ADSET's business info blog

Goodbye and thanks for all the fish

2011-06-11T16:38:00.006+01:00

I have, as you are probably well aware, been very remiss about posting on this blog with anything like regularity. I have, therefore, decided to finish.

The reason why I started a business information blog was to help my friend and colleague Leonora Clarke at The Accounting Bureau with news that related to industry sectors, such as construction, in which she had clients.

I also wanted to provide a “mix and match” information stream to go along with ADSET’s careers information blog.

The Accounting Bureau is no more and I have done no work with the company since January of this year.
If I find information that is too “businessy” to go into the careers information blog then I can tweet it, put a link on LinkedIn, add it to my facbook page or pass it to someone who may be able to make more use of it than I can.

So, that’s it but do please keep it touch.

blog is http://www.adsetsinformationweblog.blogspot.com

I'm @careersinfo on Twitter

and search for me by name, Hazel Edmunds, on LinkedIn

You have to laugh

2011-05-04T18:01:00.003+01:00

or you might end up crying!

I've just been reading an article in Freedom of Information (Volume 7 Issue 4 March/April 2011) in which readers are taken back through some of the basics of the Freedom of Information Act.

The laughter (or maybe it was a hysterical response to the idea) was caused by a reminder to authorities responding to a request for information that the right to delay whilst seeking clarification of the information required should not be obtuse.

To illustrate:

(Barber v IC; EA/2005/004).

The idea that no mistakes are ever made, or maybe it is merely that the mistakes that are made are not a failure of standards, is ludicrous.

Faith in the workplace

2011-04-14T17:39:00.003+01:00

an article in IDS Employment Law Brief (number 920 March 2011)

Introduction

“Never discuss politics or religion” has long been the golden rule for dinner parties. Since the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations were introduced in 2003, the adage might be said to apply equally in the workplace. A spate of recent decisions involving religious employees has sparked huge media interest. In this feature, we use a range of cases to highlight how tribunals and courts have dealt with tricky issues arising under the Regulations, such as manifesting religion at work.

Hazel’s comment:

Long-time readers of this blog, and/or of ADSET’s Members’ Update publication which ceased publication a couple of years ago, will know that I am not good at writing a précis of an article. These people will also know that I will steer clear of even attempting such a thing depending on the topic and length of article.

Faith in the workplace? Six sides of A4? Sorry, forget it.

And, unless you are a Christian, do not try searching using Google for the phrase as you will get a page (I did not go further) of resources for Christians.

But, you still want to know about the law and how it affects your relationships in the workplace.

A good starting point is the ACAS leaflet published in 2005 which can be found at http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/f/l/religion_1.pdf (A5 38pp). I could not easily find out where to order a paper copy but with that date on I would expect there to be one.

Remember, that an employee’s right to hold a particular religion or belief is absolutely protected – that same employee’s rights do not include manifestation of the religion or belief.

The difficulty for those who adhere to certain religions or faiths is that an inherent tenet of the religion or faith may require its adherents to behave in a certain way which may be taken to be a manifestation of the religion or faith.

So, go back to the introduction. However much it may go against the grain for some do not, please, talk about religion or politics at work!!

StartUp Britain – version2?

2011-03-31T17:20:00.007+01:00

To add to the confusion (were you confused or had you got it sussed?) Cobweb Information Ltd has come down heavily on the side of this looks ------- (insert your own word for not very good).

As someone said to me yesterday: “You can’t polish a turd”.

Read the Cobweb post and the comments

Government bins business red tape

2011-03-19T14:06:00.002Z

Business will be freed from the burden of red tape under a package of sweeping reforms to regulation, it was announced today. (BIS press release 18 March)

I'll believe it when I see it!!

BIS research shows businesses prefer face-to-face support …

2011-02-28T18:28:00.002Z

...but it’s going online instead

That’s the headline in the latest BAD (Business Advisers’) News from Cobweb Information.

Read the full story

And while we’re about it let’s remember that careers guidance went the same way and that face-to-face is now sorely missed. The Internet is not the answer to every question in the universe (save that for 42, please).

E-mail: curse or blessing?

2011-02-27T07:57:00.010Z

There I was, having a quiet Sunday morning going through the few feeds in my RSS reader – mainly interesting reading rather than work-related at this point in the week, when I came across an article from HRzone about the love-hate relationship that most people/organisations have with email.

You can read Leslie Allan’s post here. All good common sense stuff but …

I then recalled a fascinating training session I attended led by Dr Monica Seeley of Mesmo Consultancy and realised that what I wanted to do was to draw you into Monica's network.

Please go to the website where you'll find lots of information about an organisation that is dedicated to “Improving performance through the effective use of email and social networking”.

The number one small business obstacle

2011-02-07T11:26:00.004Z

I've said before, and it will bear repeating, that there are some really useful websites for business which provide general information – most of which is common sense but which we need to be reminded of from time to time.

The latest from EnterQuest asks about obstacles to realising your business objectives.

Tax?
Competitors?
Unreliable suppliers?
Employment regulations?
Not enough free advice?
Lack of credit?
Lack of information?

Read the full article (and the rest of this week's Bulletin) here

NMW amendment on travel dispensations now in force

2011-01-11T22:31:00.000Z

An amendment to National Minimum Wage (NMW) legislation came into force on 1 January 2011 and will mean that tax-free travel and subsistence expenses cannot be counted towards an employee's or worker's NMW. The rules affect businesses that contract or employ temporary workers, and apply to expenses for travel from home to a temporary place of work, as well as associated subsistence and accommodation costs.

BAD News (Business Advisers' News) 4 January 2011

There is more on this story at:http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/1367

An Integrative Model for Social Marketing

2011-01-10T13:43:00.000Z

an article by Dr Craig Lefebvre published in Journal of Social Marketing Volume 1 Issue 1 (2011)

Abstract
Purpose
Social marketing has evolved differently in the developing and developed worlds, at times leading to different emphases on what social marketing thought and practice entail. This paper documents what those differences have been and provides an integrative framework to guide social marketers in working with significant social and health issues.
Design/methodology/approach
An integration of views about social marketing is proposed that is focused on the core roles of audience benefits; analysis of behavioral determinants, context and consequences; the use of positioning, brand and personality in marketing strategy development; and use of the four elements of the marketing mix to tailor offerings, realign prices, increase access and opportunities; and communicate these in an evolving media environment.
Findings
Ideas about branding and positioning, core strategic social marketing concerns, have been better understood and practiced in developing country settings. Social marketing in developing countries has focused much more on products and services, with a concomitant interest in pricing and distribution systems. In developed countries, social marketing has too often taken the 1P route of using persuasive communications for behaviour change. The integrative framework calls for an expansion of social marketing to product and service development and delivery, using incentives and other behavioural economic concepts as part of the price element, and extending place as both an access and opportunity idea for behaviors, products and services.
Practical implications
The framework pulls together social marketing ides and practices from the diversity of settings in which they have been developed and allows practitioners and academics to use a common set of concepts to think about and design social marketing programs. The model also gives social marketers more latitude in how to use price and place in the design of programs. Finally, it also provides a platform for how we approach social change and public health in the years ahead through market-based reform.
Originality/value
We identify five challenges to social marketing – achieving equity, influence of social networks on behaviours, critical marketing, sustainability, scalability and the need for comprehensive programs – that may serve to focus and coalesce social marketing research and practice around the world.

Chronic Limitations of Neo-liberal Capitalism and Oligopolistic Markets: ...

2011-01-09T13:31:00.000Z

An Urgent Case for Socialized Capital

an article by Mr Philip Reeves Knyght, Prof Nada Kakabadse, Prof Alexander Kouzmin and Prof Andrew Kakabadse published in Society and Business Review Volume 6 Issue 1 (2011)

Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to highlight the serious limitations of Neo-liberal capitalism and urge for a shift to socialized capital before further economic deterioration leads to a succession of global conflicts.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual paper that adopts a macro perspective in presenting argument on how global, financial-markets integration and capital-flow liberalisation have led to inadequate market and corporate governance measures. The argument is couched in a selected literature and is preceded by a proposed solution – the requirement for socialised capital. An analysis of the nature of socialised capital is outlined and the questions that require attention identified if a paradigm shift from neo-liberal capitalism is to take place.
Findings
The need urgently to shift to a new philosophy of capitalism is overwhelming. Emphasised is that capital needs to adopt a socialised identity and is supported by investment horizons of 30 years or more. It is argued that non-market (e.g. state, NGOs, civil society) intervention in setting appropriate frameworks within which socialised capital can operate, is critical.
Research limitations/implications
A theoretical paper, in which questions are raised and which require transparent, public debate.
Originality/value
This paper presents the case for a fundamental reconsideration of present day markets, the role of capital and the influence of elites in determining the public good.

The scorecard on contract formation and enforceability issues in web transactions

2011-01-08T11:00:00.003Z

an article by Jay Forder (Bond University, Robina, Australia) published in International Journal of Private Law Volume 4 Number 1 (2010)

Abstract

In contemplation of the 20th anniversary of the use of the Internet for e-commerce, this paper reflects on successes and failures in addressing some contract formation and enforceability issues arising in web transactions. It focuses on the Australian response to four basic questions:

the enforceability of web transaction,
the time and place of contract formation,
the incorporation of contractual terms, and
the jurisdiction problem.

To encourage audience input, a scorecard will be available to willing attendees to note the level of response in their own jurisdiction. The aim of the paper is to identify areas where more work may be needed to address the needs of e-commerce.

Hazel’s comment:
It’s hard to realise that twenty years have passed since businesses started providing a service (mainly other businesses in the early stages). Where has the time gone to?

This study seeks to address the problems of the global nature of the Internet and which country's laws are applicable to a transaction which takes place “somewhere”. Where is this somewhere? Is it where the seller is physically based? Where the purchaser is physically based? Where does the transaction actually occur? I do not know the answer and I’ve yet to be convinced that anyone really does!

Extra holiday?

2010-12-03T11:55:00.002Z

Is 29 April 2010, the date of Prince William's marriage to Kate Middleton, part of current holiday entitlement for your staff?

Do you have to give staff the time off (either on the day or in lieu of the day)?

The answer is: ”It depends“.

And the dependency is on the terms and conditions of employment as explained so lucidly by Speechly Bircham here.

Consumer innovativeness and shopping styles

2010-11-29T16:26:00.000Z

an article by Ji Eun Park, Jun Yu and Joyce Xin Zhou published in Journal of Consumer Marketing Volume 27 Issue 5 (2010)

Abstract
Purpose
Innovative consumers are an important market segment. This paper seeks to investigate whether consumers’ innate innovativeness is associated with their shopping styles. Specifically, it aims to explore the relationship between two types of innovativeness – sensory and cognitive – and consumer shopping styles.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper integrates the consumer innovativeness and consumer shopping styles literature. It is built on the premise that if consumer innovativeness is regarded as a general personality trait, then it would also be reflected in consumers’ shopping approaches. A structural equation model is used to test the relationship between cognitive and sensory innovativeness and various shopping styles.
Findings
Sensory innovativeness and cognitive innovativeness can lead to different shopping styles. Cognitive innovators are inclined to show shopping styles such as quality consciousness, price consciousness, and confusion by overchoice. On the other hand, sensory innovators are inclined to have shopping styles such as brand consciousness, fashion consciousness, recreational orientation, impulsive shopping, and brand loyalty/habitual shopping.
Research limitations/implications
The research is based on a convenience sample of young consumers in a particular country – China. Generalisability of the results would depend on future research conducted in other cultures and consumers of other age groups.
Practical implications
The findings of this research help managers to develop a deeper insight into product development and marketing. Product form can be designed to appeal to the two different types of innovative consumers – cognitive innovators and sensory innovators. Marketing communication and brand management should be based on the shopping styles of these different types of innovative consumers. Furthermore, since the youth market in China represents an enormous opportunity for marketers, the paper provides valuable insights into this key market segment in one of the most important markets in the world.
Originality/value
The paper is the first step in exploring the relationship between consumer innovativeness and consumer shopping styles. It provides new insights into the shopping patterns of consumers who belong to different innovativeness types. In addition, it also makes a new contribution to the shopping styles literature by exploring potential antecedents to the various shopping styles.

