Why “I am what I am” is a hymn to mediocrity April 19, 2015 You will only lead a remarkable life if you aim for perfection. I am what I am, and what I am needs no excuses,” sang Gloria Gaynor. I disagree. Who I am needs a lot of excuses. I am generally lazy and unmotivated. It is hard for me to get interested or follow a task [...]
How to build workplaces fit for Generation Y April 16, 2015 You don’t need the budget of Google to ensure your office attracts new talent. The UK population is ageing, and as older employees edge closer to retirement, the less influence they will have on how the workplace of the future is shaped. Instead, it is Generation Y – those under the age of 35 – [...]
The five influences on future finance – ACCA Comment April 15, 2015 What will determine the success or failure of your business over the next five years? Sadly, none of us has access to a crystal ball, but an ability to predict the future would certainly make the life of any finance professional a lot easier. Our latest report asked thousands of senior finance professionals from across [...]
How to stop groupthink in the office April 15, 2015 Improve decision-making by fostering a culture that welcomes dissent and accountability. Success is all about making better decisions than your competition. But as all companies rely on collective decision-making to some extent, business leaders should be on the lookout for negative group dynamics that can prevent their teams from making the best choices. But [...]
Don’t worry about zero UK inflation: The outcome of the election will be far more significant for markets April 14, 2015 Britain narrowly avoided heading into deflation last month, with prices unchanged compared to a year ago. But over the past six months, prices have fallen by 1 per cent annualised after adjusting for seasonal trends. Should we worry about deflation and the prospect of falling prices? Well, after stripping out some of the more volatiles [...]
How to make employee wellbeing count April 14, 2015 Follow successful firms in offering exercise, expert speakers and even calling staff “guests”. Given that the workplace is where the majority of us spend a huge part of our lives, it should come as no surprise that there is a growing bank of evidence showing that the office environment can have a substantial effect on [...]
Is the Eurozone recovering? What traders need to know April 13, 2015 Improving credit conditions point to sustained growth. The Eurozone economy seems like it might finally be back on track, with stock markets rallying and greater confidence that activity is picking up in a region that has long been mired in crisis. Although German shares and the FTSE 100 fell slightly yesterday, European stocks are [...]
Apple Watch: Is it a threat to Rolex? – CNBC Comment April 13, 2015 Hey you fancy people who love shiny expensive watches. There is a new player in the market. Meet the Apple Watch, the tech firm’s first push into the luxury market. The wearable device starts at $349 in the US or £299 in the UK for the entry-level Apple Watch Sport. And if you want a [...]
How to identify market trends with Heikin-Ashi charts – DailyFX Tips & Picks April 13, 2015 THEY’RE not a new invention, but Heikin-Ashi charts have gained popularity over the last 12 months. They are an offspring of the famous Candlestick charts, which are now standard on most trading platforms around the world. The main difference between the two is that Heikin-Ashi gives a better take on trending markets by generating fewer [...]
How to deal with the office bully? An anti-harassment policy is a must April 13, 2015 Office bullies are an ugly feature of the workplace. They can significantly harm those that they corner; they can create poor morale among staff; and they can cause poor productivity, absenteeism and resignations. And on top of all that, they may seriously affect the reputation of the organisation. So how should employers protect the working [...]