Posts

Acceptable workplace shenanigans? 12th November 2014 10:13 PM
“Sorry for self promo and I am still getting use to the site as having only joined yesterday.”
No worries, glad to have you with us and look forward to catching up with you in future posts 

 

Most of us aren't stupid and we know it's not really the PM tweeting or chatting in a Google+ Hangout.

But having these social media accounts just invites ridicule and are normally cringe-worthy.

Maybe an official UK Government account, where various ministers and MP's are reported on or announcements made, but do we need @david_cameron ?

Here are the edited highlights from the PM's latest Tweet and Google Plus post.

 

 

 

 

What do you think, is this the modern way and we need full access to our heads of State in this instant media age? Or is it going too far.

Maybe he could start tweeting what he had for breakfast?

“They can charge what they like.... Bit like plumbers”
 

Perish the thought 

 

Mobile Help added to Webmaster Tools 12th November 2014 10:09 AM

Just noticed a new tab in Webmaster Tools while doing some checking, looks like it's actually been there since mid October.

Google will now give you specific information on mobile friendly issues of your website, telling which pages have problems, what they are and tools to rectify them.

If you select the Search Traffic tab, you will see a new Mobile Usability Option.

If you then select any error that is being displayed, a new window will open up and give you more information as well as some help and tools to resolve them, including the very impressive (and in my mind essential) PageSpeed Insights.

All good stuff. Looks like I've got a few things to look at, but remember this is things Google thinks are wrong based on automated assessments, so don't take it as gospel. Investigate, examine the issues and decide if they are an actual issue based on your own data and experience.

Any questions or anyone wants a second opinion, just shout.

If you aren't familiar with Webmaster Tools, then you can learn about it here:

Webmaster Tools Guide

You do start to despair with the banking sector, when is it going to end?

When it's not dishing out mortgages to people who can't afford them, getting bailed out by the tax payer, flogging PPI, now it seem to be manipulating currency markets.

Who is running these banks are why are they not been held accountable?

According to the Beeb, 5 banks have been fined £2bn between them, including HSBC and RBS.

Barclays are still being looked at.

So with all these constant payouts, bailout repayments and fines, I've no doubt this eventually all filters down to me and you and we end up paying for it in some shape or form. Bank charges, low interest rates

I was going to say maybe we need a co-operative style bank, but that didn't work either 

Be nice to see a fresh face on the scene, but then none of us would trust them to leave any money there. The recent launch of TSB is just a rehashed Lloyds.

Maybe we need Stelios to startup Easy Bank, the no thrills but honest bank. 

“I am relieved to have a break from their adverse on TV ”
 

Just for you Julia

I love stories like that.

On Sunday we took the kids for the remembrance service at the local war memorial which is on the edge of a main road. Just before the 2 minute silence, two of the church squad dressed in their robes (I'm sure there is a technical definition ) stood in the middle of the road and blocked the traffic in both directions.

So there was complete silence for 2 mins until the bugle call, then traffic resumed as normal.

I do have visions of some spotty teenager in his Saxo gunning his engine and wheel spinning past, whilst tooting his Dukes of Hazard car horn, but it hasn't happened yet!

My 3 year old made me smile though, as she whispered to me that the Vicar said Jesus Christ, pointing out that Daddy gets told off when he says that.

Was a great turn out though, and nice to see young and old there marking their respect.

Acceptable workplace shenanigans? 11th November 2014 5:21 PM

Hi Matt, you are obviously peddling your HR services and the post is self promo, but it's such a good read I'll over look it

“
  • Breaking wind near colleagues,      
  • Defacing ID cards      
  • Switching language on their computers     
  • Kicking a colleague at their desk unconscious
Do these activities happen in your workplace?”
 

The bit I don't get are the examples. The first 3 bullet points seem humorous and no doubt it's down to context and can be seen as a form of harassment or workplace abuse. But kicking a colleague at their desk unconscious??  

Isn't that less of an employment tribunal issue and more of a criminal investigation with a former employee getting dragged out in handcuffs?

Using incentives to make the team work 11th November 2014 12:08 PM
“I've always been against 'Incentive Schemes', for me it's simply a case of if someone needs an incentive to get the best out of them then they shouldn't have been hired in the first place.”
 

Think we've found another contender for Lord Sugars replacement 

From the FCA press release - click link for full info.

People using payday lenders and other providers of high-cost short-term credit will see the cost of borrowing fall and will never have to pay back more than double what they originally borrowed, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed today.

The FCA published its proposals for a payday loan price cap in July.

The price cap structure and levels remain unchanged following the consultation. These are:

  • Initial cost cap of 0.8% per day - Lowers the cost for most borrowers. For all high-cost short-term credit loans, interest and fees must not exceed 0.8% per day of the amount borrowed.
  • Fixed default fees capped at £15 - Protects borrowers struggling to repay. If borrowers do not repay their loans on time, default charges must not exceed £15. Interest on unpaid balances and default charges must not exceed the initial rate. 
  • Total cost cap of 100% - Protects borrowers from escalating debts. Borrowers must never have to pay back more in fees and interest than the amount borrowed.

From 2 January 2015, no borrower will ever pay back more than twice what they borrowed, and someone taking out a loan for 30 days and repaying on time will not pay more than £24 in fees and charges per £100 borrowed.

 

So what do people think? Is this enough to kerb the likes of Wonga? Will this force Wonga to adopt a new business model as this must impact potential revenue?

Does it do enough to safeguard the vulnerable?