Executive pay: Capping bosses’ salaries will not raise the salaries of people at the bottom August 17, 2015 Today’s briefing paper from the High Pay Centre (HPC) has zoned in on the gap between FTSE 100 chief executive pay and the average salary of UK workers in 2014: 183/1. Perhaps it is the HPC’s emphasis – or perhaps it is the world’s recent focus on inequality – that has most people, in the media and [...]
Smartphone maker HTC to cut 15 per cent of workforce after disappointing sales August 13, 2015 HTC announced today it would be axing 2,250 jobs, or 15 per cent of its workforce, after disappointing investors with yet another batch of sub-par results. The struggling Taiwanese smartphone maker’s sales missed expectations in the second quarter, and are forecast to drop further still in the months to come. Last week's earnings report reported [...]
What to give top talent when pay rises won’t cut it August 13, 2015 Younger workers enjoy public plaudits more than alcohol The signs are unmissable: covert phone calls, new suits, a flurry of doctors appointments. But by the time your brightest employees are interviewing, there’s little any manager can offer to persuade them to stay. Salaries, bonuses and room for promotion have always been the surest ways to [...]
The Chinese love affair with life’s little luxuries August 13, 2015 The seemingly rampant early success of brands such as Louis Vuitton a decade ago was largely due to the novelty of designer goods in China. Angelica Cheung, Vogue China’s editor in chief, likened the first glut of luxury goods in China to food being given to the starving. The well-heeled are now extremely [...]
Smartwatch stress test reveals security flaws in all devices from Apple Watch to Android and Pebble August 12, 2015 If you’re using a smartwatch, whether it’s an Apple Watch or a Pebble, the device is likely to be exposing your personal data to crooks, as a new stress test reveals smartwatches from all six big brands have significant security flaws. The biggest issue is that none of the watches have default password protection, or [...]
Dow yo-yos 300 points – New York Report August 12, 2015 US STOCKS rebounded in afternoon trading yesterday to end little changed as energy shares and Apple offset continued concerns about a slowdown in China. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.33 points to 17,402.51, the S&P 500 gained 1.98 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 2,086.05 and the Nasdaq Composite added 7.60 points, or 0.15 [...]
Finally, the world’s first reversible micro-USB cable is here, from startup MicFlip August 12, 2015 Android users, you know the struggle: Trying to connect your phone to a charger in the dark, but always getting it wrong side up. Well, now you can wave goodbye to that first-world problem, as a company called MicFlip has designed the world’s first reversible micro-USB charger, meaning there is no more “right” or “wrong” [...]
Top US stocks led down by drop at Apple – New York Report August 11, 2015 CHINA’S surprise currency devaluation hit companies with a big exposure to the country and added to worries about the global economic outlook, pushing stocks down yesterday. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 212.33 points, or 1.21 per cent, to 17,402.84, the S&P 500 lost 20.11 points, or 0.96 per cent, to 2,084.07 and the Nasdaq [...]
How Google is breaking the rules of corporate branding to get its Alphabet to pay off August 11, 2015 Google’s creation of its Alphabet parent is a future-looking, ambitious strategy that few others would have the boldness to do. But it’s bold for a reason: creating new challenges for Alphabet to make it a real success. What Google is doing breaks the normal rules of corporate branding. Read more: Three things you should know [...]
Google share price U (for up) after Alphabet restructure August 11, 2015 Wall Street's more than happy with Google's restructuring move. Google shares, or Alphabet shares as they should now be known, opened more than five per cent up continuing the trend in after-hours trading following Larry Page's blog post revealing the new company vision. Investors are likely pleased that the move brings more transparency to the [...]