Hazel’s comment:
Apart from balking at “generalisability” I found this quite an interesting report on shopping styles which could have applicability in business-to-business selling for both products and services.

Europe's short-time working schemes good example how labour market adjustment costs are shared

2010-11-28T16:11:00.008Z

Costs of labour market adjustment can be more widely shared in publicly subsidised short-term working schemes, according to the 2010 Annual Report of the European Restructuring Monitor (ERM), presented at the European Employment Forum in Brussels. Just as the last two decades saw a reorientation from passive to active labour market policy, so should a flexicurity-aligned system of short-time working adopt a more active stance, Eurofound argues in its report.

Never before have short-time working schemes been so prominent as in the last two years. Many Member States expanded their existing schemes and others introduced them for the first time. Such schemes have been widely seen as successful in alleviating the worst effects of this very serious recession.Working time reduction was particularly prevalent in Germany, Belgium, Italy, France, the United Kingdom (UK) and Sweden. This contrasts with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Portugal, Slovenia, Hungary, Spain and Lithuania, where most of the net adjustment was due to job losses.All in all, the number of economic short-time workers (ESTW), not necessarily on publicly subsidised schemes, tripled to almost two million between 2008 and 2009, according to the report.

This year’s annual report from the European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) includes an analysis of Economic Short Time Working across the European Union. It also examines the potential of short-time working and temporary layoff measures to serve as a concrete implementation of the EU’s “common principles of flexicurity”. The report illustrates the extent to which genuine consensus has been achieved among social partners at national level in many countries, building trust and common understanding among the parties involved.

“This report shows that this consensus could be harnessed to develop these schemes further towards a more active policy orientation, an extension of the flexicurity concept and, more concretely, the generation of new skills for the jobs needed to put Europe on the path to recovery and towards the vision of the Europe 2020 strategy,” says Donald Storrie of Eurofound’s Employment and Competitiveness Unit.

The report also shows that five million fewer people were in employment in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the onset of the crisis in mid-2008. Construction and manufacturing alone account for a net decline in employment of five million people. Significant decline has also been observed in the transport and retail sectors. Sectors in which employment is growing include health and education, computer programming and consultancy, and other professional and scientific activities.

Read the 2010 Annual Report of the European Restructuring Monitor Extending flexicurity – the potential of short-time working schemes (PDF 136pp) for yourself.

There is also an executive summary (PDF 2pp).

Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin Q3 2010

2010-09-21T11:49:00.000+01:00

The Bank makes its Quarterly Bulletin available as a contents list, abstracts (with links to full articles) and a full PDF for those who like to have “the whole thing”.

There is the usual commentary on economic and financial developments while the Research and Analysis section has an interesting piece about the price of lending to new households, also Tracy Wheeler on business expectations in and after a recession.

Small businesses to lean more heavily on IT freelancers

2010-09-18T21:38:00.000+01:00

via Computing.co.uk by Dawinderpal Sahota

Over 60 per cent of small businesses are planning to increase their investment in IT and their websites this year, according to research from PeoplePerHour.com, a marketplace for freelance professionals. The research also found that the majority of them were planning to increase their dependency on IT freelancers.

Hazel’s comment

Having read the recommendations from PeoplePerHour, that small businesses should have an IT specialist in-house and back-up that expertise with freelancers, I think they must be talking about the larger small business rather than the micro end of small that I am more used to.

While the term freelancer tends to make one think of a single person you can, of course, back up your in-house knowledge by using another micro firm such as LTConsulting or WSI Northampton for helping with building/re-building websites and getting the most out of them or Hallam Business for training in Internet marketing so that you can do it yourself.

Louise, Tracy and Susan are people I have worked with or trained with in the past and can recommend personally – that’s not to say that there aren’t others out there doing similar jobs (I know there are).

Performance Measurement in the Public Sector in England: ...

2010-09-16T15:24:00.000+01:00

Searching for the Golden Thread

an article by Pietro Micheli and Andy Neely (Cranfield School of Management) published in Public Administration Review Volume 70 Issue 4 (July/August 2010)

Abstract
Despite the significant volume of studies on public sector performance measurement, a paucity of empirical research describes in detail the systems and processes used at different levels of government to measure and manage performance. This study focuses on the experience of Public Service Agreements in the public sector in England. In particular, the impact of a centralised, performance measurement-driven approach on public service delivery is analysed using case studies in a health care and a police organisation. Despite efforts to introduce a “golden thread” to link different levels of the public sector hierarchy, in both cases, there was relatively low consistency in terms of performance indicators, targets, and priorities. Significant implications are evident for the design and role of performance targets and indicators, for the possibility to align frameworks at different levels of the public sector, and for the importance of feedback loops in measurement systems.

Careers as tournaments: ...

2010-09-15T18:20:00.000+01:00

The impact of sex and gendered organizational culture preferences on MBAs’ income attainment

an article by Olivia A O'Neill (University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA) and Charles A O'Reilly (Stanford University, California) published in Journal of Organizational Behavior Volume 31 Issue 6 (August 2010)

Abstract
Drawing on gender role theory and tournament theory, we examined the effects of sex and organisational culture preferences on the incomes of MBA graduates over an 8-year period. We found that masculine culture preferences led to higher income 4 years after graduation and, in contrast to previous research, the effect was stronger for women. By 8 years after graduation, however, men’s rate of income increase was significantly higher than women’s, an effect that was mediated by hours worked per week. These findings clarify some of the conflicting results of previous research on the effects of gender roles on women’s careers and suggest that a tournament-like aspect of careers may account for higher incomes in organisations.

Managers of volunteers are poorly trained

2010-09-15T17:59:00.000+01:00

via HR Magazine Learning and Development

Despite the fact volunteers are “crucial” to the government's Big Society, almost half the employees tasked with managing volunteers have not received any training that can help them in their work.

The report, Valuing Volunteer Management (PDF 75 A5 pp), canvassed opinion from over 1,000 third sector organisations, and was commissioned by Skills - Third Sector.

Jedi masters are the model of maturity at Mongoose Media: ...

2010-09-15T17:19:00.000+01:00

High-speed sales training defies the recession

an article by Yochanan Altman published in Human Resource Management International Digest Volume 18 Issue 6 (2010)

Abstract:
Purpose
Describes an accelerated in-house training program at Mongoose Media that takes young graduates and bright school leavers from “newbie” to “Jedi master”.
Design/methodology/approach
Explains the reasons for the programme, the form it takes and the results it has achieved.
Findings
Details the system of constant coaching in existence at the firm and describes how more formal training is divided into modules, varying from one-day sessions to training “bites” of two hours each.
Practical implications
Explains that the training is reviewed every two months and that trainers change the content frequently to keep pace with the ever-changing advertising market.
Social implications
Highlights a dynamic training program for young graduates and bright school-leavers with little or no business experience.
Originality/value
Reveals how the training gets the young workforce up to speed faster and so helps to save Mongoose money.

Hazel’s comment:

I thought there’d be something really exciting in this but it’s merely using a rather tired phrase relating to a stunning, but now quite old, movie. And if you’re not part of the cult following then it could be embarrassing to be called a Jedi master.

HEI engagement with SMEs; developing social capital

2010-09-15T16:58:00.000+01:00

an article by Mr Ian Gordon and Professor Sarah Jack published in International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research Volume 16 Issue 6 (2010)

Abstract:
Purpose
The need to develop a greater understanding about the creation of social capital and how this might impact on entrepreneurship and the development of the SME sector requires further research. This research considers to what extent engagement with HEIs by SMEs creates social capital and network benefits.
Design/methodology/approach
This study follows the experiences of 5 SME owners who participated in the Lancaster University LEAD programme (a leadership programme for owner/managers who want to develop their leadership capabilities and grow their business) between 2004 and 2006. Qualitative techniques are used to consider networking activities, use and development of social capital and experiences. A framework for data collection and analysis was developed from the literature review.
Findings
Results show that the experience of engaging with the HEI sector was beneficial. Networks provided the opportunity to create social capital and had a positive impact on the development of the SME and the individual. A number of key elements supported this process namely trust in the individuals running the programme, the creation of a supportive environment where individuals were able to share experiences and social events.
Originality/value
This research has implications for practitioners and the designers of SME engagement programmes at HEIs. For practitioners, this study demonstrates that engaging with the HEI sector, entrepreneurial networks can be extended. For designers, this study demonstrates that the creation of trust and sociability are key aspects for the success of the experience of engaging. However, this must be coupled with content that is rich in reflection.

HMRC, thy other name is not consistency

2010-09-15T15:42:00.003+01:00

Background

Some readers may know that “the other job” is helping my colleague Leonora with information and data issues. One such issue is trying to ensure that the payments that HMRC has recorded as having received are what an employer’s records show have been paid (it only needs one payment to go astray and then everything gets out of kilter with month two’s payment going to month one and so on).

The present story

Client A gets a large bill from HMRC for unpaid PAYE
I contact HMRC and ask for a complete record of allocations made for client A since I last reconciled in 2006 (when instead of a payment being required a refund was paid)
Today I receive said print-out (having been told that it could take weeks which it did – 13 of them)
Client B gets a large bill from HMRC for unpaid PAYE
I contact HMRC and ask for a complete record of allocations made for client B and get told that this will take 3-4 weeks
Information does not arrive so I phone again and get told that the information will be in the post “tonight”
I give it a week and phone again only to be told that the rules changed in April and that print-outs of allocations are no longer provided

The future

Guess who's going to be on the phone to HMRC tomorrow telling someone, anyone, that their systems are ...... ....... .......? Please supply your own fillers in those gaps because I can’t think of anything that’s Safe For Work

Having spent 17 years on the other side of a different government department’s counter gives me an insight that perhaps others don’t have but I can’t get around rules that work in one office but not in another!

What are the business benefits of virtual worlds?

2010-09-10T20:44:00.000+01:00

Last month Computing.co.uk featured an article by Stuart Sumner which showed that the business benefits of virtual worlds, in particular Second Life, are collaboration and brainstorming, recruitment and training.

PA Consulting was one organisation to spot Second Life’s early potential. Rob Gear, head of the innovation unit at PA Consulting Group, said: “Second Life was very much the poster boy for virtual worlds, and got the most media attention. There was a bit of a gold rush by all sorts of people. It provided an opportunity for people to experiment with the form and see what was possible in virtual worlds, and take lessons from that. Virtual worlds are currently languishing in the trough of disillusionment [according to the Gartner hype cycle]. There are people doing huge things with them, but there isn't much hype about it. This technology has a very strong potential future. I'm not sure Second Life is going to be the platform for that,” he said.

Paul Mooney, computer scientist at IBM's Center for Social Software, agreed that Second Life has little to offer most enterprises at this point but said “We built a wall where people could write something on a yellow sticky. The virtual world is better than a whiteboard ... ”

It can also prove useful where a virtual world can provide an insight into the real world from the confines of a training room.

Hazel’s comment:

I do not, myself, have anything to do with Second Life but I do see many people, particularly in higher education, using it. Sheila Webber, a senior lecturer in the Department of Information Studies at the University of Sheffield, is one person whose blogs in real life at

http://information-literacy.blogspot.com and in Second Life at http://adventuresofyoshikawa.blogspot.com I read with interest. I don't follow any businesses in Second Life but my guess would be that it’s more useful for big business.

Fresh Business Thinking ...

2010-09-09T17:17:00.002+01:00

hosted an “event” yesterday at Old Billingsgate.

Yes, the exhibits were, in the main, appropriate for the audience; and yes, the presentations likewise (although I only managed five out of the 30+ that were going on in five different “theatres”).

However, the thing which really stood out, and was just so welcome was the catering. A regular size latte for two quid at an event like that just has to be good. And the sandwiches weren't badly priced either.

I will remember some of the people, I will remember some of the advice/information but above all I will remember the organisation that, having taken people’s money to attend (I got a freebie, thanks), ensured that we weren’t ripped off.

Not like some places/events that I could, but won’t, mention.

