SCOTS AIRLINE GOES BUST
A Scottish airline has been placed in administration, it has been announced.
Highland Airways called in PricewaterhouseCoopers on Wednesday night to take over the running of the business, which also operates in Wales.
Most of the company's 100 staff will lose their jobs. All of the airline's Thursday flights have been cancelled.
The Inverness-based airline's problems came to light at the start of the year after severe weather led to cancelled flights and worsening debts.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said operations had been suspended "with immediate effect."
UK RETAIL SALES UP
UK retail sales rose strongly between January and February, official figures show, following a sharp fall a month earlier.
The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed a 2.1% rise in retail sales volumes.
In January, volumes fell by 3% - a sharp revision down from the 1.8% fall initially reported.
Economists said the rise in sales was expected, following suppressed sales in January due to the poor weather.
"Sales in January had been hurt very badly by the weather and the reintroduction of VAT," said Sarah Hewin, senior economist at Standard Chartered.
GOOGLE v CHINA: CHINA HITS BACK
China Unicom is to stop using Google search on Android handsets.
The second biggest operator in China is believed to be taking the step in reaction to Google's decision to stop offering a censored search service.
Instead of using Google search, handset makers will be able to decide which search service to use on phones that run Google's mobile operating system.
At the same time Google said it would withdraw more of its uncensored search services in China.
The China Unicom deal will first have an impact on Android phones being developed for it by Motorola and Samsung.
The move could be a big blow for Google as China has far more people owning and using mobiles than it does using the net.
MAN UTD FREEZE TICKETS
Manchester United has confirmed it is freezing ticket prices next season.
There has been criticism of the Glazers for price rises since their takeover in 2005, and many fans have joined a green -and-gold protest against the owners.
As recently as this month, there had speculation that further increases were in the pipeline for fans of the Old Trafford club.
But the club has now announced that prices will be kept on hold for the 2010/11 season.
STRIKERS TO LOSE OUT ON FRINGE BENEFITS
British Airways cabin crew who took part in the Unite union's three-day strike will forfeit their travel perks permanently, the company has confirmed.
Staff are eligible for free and heavily discounted flights, depending on how long they have worked for BA.
Unite condemned the move, confirmed in a letter to strikers, as "vindictive" and said it would challenge it.
Meanwhile, the UK Supreme Court has sent a dispute over BA pilots' holiday pay to the European Court of Justice.
The striking staff had been warned by BA's chief executive Willie Walsh before they took part in the action on Saturday, Sunday and Monday that they were at risk of losing the perks.
Thursday 25 March 2010
Sunday 21 March 2010
Expo 2010 - Shanghai
The World's Fair's successor is now called Expo. This year's version, Expo 2010 is running from May to October in China's most global city... Shanghai.
The tag line is: "Better City, Better Life".
An incredible 70 million visitors are expected!
Shanghai was once China's most metropolitan city back in the 1930s. It had earlier been a vital trading point, and where East did truly meet West. The Shanghai of the 1930s is always depicted in movies as the original sin city and a place of intrigue and spies. It has appeared in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and The Mummy 3: Curse of the Dragon Emperor.
Shanghai is a city I would love to visit one day so I can emulate Michael Palin in Full Circle on a bridge over the Huangpo River and view the incredible skyline of the new Shanghai financial district, and also to look at the old financial center, the Bund.
The World's Fair (or Expo) is an opportunity for suppliers and customers to come together and see what deals they can make. It is also a calling card for a city and a nation, a bit like winning the Olympics or World Cup, as tourism and global press coverage increases.
Barcelona held Expo 92 and the Summer Olympics of 1992 at the same time, which really did put Barcelona back on the global map.
Shanghai has always felt more global than traditional Beijing, so it will it be a success? The Mag-Lev train link is rumoured to not yet be complete....
Will Shanghai meet the target of 70 million visitors?
In a city of 14 million people it is just all too incredible. I honestly think that if my golf trip in October doesn't come off then I want to go to Shanghai!
