Our in-built biases mean we’ll dismiss the better hire just because someone else seems naturally gifted July 7, 2016 Our society has long held a fascination for people we perceive to be naturally talented. From child prodigies to gifted performers, we see them as wonders of nature, imbued with enviable, raw talent. And while we also love an “overcoming adversity” storyline – people who overcome challenges through hard work and dedication – how do our [...]
Something old, something new… Each wedding this summer will cost you nearly a week’s salary July 6, 2016 We've all suspected that the annual wedding season puts us out of pocket, but thanks to research from American Express we know just how much it's going to cost us. Guests are set to spend almost an average week's salary, £479, on each wedding they attend this summer – which is just £24 less than the UK's [...]
The gig economy should matter to professionals: Here’s why July 6, 2016 For anyone living or working in London, it is almost impossible to have missed the rapid emergence of the gig economy in recent years. You can’t move for Uber taxis, Deliveroo scooter drivers and Airbnb accommodation, which have spawned a generation of independent workers servicing on-demand markets. But, for those working in professional services, the trend [...]
Britain will retain its golden spirit of enterprise if we keep backing entrepreneurs July 5, 2016 One of the more astonishing features of the British economy over the last few months, and indeed the last turbulent few weeks, has been the robustness of the UK’s small business owners, particularly its growing army of high-growth tech entrepreneurs. In the most challenging of environments leading up to the Brexit vote, the London Stock [...]
The infatuation with hoodies and beanbags should be consigned to history July 5, 2016 When I tell someone that I run a young tech company, I always get the same reaction. That slight recoil as they get their head around the fact that I don’t conform to the stereotype (or prejudice, by another name). First, I’m often wearing a smart shirt. The Zuck’s now famous t-shirt and hoodie approach has [...]
Sons of London’s Sepand Oboudiyat on cow bellies, Italian artisans and fast fashion July 4, 2016 "Bob Diamond wouldn’t hire a guy who had bad shoes," Sepand Oboudiyat informs me. And the latter has done very well out of the City’s predilection for fine footwear. The founder of new men’s shoe brand Sons of London has only been trading for seven months, but he’s already seen 75 per cent growth month-on-month. Sitting at [...]
Uniting the suits and the beards: Co-working’s rise July 4, 2016 Co-working the latest trend in ultra-hip working practices, has now hit the mainstream. The word conjures up images of bearded, flannel-shirted hipsters working on iMacs in Scandinavian inspired “spaces”. Yet more and more corporates are now adopting it, with the likes of Microsoft, Philips and several mainstream retail and investment banks creating specialised working environments. [...]
Hiring fell flat in the face of referendum uncertainty July 4, 2016 Firms appear to have pressed pause on their hiring intentions in the run-up to last month's EU membership vote, figures out today suggest. The research from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (Apsco), which represents staffing firms focused on hiring professionals, found that the number of permanent vacancies did not grow during May 2016. However, those looking for a [...]
Why business should embrace this summer of sport July 1, 2016 With the average worker spending at least 90,000 hours – over one third of all their time awake – in the workplace, it should come as no surprise that the quality of the working environment can have a serious impact on employee happiness, wellbeing and loyalty. According to government guidelines, the creation of a positive [...]
How envy can destroy your career June 30, 2016 The contemporary view of envy is that it is little more than a superficial social vice. But such a trivialised view is not shared by those who have experienced envy in the workplace. There, it is far more than just a desire for another’s material possessions or job. It is the heavily disguised resentment another [...]