Switching bank accounts is easier than many imagine July 22, 2012 IF YOU only sourced financial advice from politicians, you might think switching bank accounts is next to impossible. Ed Miliband pledged that a Labour government would revolutionise banking by clearing hurdles to changing banks. Shadow chancellor Ed Balls alleged that “it’s very difficult to change bank accounts.” If you don’t like your bank’s behaviour – [...]
Fee paying banking will be a very tricky sell July 22, 2012 MARKS & SPENCER ruffled some feathers last week when it announced that it would be charging for the use of its current account – between £15 and £20 a month, depending on whether you want insurance included. In return, customers will receive vouchers for free hot drinks in M&S cafés, M&S vouchers worth £40 and [...]
Cisco’s Olympic ambitions for London’s next entrepreneurs July 22, 2012 THE British Innovation Gateway (Big) is Cisco’s programme to support hi-tech business and innovation, and is a major part of its Olympic involvement as the official network infrastructure supporter for London 2012. Phil Smith, the chief executive of Cisco UK, explains that “Cisco wanted to be at the heart of London 2012”, but the company [...]
Delivering the wrong business message is an elementary mistake July 22, 2012 THE TWO charming young people sitting opposite me beamed with enthusiasm about their new business. “We’re graphic design artists and web designers,” they said as they handed me a brochure. Then it got confusing. The brochure had lots of pictures of little squares, each filled with a capital letter in a fancy font. “We designed [...]
Pull out the stops in a pop-up shop July 22, 2012 POP-UP shops have all the warning signs of a government gimmick: a catchy name, the retail sector’s celebrity-in-chief Mary Portas, and swarms of immodest politicians looking to take the credit. But beneath the layers of puff and guff is a steely policy that could help carve through a stifling regulation that ties the hands of [...]
Alpine school holiday heaven July 22, 2012 JAKE’S huge grin said it all. But in case I’d missed his wild enthusiasm as our raft careered down the white waters of the River Arve, he spelled it out with a series of whoops: “Best. Fun. Ever.” Chamonix, which bills itself as the ultimate summer playground for children, had really delivered on its promise. [...]
Wiggins completes magical Tour triumph July 22, 2012 LONDONER Bradley Wiggins declared “some dreams do come true” yesterday after completing his quest to become the first British man to win cycling’s greatest race, the Tour de France. On a joyous afternoon for Team Sky in Paris, Wiggins helped colleague and compatriot Mark Cavendish claim a fourth successive victory on the Champs-Elysees in the [...]
Els still sorry for Scott after first Major in decade July 22, 2012 OPEN winner Ernie Els insisted his immediate thoughts were with runner up Adam Scott after the Australian’s dramatic implosion resulted in his first Major victory since 2002. Scott was four shots clear yesterday morning and consequently powerfully placed to secure the first Major of his career but in bogeying the final four holes his greatest [...]
Amla ushers England towards Oval defeat July 22, 2012 ENGLAND face a huge fight today to save the first Test after Hashim Amla’s record-breaking triple century tightened South Africa’s grip on the match at the Oval. Amla smashed an unbeaten 311 and Jacques Kallis 182 not out before the tourists declared on 637-2 at tea – and promptly turned the screw on England’s batsmen. [...]
Scott can use hurt to inspire him July 22, 2012 In association with Glenmorangie, official whisky of the Open Championships YESTERDAY’S golf was magnificent. Like the winner Ernie Els, I felt really sorry for Adam Scott – he couldn’t have done much more but there’s no way his chance of winning a Major has gone. He’s still a young man and this will hurt but [...]
