Are the English and Welsh right to support a No victory in the Scottish independence vote? September 15, 2014 Ewen Stewart, a director of Walbrook Economics and author of Much Cost, Little Benefit for the Scottish Research Society, says Yes. Make no mistake – the break-up of Great Britain would be an earth-shattering event, the effects of which would be felt far beyond Scotland. The UK is viewed as one of the most stable, [...]
Why spurious financial precision may be killing our markets – and our fish September 14, 2014 The way we handle uncertainty determines our future. Many of mankind’s self-created problems, from financial crises to environmental devastation, arise from poor analysis of future risks and rewards. We lack confidence in our tools for handling uncertainty. Within the financial sector we’ve been partially burned by derivatives, mark-to-market, or value-at-risk. Scotland’s independence referendum may represent [...]
Staying silent about the real price of Scottish independence is a cop out – City Matters September 14, 2014 This week will see the most crucial poll in the United Kingdom for centuries – a poll on whether the UK will stay as it is or Scotland will choose to leave the Union. The business world has led with the view that “this is a matter for the Scottish people”. But this is also [...]
Are business leaders right to intervene in the Scottish independence referendum debate? September 14, 2014 Alex Singleton is associate director of The Whitehouse Consultancy and author of The PR Masterclass, says Yes. Business interventions over Scottish independence are not just tactically right, they’re morally virtuous. Until recently, many chief executives kept out of the debate, fearing their reputations would be trashed by so-called cybernats (cyber nationalists). Two things changed. First, [...]
Scottish independence: Will brands be left with Scotch egg on their faces? September 12, 2014 As someone who was born in Scotland, and occasionally wears the Duncan kilt with pride (in the correct fashion if you had to know), I have more than a passing interest in the forthcoming vote. Mostly I feel it’s a little unfair that that the ‘Yes’ camp seems to be having all the fun, leaving [...]
The best way to use social media when job hunting September 12, 2014 Job hunting without social media is becoming is no longer an option for two reasons. First of all, a huge percentage of jobs are not advertised and are filled by people who know people. Moan about it – or get in the game. Secondly, if you apply for a job, your social media presence will [...]
The five questions Obama must answer to prove Iraq disasters won’t be repeated September 11, 2014 We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve.” – John F Kennedy, Profiles in Courage I HAVE a theory about those of us engaged in politics or political analysis; each of us will have a “Profiles in Courage” [...]
Robots won’t take all City jobs – they could even give you a pay rise September 11, 2014 You're back from the summer, but for how long? In case you missed it, one tech visionary thinks many City jobs could be automated within a decade. Dave Coplin, who glories in the title of chief envisioning officer at Microsoft UK, told the Telegraph that “the City could be run by algorithms”. Ten years is [...]
The referendum is a triumph of democracy – and Scotland will prosper however it votes September 11, 2014 After months of campaigning, the waiting is nearly over. It is hard to understate the level of emotion that is being felt throughout the United Kingdom, but particularly in Scotland, about the referendum. Placards for Yes and No are scattered across the entire length of Scotland. Over 2m people watched one of the TV debates. [...]
Could a Yes vote in the Scottish referendum prompt independence contagion in Europe? September 11, 2014 Pompeu Casanovas, professor of political science at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, says Yes. Independence movements involve a spread of feelings that can run very fast over the internet, particularly if the time is ripe. The Arab Spring taught us not to underestimate digital political environments. However, Scottish independence could have other effects on stateless [...]