You can check out the website at http://www.freshbusinessthinking.com/

Outsourcing of employers’ responsibilities in the false name of flexibility

2010-09-06T19:33:00.000+01:00

an article by Abdullah Z Sheikh published in Employee Relations Volume 32 Issue 5 (2010)

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to report on an in-depth study of “pay-rolling” agencies. Pay-rolling agencies are a particular form of employment intermediaries through which employers attempt to bypass statutory obligations concerning workers’ benefit entitlements and trade union rights, simply by paying workers through an agency. The paper was prompted by the growing amount of anecdotal evidence suggesting proliferation of pay-rolling agency systems in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper involved a total of 97 interviews undertaken in six case studies across three industrial sectors with employees, employers, agency and union officials and industry specialists.
Findings
Findings revealed sufficient evidence on the use of pay-rolling agencies. The results confirmed the anecdotal evidence that some employment agencies are not truly genuine. The evidence suggested that there is a growing trend for agencies to be simply a sham arrangement, refuting the notion that temporary agency work has only been a natural and inevitable response to changes in the economy.
Originality/value
The paper furthers the understanding of the motives and characteristics of agency employment beyond the conventional model of genuine agency work.

Hazel’s comment:
If what an employer (A) is doing is getting an agency (B) to not only calculate the pay due but also to make the payment as though the employee were employed by B and not by A then this would, in the UK, be breaking the law.
When I first saw the title I thought the article was about genuine outsourcing of payroll functions on the employer’ behalf – something which my colleagues at The Accounting Bureau do very well (including ensuring that the employer on whose behalf they are acting is aware of the relevant laws about holiday entitlement, National Minimum Wage requirements, Working Hours Directive and so on and so forth).

Dell employees accused of cookie jar accounting

2010-09-05T20:30:00.000+01:00

via Accountancy Age

Two accountants from computer manufacturer Dell were accused of keeping “cookie jar” reserves to cover shortcomings in financial performance. Former chief accounting officer Robert Davis and former assistant controller Randall Imhoff were accused of manipulating financial statements to meet earnings targets in a statement released by the US Securities and Exchanges Commission, Reuters news agency reports.

Previously the computer manufacturer paid $100m (£65m) to settle a case by the SEC accusing it of using hidden payments from Intel Corp.

Further reading: U.S. SEC sues ex-Dell accountants over fraud

“Too scared to go sick” ...

2010-09-05T14:46:00.000+01:00

reformulating the research agenda on sickness absence

an article by Phil Taylor, Ian Cunningham, Kirsty Newsome and Dora Scholarios (Department of Human Resource Management, University of Strathclyde) published in Industrial Relations Journal Volume 41 Issue 4 (July 2010)

Abstract
This article argues that our understanding of absence and absenteeism, deriving from seminal studies in the sociology of work and employment, has been overtaken by hugely significant developments in political economy, regulation and employment relations. A new research agenda that addresses the changed organisational politics of absence management and the consequences for employees is urgently required.

Hazel’s comment:

So much of the reporting in the media seems to be about employees using up sick leave whether sick or not rather than being too scared to report sick when they should really do so. Perhaps this research will help to redress the balance.

Encouraging the not-quite-fit back to work

2010-09-04T18:47:00.000+01:00

an article in IDS Employment Law Brief 904 (July 2010)

Abstract

On 6 April the old doctor’s medical certificate was replaced with a new “statement of fitness to work” – also known as a “fit note”. The intention behind the change is to encourage people to come back to work in some capacity, with appropriate support, rather than stay off work because they are unable to carry out their full range of work activities. This is said to benefit them, their employer, and the wider economy. This article explains how the fit-note system works and considers its implications for employment practice.

Hazel’s comment:

I haven’t a hope of doing a précis of six pages of A4 in a not-very-large point size. There are, however, check boxes which set out the main changes between a fit-note and a sick-note, typical modifications that a doctor may advise, and where to get further information and guidance.

I didn't get time to check these whilst in the British Library but have found a couple of links to information written prior to the change

Healthy Working Lives

ACAS

and one recently from the CIPD telling us that employers don’t understand how the fit note is to be used.

Disability and the Performance Paradox: ...

2010-09-04T16:56:00.000+01:00

Can Social Capital Bridge the Divide?

an article by Kelly Williams-Whitt (Calgary Campus, University of Lethbridge) and Daphne Taras (Scurfield Hall, University of Calgary) published in British Journal of Industrial Relations
Volume 48 Issue 3 (September 2010)

Abstract
This research captures the physical and social experience of disability by analysing the practical performance problems that arise when an ill or injured employee returns to work, and documenting how those problems are interpreted. The grounded theory approach suggests an alternative to the traditional biomedical or social perspectives on disability. Field research reveals four themes: attendance, disciplinary history, peer interaction and task function. Managerial and co-worker perceptions were significantly affected by interactions that occurred before any disability was known to exist. Historic patterns of social exchange strongly suggest that social capital theory explains problematic work performance.

Portability with reference to CRB checks

2010-09-03T17:55:00.000+01:00

Angela Gifford, proprietor of Able Community Care, writing in Able Newsflash no 235 (see website to sign up for your own copy) says that:

Portability refers to the re-use of a CRB check, obtained for a position in one organisation and later used for another position in another organisation.

The CRB no longer facilitates portability, organisations that choose to accept a previously issued CRB check can now do so at their own risk. When deciding to accept a previously issued CRB care should be taken with reference to the following factors:

The CRB check may not be at the level you require - there are two different levels of check: Standard & Enhanced. If an Enhanced check is needed do not accept a ported Standard check.
The CRB check may not have included a check of the new Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) Children’s or Vulnerable Adults barred lists.
A CRB check carries no formal period of validity and the older a check the less reliable the information is, as the information it contains may not be up to date. The date of the issue (on the individual’s copy) should be used as a guide as to when to request a new CRB check.
Information revealed through a CRB check always reflects the information that was available at the time of its issue.
You may be required by law to carry out a fresh check of the barred lists. In certain circumstances, portability cannot be used e.g. care workers need a new CRB check each time they change employment.
An original CRB check, not a photocopy, contains a number of security features to prevent tampering or forgery.

Useful advice – particularly for those of us who may not need to think about these issues on a regular basis.

Work from Home – Home Office Insurance Guide

2010-09-03T17:08:00.005+01:00

via Bytestart

2.1 million businesses are run from home, with another 1,400 starting each week. It can be a great low-cost way to start your business but working from home can invalidate your existing insurance polices.

Here's our guide to making sure your home-based business is adequately insured.

Read the full article

Overcome the January 2011 VAT hike by planning in advance

2010-08-30T14:50:00.000+01:00

via Bytestart

Here are some tops tips on how small business owners can get the most out of the VAT rate change in January 2011, if they plan in advance.

Read the full article and learn what’s involved in each of the areas below.

Get up to speed
Ask questions
Keep your books in order
Tell your customers
File bookkeeping electronically

What does it mean to use your “reasonable endeavours” to do something in a contract?

2010-08-29T20:45:00.000+01:00

an article by Neil Kennedy and Alan Kelly on LawNews UK

One of the many “golden rules” when negotiating commercial contracts is to avoid, wherever possible, agreeing to do or deliver something which isn't wholly within your control (as you could end up being sued for breach of contract through no fault of your own).
Often it simply isn’t possible to avoid an undertaking to deliver something which isn’t entirely within your control. In such circumstances, the solution which is often used is to provide for a party to agree to use either their “best” or “reasonable” endeavours to make sure something happens. The effect of this is to hopefully avoid a claim for breach of contract where the party who is subject to the obligation has tried to procure delivery of the item in question, but for reasons outwith their control it hasn’t happened.
Even within these “endeavours” clauses, there are various levels of obligation which can be given, each of which can be subjective in interpretation (as what one party thinks using their “reasonable endeavours” will mean will not necessarily tally with what the other party thinks – particularly when their interests are competing). Examples of common wording include:
“will use their best endeavours”
“will use reasonable endeavours”
“will use all reasonable endeavours”
“will use all reasonable commercial endeavours”
These are just a few examples of the various permutations which are possible, and even when a clause has been negotiated in detail, parties can still end up in dispute. In the recent case relating to the redevelopment of the Chelsea Barracks site (which included the highly-publicised intervention of the Prince of Wales), the English High Court had to consider what level of obligation was imposed on a party who had undertaken to use: “all reasonable but commercially prudent endeavours”.
The case included a helpful analysis of the difference between “best endeavours” and “all reasonable endeavours”, as one party tried to argue that these were essentially the same, and that in particular they required the party under the obligation to subordinate its commercial interests to delivering the item in question.
The court concluded that, whilst it can depend on the circumstances from one instance to another, using “all reasonable endeavours” does not always require the party in question to disregard their own commercial interests. In this case the wording in the contract was even clearer, as the words “but commercially prudent endeavours” showed that it was clearly envisaged that the obligor was to be entitled to take their commercial interests into account.
This case serves as a useful reminder that, when entering into any contract, it is important to consider what you know you can and can’t deliver, and where there's any dubiety you will want to be certain what your and the other parties’ obligations are. The clearer the contract, the less likely you will end up in court down the line.

Disclaimer
The material contained in this article is of the nature of general comment only and does not give advice on any particular matter. Recipients should not act on the basis of the information in this e-update without taking appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.
© MacRoberts 2010

SMB owners can respond to Google Place Reviews

2010-08-29T14:33:00.001+01:00

via Small Business News, Tips, Advice - Small Business Trends by Lisa Barone

Last fall Google announced Google Place Pages, Google's attempt to create a Web page for every place in the world. More importantly, though, it was Google's attempt to create a page for your business, one that pulled in a variety of different information about you. While there was both good and bad associated with this, one thing many SMB owners were concerned about was their lack of ability to control a page that was aggregating information about them, especially the reviews.

Well, as of yesterday [the beginning of August], at least some of that fear has been addressed. Google announced that small business owners can now respond to reviews left on their Google Place Page. Rejoice.

From Small Business Trends SMB Owners Can Respond to Google Place Reviews

Hazel’s comment:
It really is worth doing this. I checked out our local Chinese restaurant which has fairly recently changed both name and management and found “food good, service slow” and decided that, since we were a large party going for the Sunday buffet option, we didn’t need the service just the food.
It was a great birthday party within walking distance of home.
And, no, I have not reviewed it!!

An entrepreneurial network evolving: Patterns of change

2010-08-28T13:49:00.000+01:00

an article by Sarah Jack (Lancaster University Management School), Susan Moult and Alistair R Anderson (The Robert Gordon University) and Sarah Dodd (Alba Graduate Business School in Athens) published in International Small Business Journal Volume 28 Issue 4 (August 2010)

Abstract
It is now recognised that to broaden our understanding about networks more qualitative and longitudinal work is required that examines transformation and the change processes of networks; how they emerge and develop over time. The case study reported here deals with these issues. It considers the development of a network for new entrepreneurs first established by a local enterprise support agency in North East Scotland. This forum provided a near ‘natural experiment’ to chart network emergence, change and evolution. Employing participant observation, interviews and surveys, data were collected over a six-year period. This allowed the network to be mapped, and provided information about structural characteristics and in-depth detail about network dynamics and change processes over time. Findings show how network structure shifts from calculative to affective ties and demonstrate the importance of social ties for the operation of a network.

Hazel’s comment:
This article could not have been more timely for me as I seek to diversify my income streams by setting up a new network in the Kettering/Corby area of Northamptonshire. Viva Networking is the brainchild of a friend of a friend, Debbie Gilbert, and works similarly to a franchise with the production of marketing materials and admin being done at the centre while the leg-work is done locally. I’m really looking forward to this which we hoping to have up and running within in the next six weeks (ouch – only six weeks and it seemed a long time when we first started discussing it).

SMEs hit by late payers and funding issues

2010-08-27T16:21:00.002+01:00

by Jan Harris on Internet Business blog

SMEs are being hit on all sides where cash flow is concerned. Since the recession, securing bank funding has become increasingly difficult and now it seems that an increase in late payments is adding to the problem. A new survey by Positive Collections found that SMEs are more likely to accept excuses from customers who don’t pay on time than they were before the recession. Three quarters of small- to mid-sized businesses are having difficulties with late payments and accepting the excuses given by customers. Concern about the cost of legal action is preventing some companies from chasing debt, while other said they simply feel uncomfortable about asking for payment on time.

