There’s nothing fair about burdening future generations with unfunded spending on pensioners January 19, 2016 Words like “fairness” and “justice” are regularly thrown around with little thought to what they mean. Strangely, though, the politicians who use them seem to be unwilling to debate the pressing issue of intergenerational justice relating to the unsustainable government promises being made to future generations. Nonsense, you might say. We often hear ministers and [...]
Fourth industrial revolution? Davos 2016 faces the same old problems January 19, 2016 As if the third week of January wasn’t depressing enough, it is time for us to haul ourselves back to the snowy mountain town of Davos and the World Economic Forum (WEF). This year, WEF founder Klaus Schwab wants us to think about “Mastering the Fourth Industrial Revolution”. Fourth industrial revolution? For me, any mention of “industrial [...]
As Francois Hollande announces an economic state of emergency, is France finally facing up to its sick man of Europe status? January 19, 2016 James Sproule, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, says Yes. Francois Hollande’s plan to confront France’s stubborn unemployment rate shows the President is more than aware that the status quo is unsustainable. The French model works if you are already in a job, but not for those on the outside, especially younger workers. Hollande can [...]
China: Why international investors are right to be nervous January 19, 2016 A quote I saw a few days ago has stuck in my mind: “what happens in Beijing won’t stay in Beijing”. We should be pretty acclimatised by now to Chinese market sell-offs, a super volatile oil price, geopolitical instability, and to a marked slowdown in global growth. And yet the Dow shed more than 1,000 [...]
How to get staff to do mundane tasks: Taking the time to explain why will pay dividends January 18, 2016 In the digital age, with an always-on mentality, employees are more connected to their work than ever before. And with increasing workloads and mounting time pressures, employers can struggle to encourage their staff to actually get those jobs they deem to be less important done. These jobs can be anything from completing holiday or sick forms, to [...]
Office fit outs: Why asset finance is the smart choice January 18, 2016 The London property market is booming – and it’s not just the residential sector. The demand for office space in the capital is pushing up rents and this is having a significant impact on companies’ business strategies. Many firms are looking to move their headquarters out of London to more affordable locations, retaining small offices [...]
The terminal flaw at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s low oil strategy January 18, 2016 “If people want to know who I am, it is all in the work.” – Alan Rickman Like everyone I know with a soul, I find myself in genuine mourning for the great British actor Alan Rickman, who died last week. It is impossible for me to think of anyone who brought me as much [...]
Green finance: The City is in a unique position to help business tackle climate change risks January 18, 2016 The City has been around since 1189, which is long enough to learn about the importance of long-term value. Nowhere is this truer than sustainability and the environment, where uncertainty, in the shape of climate change and finite natural resources, lurks just around the corner. We must take action if we are to protect business against [...]
Britain risks a talent crunch due to draconian policy on high skilled immigration January 18, 2016 London has the most talented workforce in the world. Research from Deloitte has proved it, finding that the capital has 1.5m people working in high-skill, knowledge-based business sectors. That compares with 1.2m in New York, our closest rivals. So it won’t come as any surprise that the business community gets twitchy when it sees looming [...]
Davos 2016: As the world’s elites ready themselves to attend, is the yearly meeting a complete waste of time? January 18, 2016 Philip Booth, professor at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham and academic and research director at the Institute of Economic Affairs, says Yes. The world faces serious threats. Developments in the Middle East look similar to the events that sparked the First World War: Country A is hostile to Country B; Country C supports B; and so [...]