Originally conceived as a means of kick-starting spending in the USA after Thanksgiving; Black Friday now seems to encompass a week or more of shopping enticements. However, amidst warnings from consumer groups that some ‘bargains’ may not be all they seem, and with some retail analysts suggesting that heavy pre-Christmas discounting may not be in […]

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Whatever your take on the US mid-term elections, one success story is the record number of women both standing for and elected to the House of Representatives. At the time of writing the final results have still to be declared but already we know that when the new contingent take their seats they will include […]

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Helen Green

The true value of teamwork

It scarcely seems a year ago when we were writing about lessons of courage and determination from the Toronto Invictus Games. Now a new games is taking place in Sydney Australia and once again the stories of challenges faced and hurdles overcome are truly inspiring. At the time of writing the event is half way […]

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Chris Nel

Enhancing mental resilience

October 10th 2018 marks World Mental Health Day. Promoted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the focus for this year is young people and mental health in a changing world. According to the WHO, suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29 year-olds worldwide with half of all mental illnesses beginning by age […]

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Helen Green

Ambition is not leadership

“In the selection process, sometimes I worry that people are there for the wrong reasons.” As a new series of The Apprentice heads to our screens Lord Sugar admitted in a BBC interview that there was a chance that the show could attract people who are looking for TV fame rather than those with genuine […]

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Chris Nel

Getting the basics right

When we write about leadership we tend to draw out certain elements such as the importance of helping others to grow, building empowerment and initiative, and developing a strategy and vision for the future. But there are other elements of leadership which are equally important including promoting a focus on an attention to detail which […]

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Helen Green

As one door closes…

As the cricket and rugby league seasons wind to a close to be replaced on our screens by football and rugby union, as new dramas hit our television screens and fresh line-ups are announced for the return of old favourites; it is hard to escape the inevitable conclusion that summer is over and the slow […]

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Helen Green

Leading an ageing workforce

There are more than 10 million people in the workforce today who are aged over fifty and the number is growing. So much so that by 2020 a third of the workforce will be over 50. Of those currently in the workforce, 63% are now looking to retire later than they thought they would ten […]

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Helen Green

Taking the temperature of the business

With the hot weather set to continue into August the CBI is encouraging employers to take steps to help their people to stay cool at work*. Measures suggested include relaxing the dress code, offering more flexible working hours in order to move employees away from having to travel at peak commute times, and providing easy […]

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Helen Green

Governance – fit for the future

Following consultation the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has released a revised corporate governance code* for premium listed companies. The new code, which will come into effect for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019, highlights the importance of relationships with stakeholders and employees as well as looking towards culture as a means of […]

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