Where to Now for the Pound?

Neville Prior  9 March 2010 13:36:10

Been looking at latest views, and a consensus seems to be forming. Some weakening of Sterling to come: political uncertainty etc. Then strengthening, with the Pound at about Euros1.25 by year end......
.......let's see.

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Great Customer Service

Neville Prior  8 March 2010 09:29:55

A colleague of mine is currently on a two week business trip in China. It was his birthday over the middle weekend, in fact on Sunday. He had been on a tour of a factory, (yes they were all working on a Sunday as any other day), and went to the coffee bar of his hotel. The waitress brought him his coffee, a small cake and wished him "happy birthday". Very surprised he asked her how she knew.......

..........Reception had noted his d.o.b. when he checked in, and had informed all staff to look out for him on the day, and to wish him a "happy birthday". This is a great example of how service can really gain customer loyalty, and doesn't have to cost anything.

Whilst we manufacture and sell/market a physical product, we are essentially providing our customers with a service. How can we learn from my colleague's experience?

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Carmina Burana

Neville Prior  4 March 2010 10:50:56

Sang in Carmina Burana on Sunday night at the Felsted Arts Festival. Fantastic experience, I must say. Have found a short clip on You Tube of the last two songs.........

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Cornelius Forthcoming Online Personal Care Event

Neville Prior  2 March 2010 10:49:34

Cornelius Group plc Cornelius forthcoming online event - reasons not to join : "Checking how I can save money makes me nervous" "I suffer from a fear of discounts" "My mouse has stopped working" Changed your mind ?

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Election Uncertainty : It has Effects!

Neville Prior  2 March 2010 09:22:42

So the pollsters tell us, the Conservative lead is, if not tumbling, reducing. As this happens, the pound falls, and the cost of UK government debt increases. Traders are concerned about a hung parliament, and nobody actually being in charge of the country. Uncertainty in politics breeds crisis!

That aside, there are other reasons for traders to feel nervous. The governor of the Bank of England was quite dovish in his comments a week ago, (see earlier in the blog), and this could lead to lower interest rates for a while to come. If this is contra to expectation, then that will cause the pound to fall. On top of that, economic momentum is not exactly rushing, so investors continue to worry.

Even if the Conservatives win, and uncertainty is lifted, what will happen? Fiscal tightening will start earlier and with more "oomph" than if labour win. This would likely bring lower short and long-term interest rates, and a more "competitive" pound. The Tories are putting their money behind an export led recovery in other words.

..............and if Labour win, surely the pound will go up? Very unlikely, because although they are unlikely to be as "tight" as the Conservatives, they need all the same things, it is just that they are likely to happen anyway, if slower!

In other words the pound will weaken!!!!!!!!!!

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Weekend Sport

Neville Prior  1 March 2010 16:34:24

I am an English, Chelsea supporter. Bad weekend!!!!

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A Teaser

Neville Prior  24 February 2010 16:30:32

Sent to me by a retired colleague............................

What do these words have in common?

1. Banana
2. Dresser
3. Grammar
4. Potato
5. Revive
6. Uneven
7. Assess

Have a think........................

.....................don't have a look at the answer.

Not yet at least.

Given up? Here is the answer :

No, it is not that they have at least 2 double letters, nor is it about the vowel arrangements. It is :

In all the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word.

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The Most Important Risk

Neville Prior  24 February 2010 11:37:20

The most important risk to UK plc is not borrowing, but the recovery. So sayeth Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England. Yes, he wants the deficit cut, in fact cut considerably by the end of the next parliament, but, and it is a big but, without economic recovery, we may not be able to cut the deficit. How can we ensure some sort of recovery......................

1. Encourage our financial services businesses to perform, and not handcuff them too tightly. We could even make them feel loved, (a little bit).
   
2. Encourage our manufacturers to invest and to explore export markets more fully. Sterling is weak so opportunity is there, if only we would take it.
   
3. Free up lending to encourage investment into property thus giving the construction industry a bit of adrenaline.
   
4. Ensure people have money to spend, we are all taxed to the point of having less and less to spend.

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Amy Williams : Well Done!

Neville Prior  22 February 2010 12:39:15

"Well done", doesn't really do it: does it? But..............................Amy has won an incredible Gold medal in the skeleton competition at Whistler. Fantastic Amy, and "well done".

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"Darling.............................."

Neville Prior  16 February 2010 10:17:19

You can picture the quill hovering over the vellum. Mervyn King pondering on his Dear Alistair letter.

"Dear Alistair, or is that Darling?,

As we have agreed in the past, I write to you with news that may not be music to your ears! I gloat in no way, when I say, "I told you so", but inflation has hit 3.5%. Of course we could see it coming, you have put VAT back up, and petrol is on the march again. Don't worry though, you have made sure that inflationary pressures are temporary, and I can safely predict that my letter writing days are numbered.

Your servant.

Mervyn"

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