Coronavirus: Remote working isn’t working April 30, 2020 We’ve just witnessed the single biggest change in working practices in the history of modern business. It happened overnight. Millions shifted from working in soulless city centre offices to earning their crust from a desk in their bedroom, kitchen or garage. There has been a lot of self-congratulation. Many have been amazed that they have [...]
Marketing: How to navigate the choppy waters of Covid-19 April 30, 2020 The last month has been tragic and bizarre in equal measure. The world is currently having to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic and its heart-breaking effects. And for most people, this will be unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. In the business world, there seems to be a distinct spotlight on companies right now – closely [...]
Office Politics: Communication has never been so important April 30, 2020 The work force of 2020 has changed. As many as 60 per cent of workers no longer work in a traditional environment – almost a fifth normally work at home and a similar number use shared office spaces. Around a third are often on the road or with clients. Plenty do some days in all [...]
Shakespeare: Admiral’s car insurance refund will be remembered April 29, 2020 The coronavirus lockdown has now confined Britons to their homes for five weeks, apart from essential journeys. In recognition of everybody driving less, and the subsequent profit made from reduced insurance claims, Admiral has offered £110 million back to their car and van customers as part of a ‘Stay at Home Refund’. A £25 refund [...]
Coronavirus: The history of pandemics suggests we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg April 29, 2020 The term pandemic may conjure images of medieval plagues but they are a recurring blight of the modern era. Since the 1770s we have had a series of global epidemics: cholera smited the human race in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; there have been a series of influenza outbreaks since 1890. While Covid-19 is [...]
Coronavirus: Will rescue package make tax hikes inevitable? April 29, 2020 In the past six weeks the Chancellor has, quite rightly, announced a far-reaching package of measures to support the economy through the Covid-19 crisis that could cost up to £100bn. He may yet need to do more. Tax revenues will also be much lower than expected due to the hit to economic activity from the [...]
Coronavirus: Fake news that an elderly lockdown is remainer revenge could spread April 29, 2020 The attention of policy makers has been focused on the science of how viruses either spread or are contained in social networks. Just as crucial in the current circumstances is the spread of beliefs and behaviour. Will people continue to observe social distancing once the lockdown is eased, or will they revert to pre-lockdown patterns [...]
Remote working: How to keep your team happy in lockdown April 28, 2020 The concept of trust in the workplace has been a topical issue for a few years. The tendency to quickly distrust information has continued to grow against the rise of fake news, making it increasingly difficult for some businesses to develop trust with their employees. Establishing workplace trust has arguably become even more challenging in [...]
There is a difference between helicopter money and quantitative easing April 28, 2020 Many investors have it wrong. This round of central bank alchemy starring Jay Powell is not Ben Bernanke the Redux… Yes, on both occasions central bankers rode in on their white horses and saved the day by slashing rates, buying fixed income securities, flattening volatility and offering bazooka style forward guidance, and for that they deserve [...]
There is hope amidst the despair in hospitality if pragmatism wins out April 28, 2020 One is forgiven for being a little bleak about the prospects of the hospitality industry at the moment. There is a general view amongst restaurant operators that the rest of 2020 will essentially be a write off in terms of trading. Reopening of food and beverage (F&B) businesses this year will be slow, gradual and [...]