http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/ Read business comment from our editors and local commentators. Fascinating opinion and analysis of the latest business news. en-gb http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/07/04/tradition-that-serves-the-region-well-51140-21226161/ Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/07/04/tradition-that-serves-the-region-well-51140-21226161/ IT’S the season for shows. Not the musicals, but the proper, annual, outdoor ones. Our county shows, fairs and festivals are so well entrenched in the North East that we often take their presence for granted. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/07/03/the-signature-of-trouble-51140-21218822/ Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/07/03/the-signature-of-trouble-51140-21218822/ NEW mortgages being approved for house purchases have hit a new low in the UK, down 64% on a year ago. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/07/02/planning-fee-all-depends-on-the-work-51140-21208942/ Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/07/02/planning-fee-all-depends-on-the-work-51140-21208942/ THE latest increase in planning fees was accompanied by a Government circular that aims to explain the correct amounts to be paid for different types of development. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/07/02/scary-time-for-our-plcs-51140-21212219/ Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/07/02/scary-time-for-our-plcs-51140-21212219/ AS a growing number of shareholders in North East-based companies are discovering, we are living in jittery times indeed. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/25/not-everything-is-gordon-s-fault-51140-21144914/ Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/25/not-everything-is-gordon-s-fault-51140-21144914/ I NEVER thought I’d say this, but I almost feel sorry for Gordon Brown. Almost. And my sympathy extends only as far as acknowledging that the surge in food and energy prices, which is contributing mightily to the gloomy national mood, can’t fairly be blamed on him. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/25/rewarding-boardroom-bravery-51140-21145084/ Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/25/rewarding-boardroom-bravery-51140-21145084/ This year The Journal is celebrating the role of non-executive directors as part of its North East Business Executive of the Year awards. But what will the judges be looking for? Andrew Hebden seeks out the qualities of a good non-exec http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/25/how-to-save-clients-from-themselves-51140-21145121/ Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/25/how-to-save-clients-from-themselves-51140-21145121/ ONE of the saddest things about PR is the fact that clients hardly ever read newspapers. They just look at the headlines and pictures. And, unfortunately, neither of those is contributed by the journalists we keep cultivating over expense account lunches. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/24/the-way-forward-after-successes-51140-21138630/ Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/24/the-way-forward-after-successes-51140-21138630/ PLANNING for the future is never far from the mind of the business boss. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/19/mind-blowing-talent-at-work-in-our-region-51140-21101848/ Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/19/mind-blowing-talent-at-work-in-our-region-51140-21101848/ ANY visit to Northumbria University’s sparkling new city campus feels like stepping into a futuristic age, so the weird and wonderful concepts that comprise the Reveal 2008 exhibition feel perfectly at home in their new surroundings. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/18/make-sure-your-voice-is-heard-51140-21088972/ Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/18/make-sure-your-voice-is-heard-51140-21088972/ IS IT possible for business ever to have a collective voice? Given my job you would think a simple yes would suffice, but ensuring recognition and representation for the wealth creators in this region is a continuous challenge. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/18/wellstream-success-is-worth-celebrating-51140-21091937/ Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/18/wellstream-success-is-worth-celebrating-51140-21091937/ ON a day when it was revealed by The Journal that the North East exported £10bn worth of goods for the first time in the last financial year, it was fitting that Wellstream chief operating officer Chris Braithwaite was guest speaker at the North East Chamber of Commerce annual meeting yesterday. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/17/revised-forecast-doesn-t-mean-there-s-a-recession-51140-21085203/ Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/17/revised-forecast-doesn-t-mean-there-s-a-recession-51140-21085203/ IT is true, CBI are predicting the lowest GDP growth since 1992 in our revised economic forecast. However, let’s be clear – this is not recession – our best bet is still that there will be a measure of economic growth in 2009. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/16/north-is-leading-the-way-51140-21079380/ Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/16/north-is-leading-the-way-51140-21079380/ THE North East is leading the way in providing opportunities for young people to take up apprentice placements. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/11/it-s-crucial-to-continue-investing-in-skills-51140-21053820/ Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/11/it-s-crucial-to-continue-investing-in-skills-51140-21053820/ WHEN the economic climate is tough, the first two budgets to get slashed are marketing and training. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/11/university-talent-shining-through-51140-21054189/ Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/11/university-talent-shining-through-51140-21054189/ DURHAM’S historic town hall provided the majestic backdrop yesterday for a landmark moment for one of the region’s most exciting and innovative companies. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/10/are-we-getting-in-too-deep-with-the-surfing-51140-21047075/ Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:28:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/10/are-we-getting-in-too-deep-with-the-surfing-51140-21047075/ THE widespread availability and use of internet has revolutionised the way many of us work. We can access our emails from almost anywhere, conduct virtual meetings and have access to huge amounts of data often for free, 24 hours per day. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/09/tough-line-on-pay-angers-staff-51140-21042457/ Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/09/tough-line-on-pay-angers-staff-51140-21042457/ THERE was doubtless a feeling of relief in government on Friday when the result of the Unison health service ballot on their pay offer was accepted by a significant majority http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/04/heading-in-the-right-direction-51140-21018033/ Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/04/heading-in-the-right-direction-51140-21018033/ AS consultation periods go, the one ending on the 20th of this month is one of the most significant in recent history for the regions. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/04/few-signs-of-investors-capitulating-51140-21019012/ Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/04/few-signs-of-investors-capitulating-51140-21019012/ FOR most of the past year, riskier assets have been under pressure, as the US sub-prime crisis and toxic financial over-engineering sent shock waves through markets. http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/04/undesirable-echoes-of-rock-reporting-51140-21020970/ Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/business-comment/2008/06/04/undesirable-echoes-of-rock-reporting-51140-21020970/ PERHAPS I’m just a paranoid Northerner, but I couldn’t help feeling that the television coverage of the Bradford & Bingley profits warning this week had undesirable echoes of the patronising style of reporting which was so prominent during the Northern Rock crisis.