With just a dash of flexibility, the Brexit endgame is in sight January 29, 2019 In 1982, three years into Margaret Thatcher’s first term, a monograph was published about the government’s economic progress bluntly titled: “Could do better”. Was it published by the Fabian Society, with its close affiliation to the Labour party? Or perhaps it was released by the recently established Social Democratic Party, formed by people on the [...]
The Eurozone is at risk of renewed crisis in 2019 – and this time it’s all about Italy January 29, 2019 After a dismal 2018, December brought further bad news for the Eurozone in the form of the European Commission’s economic sentiment indicator. Despite hopes that last year would see an escape from the ongoing repercussions of the 2011-2013 euro crisis, confidence across sectors has taken a hit, with only retail trade remaining a bright spot. [...]
DEBATE: With the top taxpayers revealed, is there a case for lowering the highest rate of income tax? January 29, 2019 With the top taxpayers revealed, is there a case for lowering the highest rate of income tax? Kate Andrews, associate director at the Institute of Economic Affairs, says YES. With the tax burden at a 50-year high, there is almost always a case to be made for lowering whichever tax is up for discussion. This [...]
If Britain looks outward, it will find Nigeria open for business January 29, 2019 As the vote on Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement looms, parliament is at an impasse. The likelihood of a no-deal Brexit is increasing – in Germany, it is now seen as the most probable outcome, while in France, a “hard Brexit” contingency plan has been triggered. Deal or no deal, however, Brexit gives the UK the [...]
Sam Torrance: World No1 Justin Rose is looking good for the Majors after underlining his class with Farmers Insurance Open win January 28, 2019 What a start to 2019 for Justin Rose. The Englishman beat a strong field to win the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines yesterday and cement his position as world No1. Starting the final round with a three-shot lead, Rose shot three bogeys in the opening five holes to really put pressure on himself. His advantage [...]
A year in YouTube – the marketing lessons to learn from 2018 January 28, 2019 As we begin 2019 in earnest, it is important to reflect on some of the marketing lessons that last year provided. For YouTube, 2018 presented an opportunity for us to demonstrate how we used a combination of human review and machine learning to address some of the challenges that we had with ensuring that ads [...]
Learn how to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee in your next big meeting, pitch, or presentation January 28, 2019 If you look back over 2018, I’m sure you can think of a meeting that didn’t go well. Perhaps you felt under pressure to win the pitch or gain agreement, and at the critical moment you said the wrong thing. This same challenge is faced by world-class athletes every day. They can prepare for four [...]
The perfect brand name doesn’t exist, so stop searching for it January 28, 2019 Naming a brand is often a tortured process, full of impassioned argument and furrowed brows. Everyone wants to find that silver bullet: the simple, unique name that crystallises everything important about the brand. Well, stop looking. Because you won’t find it – and you don’t need to. Names matter, but never as much as they [...]
We’re not as stuck as the Brexit blues would have you believe January 28, 2019 IF YOU’RE looking for a meaningful vote of confidence tomorrow, look elsewhere than the sentiments of our 650 MPs. Instead try the 650,000 British businesses registered last year – each one a vote of confidence in the future. But when you’re surrounded by extremes, it’s hard not to get swept away by it all. As [...]
Trust in business is back up, but with power comes responsibility January 28, 2019 In business, we are all well-versed with the phrase “the customer always comes first”. The 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer tells a different story. The British people believe that the greatest obligation of business today isn’t about serving customers – it’s about treating employees well. No one is suggesting, of course, that the customer doesn’t matter. [...]