Business comment, opinions on the business news

Our brief encounter's lasting value Feb 17 2009

I SPENT the day before Valentine's day holed up in a romantic hotel discussing how to meet the perfect partner, take your relationships to the next level, survive tough times and make it last. Read

Revenue expectations fail to excite Feb 16 2009

ASTRAZENECA: AstraZeneca recently reported its Q4 and FY2008 results. Despite 2008 EPS coming in ahead of our expectations, driven by exchange rate movements, the market was a little disappointed by its guidance for 2009. Read

Public sector needs to be paid for fairly Feb 16 2009

ONE of the emerging issues in the economy, one which both the Government here and in other countries can and must address, is the appalling tax cheating that has been going on at both an individual and corporate level – the same individuals and corporations who contradict themselves by suggesting the size of the state is too big and who now are holding out the begging bowl for the Government to pour in taxpayers’ money to bail them out during these difficult economic circumstances. Read

Working Week: Just about ready for big move Feb 14 2009

MONDAY am – Attend a tax meeting with MD Harry Davidson at Tait Walker in Gosforth, the firm I used to work for. It still feels a bit weird going back. Read

Tiny island full of heart has much to offer tourists Feb 13 2009

I’M on a tiny island obsessed with cricket, dependent on tourism, professional services and public sector work, and having to cope with an economic downturn. It almost feels like home. The soaring temperature, warm sea and golden beaches give the game away – it’s the Caribbean in February. Read

Rich for MPs to ask about qualifications Feb 12 2009

THIS week four of the nation’s leading bankers – and that’s not rhyming slang – were hauled before the House of Commons Treasury Committee to do penance. Read

An apology, but don't we need more? Feb 11 2009

THEY say that sorry is the hardest word, but yesterday as the quartet of downfallen banking giants were hauled before a pack of angry MPs, it seemed the most difficult thing for them to do was to admit any guilt for what has gone on. Read

True, there are reasons to be cheerful Feb 11 2009

THE Blockheads, minus Ian Dury of course, are appearing at The Sage Gateshead in April and whilst everyone may think they have been hit with a “rhythm stick” at the moment, perhaps we should think of “Reasons to be Cheerful-Part 3!” Are there three reasons to be cheerful? Huge efforts have been made to support busi- ness and there are some good news stories that we should celebrate. Read

Pick carefully on the support services Feb 11 2009

WITH good economic news still in very short supply, the hunt is on to identify ‘defensive’ sectors best positioned to survive a downturn. Read

The Working Time Directive: When opt-out is the right option Feb 10 2009

Steven Duncan of Gosforth training company Macnaughton McGregor, looks at the possible implications of the Working Time Directive for businesses. Read

Sell off these ‘national’ works to reinflate the UK economy Feb 10 2009

THE news that a painting by Titian has been “saved” for the country at a cost of £50m hardly fills me with delight or enthusiasm. This piece of work by a Venetian artist has been described as “part of our heritage”, a statement I am struggling to understand given the nationality of the artist. Read

Credit confusion creates ‘fear the worst’ mentality and costs jobs Feb 10 2009

YESTERDAY we revealed the findings of CBI’s first monthly Access to Finance Survey. Feedback from members showed that without urgent action from the Government, the credit crunch will get even worse in the next three months. Read

Employers must hold on to valued members of staff Feb 09 2009

AT A TUC seminar last week, a number of trade union representatives voiced their concern that there were some businesses seeing the current recession as an opportunistic moment to cut staff numbers and to reduce their terms and conditions. Read

Turn back the clock to beat recession Feb 09 2009

WHEN I was pondering New Year resolutions last December, aside from the usual promises such as ‘I’ll eat more healthily’ and ‘I’ll definitely join the gym this time’, I had another thought: If everyone woke up on New Year’s Day determined to behave in the way they had before the credit crunch, the recession would disappear overnight. Read

A big test for island in the sun Feb 06 2009

I’VE escaped the snow and travelled to Jamaica, island of glorious beaches, aromatic rum and the current Test Series. Visitors are admitted to Jamaica on the condition that they ‘not engage in any form of employment on the island,’ so, most reluctantly, I’m forced to relax and enjoy life as a tourist. Read

Protection of your own is defensible, Mr President Feb 05 2009

A YEAR ago – give or take a couple of weeks – I wrote in this column about haggis. It was nothing to do with Burns Night, but rather to point to a danger facing the world economy. Read

In a crisis? Then send your staff out on loan Feb 04 2009

IT’S often said that businessmen lose their heads the moment they step inside the boardroom of a football club so it might seem an unlikely scenario that corporations would ever look to sport for ideas when it comes to running their companies. Read

Still waiting for the real axe to fall Feb 04 2009

THIS column is the unexpected result of news management. It is also like one of those scenes from the TV news of children playing in the snow, though obviously a lot less fun. Read

Kindred spirits on other side of world Feb 04 2009

WITH the exchange rate encouraging more companies to trade abroad, I would urge them to look to China, which remains the fastest growing market in the world and holds a wealth of opportunities for North East businesses. Read

Keeping an eye on the recovery date Feb 04 2009

THE big chill has descended, in more ways than one. The hit to economic growth towards the end of last year was bigger than we had pencilled in, with no part of the globe remaining unscathed. Read

Quick Links

In Business

Read the latest CBI news letter In Business

Email Alerts

North East business news direct to your inbox

Shares service

Market data on FTSE100 and FTSE350 companies

Your nebusiness

Get involved...

We want your local stories, videos and pics.