March 9th, 2009
In the current economic climate, delivering relevant offers and information is critical for connecting with budget-strapped consumers and getting them to spend. Donna Richardson of Mobilize Mail says businesses often react to recession by retreating into their caves and cutting costs everywhere, but cost cutting alone will not usually put them in good stead. [...]
March 9th, 2009
Researchers from University College London and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health warn working long hours damages employees’ brain function and is as bad as smoking as a risk factor for dementia. Their research clearly indicates working overtime can reduce well-being and cognitive function of employees. In what is the largest study of its kind, [...]
March 9th, 2009
Not so long ago, credit card companies were throwing money at people to get them to sign up. Now, as they struggle to contend with a wave of defaults, they may pay you to leave. American Express, is actually offering some card members $300 to pay off their remaining balance and close their accounts.
Selected members [...]
March 9th, 2009
While the US economy is forcing many consumers to make sacrifices in order to save a few bucks, a handful of must-haves remain on the list. A recent survey… conducted by BIGresearch found Americans have redefined what’s “untouchable” and what is “expendable” in their lives to adjust to the current economic climate.
An overwhelming majority [...]
March 9th, 2009
While the mainstream media has focused on gloomy headline figures in the NZIER’s latest quarterly survey, there is some positive thinking in it as well. The organisation says over the next year, a combination of lower interest rates than in 2008, lower petrol prices, still relatively high wage inflation, further tax cuts in April and [...]
March 9th, 2009
John Key and Kevin Rudd, say they will work together to help each other’s country emerge from the global recession. Rudd says “governments will remain in absolute close contact on the appropriate actions.” Simplifying investment opportunities, making travel between Aust and NZ easier so as to boost tourism, helping each other out of the global [...]
March 6th, 2009
After “subprime” comes “Alt-A.” There are fears the global banking system will be hit by a second wave of huge losses, caused by defaults in the US on what are known as Alternative-A mortgages.
Ranking between prime and subprime, Alt-A loans were taken out by middle class Americans. As the recession deepens and more white-collar workers [...]
March 6th, 2009
Many bosses admit the current economic crisis is giving them a chance to restructure their firms in ways they should have done before, but found a hard sell when things were going well. As a rule of thumb, a careful cull of the 10% of lowest performers can make a firm leaner by removing fat [...]
March 6th, 2009
While the Govt desperately tries to find an emissions trading formula to suit everyone, the issue could be moot anyway - the price of carbon has lost almost two-thirds of its value in the past six months, threatening future investments in the energy sector and undermining confidence in emissions trading across the globe. An EU [...]
March 2nd, 2009
An emphasis on focus, speed, streamlining processes, and finding common platforms has characterised the best companies for years. But simplification is not the norm, and this is a problem. Companies sow the seeds of their own decline in adding too many things - product variations, business units, independent subsidiaries - without integrating them. They create [...]
March 2nd, 2009
Leadership guru Jack Welch says keeping yourself pumped up during tough times is crucial as your employees need to see your confidence. He says there are a few tried and tested ways to keep your morale up.
To remain motivated as a leader you can’t abdicate your confidence. You need to pump yourself up every day. [...]
March 2nd, 2009
Keeping up with R&D is a vital part of making sure your business is in good shape on the other side of the downturn. Here are some points to consider:
• New opportunities can show up during challenging times, as people think, search and turn over new stones. This will create new products and services ready [...]
Max Bowden's
Business Sense
E-Newsletter
Your email address will not be shared with 3rd parties.
A Trans Tasman Briefing Paper - An Analysis of the Inner Workings of the New Zealand Bureaucracy
Just released. Available in both print and electronic format. Price reduction for Main Report Group subscribers.
ORDER NOW »
