Birmingham Post business comment & general UK business news

Trevor Law: Retirement is the time to get out and start shopping Nov 25 2011

When you are approaching the end of your working career and are looking to your pension fund that you have built up over many decades to provide you with your income for the rest of your life, there are many decisions to be made for your retired life ahead.Read

Russell Luckock: EU's value to UK restricted to trade only Nov 18 2011

With Euro-scepticism in Parliament seemingly continuing to grow, it is worthwhile taking a look at the benefits of being in the community, set against the ever increasing cost and interference in our country’s affairs.Read

Pat Tissington: Let's let workers work our way out of trouble Nov 18 2011

The headlines on business and the economy seem to go from bad to worse. We hear so much about challenges facing SMEs in terms of tight financial restrictions from banks Big Business is sitting on enormous cash reserves whilst smaller businesses are being made to jump through ever more hoops – one recently told me how he was pitching for advertising work with a bank and was told he had to put all his staff through CRB checks!Read

Jon Griffin: More misery is needed to make people far happier Nov 18 2011

Once upon a time, before the world went mad, people tended to live within their means. A little bizarre, perhaps, by today’s standards, but not an entirely crazy way of life.Read

Trevor Law: Keeping pace with inflation can be difficult for pensioners Nov 18 2011

Pensioners are being urged to inflation-proof their wealth as millions who depend on income from level annuities or the state pension see big falls in their spending power.Read

Chris Bailey: You have to out-think all of your rivals Nov 18 2011

There was a rather nifty digital idea doing the viral rounds last week that allowed you to calculate what number person you are in the world’s population.Read

Russell Luckock: Smaller firms will lose out once again Nov 11 2011

Despite all the political rhetoric – and assurances from the Bank of England – little of the recent tranche of £75 billion quantitative easement will find its way to small businesses.Read

John Lamb: The BBC has always thrived in the region, so why downsize it now? Nov 11 2011

The most successful BBC factual programme currently being aired on television is made in Birmingham. So why is the production of all such programmes going to end in Birmingham?Read

John Clancy: Greek crisis is masking looming zombie debts Nov 11 2011

It is now three years on from the start of the financial collapse.Read

Jon Griffin: Pay structures are far better for chiefs than the indians Nov 11 2011

Pay can be a highly sensitive issue for any of us in these financially-sensitive times – and executive pay all the more so.Read

Legal Advice: What's taxed, what's not? Nov 11 2011

Q I was recently made redundant after working for a firm for nine years.Read

Trevor Law: An investment that offers you cautious optimism Nov 11 2011

Unless you have been hiding beneath a very large rock, we all know that equity markets have had a torrid time for the last few months. Investors in this asset class have, yet again, had to hold their nerve and think of the medium to long-term otherwise risk crystallising likely heavy losses on a short-term view.Read

Ammo Talwar: An opportunistic mood Nov 11 2011

I love a good Flashmob! It must be all the wild talk and that crazy idealism you always get. There’s a sense of being in a secret gang, while you’re really just hanging with all your mates. And now there’s zombie flashmobs, ‘Glee’ flashmobs, meditation flashmobs - even breastfeeding flashmobs! Just last month I think I was at Birmingham’s biggest ever Tory flashmob – the Creative City launch at Millennium Point. At least I think it was the Tories. I only say that because most people wore a suit and looked over fifty, and our bro Ed Vaizey was there.Read

Russell Luckock: Loyalty used to be valued Nov 04 2011

The Government tells us we must shop around for cheaper energy prices as bills escalate, and supply companies reveal ever increasing profits.Read

Keith Gabriel: I worry my referendum nightmares come true Nov 04 2011

The face of Nick Clegg is haunting me. Yes: Nick Clegg.Read

Jon Griffin: An economy with a shaky foundation Nov 04 2011

The world seems a pretty grim place these days, with the Greek crisis, UK Government budget cuts, a stalling recovery, quantitative easing, ongoing turmoil in the Middle East... and winter is on the way.Read

Chris Bailey: Learning to just say no Nov 04 2011

One of my favourite films of all time is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and everytime I’ve watched Manchester City on the television this year and the studio director has called for the cameraman to slowly pan across the subs’ bench, I can’t help but think of the 1961 red Ferrari 250 GT convertible owned by Cameron’s father.Read

Guy Hinchley: Seizing bull by its horns Nov 04 2011

While some firms are still contemplating the ramifications of the shifting landscape of the legal services market and Alternative Business Structures in particular, others have taken the bull by the horns.Read

Trevor Law: The fragile balance between politics and finance Nov 04 2011

Governments of every hue in the UK have failed miserably for decades to balance the short-term nature of politics with the need for long term planning. This is nowhere more true than in their attitudes to savings and investments.Read

David Bailey: Birmingham should be investing in its markets Oct 28 2011

Next time you tuck into your balti, burger, fish and chips or even your Michelin five-star gastronomic delight, pause for a moment and think about where that food came from.Read

Quick Links

RSS News for you

Get Involved

We want your local stories, videos & pics.