The horror and dread of a work Halloween bash October 27, 2010 DEAR VEXED: As part of a team-bonding initiative, our office is having its own Halloween party on Friday. It’s seen as an important event and has been scheduled for some time. The worst thing is that costumes are mandatory. I loathe Halloween, I hate the idea of wearing a costume and I’m frozen with fear. [...]
OUT OF OFFICE October 27, 2010 BOOK NOW: THE RIVALS Old To the Manor Born compadres Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles are teaming up again for a new production of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s 1775 comedy of manners, The Rivals. Set in wealthy society in fashionable Bath, the cast of comic characters includes the famous Mrs Malaprop (Keith) and blustering baronet Sir [...]
How to cut perks without making your team hate you October 27, 2010 I have been asked to get rid of some of my staff’s perks in order to save money, but I am worried about the effect this will have on morale. How can I do this without causing resentment and discord? Ceri Roderick Business psychologist, Pearn Kandola Taking away people’s perks is always problematic – they [...]
EXPERT VIEW | October 27, 2010 LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL WHETHER you are heading up a team, a business unit, or an entire PLC, you’re going to need a strategy. And you are going to have to communicate that strategy clearly to others, because only if others are aware of it can they actually contribute to it, and will it have any [...]
FIVE WAYS… TO HAVE BETTER MEETINGS October 27, 2010 MEETINGS are one of the most time-wasting and energy-sapping things in working life. But there are some basic rules for making them better. Here are five. 1. Have a structure. There is a school of thought that says there are only three reasons to have a meeting. First, to inform and bring people up to [...]
Russia deny criticising England October 26, 2010 FOOTBALL: England’s World Cup 2018 bid rivals Russia say they regret any “misunderstanding” resulting from their chief executive’s recent comments about London. Andrei Sorokin denied, however, that he had criticised England’s bid, which would have been against the rules. It comes with the bid process in a state of turmoil after two members of the [...]
SA beat Pakistan in Abu Dhabi October 26, 2010 CRICKET: South Africa paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe took 3-16 as they earned an emphatic six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Twenty20 international in Abu Dhabi. Captain Johan Botha also claimed three wickets as Pakistan, technically the home side, were bowled out for 119, despite Misbah ul-Haq’s undefeated 27 and Shahid Afridi’s 25 off just seven [...]
England have right recipe, says Cook October 26, 2010 ENGLAND batsman Alastair Cook insists there will be no repeat this winter of the 5-0 drubbing they suffered last time they headed Down Under for an Ashes series. Australia enjoyed a whitewash four years ago when an England side captained by Andrew Flintoff lost the urn in spectacular style. Cook was part of that team [...]
Arsenal gunning for glory on all fronts, says Wenger October 26, 2010 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has reaffirmed his desire to put silverwear ahead of plaudits this season ahead of tonight’s Carling Cup fourth round tie at Newcastle. Wenger has often been accused of treating this competition with disdain in the past by opting to rest his star players in order to blood some of the outstanding [...]
Khumalo capture will bolster Redknapp’s defensive options October 26, 2010 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp has moved to ease his side’s defensive concerns by recruiting South Africa international Bongani Khumalo. The 23-year-old will arrive in January from SuperSport United, subject to a work permit being granted, having signed a pre-contract agreement. The transfer fee is thought to be around £1.5m. Tottenham’s rearguard has been beset by [...]
