Over-program “Don’t just book it, Thomas Cook it” worked when travellers over-programmed & wanted to know what they were going to do in advance. Since 1841, the world’s oldest travel firm offered such tours, but didn’t adapt enough for what’s wanted now – unexpected experiences & adventures. In an online world, 563 shops and £1.7bn ($2.1bn)…
Labyrinth Linked to sacred patterns, can labyrinths benefit business? Unlike a maze, all paths in a labyrinth lead to its centre; that is, to resolution. A mindful, meditative flowing walk through one can help to process problems. Found in many ancient sites, labyrinths physically address well-being & spirituality by harmonizing brain, body & heart. Healing…
Self-storage UK self-storage space doubled in 10 years to >44m sqft in 2017. That’s 0.7 sqft for each person, the highest in Europe. USA self-storage is 7 sqft per person, despite its homes being the world’s largest. UK: 1,160 indoor & 345 outdoor sites, 450k customers, £750m ($930m) annual sales. We over-estimate the space we…
Kit homes Modular homes out of a kit go back over 100 yrs. Sears, Roebuck & Co sold >70,000 home kits from 1908 to 1940. Construction has changed far less by technology in the UK & US than other major industries. Europe is ahead. Where we want to build housing quickly near jobs, change is…
Concrete Concrete – the most destructive material in the world? The 2nd most-used substance on earth after water, concrete is used twice as much as all other building materials combined. Signifying development & durability since the Colosseum, concrete provides structure, form, relief & texture – but destroys the earth’s natural infrastructure. Our blue & green…
Island sale If Greenland was for sale, what should USA pay Denmark for it? Features: world’s largest island, 80% ice cover, population 56,000. Rich in minerals, fish, oil & gas. Strategic site for defence/space. Past US purchases from Denmark: 1916 Danish West Indies (now the US Virgin Islands) $25m = $500m now. 1946 2nd offer…
Temporary tax How long can a temporary tax last? USA’s 1964 “chicken tax”, to retaliate for French & German tariffs, prevents light-duty truck imports even today. UK’s 1799 temporary income tax to raise money to fight Napoleon’s French forces is still in force 200 years on. Temporary taxes & tariffs can go on forever Guessed…
Guess the Word and Contact Us for Prizes! Series 48 starts soon….. 1st letter of each Post Title (in a Series) spells a business word – spelt correctly or jumbled up. Previous answers: Series 47 spelt F-L-A-Y-Q-U-I (QUALIFY) Series 46 spelt E-L-V-Y (LEVY) Series 45 spelt H-A-R-D-A-Z (HAZARD) Series 44 spelt N-I-C-E-K-I-T (KINETIC) Series 43 spelt …
Insolvent Die hard. From a decade low in 2015, UK insolvencies have shot up 20%. Out of 2018’s 17,439 corporate failures, construction was hit hardest with 3,940 insolvencies, despite the demand for new homes. Then admin/support firms (3,346), retail (2,608) & manufacturing (2,092). Causes include Brexit uncertainty, business rates, pension enrolment & unsecured debt Guessed the…
Unisex clothes “His ‘n’ hers” unisex clothes gaining popularity. As our cultural lives become more gender-fluid, clothes are following suit. Sporty, tonal separates & relaxed tailoring look good on both sexes. Women are the main beneficiaries of better cuts, cleaner lines & more comfort. Another plus: Unisex clothes don’t date, so are more sustainable Guessed…