just 0.5 per cent per year since 2008, and lags 15 per cent behind other G7 countries. Productivity is measured as value added per hour worked. Obviously it rises if we produce more value – which [...]
Burning the candle at both ends? How to spot the signs of sleep deprivation May 17, 2019 We live in a 24/7 economy, and while this means that everything is on-demand, it poses a problem for the modern-day workforce. With short deadlines, urgent deal closures, and international companies operating in different time zones, staff are often expected to respond irrespective of the time of day or night. It’s certainly not unusual for employees [...]
Let’s be open about this: Staff should be encouraged to work outdoors May 17, 2019 Mental Health Awareness Week is an important event that highlights the need for honesty and openness when it comes mental health issues at home and in the workplace. In business, the focus on concepts such as wellbeing and wellness has had a positive impact on employee engagement, and it is clear that good mental health [...]
It’s time to challenge Corbyn’s grotesque stereotype of business May 17, 2019 This week, business leader and rich list regular Julian Richer announced that he was handing over 60 per cent of shares in his company to the firm’s 522 employees. You’d be forgiven if you missed this news. Despite Richer Sounds’ 53 stores across the country and annual turnover of £157.5m, the founder is hardly a [...]
