Business comment, opinions on the business news

Why change a winning formula? Jul 03 2009

Only a month or two ago, the agencies set up to develop and regenerate the region were facing the possibility of big changes themselves. Read

Independence is a must Jul 02 2009

GOVERNORS of the Bank of England and the North East have a somewhat estranged relationship, particularly given the comments made a decade or so ago when it was claimed that loss of jobs in this region were ‘a price worth paying’ to ensure the success of the national economy. Read

Takeover deal is a real eyebrow-raiser Jul 01 2009

FIRST Group chief executive Moir Lockhead is well known in the transport industry for his big, bushy eyebrows. Read

Export-led German economy has been hit hard by crunch Jul 01 2009

IT seems like an eternity since Germany was regarded as the powerhouse of Europe. Indeed, since the end of its post-unification construction boom, Europe’s largest economy has significantly underperformed its continental peers. Read

Celebrating success Jul 01 2009

IN today’s economic climate it is all too common to be disheartened by doom and gloom headlines. In reality however, we have plenty to be very proud of. Read

Trade credit insurers must rebuild trust Jun 30 2009

WHILE our most recent survey on access to finance indicated that credit conditions were starting to stabilise, we are still getting feedback from members that trade credit insurance is a problem and having an adverse impact on their ability to do business. Read

Investors have reasons to be cheerful Jun 29 2009

BAE Systems – BAE management is said to be confused by recent share price weakness, but it is responding in an appropriate manner by focusing on delivering growth in earnings and dividends. Read

This is no time to be complacent Jun 29 2009

WE still need an urgent focus on generating new employment. Read

Capitalise on Jun 27 2009

WITH the Bank of England base rate currently at 0.5%, the lowest rate since its inception over 300 years ago, it’s a frustrating time for savers but it could be a window of opportunity for borrowers if they seek professional advice on getting the most from their finances. Read

Safety first myths Jun 25 2009

MYTHS about the supposedly malign influence of health and safety on a range of activities are clouding real concerns. Read

Carmakers give hope for future Jun 24 2009

The problems of the UK’s carmakers are well known. Carmakers in the rest of Europe are finding the going tough too. Read

Think about benefits of apprentices Jun 24 2009

WE are reaching the time of the year which for many young people in the region brings a major crossroads in their lives. Do they continue into higher education or attempt to take their first steps on the career ladder? Read

Working together to protect jobs, businesses Jun 23 2009

A CBI/Harvey Nash survey released today demonstrates how the UK workplace landscape has changed dramatically during the recession, as employers and staff work together to protect businesses and jobs, by increasing flexible working and freezing pay and recruitment. Read

Pioneers reap benefit of costly licences Jun 22 2009

IT has taken quite some time to arrive, but the money spent on securing a UK 3G telecom licence by multinational organisations in the early months of this century is certainly beginning to bear fruit. Read

Three little ways to help workers Jun 22 2009

WHILE the raving debate has moved on somewhat to how long the recession will last or what particular alphabetical depiction it represents, the focus must shift more directly to supporting those workers who have lost or are in the process of losing their jobs. Read

Dollar is waning Jun 19 2009

IHAVE in my sticky little hand a roll of greenbacks, my dollars in readiness for a holiday in the US. It has been a nervous few months, watching the dollar’s see-saw relationship with sterling. Read

Getting fit is my surprise birthday gift Jun 18 2009

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

Digital Britain fails to start the Revolution Jun 17 2009

A WEEK ago in these pages we launched the Great North Revolution campaign, a major debate about how the North East economy might look in 100 years – and an effort to identify what we need to do now in order to get there. Read

Aviation industry faces more turbulence Jun 17 2009

OF all the industries affected by the recession, it’s perhaps of little surprise that civil aviation has been among the hardest hit. Commercial airlines had barely got to grips with the surge in the oil price to nearly US$150 a barrel last year when the sub-prime storm hit, pushing the financial system close to collapse. Read

Innovation a cliche but it's still true Jun 17 2009

IT HAS become something of a cliché to state that successful innovation is more important than ever if businesses are to thrive in a fast-changing global market. But that doesn't make it any less true. Read

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