David Green, CEO of positivecollections.co.uk comments, “Interestingly there seems to be a clear trend towards delayed payments which has been made more prevalent since the recession took hold. The fact that so many businesses in the UK have become accepting of this ‘late payment culture’ is certainly a cause for concern as this has implications on the whole business community and economy."

Hazel’s comment:
And, of course, read the hidden message here – David Green will get your money for you (or at least try to), for a reasonable cost and he won’t listen to excuses.
I do, however, agree that it’s very hard to be firm with:

the person that you had lunch with yesterday at a local networking meeting,
that your cousin is friends with on Facebook,
who works with your sister (or other close friend or relative), or even
lives next door to you.

It is really good that the local small business community is supportive to the point of giving business to each other. We need to carry that through by paying our bills on time.

And I plead guilty to the robbing Peter to pay Paul – but not recently.

Why an economic crime agency is such a bad idea

2010-08-22T14:07:00.000+01:00

an article by Peter Binning published on the Mondaq blog

This article first appeared in the New Law Journal on 30 July 2010. Corker Binning is a law firm specialising in fraud, regulatory litigation and general criminal work of all types.

The government is intent on creating a new “super agency” to tackle the perceived shortcomings of the current multi-agency system for investigating and prosecuting fraud and related commercial crime.

The proposed new Economic Crime Agency is a wrongheaded approach.

Read the full article to find out why Peter Binning believes this – and having read several arguments on the same issue I agree with him. Not that I am an exponent of the law but because closing down something, or several somethings, and then trying to re-create it, albeit in a different guise, is simply “not a good idea”.

Note: Registration (free) is required to access Mondaq articles

For further information go to http://www.mondaq.com/redirection.asp?article_id=94876&company_id=23458&redirectaddress=http%3A//www.corkerbinning.com

How to secure funding for your small business

2010-08-22T11:19:00.003+01:00

via Bytestart

Whatever the financial climate, funding should be seen as an important strategy to help diversify and grow your business – indeed, it’s often essential in order to take your business to the next level, and it’s never more important than during the transition from recession to recovery.

Some top tips and advice for small business owners.

Read the full article

Does Copyright Enforcement Encourage Piracy?

2010-08-20T15:20:00.003+01:00

an article by Rick Harbaugh (Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington) and Rahul Khemka (Georgetown University, Washington D.C.) published in The Journal of Industrial Economics Volume 58 Issue 2 (June 2010)

Abstract
When copyright enforcement is targeted at high-value buyers such as corporate and government users, the copyright holder charges super-monopoly prices, thereby encouraging low-value buyers to switch to inferior pirated copies. We show that enlarging the copyright holder’s captive market through more extensive copyright enforcement reduces prices toward the monopoly level, increases sales of legitimate copies and can increase consumer surplus. Therefore, in contrast with the case of more intensive copyright enforcement, more extensive copyright enforcement over some range can increase the incentive to generate intellectual property while also reducing the loss to consumers from monopoly power.

Hazel’s comment:

Extend rather than intensify seems to be the argument here. Will it work? Who knows?

Court imposes prison sentence for contempt

2010-08-19T18:31:00.006+01:00

I was sitting in the British Library reading three issues of Employment Law Brief from IDS (903 June, 904 and 905 both July) and wondering just how much of what I'm seeing is relevant to the small businesses who make up the bulk of the readership of this blog when the word “prison” leapt off the page at me (the same way typos and missing/extraneous apostrophes do).

Employment Law breaches do not, under normal circumstances, involve people going to prison but this man seems to have determined his own future by carrying on personal account trading in breach of company policy and Financial Services Authority rules. He disputed his dismissal and then proceeded to try to hide the evidence including getting a friend to access his Gmail to delete incriminating evidence having told the authorities that he couldn't remember the password, setting up an encryption program which triggered when his computer was unplugged, and lying to court officials sent to retrieve information properly belonging to his former employer.

On to the next post for a focus on fit notes.

Visibilities and Invisibilities in Urban Development: ...

2010-08-17T20:54:00.000+01:00

Small Business Communities and the London Olympics 2012

an article by Mike Raco and Emma Tunney (Department of Geography, King’s College London) published in Urban Studies Volume 47 Issue 10 (September 2010)

Abstract
The principal stated rationale for bringing the 2012 Olympic Games to London was that it represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to regenerate the city’s East End. And yet, its arrival opens up questions over how problem places within cities are characterised and how selective and power-infused visualisations shape the form and character of urban policy interventions. This paper draws on research conducted on a community of over 200 small businesses that existed on the proposed Olympic Village site in east London before they were evicted in the summer of 2007. It documents the effects of the regeneration on their competitiveness and explores the highly circumscribed politics of contestation that emerged. Collectively, it argues that there should be a greater policy and academic concern with the less visible and ‘spectacular’ elements of cities and communities who cannot easily be seen, but are vital to urban vibrancy, diversity and sustainability.

Information risk management

2010-08-16T17:23:00.000+01:00

Well, what do you know about it?

What do I know about it?

I don’t know the answer to the first question. How could I? I don’t know who you are in any detail and I have not asked you this question previously.

The answer to the next question is, “considerably more than I did an hour ago before I started reading Bulletin: the records management society (Issue 156 (July 2010)). And what is more important, I know who knows lots more than I do and where to find him. Interestingly, from my point of view, is that not only can I find Robin Smith from his email address but could after a short bus ride from home search out the physical Mr Smith at his place of work.

That aside, the article about information risk management is an edited extract of Robin's new publication, Information risk management: valuing, protecting and leveraging business information, which is available from the Ark Group.

www.ark-group.com/downloads/InforiskmngTOC.pdf provides a table of contents and an executive summary.

Amazon price 295 (free p&p but none in stock)
Same price from the publishers but p&p = 7.50

Sorry, but with the best will in the world I cannot recommend that any small business should purchase a book that costs that much!

Two jobs lost for every one created in Europe

2010-08-15T21:14:00.000+01:00

Global economic growth is picking up but Europe is trailing behind the other major advanced economic areas (Asia, US) in terms of the strength of its recovery, according to the latest quarterly report from Eurofound’s European Restructuring Monitor (ERM).
Fiscal tightening is likely to introduce new constraints on growth and may lead to extensive restructuring of public employment. Between 1 April 2010 and 30 June 2010 the ERM recorded a total of 214 restructuring cases, of which 141 were cases of restructuring involving job loss. Total announced job losses totalled approximately 50,000 in the quarter as against announced job creation of just under 25,000 new jobs.
The European economy continues to show signs of stabilisation and a gradual return to more normal patterns of growth after the extreme turbulence of 2008–9. Unemployment in the EU has stabilised at 9.6% (May 2010) but is nearly three percentage points higher than at its most recent pre-crisis trough in early 2008. There were over nine million people fewer in work in the EU27 in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the recent peak in employment in the third quarter of 2008, approximately 210 million compared to 219.5 million. As in the previous quarter, auto manufacture is the sector reporting the greatest job loss (5,167 jobs). The second ranking sector is financial intermediation with 4,789 quarterly job losses, followed by public administration / defence (4,755 jobs) and insurance and pensions (3,760 jobs).
The report also shows that the UK was on top of the list with 10,318 announced job losses, followed by Italy (7,245 jobs), France (5,948 jobs) and Poland (4,754 jobs). In the same period, the country with the highest number of announced job gains was Romania (4,895 jobs) ahead of the UK (3,785 jobs). Ireland and Slovakia follow with 2,930 and 2,890 announced job gains, respectively.The retail trade continues to lead in job creation with 5,022 new jobs announced in the second quarter of 2010. The second ranking sector in job creation is auto manufacturing with 4,562 job gains, followed by other business activities (2,060 new jobs) and computer and related activities (1,850 new jobs).
In its latest edition, the quarterly also provides a sector focus on car manufacturing and a feature on developments in the media and broadcasting sector.

European Restructuring Monitor Quarterly Issue 2 Summer 2010 (PDF 17pp)

Small companies urged to look out for “phoenix companies”

2010-08-15T20:57:00.002+01:00

via Bytestart on 3 August 2010

A leading credit checking agency has warned businesses that they will need to credit check customers and suppliers more thoroughly if plans to cut the budget of the Insolvency Service go ahead.

Read the full article and heed the warning!

Consumer innovativeness and shopping styles

2010-08-15T20:45:00.004+01:00

an article by Ji Eun Park, Jun Yu and Joyce Xin Zhou published in Journal of Consumer Marketing Volume 27 Issue 5 (2010)

Abstract
Purpose
Innovative consumers are an important market segment. This paper seeks to investigate whether consumers’ innate innovativeness is associated with their shopping styles. Specifically, it aims to explore the relationship between two types of innovativeness – sensory and cognitive – and consumer shopping styles.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper integrates the consumer innovativeness and consumer shopping styles literature. It is built on the premise that if consumer innovativeness is regarded as a general personality trait, then it would also be reflected in consumers’ shopping approaches. A structural equation model is used to test the relationship between cognitive and sensory innovativeness and various shopping styles.

Findings
Sensory innovativeness and cognitive innovativeness can lead to different shopping styles. Cognitive innovators are inclined to show shopping styles such as quality consciousness, price consciousness, and confusion by overchoice. On the other hand, sensory innovators are inclined to have shopping styles such as brand consciousness, fashion consciousness, recreational orientation, impulsive shopping, and brand loyalty/habitual shopping.
Research limitations/implications
The research is based on a convenience sample of young consumers in a particular country – China. Generalisability of the results would depend on future research conducted in other cultures and consumers of other age groups.
Practical implications
The findings of this research help managers to develop a deeper insight into product development and marketing. Product form can be designed to appeal to the two different types of innovative consumers – cognitive innovators and sensory innovators. Marketing communication and brand management should be based on the shopping styles of these different types of innovative consumers. Furthermore, since the youth market in China represents an enormous opportunity for marketers, the paper provides valuable insights into this key market segment in one of the most important markets in the world.
Originality/value
The paper is the first step in exploring the relationship between consumer innovativeness and consumer shopping styles. It provides new insights into the shopping patterns of consumers who belong to different innovativeness types. In addition, it also makes a new contribution to the shopping styles literature by exploring potential antecedents to the various shopping styles.

Research Roundup: Where’s the Recovery?

2010-08-15T14:35:00.000+01:00

via Small Business News, Tips, Advice - Small Business Trends by Dawn Rivers Baker on 3 August 2010

OK, this is research conducted in the USA and you might think that it has no relevance for small business owners and managers in the UK. You would, however, be wrong – what Ms Rivers Baker is talking about is exactly what is happening here. Just substitute Federation of Small Businesses or the Forum of Private Business for the national Small Business Association and London for Washington and, hey presto, we’re talking about the UK.

Selected excerpts:

If you stop and think about it, you might think it a bit odd that everybody is still talking about the Great Recession when the economy has been growing for a full calendar year.
Except, of course, that it certainly doesn’t feel like a recovery, does it? There are two reasons for that: job growth and consumer spending, both of which are pretty tepid.
Unfortunately, according to a newly released survey from the National Small Business Association (NSBA), for job growth you need capital, and financing still isn’t there for small businesses.
If consumers, who are responsible for about 70 percent of gross domestic product, are going to be spending less and saving more, that means everybody will need to re-think their strategies for business survival and growth going forward.
In a report entitled "The Importance of Startups in Job Creation and Job Destruction (PDF)," Kauffman researchers found that existing firms usually end up with net negative job growth when you factor in all the jobs they destroy as well as the ones they create. Startups, on the other hand, create about 3 million new jobs annually.

Read the full article

SMEs need educating about SEO

2010-08-15T13:51:00.000+01:00

via Internet Business by Jan Harris on 4 August

SMEs are wasting the opportunity to attract more visitors to their website, according to the Naked SEO report by dotSEO.

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is the process of improving a website’s ranking in search engine results. In its survey of marketers, dotSEO found that 25% knew very little, if anything, about SEO, and only 14% rated SEO as an important part of their marketing strategy.
The report also includes the results of study into how SMEs optimise their websites for natural search. It found that over a quarter of the 50 SMEs surveyed were failing to use relevant keywords on their website.

