How to make the most of to-do lists July 30, 2014 Be ruthless and think small – but don’t forget to include the unusual and personal niggles. They are the little lifesavers that many of us have out of both habit and necessity. A 2008 Microsoft survey found that nearly 70 per cent of Brits keep at least one to-do list, and report that they [...]
Which books do the giants of business read over the summer? July 29, 2014 You might be surprised how many older volumes make the cut. Most of us look at our summer holiday as reading prime time. Indeed, research from TripAdvisor found that, for nearly one in four of us, it’s the only time we manage to read a book. And even if you read more regularly, a [...]
CNBC Comment: Why UK banks aren’t riding the recovery July 28, 2014 THE TIES between Britain’s banks and its economy have always been close. But they have seemed even closer in the post-banking bailout era. On Friday, when RBS rushed out its second quarter results a week early (which was rather odd in itself – don’t companies usually only rush out results if they’re either worse than [...]
Get the most out of the new kind of career ladder July 28, 2014 Think lengthways, and start experimenting in your current position. Getting on in the working world has never been so important. But is it still an environment where climbing the ranks yields the best returns? According to Priscilla Claman, president of Career Strategies and Harvard Business Review contributor, linear career ladders haven’t existed in most [...]
The secret to business success? Keep it simple July 27, 2014 Regularly reflecting on past failures and triumphs is what makes an organisation great. Some years ago, I was lucky enough to find myself sitting in on a McKinsey & Co lecture. The intellect in the room was so intense I considered leaving just to free up a bit of oxygen for everyone else’s mighty [...]
Authenticity is the secret of all strong leaders July 24, 2014 Authenticity is crucial for leaders. If you don’t believe what you’re saying, you won’t convince anyone. Worse, people may see your lack of conviction, realise the falsity of your words and mistrust your motives. When trust goes, cynicism sets in – it’s incredibly difficult to influence cynical people, or people who are sceptical about your [...]
268 Fulham Road: From old boozer to boutique beauty July 24, 2014 Number 268 Fulham Road has lived many lives. Most of them have been as public houses under names such as Redcliffe Arms and The Fulham Bar & Grill. It was even the Chelsea Lodge Hotel once, but it has just entered an entirely new phase of being as luxury boutique homes. To get to [...]
On the frontline: Estate agents know what they’re talking about July 24, 2014 The figures are finally coming out and various data gatherers confirm what estate agents have been saying for months. Rightmove has confirmed that asking prices are dropping and others show a slowing in the rate of growth. It’s frustrating to see that people tend to believe everything they read. While this slowing has been going [...]
Chelsea Harbour: more than a marina July 24, 2014 Most people move out to the suburbs in search of more space and a cosy, village-like community. But Chelsea Harbour, a small marina on the north bank of the Thames, could be London’s inner city equivalent for wealthy residents looking for peace and quiet, but with all the transport benefits of living in Zone Two. [...]
London property market: So you think you know Chelsea? July 24, 2014 Everyone thinks they know Chelsea. Even if you don’t live there, you have an idea of it. The term Sloane Ranger was used in the 80s to describe a certain breed of socialite that lingered around the King’s Road, and reality TV show Made in Chelsea has brought the stereotype back into the public eye. [...]