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Month: December 2008

Japan doesn’t have it easy either

Japan doesn’t have it easy either

With economic turmoil at our shores it is easy to forget that others around the world are facing similar hardships. I was reading today that Japan’s economy isn’t looking too hot at the moment. The base rate is set to 0.1% (lower that the UK or the US), unemployment has risen to 4% and output has dropped 8% in November with another expected 8% drop in December. The problem is that forcast sales of the goods produced by the Japanese…

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IVA – Get out of jail free?

IVA – Get out of jail free?

I was reading about a financial instrument we have available here in the UK called an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) which is a formal and legally binding agreement between someone in debt and his creditors. It’s not quite a free ride through because although the terms of may vary, creditors will expect that their prospects of recovering money will be at least as good as in bankruptcy. Creditors also don’t lose their right to bankrupt you if you don’t fulfil…

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GBP almost par with Euro

GBP almost par with Euro

I was looking at how much the Sterling is worth against the Euro today and was shocked to see the exchange rate is pretty close to 1. Here’s how the Pound has dropped recently: It’s amazing to see how far down it has come, I remember it being at around 1.5 Euros to the Pound. Will be interesting to see what happens in the next few months …

Selling a package

Selling a package

I was looking through a website that sells holidays in Branson and thinking of the great way they package the holidays to be much more than a visit to Branson. For example, they sell their vacations as “Fun and Excitement”, “Comfort and Elegance” and “Music and Magic”; all great themes that put great images in the mind of the reader. There seem to be a number of shows you can go to, and also a number of attractions. If I…

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The Secrets of Marketing in a Web 2.0 World

The Secrets of Marketing in a Web 2.0 World

Excellent article on WSJ about marketing in a Web 2.0 World. It’s a distillation of conversations the researchers had with a number of key people involved in leveraging the new social tools available on the Web. Here’s what they recommend: Don’t just talk at consumers – Work with them through the marketing process – The new paradigm is all about engagement. The audience isn’t passive any more, involve them in your process, from idea generation all the way to product feedback. Give…

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Tips for Managing Change

Tips for Managing Change

I came across some good pointers in a magazine which I thought I’d echo here for posterity. They’re good points to remember and provide a good framework for things you need to keep in mind. Change must be actively and proactively managed, as unforeseen effects can be costly and risky Detailed impact analysis must be carried out, to see what the ramifications will be throughout the company and among all stakeholders Behavioural and cultural changes will have the most impact…

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