http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/ Read business comment from our editors and local commentators. Fascinating opinion and analysis of the latest business news. en-gb http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/14/money-remains-touchy-subject-as-many-continue-to-keep-finances-under-wraps-91466-20905496/ Tue, 13 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/14/money-remains-touchy-subject-as-many-continue-to-keep-finances-under-wraps-91466-20905496/ WHO do you talk to about your finances? It seems that half of us refuse to take advice from a partner and that the over-50s talk money with adult children rather than bank managers. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/14/weathering-the-economic-storm-91466-20905586/ Tue, 13 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/14/weathering-the-economic-storm-91466-20905586/ THERE are signs that the worst of the credit crunch may have passed, with the gap between interbank lending rates and the base rate narrowing, but the effect of the financial crisis on the wider economy is still unclear. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/14/teaming-up-will-help-all-91466-20905608/ Tue, 13 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/14/teaming-up-will-help-all-91466-20905608/ LAST Thursday, I was honoured to be able to attend the Cardiff University Innovation Network annual awards for innovation. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/14/the-optimistic-money-goes-on-cardiff-city-91466-20905659/ Tue, 13 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/14/the-optimistic-money-goes-on-cardiff-city-91466-20905659/ SOMETIMES when the glass is half empty you’ve just got to convince yourself it’s half full. Whilst plucky optimism is not a healthy trait in a trader it occasionally pays to look at things, well, with rose-tinted spectacles. And if there aren’t any of those around, just put on a pair of sunglasses. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/07/eight-in-10-say-work-taking-over-personal-time-91466-20870983/ Tue, 06 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/07/eight-in-10-say-work-taking-over-personal-time-91466-20870983/ IF you often feel that you are not seeing enough of your friends or you look less than your best, especially if you are a woman, research from American Express explains why. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/07/new-council-teams-face-a-real-challenge-91466-20871021/ Tue, 06 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/07/new-council-teams-face-a-real-challenge-91466-20871021/ LAST week saw elections for our unitary authorities in Wales with a number of councils changing hands or moving to no overall control. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/07/the-real-players-don-t-care-about-your-votes-91466-20871239/ Tue, 06 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/05/07/the-real-players-don-t-care-about-your-votes-91466-20871239/ YOU have to put last week’s political results into context. As bad as they may appear to the incumbent at Number 10, for us mortals, the political colour of the councillors who choose where the speed bumps go is of little consequence. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/30/don-t-be-a-sap-claim-your-sap-back-91466-20838393/ Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/30/don-t-be-a-sap-claim-your-sap-back-91466-20838393/ IT seems that “sapping back” is on the increase and parents are looking for payback time. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/30/no-such-thing-as-risk-free-pension-91466-20838770/ Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/30/no-such-thing-as-risk-free-pension-91466-20838770/ FOUR years ago my conversations with companies were dominated by the pressure on company pension schemes. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/30/other-banks-follow-in-the-footsteps-of-rbs-91466-20838786/ Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/30/other-banks-follow-in-the-footsteps-of-rbs-91466-20838786/ PREDICTABLY after RBS went to the market last week for a shareholder handout, the more shy bankers have decided to throw in their lot. This week saw HBOS announce plans for a rights issue. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/23/universities-must-get-more-funds-91466-20803414/ Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/23/universities-must-get-more-funds-91466-20803414/ A REPORT released yesterday by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, an Assembly body, shows that universities in Wales receive £61m less in public funding than they would receive under the system which operates in England, equal to 20% of their grant. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/23/high-cost-of-keeping-up-appearances-91466-20803528/ Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/23/high-cost-of-keeping-up-appearances-91466-20803528/ ARE many of us living beyond our means? Apparently, 15 million wannabe middle- class Brits rack up £35bn of debt in an effort to “keep up appearances”. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/23/you-wait-for-one-rights-issue-then-lots-turn-up-91466-20803553/ Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/23/you-wait-for-one-rights-issue-then-lots-turn-up-91466-20803553/ NOT even the handout from the Bank of England of a staggering £50bn has been enough to cheer the market so far this week. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/19/assembly-deploys-business-support-fund-91466-20788626/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/19/assembly-deploys-business-support-fund-91466-20788626/ ON Wednesday, we saw the announcement of the project that will, apparently, “transform the Welsh economy for years to come”. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/16/banks-will-want-action-that-s-bold-91466-20768831/ Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/16/banks-will-want-action-that-s-bold-91466-20768831/ TESCO pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat yesterday by posting very positive results. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/16/wales-offers-more-support-for-entrepreneurs-91466-20768871/ Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/16/wales-offers-more-support-for-entrepreneurs-91466-20768871/ THIS week the Welsh Assembly Government will launch its new business support programme for companies in Wales. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/16/starting-rate-not-completely-abolished-91466-20768872/ Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/16/starting-rate-not-completely-abolished-91466-20768872/ WHEN Gordon Brown announced last year, the reduction of the basic rate from 22% to 20%, he also abolished the 10% starting rate – but not completely. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/16/working-in-a-world-class-environment-91466-20768890/ Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/16/working-in-a-world-class-environment-91466-20768890/ “WHAT do they know of cricket who only cricket know?” http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/12/making-a-big-splash-for-small-businesses-91466-20754024/ Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/12/making-a-big-splash-for-small-businesses-91466-20754024/ OVER the past few years, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has continuously pushed the case for entrepreneurs across Wales. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/09/work-you-ll-miss-it-when-it-s-gone-91466-20737942/ Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-columnists/2008/04/09/work-you-ll-miss-it-when-it-s-gone-91466-20737942/ LESS than half of Britons chose the word “happy” to describe how they felt on the first day of retirement – evidence the traditional sudden stop approach no longer works for many people.