Skip Fidura, Digital Director at dotSEO said: “SME marketers in the UK are clearly unsure about the benefits of SEO, which in turn means they aren’t making the simple changes to their websites that could dramatically affect their rankings. The SEO industry itself isn't helping to educate businesses. Too often SEO techniques are shrouded in mystery as a dark art, not within the reach of ordinary marketers. Our report reveals how there are simple steps that any company can take to make tangible SEO improvements and drive real business returns.”

You can download the report from http://www.dotseo.co.uk/naked_seo_download_form.aspx – be aware that this gives dotSEO the right to contact you to discuss your SEO requirements but you also get entered into a prize draw.

Dealing with debt: how to wind up ...

2010-08-14T21:11:00.000+01:00

a company that owes you money
via BIS Publications
Answers common questions about winding up a company that owes you money. Also gives general information on how to wind up a company in the court, by putting it into compulsory liquidation, and explains what happens after the company goes into liquidation.
Booklet PDF 14pp (lots of pretty colours)

a partnership
via BIS Publications
Answers common questions about winding up a partnership, and what happens afterwards. Also gives general information on how to put a partnership into liquidation either with or without making the individual partners bankrupt.

Leaflet PDF 8pp (not sure why this is without colour and smaller but ...)

Restructuring workplace cultures: the ultimate work-family challenge?

2010-08-14T21:06:00.001+01:00

an article by by Suzan Lewis published in Gender in Management: An International Journal Volume 25 Issue 5 (2010)

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess how work-life polices and practices have the potential to enhance opportunities for women in the workplace (and opportunities for men to be more involved in family life), but are often undermined by workplace culture. Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a case study of an organisation which is addressing issues of workplace culture in relation to work-life policies and gender equality.
Findings
Despite achieving substantial change in practice and in shared assumptions, a new set of issues has emerged which will require innovative solutions.
Originality/value
The paper offers insights into how restructuring workplace cultures can present the ultimate work-family challenge.

HMRC considers Time to Pay data secrecy

2010-08-14T14:17:00.002+01:00

via The most recent articles from Accountancy Age by Rachael Singh on 9 August 2010

HM Revenue & Customs is reviewing the release of statistical information on Time to Pay (TTP)arrangements. While HMRC is reviewing its position, it has postponed the release of any TTP data. TTP, also known as Business Payment Support Service arrangements, allows businesses to defer tax payments to the Revenue.

Colin Howe, president of the UK200Group, said he would be “very concerned” if this was the case. Howe explained that Vince Cable, speaking at a recent Institute of Directors event, said his department’s instructions to HMRC was to still make it “easy” for applicants to receive TTP arrangements. “This contrasts with the experience of most practitioners; if stats aren’t published we’ll never know,” said Howe.

Read the full article

Further reading:
HMRC's time-to-pay scheme tops £5bn
Private businesses call for Time to Pay increase
Firms on HMRC's Time to Pay approval panel revealed

Bribery Act 2010 – what it means for employers

2010-08-14T14:14:00.004+01:00

an article by Sarah Ozanne and Amy Bird written for Law-Now from CMS Cameron McKenna

The government recently announced that The Bribery Act will not now come into force until April 2011, rather than later this year. This gives employers additional time to prepare – which time should be well spent.

The Act introduces rigorous new anti-corruption regulations that will affect all employers. Employers should therefore review their anti-corruption procedures and ensure that precautions are in place to tackle bribery in the workplace. This will put them in a strong position to defend any allegations of failing to prevent bribery, and avoid the risk of harsh new penalties.

What does the Act do?The Act introduces four new bribery offences:

Making a bribe – the promise or giving of an advantage with the intention of inducing or rewarding the improper performance of a relevant function or activity.
Accepting a bribe – the receipt or acceptance of an advantage for the improper performance of a relevant function or activity.
Bribery of a foreign public official where the intention is to influence an individual in their official capacity in order to win or retain business.
Failing to prevent bribery – a strict liability corporate offence where a commercial organisation fails to prevent bribery by those performing services on its behalf.

NOTE: Corporate hospitality will only amount to bribery if it can be proved that the person offering the hospitality intended the recipient to be influenced to act improperly. The government has indicated that the prosecuting authorities would consider whether the hospitality in question was “excessive or unreasonable”.
To lighten the tone a bit that means to me that accepting a meal is OK but a holiday in the Caribbean is not!

The Employment Team at CMS Cameron McKenna can help with reviewing and drafting anti-corruption policies and procedures and appropriate clauses for employment contracts. We also advise on investigations, whistleblowing claims and disciplinary procedures for misconduct and allegations of bribery.
For further information on corruption issues please visit our Anti-Corruption Zone by clicking here.

Law-Now information is for general purposes and guidance only. The information and opinions expressed in all Law-Now articles are not necessarily comprehensive and do not purport to give professional or legal advice. All Law-Now information relates to circumstances prevailing at the date of its original publication and may not have been updated to reflect subsequent developments.

Scrapped retirement age will live on in private sector, says expert

2010-08-14T14:07:00.005+01:00

via OUT-LAW News

The government will scrap the law allowing organisations to force workers to retire at 65 but companies will find it easier than ever to run their own compulsory retirement schemes in the wake of a Court of Appeal ruling, an expert has said.

Read the full article and discover that each firm could set its own compulsory retirement age as part of its terms and conditions of employment. The compulsory retirement age has to be justified, fair and reasonable within the context of the specific firm.
Hey ho, let’s have more cases going to Tribunal!!!

May I work from home? ...

2010-08-14T13:47:00.000+01:00

Views of the employment relationship reflected in line managers’ telework attitudes in six financial-sector organizations

an article by by Pascale Peters, Laura den Dulk and Judith de Ruijter published in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal Volume 29, Issue 5 (2010)

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to two related contemporary debates on the changing views of the employment relation and on the adoption of telework as a new work practice by analysing line managers’ general telework-attitude formation processes, and possible outcomes in concrete request situations, mirroring managers’ views of the employment relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
This multi-method study among 65 managers in six financial-sector organisations comprises two parts. The interview part focuses on managers’ arguments for or against telework in their departments, and how these are weighed in the telework-attitude formation process. In the vignette study, managers assess their attitudes towards specific, hypothetical, but realistic telework requests of fictive employees in their departments.
Findings
Combining the results of both studies, it is shown that the governance view dominates. Some managers, however, consider telework an “idiosyncratic deal”. Particularly in telework-request situations, also the exchange view enters into the managers’ perceptual frames. In order to decrease managers’ ambivalence towards telework, the human resource management (HRM)-system needs to be internally consistent and based on a view of the employment relationship which stresses commitment and trust as guiding principles, rather than control and coordination.
Originality/value
Employing a “configurational approach to strategic HRM”, this paper focuses on the importance of the “embeddedness” of telework practices in larger HRM-systems in general, and the role of cultural obstacles in particular. Telework arguments are considered the HR principles guiding the telework-attitude formation process, and mirroring managers’ views of the employment relationship as part of their workforce philosophies.

Hazel’s comment:
Yes you can but no, you may not! We’re all for it in principle but when you ask us to put the principle into practice that is a completely different kettle of fish.

Current state of play: records management and the cloud

2010-08-13T20:59:00.002+01:00

an article by Katharine Stuart and David Bromage published in Records Management Journal Volume 20 Issue 2 (2010)

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the current environment of, and challenges for, managing and storing records and information in “the cloud”. Design/methodology/approach
The approach was based on the authors’ experience of the challenges facing records management gained through the authors’ interaction with public and private organisations. Observations of the way the web has changed the conduct of business and what using “the cloud” to store information means for records management. Included is some practical advice on how records managers can cope with the risk associated from using “the cloud”.
Findings
The key findings highlight that as organisations are changing the way they conduct business by including “web 2.0” and “the cloud” into their way of working, records management needs to be aware of the risks. The incorporation of “the cloud” into the way organisations conduct business, should not be based on a technological decision, but should be based on a decision examining risk to an organisation’s information.
Originality/value
This paper is beneficial in raising awareness of the potential risks and benefits associated with managing and storing information online, specifically in “the cloud”. However, this paper aims to not dissuade organisations in their use of web technologies, but to emphasise the involvement needed by records managers in the formation of policies, education and risk analysis for any system or space designed to manage or store information and records.

Consultation on the future of the “right to request time to train” policy

2010-08-13T17:37:00.002+01:00

The legal right to allow workers in businesses with more than 250 employees, to request time to take up relevant training came into effect from 6 April this year. The government has announced a review of all regulations in a bid to reduce burdens on business. This consultation aims to gather opinions on the right to request time to train and will feed in to the review.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is interested in hearing views on the regulation from employees, businesses and other interested parties.

This consultation will be shorter than the normal 12 weeks as the Department previously consulted on the implementation of the right to request time to train in 2008. Main interested parties have been notified of this.
It will close on 15 September to allow all representations to be made before the 17 September deadline for submissions to the next meeting of the Reducing Regulation Committee.

[Please note: A Welsh language version of this document will be available on 16 August - please check back later. We are sorry for any inconvenience this delay causes.]

Download the consultation
Time to train? Consultation on the future of the right to request time to train policy (PDF, 114 Kb)
Time to train consultation response form (DOC, 244 Kb)

Can employee share-ownership improve employee attitudes and behaviour?

2010-08-13T16:57:00.003+01:00

an article by Dermot McCarthy, Eoin Reeves and Tom Turner published in Employee Relations Volume 32 Issue 4 (2010)

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to examine the outcomes of a substantial broad-based employee share-ownership scheme for employee attitudes and behaviour in a privatised firm.
Design/methodology/approach
Results are based on a survey of 711 employees in Eircom, an Irish telecommunications firm, which is 35 percent employee-owned.
Findings
The ESOP has created sizable financial returns and has had extensive influence in firm governance at the strategic level. However, findings show only a limited impact on employee attitudes and behaviour. This is attributed to a failure in creating a sense of employee participation and line of sight between employee performance and reward.
Practical implications
The aim of employee share-ownership often includes aligning employee objectives with those of other shareholders, and thus improving labour performance. The findings in this study highlight a need to provide employees with a sense of ownership and control. Findings also question the assumption that where employees have a substantial shareholding, they will focus on securing the long-term prospects of the firm.
Originality/value
Little research has examined the impact of a large employee shareholding on attitudes and behaviour within a public-quoted firm. The substantial and unparalleled size of the Eircom ESOP presented a unique opportunity to conduct such a study.

Improving the Operation of Pay As You Earn: A consultation

2010-08-13T16:46:00.002+01:00

Very lax of me to miss this on the Info4Local daily news – for 27 July (where was I? I have no idea but obviously not paying proper attention to my inbox)

All is not lost, however, since the deadline is 23 September 2010

This consultation seeks views on improving the operation of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) in order to simplify taxation and reduce burdens on business. It also invites views on an option for longer term reform to improve accuracy and further reduce administrative burdens.

PDF 34pp

Hazel’s comment:
Without even reading the consultation paper I can think of one thing which would simplify PAYE for employers no end.
Do not “back allocate” payments.
If there’s a payment missing, reason unknown, for May 2007 do not allocate June 2007 to May and so on right up until July 2010 when the Final Demand letter arrives threatening to send in the bailiffs for an underpayment on 2009-10 tax year.
Check bank statements, check payroll records, re-check both and still can’t find the discrepancy.
Ask for a print-out of allocations.
We don’t provide that any more you have to tell us what you've paid.
There is no underpayment on the 2009-10 tax year except that which HMRC has created.
And round in more circles we go!

ICAEW chief raises Time to Pay repayment concerns

2010-08-08T17:12:00.000+01:00

via The most recent articles from Accountancy Age by Paul Grant

The chief executive of the ICAEW has raised concerns over how companies using the government's Time to Pay scheme will have to repay their debt.

Michael Izza is to write to the Treasury this week asking for guidance on how and when companies will have to repay their deferred tax debt. Since its launch in November 2008 200,000 companies have used the scheme, building up debt of £5.2bn, reports the Telegraph.

Read the full article

Office of Tax Simplification

2010-08-07T17:07:00.003+01:00

via Deloitte UK headlines

John Cullinane, a partner in the tax practice at Deloitte, says:

“We welcome the creation of the Office of Tax Simplification. The UK’s tax rules are too complex, and change too often, sometimes in ways that are hard to understand or predict. This creates burdens and uncertainties for business and is unfair on millions of citizens who cannot afford regular professional advice.