From San Francisco to Sydney... by bottle boat!
A catamaran is sailing from San Francisco to Sydney in order to raise global awareness about pollution and recycling.
Plastiki was made from 12,500 bottles and set off today on its epic 20,000km voyage across the Pacific Ocean.
It is estimated that trash kills 1 million birds and 100,000 sea mammals each year.
Plastiki will traverse a part of the Pacific called "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch", which I admit I have never heard of. It is twice the size of Texas.
The 6 person ship is the brainchild of British heir David de Rothschild, and will take 3 months to complete.
Plastiki was made from 12,500 bottles and set off today on its epic 20,000km voyage across the Pacific Ocean.
It is estimated that trash kills 1 million birds and 100,000 sea mammals each year.
Plastiki will traverse a part of the Pacific called "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch", which I admit I have never heard of. It is twice the size of Texas.
The 6 person ship is the brainchild of British heir David de Rothschild, and will take 3 months to complete.
SBEA Mini Conference - Inveralmond, Livingston
Attended the SBEA mini conference where there was a great discussion/engagement with an SQA rep over the future curriculum, in particular about wha shape National 4 and 5 qualifications would take.
It was unanimous among the Business Teachers that we wish to keep FOUR discrete subjects that will offer progression to the four Highers and then on to University/College.
It could even be argued that Business may have four different subjects but then perhaps should we have more (ie Marketing, Operations, Finance, Human Resources)? Or should we even be four different departments?
Or should Business subjects even be core? St Paul's High in Glasgow had Administration as a core subject, delivering ICT skills.
Another fantastic idea bandied about was to offer a Business Baccalaureate.
Business subjects are hugely popular in Higher and Further Education.
What future courses could we or should we offer?
We currently offer:
Administration
Accounting and Finance
Business Management
Economics
I would like the name Administration ditched and be replaced with either Business Administration or the more common one used at Uni, Business Information Technology.
Also for Business Management I would like to see a proper Case Study being involved in some form of assessment, as well as a mark for presentation. After all at uni every week in tutorials/seminars we had to study case studies and present back to the tutor, most times as a group. We gained some final marks through this.
Business subjects can deliver ALL the major skills required by employers:
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Problem Solving
- People Skills (Interpersonal Skills)
- Communication Skills
- Presenting Skills
- Research & Analytical Skills
- ICT skills
- Leadership skills
- Team Working skills
Well, we are preparing pupils for industry! Every subject can be related to Business because every subject has equivalent jobs at the end of it!
Certainly food for thought.
It was unanimous among the Business Teachers that we wish to keep FOUR discrete subjects that will offer progression to the four Highers and then on to University/College.
It could even be argued that Business may have four different subjects but then perhaps should we have more (ie Marketing, Operations, Finance, Human Resources)? Or should we even be four different departments?
Or should Business subjects even be core? St Paul's High in Glasgow had Administration as a core subject, delivering ICT skills.
Another fantastic idea bandied about was to offer a Business Baccalaureate.
Business subjects are hugely popular in Higher and Further Education.
What future courses could we or should we offer?
We currently offer:
Administration
Accounting and Finance
Business Management
Economics
I would like the name Administration ditched and be replaced with either Business Administration or the more common one used at Uni, Business Information Technology.
Also for Business Management I would like to see a proper Case Study being involved in some form of assessment, as well as a mark for presentation. After all at uni every week in tutorials/seminars we had to study case studies and present back to the tutor, most times as a group. We gained some final marks through this.
Business subjects can deliver ALL the major skills required by employers:
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Problem Solving
- People Skills (Interpersonal Skills)
- Communication Skills
- Presenting Skills
- Research & Analytical Skills
- ICT skills
- Leadership skills
- Team Working skills
Well, we are preparing pupils for industry! Every subject can be related to Business because every subject has equivalent jobs at the end of it!
Certainly food for thought.
Wednesday 17 March 2010
Bankruptcy - Some Myths
The word bankruptcy comes from two old English words, "bankus" which means a tradesman's table and "ruptus" which means to break.
