Investors buy up absolute return funds as volatility spikes July 20, 2015 Volatility in bond and equity markets has picked up lately, and risks seem to be cropping up in every part of the globe. Now investors are turning to absolute return funds – which aim to create returns in rising or falling markets – for safety. At the moment, many investors are finding it tricky [...]
New Zealand dollar: Rock star no longer – CNBC Comment July 20, 2015 It’s that time of the year again – the excitement of the Ashes is palpable. There are a lot of cricket fans in my office and, although I can’t count myself as one of them, a crash course has taught me that the Antipodean teams often win. Indeed, Sunday marked a crushing defeat for England [...]
Gold’s plunge hasn’t taken it off the table for traders – eToro Tips & Picks July 20, 2015 After a week that has been dominated by earnings and the Greek debacle, traders are now looking to focus on assets that are a little more of the norm. However, with more in the way of earnings yet to come and the risk of Eurozone news again upsetting the balance, traders do still remain risk-off. [...]
How to say no: Three ways to refuse requests July 20, 2015 Treat your time and expertise like finite resources No is a powerful word. With just two letters, we risk burning bridges, squandering opportunities and sabotaging our reputation. “One of our most fundamental needs is for social connection and a feeling that we belong,” the University of Waterloo’s Vanessa Bohns told the Wall Street Journal. [...]
Managing up: Three ways to handle the boss July 19, 2015 Bootlicking will alienate your colleagues and affect output It is a common misconception that managing upwards is just about manipulating your superior for your personal gain. In reality, the relationship between a boss and their subordinates is one of symbiosis; senior managers rely as much on their front-line staff to know which executive decisions [...]
Office charmer: Tips for faking charisma at work July 16, 2015 Practise striking a pose and start reading works of fiction If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then so is charisma. It was German sociologist Max Weber who first opined that personal magnetism was not a God-given gift but merely the perception of those around us. Most introverts will never have [...]
We need a new approach to tackle youth unemployment: Lack of proper skills is strangling productivity growth across EU – ACCA Comment July 15, 2015 It is no secret that productivity is not an area of strength for the UK. In fact, productivity levels in Britain are 21 per cent lower than the average for the other six members of the G7 – namely the US, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada. Clearly mindful of this fact, and the [...]
The Bridge’s Saga: My business idol July 15, 2015 The fictional Scandinavian detective may be embarrassingly direct but she gets the job done IS IT acceptable to call your boss in the middle of the night?” asked Michael Brimm, emeritus professor of organisation and management at Insead, when I was doing my MBA. His daughter had just called him at 3am to say [...]
Forget Greece: Europe is a great place to invest right now July 14, 2015 All eyes have been on Europe as the Greece crisis goes from one stage to the next. The saga has caused great concern among investors as to how European stock markets will be affected. But so far, the impact has been limited. Stock markets across Europe have been volatile, opening and closing higher and [...]
Get what you want at work – by asking for it July 14, 2015 Communicate your worth and don’t apologise for it A management position opens up, and Plato and Aristotle both ask to be considered. Plato, placing a supreme value on truth, relies on his track record to do the talking. But Aristotle knows better. He emphasises his own credibility (ethos), puts forward a consistent, well-evidenced plan [...]