“That said it will be a challenge to make and sustain real progress. Making rules simpler creates winners and losers – and the losers shout louder. The Chancellor and the new Office will need to keep the public focused on the benefits to us all of a simpler system, if this worthwhile initiative is not to run into political sands.”

ICO’s warning as number of data breaches reaches thousands

2010-08-06T19:00:00.000+01:00

The latest issue of Privacy and Data Protection (volume 10 issue 6 (June 2010)) leads with the story that more and more personal data is being allowed out into the wild.

I was not at all happy that this is not the systematic stealth of criminals but the irresponsible acts of people to whom we, the general public, entrust our information – but then I realised that I am both general public and holder of personal information.

I had to ask myself whether I was behaving in an irresponsible manner? Are you? After all, leaving an unencrypted memory stick on the back seat of a taxi is irresponsible (no, not guilty of that one); so is allowing someone to access information to which they have no right (NHS please note).

On that latter point are you sure, 100% certain, that personal information about staff member A cannot be accessed by staff member B? This is of particular concern in a micro business where it is quite usual for everyone in the business to be able to access ALL the files on the computer system. And when, at the very least, password protecting a file or folder is so easy this should never happen.

Of course, the micro business breaches don’t make the headlines, probably don’t even get reported to the Information Commissioner but ...

The Information Commissioner’s Office has published a table (available from http://www.ico.gov.uk/ ) showing the breakdown of security breaches reported between 1998 and 2010.

What’s most businesses’ missing link? – a filing strategy

2010-08-06T15:52:00.003+01:00

a practical approach to hard copy records management in today’s evolving and ever-changing environment

an article by Clinton Vallis (Oz Consulting UK Ltd) published in Business Information Review Volume 26 Number 3 (September 2009)

Abstract
Records and Information Management have become buzzwords in today’s modern business environment. Although they have been topics of debate through the decades among our often cosmopolitan and diverse working forces across the globe, the issue is now more than ever making its importance and impact felt and known across just about every sector due to compliance regulations and statutes. So the question currently posed is just what is Records and Information Management and how can it be effectively managed or brought up to speed (in line with current definitions) without upsetting an organisation’s expediency?

Introduction
My goal is to explain what is seen on a daily basis and how to implement the changes required – in layman’s terms, easy English, and none of the mumbo-jumbo consultancy lingo that gets so loosely slung about when this topic is approached. I will approach this from more of a hard copy aspect of Records and Information Management.
This is hands-on findings, experience and practical solutions – not rocket science.
So, let us start by setting out some boundaries or common ground before walking through the realities and practicalities, without getting too caught up in the detail – I promise it will not be more grandiose than the definitions that follow.

Hazel’s comment:
And so it goes on. And the practicalities include advising on the most space-effective storage systems.
This short article is, without doubt, one of the most useful I have ever read! It puts into context many of the arguments of Information Filing and Finding, which was my personal introduction to the complex business of putting stuff where you can find it, whilst adding in the legal requirements of such as the Data Protection Act and the various requirements of HM Revenue and Customs and Companies House etc.

PDF is available for $32 at http://bir.sagepub.com/26/3/194.full.pdf+html

IDS Employment Law Brief ...

2010-08-06T14:38:00.000+01:00

is a fortnightly publication – and I should be checking it fortnightly because if not I end up, as I have today, reading five at once.

Some publications I can manage five at a time if necessary because they are skimmable – this isn't! Each issue contains three or more “key” cases (these five issues have 22) together with one “focus” article a month and “watching brief” which covers news items, compensation limits, statutory payments and forthcoming legislation and cases.

I do not, of course, have to tell you about everything but some items stand out.

Change from informal to formal procedure made dismissal unfair
An employment tribunal has been entitled to find that applying an informal misconduct procedure designed to deal with less serious matters, the subsequently dismissing for gross misconduct under the formal disciplinary procedure based on much the same facts, was outside the range of reasonable responses open to the employer, rendering the dismissal unfair.
Equality Act 2010: the future of fairness?
Whilst this Act received Royal Assent on 8 April it was clear that, should the Conservatives form the next government there were provisions that would not be brought into force. The article in Issue 900 (May 2010) reviews the main changes brought in by the Act and highlights those measures that depended on the result of the General Election.
IDS has not reported, in this publication, what changes the new coalition government might bring in.
Poaching raid was unlawful inducement to breach contracts
The High Court holds that the defendant firm, by encouraging a group of brokers to resign en masse and join its ranks, had unlawfully induced them to breach their contracts with their existing employer and had conspired to injure that employer by unlawful means.
Reducing accrued leave on change to part-time work unlawful
The European Court of Justice rules that a right to paid annual leave accumulated during a period of full-time employment, and which the worker has not yet had the opportunity to exercise, could not be reduced pro rata upon the worker changing to part-time employment.
Too bloomin’ right – I worked full-time I want my full-time holiday!
You wouldn't know that there was a long break here while I read about a dismissal that was not unfair. The defence put forward by Mr A was that he had told his boss, Mr B, what was going on (suspected fraud) and if Mr B chose not to report this to the next level of authority it wasn’t his fault. The Court of Appeal rejected Mr A’s argument since he was at a sufficient level of responsibility to make the report himself and not rely on his “next-up-the-line”.
Vetting and Barring Scheme registration halted – but you knew that already, didn’t you?

Phew! Just checked the publication options and noted that this has taken just over an hour to write. Not bad but now I need a cup of coffee!

Disposing of chewing gum on pavements

2010-08-06T09:00:00.000+01:00

via Steve van Dulken's Patent blog by Steve Van Dulken on 7/14/10

Most people hate the way dropped chewing gum forms yucky stains on pavements. Now a British company has come up with a way to stop it. Traditionally, innovation has concentrated on cleaning methods,... read more

VAT rate change to 20% – how “artificial” transactions are treated

2010-08-03T13:57:00.000+01:00

via Bytestart on 21 July

VAT expert, and Bytestart contributor, Les Howard, outlines the anti-forestalling legislation which will apply when the standard rate of VAT rises from 17.5% to 20% in January 2011.

Read the full article, learn and inwardly digest the advice. The last thing anyone wants is to fall foul of the VATman.

Incidentally, does anyone know why we seem to consistently call the person from the VAT office a man? The only ones I’ve met personally have all been women.

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 2010

2010-08-02T13:52:00.000+01:00

via UN Pulse Alerts to Just Released UN Online Information - a DHLink Service by Unreference on 23 July

The 2010 Annual Report for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (PDF 106pp) is now available.

Business confidence still fragile for small businesses

2010-08-01T21:48:00.002+01:00

via FSB National Press Releases on 19 July

Business confidence has worsened over the second quarter of 2010 suggesting that the recovery is still fragile and more should be done to support private sector growth, according to the Federation of Small Business Voice of Small Business Index.

Read the full press release

Hazel’s comment:
Are we supposed to be surprised? Of course, the recovery is still fragile and will be for some time to come. Getting the economy “right“ is not going to happen overnight.

Half a million working families a year set to lose £1,000

2010-08-01T13:46:00.002+01:00

via Trades Union Congress news releases on 20 July

New TUC analysis published today (Wednesday) reveals that at least half a million working families a year will lose more than £1,000 as a result of technical changes to tax credit allowances set out in last month’s Emergency Budget.

Read the full news release

Hazel’s comment:
I can’t afford to lose £1,000 a year and nor can those of my friends/colleagues who are claiming Working Tax Credit at the moment. We can only hope that the calculations are wrong but I fear not.

Business Perceptions Survey 2010

2010-07-24T16:05:00.002+01:00

A survey of business owners has revealed that the majority view regulation as a barrier to the growth of their firm. The survey was carried out on behalf of the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) and the National Audit Office (NAO) and shows that 56% of businesses agree that the level of regulation affecting their business is an obstacle to their success. Respondents find it most burdensome to keep up with existing regulation, as well as changes to regulations and the introduction of new laws.

Full document (PDF 96pp)

Hazel’s comment:
I was somewhat surprised that only 56% of businesses agree that the level of regulation is an obstacle to their success – as always it does depend on the way the question is worded but ...

Banning social media doesn’t work, education does

2010-07-20T12:40:00.000+01:00

via Small Business Trends by Lisa Barone

What does your inhouse social media policy look like?
Does it include banning employees from using sites like Twitter and Facebook during work hours?
If so, you may want to rethink it. Because, well, it's not working.

eMarketer reported on a new study from security solutions provider nCircle that found three-fifths of US security and IT professionals say their company has a social media policy and that 40 percent of those policies actually ban all usage of social media while on the job. This is comparable to last year's report that 54 percent of CIOs ban social media in the workplace.

However, even though employers may have legitimate (though, outdated) concerns for not wanting employees engaging in social media during work hours, nCircle's Director of Security Operations Andrew Storms rightly calls strictly banning it a “knee-jerk reaction”.

Read in full and learn about responsible use of social media for personal purposes – and for work purposes!

Hazel’s comment:
I picked this up from back in May following an outraged response to a similar item from the Forum of Private Business which intended to show employers how to stop employees engaging with anything which was not controlled by either marketing department or IT (for which read “no social media in the workplace”, at least not for the plebs).

Evasion of boredom: An unexpected spur to leadership?

2010-07-19T12:31:00.000+01:00

an article by Brigid J Carroll (University of Auckland, New Zealand), Polly Parker (University of Queensland, Australia) and Kerr Inkson (University of Waikato, New Zealand) published in Human Relations Volume 63 Issue 7 (July 2010)

Abstract
Boredom has been largely omitted from the leadership literature, or dismissed as a problem, incongruent with effective leadership. Our research showed that the boredom discourse of senior managers engaged in a leadership development programme contrasted with their construction of challenge in leadership. In a second study, managers considered boredom to be a characteristic of followers not leaders, antithetical to leadership, and a problem to be solved through leader-initiated change. These managers therefore accepted a prevalent negative discourse on boredom and sought to respond to it not by reflecting on it but by initiating change. The experience and consideration of boredom may provide the impetus for creativity, risk-taking, curiosity and challenge-seeking, and may foster sustained and embedded individual and organizational learning. Attending to a more holistic range of phenomena and living with leadership “troughs” as well as “peaks” may ultimately create a more reflexive, resilient and agile leadership.

Hazel’s comment:
If you’re bored at work then your manager/leader needs to change something so that you respond better – and leaders never get bored.
I can think of some fairly short, unprintable words in response to this. I both lead and follow in different contexts and yes, I will admit to being bored by some of the tasks that have to be completed in either role. That does not necessarily mean that the task needs to change. It may be that my emotional response to the task needs to change but if I'm bored by sorting receipts into date order how can I respond better?

The joint effects of personality and job scope on ...

2010-07-18T12:25:00.003+01:00

in-role performance, citizenship behaviors, and creativity

an article by Usman Raja (Brock University, Canada) and Gary Johns (Concordia University, Canada) published in Human Relations Volume 63 Issue 7 (July 2010)

Abstract
This study examined the relation between personality and three dimensions of job performance (in-role performance, creativity, and citizenship behaviour) under differing levels of job scope. The basic premise was that higher job scope would facilitate performance for those who were dispositionally inclined toward a particular dimension of performance and damage the performance of those who were dispositionally disinclined. Among 383 work-unit dyads in 11 organisations, some support was found for the predicted interactions between Big Five personality traits and job scope in predicting various aspects of performance.

Unemployment, Government Spending and the Laffer Effect

2010-07-17T20:24:00.004+01:00

an article by Ludger Linnemann (Technical University of Dortmund) published in Fiscal Studies Volume 31 Issue 2

Abstract
This paper studies the effects of income tax rate changes in a general equilibrium model with frictional unemployment. Laffer curve effects, by which a tax rate reduction may increase the level of government spending or its share in output, are shown to be possible under certain conditions. These are the presence of unemployment benefit payments, government budget balance through fiscal spending adjustment and limited quantitative importance of labour reallocation costs. Endogenous government spending acts as a fiscal accelerator if the fiscal burden of unemployment benefit payments is large, but reduces the employment effects of tax rate cuts if it is low.

