DEBATE: Should companies use tracking software to monitor their staff? March 9, 2020 Following the Barclays scandal, should firms use tracking software to monitor their staff? YES, says Jasmit Sagoo, senior director and head of technology UK and Ireland at Veritas Technologies Monitoring is not the same as “spying”. In most cases, it is businesses being obliged to track activities for compliance — and it’s almost always better [...]
Sadiq Khan’s real opponent in the London mayoral election is Boris Johnson March 9, 2020 Just days into the formal mayoral election campaign and Sadiq Khan has already shown why he is arguably Labour’s most successful politician since Tony Blair. The mayor of London launched his re-election campaign last week by labelling the contest as a “referendum on rent control”, demanding central government grants him the power to cap rents [...]
If cities like London and Cardiff collaborate, the whole UK will prosper March 9, 2020 Last week, digital bank Starling announced the creation of 400 new jobs in Cardiff. To anyone familiar with the thriving city, it should come as no surprise. The Welsh capital has cultivated an innovative digital and tech centre with particular specialities around life sciences and software technology, as well as fast-growing adjacent industries such as [...]
Mind the gap: How to level up transport networks across south London March 9, 2020 It is widely acknowledged that south London’s transport links are inferior to those north of the river. By taking a cursory glance at the Tube map, it becomes blindingly obvious that there is a clear disparity between the two parts of our city, with several multi-coloured lines stretching well into the north in stark contrast [...]
Human ingenuity and working together will pull us through the coronavirus crisis March 9, 2020 Last week, Bank of England governor Mark Carney gave his economic view of the possible consequences of coronavirus: he expects it to cause “disruption” and not “destruction”. In saying this, he follows the measured words of the health secretary, Matt Hancock, who made the point that preparing for the worst is the job at hand. [...]
Chancellor faces tough job as virus fears grow March 9, 2020 Sajid Javid never got to deliver a Budget, and now his successor will this week unveil one of the most important in decades. Wednesday’s statement was meant to be a showpiece for a government determined to “level-up” the economy and flex its newly-won Commons majority. While ministers are still hoping to regain some political initiative [...]
Gender on the agenda: There is still a long way to go March 9, 2020 It might come as a surprise to some that we have been celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) for over a century now. Since the 1900s, we have been fighting to forge a gender-equal society, where a woman’s achievements are valued as much as those of men. Women and girls represent half of the world’s population [...]
On the brink of a pandemic, does your firm need a plan? March 9, 2020 Time magazine has described the outbreak of coronavirus across the globe as the “world’s largest work-from-home experiment”. With many Chinese businesses forced to close down to prevent further spread of the virus, it no surprise that the World Economic Forum suggests global pandemics cost the world $570bn every year. It is not just viruses that [...]
Flybe’s last flight: How Europe’s biggest regional airline met its demise March 9, 2020 At 8.30pm on Wednesday evening, passengers were still being ushered onto planes bearing the indigo livery of Flybe. Half an hour later, members of the cabin crew on one of its last ever flights, from Manchester to Belfast, were crying, having just lost their jobs. “Staff in tears. This is so grim,” tweeted Holly Hamilton, [...]
DEBATE: Is International Women’s Day an outdated concept? March 6, 2020 Is International Women’s Day an outdated concept? Sarah Hawkins, client director at StormBrands, says YES. International Women’s Day (IWD) has a branding issue. The day lacks a clear purpose, story, and identity. What is it for? Who are the figureheads? What are their credentials? The official website totally lacks provocation and tone of voice. Follow [...]