York Press | Business columnists

‘Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude’

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:36:53 +0000

Employability is the gauntlet that continues to be thrown down to the education sector by the business community and the Holy Grail for universities sending graduates out into the world of work.

Keeping support close to home

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:21:50 +0000

IT is two months since the closure of the majority of Business Link services and it is extremely encouraging to see the initiatives that are now under way to provide a new kind of support to entrepreneurs.

Leadership to make a difference

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:45:38 +0000

We can take so much from the life of Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs. Ever since his rise to prominence for leading the team that brought us the breakthrough in home computing in 1984, the Macintosh computer, Mr Jobs demonstrated that he had the vision and ambition to enrich our lives using the power of digital technologies.

Redundancy rules

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:38:07 +0000

With the current Economic downturn showing slow signs of improving, how does an employer correctly make redundancies?

Perils of social media

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:43:02 +0000

With Facebook and Twitter increasingly ingrained into our everyday way of life, two recent cases highlight the need for employers to review their internet and email policies, and put in place a “social media” policy.

It’s all about focus

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:45:25 +0000

When you’re busy tackling the day-to-day workload with your head down, it is not easy to get a complete picture of how much fantastic work is going on in and around York to keep existing businesses growing and get start-ups off the ground.

Agency work changes

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:13:09 +0100

Is your business prepared for the introduction of the Agency Workers Directive?

Employability is at top of the agenda

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:36:37 +0100

This time of the year is tremendously exciting for those entering higher education for the first time. Many first-year students will already have ambitions to enter careers in the business world upon graduation three years from now. Employability is key to realising these ambitions.

Workers’ rights in the spotlight

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:18:26 +0100

We cannot over emphasise the importance of an employer providing an employee with a written contract of employment, but there is no legal obligation on them to do so.

Family affair weathers storm

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:12:28 +0100

The world news isn't giving business owners much to be cheerful about this month, but I was both heartened and extremely impressed when I visited one of York’s largest family-owned businesses recently to see a firm that has weathered the storm - despite relying on the construction sector for a significant proportion of its business - and is actively investing to ensure future growth and retain its position at the forefront of its market.

New EU jobs rights

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:40:46 +0100

In 25 days a new piece of legislation will come into force that will impact all organisations that use agency workers. This is the single biggest piece of legislation to hit the temporary labour market and the businesses that use it.

Skill up for growth and wealth creation

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:52:32 +0100

The rate of Britain’s emergence from recession and momentous global events such as the economic bailouts required for Greece bring home the need for sustainability in business.

Stay family friendly

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:50:15 +0100

WE’RE having more babies, The latest Office of National Statistics figures show a 2.4 per cent increase in the number of live births in England and Wales from 706,248 in 2009 to 723,165 in 2010 – the biggest increase in almost 40 years.

Business Briefing

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:40:39 +0100

WITH the summer tourist season in full swing and the streets of York buzzing with visitors, it’s easy to see how important the tourism industry is to the city and region as a whole.

Care with references

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:39:40 +0100

IT IS commonly known that an employer who provides a reference owes an employee a duty to exercise reasonable care to ensure that it is factually accurate.

Business briefing

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:55:03 +0100

THE end of the academic year means the talent pool is at its peak. That’s fantastic for the business community and our local economy which is in continuous need of new skills, ideas and enthusiasm.

Should you consider a compromise agreement?

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:45:48 +0100

The main problem with making or defending a claim in an employment tribunal, for either party, is the risk of losing the case.

Claims and controversy

Tue, 10 May 2011 15:56:41 +0100

YOU may have heard in the news recently that the Government is proposing various changes to employment claims.

Encouraging businesses to develop international trade

Tue, 10 May 2011 14:35:54 +0100

WITH Britain’s economic recovery taking time to gather momentum, it’s no surprise that the Government is encouraging businesses to develop their international trade.

Business Briefing

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:49:04 +0100

LEADERSHIP is in the spotlight more than ever. The global economic downturn, Britain’s fragile recovery and public spending cuts – and now political reform in North Africa and the Middle East – have called for some big decisions by leaders.