Debrett’s Ask the Expert: How can I get over my fear of networking? October 17, 2016 Q: My role calls for client entertainment – usually dinners with existing clients – but I find I’m more frequently asked to attend networking events on behalf of the firm for new client acquisition. I’m fine speaking to people I know, but these “mix-and-mingle” events make me feel awkward and overly salesy. What can I [...]
Young women are much more likely to be insolvent than young men October 17, 2016 Higher expenses are contributing to a far higher insolvency rate among young women than young men. According to accountancy firm Moore Stephens, women accounted for 65 per cent of personal insolvencies among the under-25s in the last year and 53 per cent of those among 25-34 year-olds. Read more: What does a gender pay gap [...]
Meet the founder of Happn – the dating app putting love on the map October 17, 2016 Nearly one in 10 Londoners use dating app Happn. A colleague who’s more in the know than I am tells me it’s “recently become enormous on Instagram” – users can upload pictures direct from one to the other, with 30 of your most recent appearing automatically on your Happn profile. And once you’ve liked someone, [...]
Power 100: KPMG’s Michelle Quest – “Be your best self and let others be themselves” October 14, 2016 Michelle Quest is the UK head of tax, pensions and legal services at KPMG. In the latest in our series of interviews with Power 100 winners, she gives her take on impostor syndrome, unconscious bias and feminism. Power 100: These are London's 100 most powerful women Are you doing what you always imagined you'd be doing? [...]
The “forgotten middle” is essential for creating Britain’s truly digital workforce October 13, 2016 The pace of innovation in technology is as exciting as it can be daunting. While the "digital native" generation seems to have little trouble keeping up with new tech developments, a lack of investment in digital skills is fostering a society of "digital consumers" rather than "digital creators". Last week, secretary for culture, media and sport Karen Bradley [...]
Face-to-face meetings boost London’s economy by £54bn a year October 13, 2016 The London economy receives a boost to the tune of £54bn a year from businesses conducting face-to-face meetings when trying to secure business, new research shows. When a London-based company conducts an in-person meeting with another business or client, it stands to gain an average income boost of £248,100 per year and £54bn across the region, [...]
The British Chambers of Commerce has finally found someone to replace John Longworth as director general October 13, 2016 Remember John Longworth, the director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) who stepped down after he came out in favour of Brexit? Well, after more than six months without an official boss, the BCC has finally named his replacement – it's Adam Marshall, the man who has been acting director general all along. Marshall, who [...]
Avoid a staff gaffe: Take on top talent the easy way October 13, 2016 In spite of the most pessimistic predictions about UK business post-Brexit, our unemployment rate continues to fall far quicker than the rest of the EU, with some 31.77m people in work at last count – 559,000 more than a year earlier. The warnings of businesses cutting their workforce back have so far been proven wrong and [...]
Looking for a bit on the side? These are the UK’s best-paying part-time jobs October 13, 2016 Looking for a bit of extra cash, or just want to reduce your hours? You're not alone – the number of people doing part-time jobs has jumped in recent years. But now a study has found the best-paid part-time jobs – and it turns out teaching really is a rewarding career. According to Glassdoor's analysis, university [...]
Virgin mentor? Seven tips to ensure you deliver October 13, 2016 As a mentor, your role is to pass on the knowledge and expertise that you have gained throughout your career. As you watch your mentee develop under your guidance, this can, of course, be extremely fulfilling. Moreover, mentoring can also facilitate your own professional growth, allowing you to strengthen your leadership skills and ability to [...]