Networks matter for people and businesses of all shapes and sizes November 3, 2013 NO ENTREPRENEUR is an island – who you know can determine whether or not your business idea is going to be a success. Although networking is often considered to be a soft skill with soft benefits, it is actually vital for turning an idea into reality. When people mix, ideas and money flow more easily. [...]
Any other business – 04/11 November 3, 2013 London’s 2012 Olympic games and the sporting success enjoyed by the likes of Andy Murray and Mo Farah this summer may have recaptured the nation’s enthusiasm for sport. However acting on it is a different matter. New research shows that 41 per cent of Londoners are so unhealthy that they are left out of breath [...]
Global monetary policy in four charts November 1, 2013 Societe Generale's Kit Juckes has a great note out with some observations about central bank policy around the world. He compares current policy with what the Taylor Rule suggests central bankers should implement. The Taylor Rule – devised by John Taylor – is a monetary policy rule that suggests prudent rates in order to stabilise [...]
Ryanair boss rejects grand transformation of customer service November 1, 2013 In an interview with Reuters Ryanair boss, Michael O'Leary, has said there will be no "grand transformation" of the low-cost airline, barring already announced cuts in fees and updates to the website. O'Leary insisted that he had not radically changed his outlook as to how the company should be operated in terms of customer service. [...]
Bumper car sales vindicate Fed’s stance on shutdown November 1, 2013 The October numbers for the "Big Eight" car makers in the US suggest that shutdown may not have been quite so economically impactful as has been bandied about – and vindicate the Fed's decision not to mention it in its latest open market committee meeting earlier this week. Analysts were quick to look at the [...]
US manufacturing sees April 2011 high despite shutdown November 1, 2013 October's ISM manufacturing PMI has come in higher than expected at 56.4, after an analyst consensus of 55.0, and up from September's 56.2. Any number above 50 implies an expansion. The figure is at its strongest since April 2011 and suggests that the manufacturing sector didn't suffer too much because of shutdown. Continued improvement in [...]
Northwest is hotspot for home repossessions while South prospers November 1, 2013 There were 33 per cent more home repossessions in the North than in the South for the year to July, according to research by e.surv chartered surveyors. The group examined court-ordered repossessions per 1,000 households over the 12 months to July and found there were 3.2 repossessions per 1,000 households in the North, compared to [...]
US manufacturing slump not as bad as expected after government shutdown November 1, 2013 US manufacturing orders didn't suffer too much in October, according to purchasing managers' index (PMI) data from Markit. The headline indicator of order book growth has nonetheless dropped to its lowest level since October 2012. Manufacturing PMI dropped from 52.8 to 51.8. Analysts had expected a drop to 51.1. Any number above 50 implies an [...]
Big banks predict Eurozone rate cut as Draghi runs out of options November 1, 2013 A rate cut is now a very real possibility for the Eurozone. The drop in the consumer price index to 0.7 per cent in October means inflation in the euro area is rising at the slowest pace in four years, well below the European Central Bank's (ECB) target of just under two per cent and [...]
China sees stable manufacturing growth but underlying conditions are weak November 1, 2013 The Chinese manufacturing sector improved at the beginning at the beginning of the fourth quarter, so suggests the latest PMI surveys released on Friday. However breaking down into the figures, London-based consultancy, Capital Economics suggests that China is due for slower growth while small firms struggle. The government's policy of reducing the availability of credit [...]