Futuristic entrepreneurs are helping us reach for the stars March 11, 2019 Houston, there is no problem. America is back in the space race. “We’re really at the forefront,” says US President Trump. “Nobody is doing what we’re doing.” He’s right. But in a break with tradition, the US is now leaning on its entrepreneurs, rather than the Federal Reserve, to fund its interplanetary aspirations. The latest [...]
DEBATE: Even Goldman Sachs is relaxing its dress code – will City culture benefit from this trend? March 11, 2019 Even Goldman Sachs is relaxing its dress code – will City culture benefit from this trend? Beatrice Timpson, a political communications consultant, says YES. The days of the lounge suit are numbered. Its demise is not so much desirable as inevitable. Just as the French Revolution killed off foot-high wigs and knee breeches and the First [...]
The UK’s competition policy must be fit for a world of tech giants and hidden cartels March 11, 2019 Competition is the oxygen of the capitalist system. From Adam Smith on, there have been warnings of the threats to economic health if competition is restricted by would-be monopolists or cartels. In the UK, the system is policed by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). It rarely hits the headlines except for occasional controversial cases like [...]
If London is to continue to thrive, MPs must take a no-deal Brexit off the table March 11, 2019 There is no denying that trying to sell London to international investors this week of all weeks presents a challenge. Inevitably, uncertainty caused by Brexit has made some businesses more hesitant to commit further to operations in London than they would have been otherwise. Looking beyond the imminent drama in Westminster, however, I have reason [...]
Weight Watchers lost a few pounds with name change to WW. What should it do next? March 10, 2019 WW – the slimmed-down version of the brand formerly known as Weight Watchers – has forecast a 10 per cent drop in its membership over the first quarter of 2019. The “new year, new me” attitude should be attracting new members, but WW’s new identity has failed to tempt consumers. Like a Kim Kardashian weight-loss lollipop, [...]
Diversity inside law firms is shifting from exceptional to expected March 8, 2019 Large corporate law firms are commonly perceived as conservative, exclusive clubs which only hire more of the same to maintain the monoculture. However, thankfully times change, and over the course of a generation the clubby institution of the large law firm is transforming to an extent which would have been unthinkable a few decades ago. [...]
Technology can save the high street and future-proof the entire retail ecosystem March 8, 2019 Ever since the first online transaction over a quarter of a century ago, we’ve been bombarded with a growing number of claims that the high street is dead and online is king. The recent downfall of former offline strongholds such as BHS, Toys R Us, and House of Fraser are often cited as evidence that [...]
International Women’s Day is a reminder to keep breaking down barriers March 8, 2019 As a senior woman in business, I’m often approached to speak at events about the importance of nurturing diversity, in the technology industry and beyond. It is both a privilege and a regret. I long for a world where diverse leadership is simply the norm; where senior female business leaders are just known as “business [...]
DEBATE: Is Kylie Jenner right to call herself a ‘self-made’ billionaire? March 8, 2019 Is Kylie Jenner right to call herself a ‘self-made’ billionaire? Naiya Ghuman, founder and chief executive of itsacrackingdeal.com, says YES. The vast majority of people will believe that Kylie Jenner has only become a billionaire through her direct access to a range of privileges and connections. But remember that she hasn’t used any family inheritance [...]
The Democrats have embraced the Trump trend of childish insults and illiterate ideas March 8, 2019 My worse fear has been realised: the 2020 presidential race is upon us. Like many readers, I’m not ready to re-board the political and emotional rollercoaster of 2016. But I cannot deny reality anymore: 2020 is in full-swing. Donald Trump has altered the tone and standards of debate in US politics. Many of his supporters [...]