In old England, only traders could be made bankrupt and they were then subjected to punishments such as the stocks and "the clink" - the debtors' prison where day release was granted to allow debtors to work to pay off their debts.
The rules have changed somewhat since then and some may say bankruptcy is now too easy an option.
However, there is still much misinformation about what happens when you are made bankrupt and a lot of rumour that has almost become modern myth.
Anyone who owes more than £750 can technically be made bankrupt.
Read the full article http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8570467.stm
In old England, only traders could be made bankrupt and they were then subjected to punishments such as the stocks and "the clink" - the debtors' prison where day release was granted to allow debtors to work to pay off their debts.
The rules have changed somewhat since then and some may say bankruptcy is now too easy an option.
However, there is still much misinformation about what happens when you are made bankrupt and a lot of rumour that has almost become modern myth.
Anyone who owes more than £750 can technically be made bankrupt.
Read the full article http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8570467.stm
Thursday 11 March 2010
Bill Gates dethroned as World's Richest Man!
Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim has topped Forbes magazine's billionaire's list - the first time since 1994 that an American has not led the rankings.
Mr Slim's fortune rose by $18.5bn (£12.4bn) last year to $53.5bn.
That beat Microsoft founder Bill Gates ($53bn) into second place, with US investor Warren Buffett ($43bn) third.
From BBC Business News
Tuesday 9 March 2010
Guest Speaker at Hamilton Grammar
The Higher Business Management class were delighted to receive Mr Ian Ferguson, Group HR director of Park's of Hamilton.
Mr Ferguson spoke about his role at Park's, and the role of HR in the firm. He also spoke a little bit about his career and gave a motivational speech.
We then sat down for a more informal chat with the pupils asking some questions about work, employment, careers and business in general.
It was great for Mr Ferguson to give up his valuable time to come into the school and talk to our young people.
His two daughters went to the school and Mr Ferguson is a big supporter of Hamilton Grammar and he said he wanted to contribute, and give something back.
We're glad he did and we look forward to working with Mr Ferguson in the future.
Mr Ferguson spoke about his role at Park's, and the role of HR in the firm. He also spoke a little bit about his career and gave a motivational speech.
We then sat down for a more informal chat with the pupils asking some questions about work, employment, careers and business in general.
It was great for Mr Ferguson to give up his valuable time to come into the school and talk to our young people.
His two daughters went to the school and Mr Ferguson is a big supporter of Hamilton Grammar and he said he wanted to contribute, and give something back.
We're glad he did and we look forward to working with Mr Ferguson in the future.
Higher Business Management Revision
Just a reminder to look over the SQA Command Words and to analyse the previous 3 years of final exam papers.
You will see certain questions that seem to crop up time and again, while there is always one or two questions that appear that will have only been briefly covered in class or appear in only a few lines in the core notes.
This is where your reading and case study work come in handy.
Get used to the key terms and be able to think on your feet!
You will see certain questions that seem to crop up time and again, while there is always one or two questions that appear that will have only been briefly covered in class or appear in only a few lines in the core notes.
This is where your reading and case study work come in handy.
Get used to the key terms and be able to think on your feet!
Tuesday 2 March 2010
Example of a Management Trainee Job Advert
Management Trainee
Starting salary circa £30,910 pa inc. of Inner London weighting Three year fixed-term career post
Are you interested in pursuing a career in green space or environmental management?
Would you like to work in some of the country’s most prestigious Open Spaces which are managed by the City of London?
If you are, this post offers an exciting opportunity for someone with a relevant degree or previous experience to work with the Director and the Superintendents.
The postholder will undertake management tasks at different sites and carry out research, statistical analysis and detailed environmental, conservation or recreational project work to achieve the future aims and objectives of the Open Spaces Business Plan.
The City of London manages over 10,700 acres (4,330 hectares) of open space in and around Greater London.
