Fallen hopes: Brazil was a shining star among emerging economies – but Dilma Rousseff and the Petrobras scandal leave it in crisis November 19, 2015 Once the leading light of Latin America, 2015 has seen Brazil gripped by a corruption scandal of epic proportions, while its economy has slid into the worst crisis for a generation. In the midst of a economic quagmire that has drawn the once-thriving Brazilian powerhouse into a deep recession, the country’s politicians are firefighting on another [...]
Prestigious brands suffer falling sales in China – but luxury hasn’t lost its lustre just yet November 19, 2015 Fom Hermes handbags and Tiffany jewellery, to Moet champagne and Hennessy cognac, luxury companies have had a storming run on the stock markets since the turn of the millennium. Alongside high-end brands with very exclusive products, the luxury sector also includes names considered commonplace in the West, such as Nike, L’Oreal and Swatch – which [...]
Villains of finance: How the world’s most infamous crooks tricked investors – and the tell-tale signs of ponzi schemes November 19, 2015 Victims of the biggest ever Ponzi scheme – Bernie Madoff’s $65bn (£43bn) fraud – are finally getting their money back after seven years, as another tranche of payouts is approved by US courts. The saga is not over yet, as an upcoming film called “Wizard of Lies” will shine a light on the story, starring [...]
Unlocking the real potential of big data – ACCA Comment November 19, 2015 We are right in the middle of the “big data revolution”. There is a global consensus on the importance of big data and the benefits that come from harnessing its massive power. So much so, in fact, that firms aren’t afraid to fork out serious levels of investment to keep up. A survey of [...]
The secrets of the external consultant: From targets to culture, lay the groundwork before you hire November 19, 2015 When companies need to deliver a significant change, it is often not possible to find the necessary resources and expertise internally. This issue has been exacerbated by the widely-reported skills gap in the UK business market – a challenge to which there is no easy or quick answer. To help overcome this, and to [...]
National Living Wage: Here’s how companies are planning to deal with the extra costs to business November 18, 2015 NULL
Deflation station: Fidelity International’s Maike Currie explains where to invest in a world of no inflation November 18, 2015 It is likely that I will have to write further open letters to you over the coming months…” If you think these are the words of a hopeless romantic penning a letter to their long-distance love, you’re wrong. It’s the Bank of England governor Mark Carney, writing to chancellor George Osborne to explain why [...]
Inside the psychology of your logo: There’s a reason Gap’s redesign was such a failure November 18, 2015 While they’re commonly called “intangible assets”, logos matter. Gap learned this lesson in 2010 when it attempted to change its logo, but quickly abandoned the endeavour after it met with a furious backlash from followers on Twitter and Facebook. What the retailer hadn’t realised was how the subtle aspects of its logo were perceived, and [...]
Liberté, égalité, fraternité: All for one and one for Dele Alli as England host France in emotional friendly at Wembley November 18, 2015 NULL