Dropping ‘mansize’ from Kleenex boxes is a good move, but won’t solve gender inequality November 19, 2018 Last month, Kleenex finally scrapped the use of the word “mansize” from its branding after 60 years on the shelves. The decision sees the world-famous tissue brand become the latest in a long line of well-known names to distance itself from gender-specific marketing. In recent decades, Yorkie’s “it’s not for girls”, Snickers’ “get some nuts”, [...]
Thank God it’s Black Friday – why retailers need price transparency to make a success of the festive season November 19, 2018 During the early days of what quickly became known as the “retail apocalypse” back in 2010, a commentator or retailer would come out in the press and say that all the doom and gloom was overstated. The sector, they’d argue, was merely riding out a bumpy stretch of road, and would undoubtedly emerge on the [...]
Beware office banter – you don’t know who you might offend November 19, 2018 Late last month, Topshop owner Sir Philip Green rejected allegations that he had engaged in unlawful racist or sexist behaviour, saying that as far as he was concerned there had been some banter, but that this had never been offensive. At this stage, it is not possible to say whether there is any truth at [...]
Listen up: Sideways 6 helps you hear your staff’s great ideas November 19, 2018 There are lots of reasons you might not be happy with your job. Maybe you don’t like the work itself, or your colleagues? Perhaps the requests of your clients (or your manager) are too demanding? But even if you like your job, it could be that you don’t feel respected – maybe your bosses aren’t [...]
DEBATE: Netflix consumes 15 per cent of global net traffic – will an online traffic jam break the internet? November 19, 2018 Netflix consumes 15 per cent of global net traffic – will an online traffic jam break the internet? Carl Erik Kjaersgaard, chief executive of Blackwood Seven, says YES If the current internet infrastructure remains the same, this could be a risk. Netflix’s current consumption is only the tip of the iceberg. This statistic – published [...]
Cyber committee urges government to do more to combat security risks November 19, 2018 The UK government is in dire need of political direction on responding to national cyber security threats, as current efforts have left the country's infrastructure and businesses "wholly" unprepared for another attack. The joint committee on the national security security strategy warned today that the UK's critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, health services and water, face a [...]
Legal Q&A: How can a group of leaseholders buy the freehold of their properties if some of them are sublet? November 19, 2018 We are a group of leaseholders considering buying the freehold of our block of flats. Many of the owners sublet their flats and the rest of us are worried about potential delays and in particular, receiving funds on time. Can you advise? Many blocks, particularly in London, experience reduced owner occupancy, which does make coordinating [...]
Energy suppliers set to blow 2020 smart meter rollout deadline, predicts consumer group November 19, 2018 Major energy suppliers would need to triple the number of smart meters they are currently installing to meet the 2020 deadline, Which? has warned. The consumer group said large suppliers would need to increase their rate of installation to 30 smart meters per minute every day for the next two years if they are to [...]
Miner BHP Billiton settles £300m tax bill with Australian authorities over sales at Singapore branch November 19, 2018 One of the world’s largest mining companies has settled a tax bill for half a billion Australian dollars. Authorities alleged that BHP Billiton owes a further AU$661m (£376m) in tax, and over AU$1bn when including interest and penalties, on goods sold through its Singapore-based marketing business. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) said that between 2003 and 2013 the miner [...]
Audit firm Grant Thornton appoints new boss after controversial exit of Sacha Romanovitch November 19, 2018 The UK’s fifth-largest audit firm Grant Thornton has appointed restructuring partner Dave Dunckley as its new chief executive, following the ousting of previous boss Sacha Romanovitch. Romanovitch, the first female boss of a large UK accounting firm, was ousted after an anonymous memo said to represent 15 partners was sent to the press criticising her [...]