Business didn’t get us into this mess, but with the right reforms it can get us out of it June 24, 2020 Back in March, City A.M. announced that it was suspending its print edition — partly due to concern about the drop-off in advertising revenue, but mostly because it seemed futile to distribute newspapers around London when workers had been told to stay at home. Recently, this paper’s editor made the welcome announcement that its print [...]
Is entrepreneurship set to boom post-pandemic? June 23, 2020 Ronel Lehmann backs the next generation to find their own way in an increasingly confusing world When we’re growing up, we plan for a world that has changed by the time we arrive in it. This has always been a problem: how do you look ahead when the world is moving so fast? It’s never [...]
“Go back to basics”: valuations during COVID-19 June 23, 2020 Aswath Damodaran had some advice for the audience at the 73rd CFA Institute Annual Virtual Conference: don’t abandon valuation fundamentals during the coronavirus crisis. “It is precisely times like these that matter most,” said Damodaran, who is the Kerschner Family Chair Professor of Finance at the Stern School of Business at New York University. “You [...]
With some flexible thinking, the government can help SMEs reopen for business June 18, 2020 As shop doors opened once again this week and queues began to build, we caught a glimpse of what the coming months will be like for “non-essential” shops. Already, it is clear that while Brexit might mean Brexit, reopening certainly does not mean reopening for many businesses across the UK. As the next phase begins, [...]
Tiktok launches €13m educational platform as company increases presence in Europe June 18, 2020 Social media giant Tiktok has announced its entrance to the education market with the launch of a new learning platform in Europe, as the company seeks to bolster its presence outside the Chinese market. The Bytedance-owned firm today unveiled its #LearnOnTiktok platform, which will see the social media company partner with universities, experts and charities [...]
Businesses are cautiously optimistic as downturn in activity eases June 17, 2020 Signs of a turnaround in business activity has prompted UK firms to feel more optimistic about the outlook for the next few months. Natwest’s small business activity index shows small steps towards recovery. The index monitors output at private sector firms with between one and 49 employees in the services, construction and manufacturing industries. It [...]
Welcome to the blended office June 17, 2020 Since the scribes of ancient kings worked together under a sunshade, we have had offices. Offices survived the Black Death, the Red Death, Spanish Flu, and Ricky Gervais. Offices aren’t about to disappear — but they may now be changing more than ever before. We should be ready for change, but do not be surprised [...]
Boris Johnson: Too early to ease two-metre social distancing rule June 16, 2020 Boris Johnson has shot down hopes for an imminent change to England’s two-metre social distancing rule, despite pleas from the hospitality sector. Johnson said the rate of coronavirus incidents had not come down enough to make the change, but to “watch this space”. The news will come as a disappointment for hospitality businesses across England, [...]
Labour calls for emergency ‘back to work’ summer Budget June 16, 2020 Labour shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds is calling for an emergency summer Budget and stimulus package that focuses on job creation. Dodds has dubbed it a “back to work Budget” and has called on chancellor Rishi Sunak to focus on combating potential structural unemployment caused by the coronavirus crisis. New figures from the Office of National [...]
I helped write the manifesto — and now our skills agenda is more important than ever June 16, 2020 With Britain now facing economic challenges that were inconceivable just a few months ago, it’s worth reflecting on some of the ideas we will need to spur economic recovery in today’s very different world — including from the manifesto we wrote before the December 2019 election. I remember vividly that collective sense of elation as [...]