Nicholas Craig - nebusiness.co.uk

Comment: Farewell, I’ll miss you

nebusiness.co.uk — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

THIS is the big one. After eight years of weekly columns in The Journal, hail or shine, this is my final regular appearance. I’ll miss the chance to air grievances or praise regional successes.

Comment: Getting fit is my surprise birthday gift

nebusiness.co.uk — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

I WAS presented with a series of personal trainer sessions as a birthday present by someone who knows me all too well.

Comment: Keep creative people for sake of all

nebusiness.co.uk — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

THE region’s student graduate shows fizz with originality, skill and ideas. The National Glass Centre at Sunderland was the venue this week for a stunning collection of exciting, unique works from Sunderland University’s BA hons glass and ceramics degree show.

Comment: Small effort can give big return in jobs

nebusiness.co.uk — Thu, 21 May 2009 07:00:00 GMT

THINK global, act local: the century-old phrase is rolled out incessantly by ambitious companies – and banks – with an eye on the value of local suppliers and customers.

Comment: There’s more out there than emails

nebusiness.co.uk — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

AS I thought. As evidenced by the “political smears” emailed by Damien McBride, then reported and repeated in all media, emails may be quick and easy, but they are also inherently dangerous.

Comment: Network has spotlight on design skills

nebusiness.co.uk — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

INNOVATION is key to business survival, particularly in the service economy. The importance of design in such an aggressive market means that it has a major role within many regional and national companies’ strategies in their bid to succeed despite difficult times.

Comment: Challenge is how to be a local council

nebusiness.co.uk — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

WE ARE now in the brave new world of single, all-purpose super-councils – unitary authorities in Northumberland and Durham which have shrunk 13 councils to two, and 744 councillors to 193.

Comment: Pensioners deserve a lot better

nebusiness.co.uk — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

RETIRMENT has been cancelled. Pensions have been slashed with little hope of recovery within the next few years.

Comment: A five-star resource in the region

nebusiness.co.uk — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

HOW many hotels can Newcastle and Gateshead hold before we have enough rooms to satisfy demand?

Comment: Time to put the North on track

nebusiness.co.uk — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

TRANSPORT problems are becoming terminal. Heathrow is determined to be the biggest airport, but it is far from the best. The proposed new runway will do little to make it a more comfortable or efficient experience for passengers.

Comment: Regional TV cutbacks hit at lifeblood of the region

nebusiness.co.uk — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

THE cutback in regional ITV news and programming will hit us hard. We will gain more than twice the news area when Tyne Tees merges with Border, but will lose more than half the staff.

Comment: What we all need more than ever

nebusiness.co.uk — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

WHEN jobs are hard to come by, skills are a boon. For those seeking jobs for the first time, vocational qualifications could help make the difference between beginning a long-term career or a temporary stop-gap.

Comment: Crossing cultures and continents

nebusiness.co.uk — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I HAD an extraordinary 24 hours recently involving the full pomp of old English tradition, swiftly followed by a Chinese event of equal splendour.

Comment: You don’t need a gym to shed calories

nebusiness.co.uk — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

MIDDLESBROUGH is one of nine pilot areas to begin a reward scheme aimed at improving health and slimming down our increasingly overweight nation.

Comment: Successful ‘perks’ are often free

nebusiness.co.uk — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

THE £2bn set aside by one bank for “staff costs” including bonuses while being bailed out with £20bn of taxpayers’ money beggars belief.

Comment: Great North Run a top promotion for region

nebusiness.co.uk — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:00:00 GMT

THE best possible cure for jetlag, I can confirm, is the Great North Run. Not that I entered. The atmosphere created by 52,000 runners, relatives, friends, celebrities and an ex-Prime Minister is extraordinarily infectious. It is impossible not to be affected, even from some distance.

Business News: New season is chance for switch in emphasis

nebusiness.co.uk — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:00:00 GMT

IN two weeks’ time the clocks go back, presaging winter, dark days and a whirl of seasonal celebrations.

Business News: Let’s bank on a bit of sun and fun

nebusiness.co.uk — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT

GRIM. It must be one of the most over-used words this year. It is trotted out repeatedly to describe the weather, financial outlook, prospects of certain prominent politicians and embattled airline operators.

Comment: Will Beijing be getting the blues?

nebusiness.co.uk — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT

I’M off to Beijing for a business trip this week. It will be fascinating to see the after effects of the Olympics on this frenetic city’s business community.

Comment: Cyclists are true sport champions

nebusiness.co.uk — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:00:00 GMT

FOOTBALL, which eats up millions of pounds, is this week sharing the spotlight in the North East with cycling, financially starved for decades.