Pay by selfie: Mastercard brings biometric technology to the UK October 4, 2016 Paying for things simply by taking a photo of yourself is now a step closer to reality as Mastercard brings its new biometric technology to the UK. So called selfie pay will let customers verify their identity with a snap of their smartphone camera when doing online shopping, or with fingerprints, doing away with passwords and pins -welcome relief [...]
Standing desks: How do you make the most of this moderately helpful technology? October 4, 2016 Standing desks were all the rage about two-and-a-half years ago. Transforming your working day, it was even suggested they could help you lose weight. Unfortunately, this is simply not true. A recent study published in the (rather apt) Journal of Physical Activity and Health examined how many calories people burnt when sitting at a computer [...]
Better infrastructure and new houses: Here’s how to invest for a post-Brexit fiscal stimulus October 4, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond used his party conference speech yesterday to tell the public that the government is prepared to take “whatever steps are necessary to protect this economy from turbulence”. Though he gave a nod to his predecessor’s commitment to fiscal consolidation, new spending plans are widely expected when he delivers his first Autumn Statement in [...]
Everyone’s massively underestimating fintech in capital markets October 3, 2016 The application of fintech in capital markets is being vastly underestimated by both banks and startups as other areas of banking steal the spotlight – and funding – new research reveals. Venture capital cash is failing to flow into fintech specialising in capital markets, according to the new report from Boston Consulting Group, adding that only a minority of startups are working [...]
Investors could be missing out on thousands by following the advice of the Bank of England’s chief economist October 3, 2016 Property might be the investment of choice for the Bank of England's chief economist but research by a leading investment platform suggests that shares are the best option when saving for retirement. At the end of August, Andy Haldane was lambasted by pension experts for advocating his choice to invest in property rather than in a pension scheme. [...]
Research proves that investors are better off putting their money with a female fund manager October 3, 2016 There is always a lot of noise about what to do with your investments. Which asset? What asset management company? Index tracking or actively managed? But new research has revealed that there is one other important consideration that could bolster returns: make sure your fund manager is not a bloke. Read more: GlaxoSmithKline names Emma Walmsley [...]
Wolfpack Lager owners and rugby union players Alistair Hargreaves and Chris Wyles talk about the transition from pitch to entrepreneurship October 3, 2016 "You can feel yourself getting older, tireder and sorer. The question inevitably becomes, ‘what next?’, says Saracens player Alistair Hargreaves. “It’s a position most sportspeople find themselves in: you’ve been doing something you love your whole life, then you’re faced with the prospect of not doing it. Playing engulfs your life, so it’s actually pretty [...]
Bullhorn’s Art Papas explains why a good deal isn’t all about the money October 3, 2016 Four years ago I was approached by several private equity (PE) firms intent on investing in my company. Bullhorn’s valuation was higher than it had ever been. However, the decision to partner with a financial sponsor was more about enabling our strategic vision for the business than realising a financial goal. As companies get bigger, [...]
Pension deficit rate of rise slows but experts warn this isn’t the end of problems October 3, 2016 The meteoric rise in pension deficits abated during September with aggregate levels stagnating for the first time since the Brexit vote. Deficits have leapt since Spring after asset value growth failed to keep up with the rate at which bond yields have collapsed. Read more: Pension costs pose a material threat to UK plc profitability say [...]
Active listening: Why the greatest leaders aren’t just good talkers October 3, 2016 Most of us are more accustomed to speaking rather than listening. Indeed, the traditional image of leadership is more likely to conjure up overtly dynamic activities such as expressing strong opinions and taking decisive actions. It is equally important to know when to listen. Yet in my experience, many leaders struggle with the concept. Our [...]
