The Waitrose Christmas advert is here: Move over Buster, there’s a plucky little Robin giving you all the feels November 13, 2016 The bouncing boxer dog of the John Lewis Christmas advert has a rival: a tiny Robin braving wild weather and perilous predators to return to a young girl's festive home. The Waitrose Christmas advert has been revealed, and while never quite matching up to the much-hyped John Lewis one before, this year that might just change with its [...]
Marks & Spencer’s 2016 Christmas advert is one for the ladies as Mrs M&S becomes Mrs Claus November 11, 2016 First there was Mrs M&S, the woman few aspire to be. Now there is Mrs Claus, the woman M&S think many would like to be this Christmas. Marks & Spencer has tonight launched its Christmas advert for 2016, with Father Christmas’ wife as the star of the show. The advert was broadcast for the first time [...]
Why the famed “hairdryer treatment” dished out by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United should not be used as a leadership template November 11, 2016 Sir Alex Ferguson was unusually coy this week. When giving a talk to the World Business Forum in Milan the former Manchester United boss claimed his infamous "hairdryer treatment" was more myth than reality, a story that grew during his 27-year tenure at Old Trafford. "It happened about half a dozen times in 27 years and the [...]
The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography at the Tate Modern review: Elton John’s personal photography collection is astonishing November 11, 2016 In a moment of irony at this exhibition of Elton John’s personal photography collection, a security guard berated a woman for taking a picture on her iPhone. It was a neat reminder of how saturated and disposable this medium has become in the 21st century, clogging up social media feeds, propped up by technology that [...]
Barack Obama and Donald Trump put aside differences to ensure smooth transition November 10, 2016 Barack Obama and Donald Trump got the presidential transition ball rolling this afternoon by holding an "excellent" meeting. Chewing the fat in the Oval Office, both men put past differences to one side and afterwards smiled for the cameras in what appeared to be a very cordial event. The get-together is likely to be the first of many [...]
Businesses are unwittingly entering the political fray with post-Brexit price rises November 10, 2016 More businesses are justifying price rises by blaming the fall in the pound post-Brexit. Whatever their commercial reasons, this is an extremely dangerous game. Commenting in these ways means entering the political arena at a sensitive time. These firms should be ready for serious scrutiny and hostile comment – now, but more importantly in the [...]
What papers around the world said about Donald Trump’s victory November 10, 2016 Newspapers around the world are reacting to the news Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States. In the UK, today's front pages showed a spread of views on the President-elect, with some poking fun, while others addressed concerns about the soon-to-be leader. Read more: These are some of Trump's policies on tax, China and [...]
Watch this year’s full John Lewis Christmas advert, featuring Vaults and Buster the Boxer November 10, 2016 Advent calendars may have been out since Easter and shops may have been putting baubles on display since September – but you know it's really Christmas when the John Lewis Christmas advert arrives. This year's offering takes a funny, rather than schmaltzy, approach (cf. last year's sugary sweet Man on the Moon ad) – featuring a [...]
Businesses can benefit from the differing skills and traits of an intergenerational workforce November 10, 2016 For the first time ever there will soon be five generations in the workplace. As life spans and the retirement age rise, the challenges that this brings are potentially huge. Savvy employers are aware of, and dealing with, the potential problems, but also finding ways of bringing generations together for the benefit of their business. [...]
Do you have an analogue business in a digital age? November 10, 2016 UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are weathering the tempest that 2016 has blown their way, remaining ambitious, while providing a sturdy backbone for our economy during this period of uncertainty. It will surprise few that websites, social media and online marketplaces are a conduit to success, and a driving force behind increasing revenues in [...]