The main sites are Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, Queens Park, Epping Forest, West Ham Park, the City Gardens, City Commons, Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common. These sites have won many Awards such as Green Flag and London in Bloom and some are designated as Sites of Specific Scientific Interest.
Millions of visitors enjoy these open spaces each year and they are also a unique resource for the conservation of historic landscapes and wildlife habitats.
The successful candidate will ideally have demonstrable experience of working in an open space or a similar professional environment in the Parks, Culture or Leisure Industry and will need to hold a full driving licence. He/she will also need to be willing to study for a post graduate qualification such as the Diploma in Management Studies.
The post requires good project management and IT skills and the ability to analyse, interpret and present complex information. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required, as the post involves communicating with members of the public, senior officers, Committee Members and outside organisations.
The working hours are 35 per week, which will include occasional weekend working, duty management and some evening duties.
The post will be based on site depending on the project being undertaken at any given time.
To apply online or download a pack, please visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/jobs
Alternatively, please contact the Corporate Recruitment Unit on 020 7332 3978 (24hr answerphone) quoting reference OS039.
A minicom service for the hearing impaired is available on 020 7332 3732. Closing date: 12 noon, 5 March 2010.
Starting salary circa £30,910 pa inc. of Inner London weighting Three year fixed-term career post
Are you interested in pursuing a career in green space or environmental management?
Would you like to work in some of the country’s most prestigious Open Spaces which are managed by the City of London?
If you are, this post offers an exciting opportunity for someone with a relevant degree or previous experience to work with the Director and the Superintendents.
The postholder will undertake management tasks at different sites and carry out research, statistical analysis and detailed environmental, conservation or recreational project work to achieve the future aims and objectives of the Open Spaces Business Plan.
The City of London manages over 10,700 acres (4,330 hectares) of open space in and around Greater London.
The main sites are Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, Queens Park, Epping Forest, West Ham Park, the City Gardens, City Commons, Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common. These sites have won many Awards such as Green Flag and London in Bloom and some are designated as Sites of Specific Scientific Interest.
Millions of visitors enjoy these open spaces each year and they are also a unique resource for the conservation of historic landscapes and wildlife habitats.
The successful candidate will ideally have demonstrable experience of working in an open space or a similar professional environment in the Parks, Culture or Leisure Industry and will need to hold a full driving licence. He/she will also need to be willing to study for a post graduate qualification such as the Diploma in Management Studies.
The post requires good project management and IT skills and the ability to analyse, interpret and present complex information. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required, as the post involves communicating with members of the public, senior officers, Committee Members and outside organisations.
The working hours are 35 per week, which will include occasional weekend working, duty management and some evening duties.
The post will be based on site depending on the project being undertaken at any given time.
To apply online or download a pack, please visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/jobs
Alternatively, please contact the Corporate Recruitment Unit on 020 7332 3978 (24hr answerphone) quoting reference OS039.
A minicom service for the hearing impaired is available on 020 7332 3732. Closing date: 12 noon, 5 March 2010.
Football Rich List 2008-09
Real Madrid are top of the football rich list once again. Man United have slipped to 3rd. Man City are not in the Top 10 for this accounting period, though that may change!
1) Real Madrid: 401.4m euros
2) Barcelona: 365.9m euros
3) Man Utd: 327m euros
4) Bayern Munich: 289.5m euros
5) Arsenal: 263m euros
6) Chelsea: 242.3m
7) Liverpool: 217m euros
8) Juventus: 202.3m euros
9) Inter Milan 196.5m euros
10) AC Milan: 196.5.m euros
Source: Deloitte: 2008/09
1) Real Madrid: 401.4m euros
2) Barcelona: 365.9m euros
3) Man Utd: 327m euros
4) Bayern Munich: 289.5m euros
5) Arsenal: 263m euros
6) Chelsea: 242.3m
7) Liverpool: 217m euros
8) Juventus: 202.3m euros
9) Inter Milan 196.5m euros
10) AC Milan: 196.5.m euros
Source: Deloitte: 2008/09
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