It’s August, schools are well and truly out and the holiday exodus is in full flow. As a result normal commuter routes have quietened noticeably whilst the regular Friday/Saturday getaway is blocking motorways and other…
Gig economy, freelance, self employed; the world of work is changing fast. So much so that an article issued as part of the World Economic Forum’s meeting in January 2019 predicted that by 2027 the…
When you are trying to grow your SME business, looking to build good relationships with suppliers and customers and deliver products and services which will resonate in the marketplace, the last thing you need is…
Working nine to five? If you are then you are in the minority. A YouGov survey has revealed that just 6% of UK workers clock on and off in line with ‘traditional’ working hours. More…
It doesn’t matter whether you are a small, medium, or large business; customers are key to your success. So why is it that all too often we look at product or pricing rather than people?…
How easy is it to switch off on holiday? Admittedly that is a question which has no single answer. So whilst some are able to fully enjoy their holiday in the knowledge that they are…
It may have its origins in a travel company initiative but Blue Monday now seems to be firmly established in the business calendar. In 2018 this allegedly most depressing of days falls on 15th January,…
As the days grow shorter and cool autumn winds start to blow it is hard to ignore the pattern of life, the rhythm of the world which calls on us to adapt our lives in…
On 15 June 2017 roaming charges were scrapped across Europe thanks to EU legislation. Whether that particular law is, or is not, “one of the greatest successes of the EU” as the EU Commission press…
The world is open and vulnerable to attack. That’s the message which every business and every individual should take away from the ransom-ware attack which took down hospitals, educational establishments and businesses across the globe.
…Whatever your reaction to the Brexit vote it seems, for now at least, the predictions of the UK becoming isolated from world trade have failed to materialise. Admittedly the falling pound may have helped UK…
One man band or multinational corporation; no matter what the business there are a few truths which are universal. No I am not talking here about probity or operating ethically or within the law, although…
How secure is your field of business? Are you likely to be offering the same services in five, ten, or even twenty year’s time? When we go into business we may expect some changes in…
You know how it is; you’ve done your research, you’ve got all your paperwork together, you’ve cleared some space in your diary and now you’re ready to call. When you do, the phone rings and…
The success of the European Space Agency in sending a probe across billions of kilometres to land on a small comet has captured the headlines. On 12th November those at the Rosetta project’s headquarters cheered…
The Debrett’s Handbook which provides a guide to etiquette and manners has just been updated for 2014. In 1994 the Handbook provided answers to the most pressing topics of the day such as the correct…
The latest HMRC contact centres survey report for the period 2013/14 has revealed that overall 80% of users reported the service as good or very good. Furthermore 89% said that their experience of calling the…
The 2014 International Trade Survey from Trade & Export Finance Limited has revealed some interesting perspectives on the state of the UK export market. The Government’s drive to expand exports seems to be having an…
The railway line to the South West has been repaired, the sun is shining and the schools are out. Yes, it’s the start of the Easter break; and we hope the start of a long…
As the 6 Nations rugby tournament winds to a close this weekend supporters can look back with pride on a sterling performance or reflect on what might have been. Yet again the tournament has delivered…
There are some things in life that we take so much for granted that it is only when they have gone that we notice their worth. At this time of year we could be forgive…
When nature decides to throw a storm at us there is little we can do to turn aside strong winds and driving rain but that doesn’t mean that we needn’t bother to act. The October…
In our July article, “Saving the number” we highlighted Ofcom plans to extend the area code dialling initiative to a further five areas. Ofcom’s consultation period is now over and it has confirmed that…
There was an interesting article in the Times of India recently which covered the methods which some people are using to “digitally detox.” Recognising that smartphones and other devices can actually drive a wedge between…
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) report into the consular assistance which was requested by Britons abroad in the past year has just been published. Not only does it cast a spotlight on the sheer…
There is something almost mystical about the way in which as soon as the majority of Britain’s schools broke up for the summer holidays the rains arrived. Actually for the past few years it has…
All it took was one simple call to set in motion a debate over telephone etiquette which has engaged the nation. The call in question took place in a Sainsbury’s supermarket where a checkout worker…
A former IT Manager has hit the headlines with an interactive guide which has been designed to help callers navigate through “press 1” mazes. Over the past seven years, Nigel Clarke has pressed thousands of…
In previous articles we’ve highlighted the way in which the mobile phone has changed from being a voice communication device into a camera, game console, music streamer which also happens to enable you to make…
Bradley Wiggin’s triumph at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards was marred slightly by reports that some callers had been unable to register their votes. Unsuccessful callers reportedly received either an engaged tone…