Hazel’s comment:
I had to put my "thinking cap" on for this one and then check on what it really meant! Starting point, as always, Wikipedia which provides an article on the Laffer Curve which I could understand (here). I found I didn't need to go much further to realise that here we have a look at whether changes in taxation rates produce the desired result (more money for the government) and at what point any further increases or decreases are counter-productive.

Avatars as salespeople: ...

2010-07-11T11:19:00.004+01:00

communication style, trust, and intentions

an article by Kathleen Keeling and Peter McGoldrick (Manchester Business School) and Susan Beatty (The University of Manchester) published in Journal of Business Research Volume 63 Issue 8 (August 2010)

Abstract
Interactions with retail sales persons in stores contribute to building trust and profits. Within the largely impersonal Internet, an interactive animated character or avatar, playing the social role of an online sales assistant, should provide a potent source of social presence and so have the potential to replace some of these interactions. This investigation tests whether avatars with social- or task-oriented communication styles contribute to user trust and patronage intentions. Further tests explore the moderating effects of product/service type. The study includes an online experiment and survey, involving 636 participants, mainly from North America, Oceania and Europe, allocated randomly to different treatments.
Task-oriented communications contribute to trust, which in turn contributes to patronage intentions, especially for search goods/services. Social-oriented communications also contribute directly to trust and to patronage intentions, most strongly for credence goods/services. The authors recommend a three-fold approach to avatar implementation, involving requirements captured to define appropriate appearance, role, interaction style and content for the task. Conclusions include further suggestions for development and research.

Hazel’s comment:
Interesting that the social interaction that people now have through the use of Web 2.0 is being implemented in order to increase sales. I do hope that “have a nice day” does not feature in the script. It may be that I’m getting old (no comment from any reader, please) but that phrase really grates on me. The sales assistant really couldn’t care less whether I have a nice day/evening/whatever!!

Who owns what when it comes to data?

2010-06-29T13:03:00.000+01:00

The failure of businesses to put in place corporate social media policies could lead to legal problems as the line between company and personal data becomes blurred, according to e-mail security firm SpamTitan.

via Business Advisers' News Issue 26
For more on this story go to:
http://www.spamtitan.com/core/news.php?NewsID=400&_PageID=2883

Learning from corporate mistakes

2010-06-29T11:57:00.000+01:00

an article by Fred Robins published in Corporate Communications: An International Journal Volume 15 Issue 2 (2010)

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contrast the business risks of seeking to hide “questionable” corporate activities with the benefits of achieving high levels of corporate transparency.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper summarises three well-documented cases of corporate malfeasance, simply and sequentially. Each is analysed separately.
Findings
The paper finds, in each case, that once the concealed “truth” comes out, the companies are in a much worse position than if they had come clean when initially challenged. The generalised finding is that once pressures mount, what is intentionally concealed tends to become exposed, with unanticipated and powerful negative consequences.
Practical implications
To minimise business risk, managers are well advised to refrain from doing things behind a veil of secrecy and, instead, opt for greater transparency. Since what is hidden seldom remains hidden, a “policy” of corporate transparency is often in their interest. The lesson is that when under public pressure, for whatever reason, facts, risks and relationships will out.
Originality/value
This paper demonstrates how openness rather than secrecy can reduce business risk and raise ethical standards at the same time.

Regional Development Agencies will be scrapped

2010-06-29T10:53:00.002+01:00

The nine Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in England are to be scrapped, according to the Emergency Budget from the government. They will be replaced by Local Enterprise Partnerships during a process that will start with a White Paper, which is due to be published later this summer. The government has said replacing the RDAs would “improve co-ordination” of investment in the economy.
For more on this story go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10391326.stm
via Business Advisers' News Issue 26
Hazel’s comment:
And kill off one of the good things to come out of our local RDA which is the e-Business Club.

Small Business Management Knowledge Base

2010-06-28T08:25:00.003+01:00

A free resource of business management. Guides, worksheets and checklists that cover practically every aspect of small business management.
Readers in the UK should ignore the tax advice – I tried three of the guides and they’ all American but, for example, the planning, personal development, and motivation will apply where ever!
Ads are plentiful but, to my mind, discrete – well defined and blocked into the top third of the screen – and many have .co.uk addresses
http://www.bizmove.com/small-business-management/

Bribery Act 2010

2010-06-26T13:31:00.003+01:00

What the Bribery Act 2010 will mean for your firm by Henar Dyson, Thomson Snell & Passmore via newbusiness.co.uk 23 June

The key points all companies must know about the new Bribery Act.

Full story

Hazel’s comment:

This Act strengthens what most people seem to accept as the “right thing to do” and anyway small businesses are, apparently, far less likely to be in a position to offer bribes.
Well, while that latter statement may be true, but paying for an expensive lunch, or dinner at a club with entertainment can be construed as a bribe – and it happens. You know it happens. Just not to you!

Brief apologies for the long absence. A number of issues caught up with me and have resulted in “upping the tablets” in order to keep me on a stable mental plane!

Undue Diligence?

2010-02-25T12:13:00.002Z

Making big decisions is a daily task for business executives. Dan Goldstein, assistant professor of marketing at the London Business School, asks if you have given much thought to how these decisions are made. It may be that the way you or your company reach decisions is both time-consuming and wide of the mark when it should be fast and frugal.

Thus the introduction to an article in Business Strategy Review (Winter 2009) which goes on to show that the complex metrics of economics and strategy can be counter-productive and often just plain wrong.

More about Goldstein’s research can be found at http://www.goldstein.com/ and at http://www.decisionsciencenews.com/

Building a taxonomy of a firm’s knowledge assets: ...

2010-01-30T16:47:00.000Z

A perspective of durability and profitability

an article by Sheng-Tun Li, Ming-Hong Tsai and Chinho Lin (National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan) published in Journal of Information Science Volume 36 Number 1 (February 2010)

Abstract

Managing their knowledge assets is an imperative issue for most organisations in pursuit of competitive advantage in the knowledge-based economy. Previous researchers have proposed a number of valuable taxonomies for classifying an organisation’s knowledge assets. However, once knowledge assets are classified by such taxonomies as a particular type, they do not change type over time. Arguably, however, business contexts are swiftly changing, and knowledge assets may have to be constantly adapted to play new roles, and so a taxonomy capable of reflecting the changing relations between knowledge assets and environmental conditions is needed. This article proposes such a taxonomy which utilises durability and profitability as dimensions. This taxonomy allows knowledge assets to change type in the light of the new condition. Additionally, it has the characteristics of demonstrating the alignment of assets with organisational strategies, and of being widely applicable in the for-profit sector.

Hazel’s comment:
I have definitely marked this for reading in full – at some future point when the hard copy arrives in the British Library. This is one of the issues that has been bugging me with the limited taxonomy I created for The Accounting Bureau’s document management system.

Small business research: ...

2010-01-30T14:49:00.000Z

Time for a crisis-based view

an article by Brahim Herbane (De Montfort University)

Abstract

Small business and crisis management research are two established but largely uncoupled domains of study. Given the economic importance and vulnerability of a small businesses, closer attention is needed to understand how their owners think and act in relation to crisis management efforts in the event of business interruptions. This study highlights the relative absence of crisis management research in the small business literature and the absence of a small business focus in the crisis management literature, despite a rising tide of regulation and legislation that requires companies to have crisis/business continuity management arrangements in place. The study examines the understanding of, and resourcing and support for, crisis management using case studies from four UK small businesses. The resulting analysis illuminates four themes; understanding risks, three-dimensional crisis, learning from crisis, and stifled support systems. Furthermore, data suggest that owner-managers may frame risks in two ways — a ‘growth vulnerability paradox’ and the ‘risk elastic’ — while their understanding of crisis is conceptualised using a chronological approach to identify three key areas: crisis threat, crisis response, and crisis impact. The study concludes by asserting the need for a crisis-based view of small business research and proposes an agenda for future study.

I’m an introvert

2010-01-29T15:55:00.001Z

Those who know me in real-life as opposed to this virtual world of reading will dispute that statement. I fully understand your scepticism – I’ve even tried disputing it myself at times but when it comes down to the bottom line I hate being pushed by extroverts into taking hasty action such as described by Tom Ilube in a blog post Worshipping workshops.

Let’ s all get together and sort this out.

Quickly now.

Ideas anyone?

That’s it – let’s get to work.

Meanwhile the introverts cringe because they wanted more time to think, more time to tease the problem out.

Whether you fall into the intro or extro group (or somewhere in-between) you will benefit from reading Tom’s wisdom and maybe appreciate that even those who appear extrovert (by which so many people mean “outwardly confident”) are actually not.

Watch out for Tom’s links – not all of them might be considered suitable for work (nothing untoward but a bit noisy).

Sensemaking, rhetoric and the socially competent entrepreneur

2010-01-29T14:43:00.003Z

an article by Robin Holt and Allan Macpherson (University of Liverpool) published in International Small Business Journal Volume 28 Numer 1 (February 2010)

Abstract

A significant barrier to creating and sustaining firms are the difficulties experienced in continually legitimating their institutional structures. This is especially the case for small firms; entrepreneurs struggle to create and sustain often novel ideas and nascent firm structures set within, or against, well-established market environments. To better understand connections between organization formation and legitimacy of small firms we use accounts from three entrepreneurs. We break down their accounts using Aristotle’s concept of rhetoric. By attending to what Aristotle identified as the three areas of concern for rhetorical method (logos, ethos and pathos) to analyse the entrepreneurs’ sensemaking, we show their awareness of the negotiated, situated and social nature of their enterprises. Our findings expand on existing concepts such as Lounsbury and Glynn’s (2001) “cultural entrepreneurship”, by demonstrating how collaborative sensemaking might be practised and how social competence and an awareness of others’ needs, wishes, ambitions and objectives are central to the foundation and potential success of small firms.

Music in the workplace

2010-01-23T15:17:00.000Z

Listening to the radio at someone else's place of work I happened to ask whether the someone had a licence to play music.

“No, I don’t need one.”

“Oh yes you do,” says I.

What could have turned into a childish argument was ended by my finding lots of information about what constitutes a public performance. I rather liked this Music in the workplace briefing from Hammonds. Don’t be put off by the 2008 date – the law hasn’t changed.

Checking the time-line

2010-01-23T14:52:00.000Z

Just moved from Twitter to blog – checking that the link is OK and happened to see my archive figures for 2009. You can really see the “down” times when life seemed like too much of a hassle to bother with.

Maybe I shouldn't be saying something like that in a business environment but as I’ve got older I’ve come to realise that the brick walls we as a society, and I as an individual, erect around mental health are not a good idea. There is, however, a very fine line between honesty and wallowing and I’m not entirely sure which side I’m on today!

Of course, now I’ve said that I will definitely start feeling better.

How do virtual teams work efficiently: ...

2010-01-13T16:52:00.000Z

a social relationship view

an article by Ying Chieh Liu (Choayang University of Technology, Taiwan) and Janice M Burn (Edith Cowan University, Western Australia) published in International Journal of e-Collaboration Volume 5 Number 4 (October-December 2009)

Abstract

Virtual teams are groups of members collaborating in the execution of a specific task from disperse locations. Increasing use of virtual teams has highlighted the need for organisations to focus on ways to improve their performance. The key issues of concern include both technical and social dimensions, and this research study addresses the latter. Hence, this study derives a social relationship model from a comprehensive literature review and conducts an experiment to validate this through SEM (structural equation modelling). The results reveal:

communication has a direct positive impact on relationship building, but indirect positive effects on performance and satisfaction;
relationship building impacts directly with strong and positive impacts on cohesion and trust, but indirectly with strong impacts on performance and satisfaction;
cohesion has a direct, strong, and positive impact on performance, but a strong indirect impact on satisfaction;
trust has a positive direct impact on performance, but an indirect positive impact on satisfaction; and
performance has a strong and positive impact on satisfaction.

In addition, this study confirms that relationship building is a vital mediator int he social relationship model. Managerial implications and future research directions are identified.

It’s Wednesday ...

2010-01-13T13:00:00.002Z

I must, therefore, be in the British Library.

One of my resolutions for the New Year (definitely with capital letters) is that I will be more organised. OK, too nebulous to be an objective but I think I can measure it (vaguely, maybe, if I’m lucky). A part of getting organised is to set out blocks of time for specific tasks – which makes life easier for me and for my family now that ADSET is a one-woman operation.

So, it’s Wednesday and I am reading a journal, specifically the International Journal of E-Business Research (Volume 5 Number 4 (October-December 2009)).

Came across this really interesting article, Critical Factors to Successful Website Development: opinions of website designers and developers and thought “I’ll need to tell readers of my business information blog about this”. Started reading. Two pages in and I’ve given up. FOUR typos (two in the first paragraph) that could have been avoided if someone had proof-read rather than relying on a spell checker (at least that’s what it looks like).

No detail forthcoming from me but the critical factors, which appear to be in order of criticality (is there such a word?), are:

Entertainment and visual appeal
Reliability
Cost reductions attained
Back-end processes enabled
Personalisation
Information quality
User empowerment
Privacy and security

Do you agree with the factors and/or their ordering?

’

Industry information guides

2010-01-05T09:19:00.001Z

There are currently 22 guides to different industry sectors which have been produced by the experts at the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) of the British Library.

Each guide provides what those experts consider to be the best information for researching key industries. These guides highlight useful databases, publications and websites.

The guides are freely available on the web (see below for links) but to access the data you will need to go in person to the BIPC – to use it, you just need to get a Reader Pass.

Or you could, of course, send me!

Can't see what you are looking for?
If there is an industry report which you would like us to develop, email us at mailto:bipc@bl.uk?subject=Industry%20information%20guide%20-%20request

Advertising Industry Guide [pdf 144KB]
Alcoholic Drinks Industry Guide [pdf 95KB]
Book Industry Guide [pdf 74KB]
Childrenswear Industry Guide [pdf 218KB]
Confectionery Industry Guide [pdf 165KB]
Construction Industry Guide [pdf 161KB]
Fashion Industry Guide [99.4KB]
Fast Food & Snacks Industry Guide [pdf 251KB]
Frozen, Chilled & Ready Made Foods Industry Guide [pdf 171KB]
Furniture Industry Guide [pdf 211KB]
Giftware Industry Guide [pdf 76KB]
Global Industry Guide [pdf 202KB]
Green and Ethical Business Opportunities [pdf 97KB]
Health and Fitness Industry Guide [pdf 120KB]
Insurance Industry Guide [pdf 245KB]
Jewellery Industry Guide [pdf 109KB]
Organic Food Industry Guide [pdf 125KB]
Packaging Industry Guide [94.88KB]
Pharmacy Industry Guide [pdf 119KB]
Sports Industry Guide [pdf 203KB]
Toiletries and Cosmetics Industry Guide [98.16KB]
Toy and Game Industry Guide [pdf 133KB]
Travel & Tourism Industry Guide [pdf 83KB]
TV and Film Industry Guide [123.76KB]

Health for Work Adviceline for Small Businesses

2010-01-04T22:23:00.000Z

via Karen Blakeman's Blog by Karen Blakeman

Oops

I completely missed this – thank heavens for friends!

This new service is part of the UK government’s initiative to help people stay in work or return to work more quickly when they develop a health condition or impairment. The free Health for Work Adviceline for Small Business (http://www.health4work.nhs.uk/) helps small businesses to quickly and effectively address the issue of employee health, minimise the impact of staff illness, and provide essential support to staff with physical or mental health issues.
The adviceline provides expert support to help:

get an employee back to work after long-term sickness;
manage the impact on the business when an employee takes time off work through ill health;
support an employee and benefit from their abilities if they are at work with health issues
encourage and support an employee who is off work, yet wants to return and contribute to the business; and
develop a working culture where work-related illness is less likely to occur.

The adviceline number is 0800 077 8844

If you are based in Scotland, you can obtain free advice at Healthy Working Lives (http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/) or their adviceline on 0800 019 2211

For businesses in Wales the Health at Work Adviceline Wales is on 0800 107 0900, website http://www.healthyworkingwales.com/

Exploring Scottish family businesses: ...

2010-01-04T17:57:00.000Z

economy, geography and community

an article by by Claire Seaman, Stuart Graham, Peter Falconer and Martin Stepek in International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Volume 9 Number 2

Abstract

The results from this debate will provide a starting point for future theoretical and action research and a key aim of the proposed discussion paper is to encourage interested parties with diverse expertise to contribute and highlight their interest in future participation. The implications of this debate are profound and will impact upon Scotland in a variety of ways in terms of economic, cultural and community development. The role of those different groups involved – entrepreneurs, policy makers, practitioners, researchers and educators – will be key. The value of this paper lies primarily in its contribution to a debate and the call for further research in an area of key importance to the Scottish and, indeed, the UK economy.

Workplace incivilities: ...

2010-01-03T17:58:00.000Z

the role of interest conflicts, social closure and organizational chaos

an article by Vincent J Roscigno, Randy Hodson and Steven H Lopez (Ohio State University) published in Work, Employment & Society Volume 23 Number 4 (2009)

Abstract

Workplace incivility – that is, negative relational dimensions of employment with consequences for worker integrity and dignity – affects millions every year. In this article, the “organizational misbehaviour” and “workplace chaos” literatures offer building blocks for a conception wherein workplace incivility is viewed as emanating from the joint and sometimes interconnected influence of organisational processes and status-based social closure. The resulting multi-method analyses draw on coded information on incivility, organisational context, and relational and status dynamics from a large population of organisational ethnographies (N=204). Analyses reveal that all forms of incivility except sexual harassment are rooted in organisational chaos. Qualitative re-immersion into these ethnographic accounts provides further insights into how conflicts endemic to paid employment and broader social closure projects surrounding class, race, and gender play a role as well, albeit often in distinct ways.

The Influence of Top Management Teams in the Strategic Orientation

2010-01-03T12:49:00.000Z

an article by Alejandro Escribá-Esteve, Luz Sánchez-Peinado and Esther Sánchez-Peinado (Department of Management, University of Valencia, Spain) published in British Journal of Management Volume 20 Issue 4 (2009)

Abstract

Identifying which factors affect firms’ performance is a critical issue in strategic management research. This paper addresses the influence of managerial team over the behaviour and performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By treating top management team (TMT) characteristics as predictors of a firm’s strategic orientation, we seek to provide a more complete understanding of how the characteristics of managerial teams shape decision-making processes and SMEs’ behaviours in order to successfully compete in low munificent environments. Based on primary data regarding managerial characteristics and firms’ behaviours of a sample of 295 SMEs, our results confirm that a firm’s strategic orientation plays a mediating role in explaining how TMT characteristics determine SMEs’ performance.

Hazel’s comment:
It appears that even if the strategic direction of a business is not formally set out it can still be determined from the characteristics of the top management team.
Where this team is small or very small then the correlation is more marked (which is understandable).

Everyone is clueless

2010-01-03T12:37:00.001Z

Some of the best marketing advice ever comes from Seth Godin (see Seth's Blog). If you’re “into” marketing and haven’ heard of Seth you have missed something really useful.

OK, so some of what he writes is more appropriate to larger organisations than yours and mine but there will, I promise, still be nuggets there you can cling on to.

Why is everyone clueless? Well, as Seth says:

The problem with “everyone” is that in order to reach everyone or teach everyone or sell to everyone, you need to so water down what you’'ve got you end up with almost nothing.

Everyone doesn’t go to the chiropractor, everyone doesn’t give to charity, everyone has never been to Starbucks. Everyone, in fact, lives a decade behind the times and needs hundreds of impressions and lots of direct experience before they realise something is going on.

You don’t want everyone.

You want the right someone.

Someone who cares about what you do.
Someone who will make a contribution that matters.
Someone who will spread the word.

As soon as you start focusing on finding the right someone, things get better, fast. That's because you can ignore everyone and settle in and focus on the people you actually want.

Here's a video that David sent over. I am thrilled at how much this guy loves his job, and I’m inspired by his story of how he turned down Pepsi as a vendor. He turned them down. But everyone wants Pepsi! Exactly. Once he decided he wanted someone, not everyone, his life got a lot better.

A Guide to Giving for Business

2010-01-02T12:31:00.000Z

If you as a business owner want to make a donation to charity then there are, as with personal donations, rules that need to be understood in order to get the appropriate tas relief – and so that your chosen charity can benefit.

This new guide (PDF 24pp) published by the Cabinet Office will answer any questions you may have.

Reinventing the firm

2010-01-02T11:21:00.000Z

This report by William Davies for Demos addresses the relationship between business and society and criticises the pursuit of shareholder value as a means to motivate management.

Is “the reason we are here is to make money for the shareholders” really a good philosophy for modern business? Are other models more sustainable and able to avert another crisis such as the financial meltdown the world has recently experienced?

I can highly recommend this – you'll benefit even if you only read the introduction to this 128pp PDF report (do not try printing in colour unless you are going to be selective about which pages to print!)

ADePT: a great software for data & analytical reports

2010-01-02T10:02:00.000Z

via Growth and Crisis - Building Capacity through Rethinking Development by Ihssane

ADePT, the Software Platform for Automated Economic Analysis, is a free program designed to simplify and speed-up the production of analytical reports. Created by the Research Department (DECRG) of the World Bank, it can be used to extract indicators from micro-level surveys and present them in a print-ready form. ADePT can generate sets of about 50 print-ready tables and graphs in different areas of economic analysis, and already includes, among others, modules on Poverty, Inequality, Labor, Gender, Education, Health, and Social Protection.

ADePT helps both to minimize human errors and to introduce new techniques and methods to a wide audience of practitioners. It can be used as a tool for sensitivity analysis, data checking, and simulations – it's an ideal tool for training! Tasks that take several weeks of work from qualified consultants could be accomplished within minutes using ADePT. Furthermore, by producing a standard set of tables and graphs, the program allows standardisation of the economic statistics among countries expanding the possibilities for research on intra-country comparisons.

The website contains a free, downloadable version of the software, as well as video tutorials in several languages, PowerPoint presentations, examples and more about how to use ADePT by utilizing different data sets.

Please visit www.worldbank.org/adept for more information.

The current version of ADePT requires a prior installation of the STATA software, but updates might be available in the near future to bypass this requirement.

Hazel’s comment:
I haven't used this as I no longer work with data but it sounds good – and comes from an extremely reputable source.

Understanding user interface needs of e-commerce websites

2010-01-02T09:47:00.000Z

an article by Travis K Huang (Ling Tung University, Taiwan) and Fong-Ling Fu (National Chengchi University, Taiwan) published in Behaviour & Information Technology Volume 28 Issue 5 (September 2009)

Abstract

With the growth in the number of websites, users must choose among many alternative websites and designers must face the challenge of keeping the user’s duration. Website design is an iterative process of fine-tuning to enhance user satisfaction. According to the hygiene-motivation theory, the emotions of satisfaction and dissatisfaction are caused by two different categories of characteristics. Lack of dissatisfaction does not mean satisfaction, and lack of satisfaction does not mean dissatisfaction. This study proposes a parsimonious and effective multidimensional evaluation tool: a max-min approach to combine the hygiene-motivation factors and thereby provide a strategy to compare the competitive position of different web sites. The interfaces of eight e-retailer websites for computer and communication products were targeted for evaluation. Four hygiene factors (navigation, information display, ease of learning and response time) and five motivation factors (interaction with people, screen complexity, user empowerment, visual appearance and achievement) are measured. The evaluations on hygiene and motivation factors were transformed into max and min effectiveness scores using the proposed models. Three zones (zone of intolerance, zone of efficiency and zone of satisfaction) were described to illustrate the role of strategic planning of a site interface in shaping a competitive position among the observed web sites.

New team ready for blitz on minimum wage evasion

2010-01-01T20:14:00.000Z

The New Year will see a new team taking up the fight against rogue employers who refuse to pay their workers the National Minimum Wage.

HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) new Dynamic Response Team will work on the most high profile and complicated National Minimum Wage cases faced by HMRC, particularly in areas where employers are using migrant labour to undercut competitors by paying below the minimum wage.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 31 December: read the full press release

How to write a business plan for you, not the bank

2010-01-01T19:34:00.000Z

via Bytestart

Most people who start their own business either can't get funding or don't need it. If that’s you, then you still need a business plan – but you need a business plan for you and not for the bank.

Read in full what I think is the best advice on business planning that I’ve read in a long time (and I’ve been reading business advice for a long time!)