Year: 2012
Five ways companies can prepare for Europe’s “lost decade”
Companies doing business in Europe should prepare for a “lost decade,” new research suggests. Facing stagnant economic growth, low consumer demand and limited access to credit, companies must be prudent but they can’t miss out on opportunities.Three IT challenges to watch for in 2013
The global IT governance group ISACA is drawing attention to three trends it says will “pose major challenges to businesses” in 2013. Cybersecurity threats are growing more sophisticated; interest in private or hybrid clouds, rather than public clouds, is expected to increase; and employees and consumers are growing more concerned about data privacy.Corporate governance improves slowly in the UK, research shows
About half of the UK’s largest public companies have not complied with the country’s Corporate Governance Code. Some companies are showing more interest in certain aspects of governance, according to Grant Thornton research, but some are showing a “weariness or lack of commitment toward the concept of transparency.”Top companies’ CEOs generally rise through the ranks
Companies generally regarded as the world’s best have at least one thing in common: CEOs who are no stranger to their organisation. Hay Group research says the top 20 companies’ CEOs have averaged 25 years of service at their organisation.In-demand directors see pay rise nearly 10%
Average pay has increased by nearly 10% in the past year for directors of public companies, according to an analysis by BDO USA. Board retainers and fees make up about three-fourths of directors’ total compensation. Directors make the most, on average, in the technology sector ($177,249).US finalises corporate anti-avoidance rules
The Internal Revenue Service, the US tax agency, issued final regulations designed to prevent corporations from avoiding the application of Sec. 304 to transactions in which they repatriate earnings from foreign subsidiaries.Master the learning curve for a successful start in a new job
Being prepared to learn might be the most important attribute an employee can bring to a new job. Sixty percent of managers and 44% of workers said the greatest challenge when starting a new job is learning new processes and procedures. Read here for tips that can make your transition smooth.Conceptual framework among IASB priorities
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) plans to complete a new conceptual framework by September 2015.Mediocre managers just as damaging as bad ones?
Managers who panic, play favourites and make inappropriate jokes not surprisingly undermine employee motivation and wellbeing, according to a new report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Just as damaging, the report says, are so-called “under-the-radar” managers, who do little to develop their direct reports.Top five emerging markets capture foreign investors’ attention
Western Europe and North America are still attractive to foreign investors, but not as attractive as the top five emerging market hot spots. Even lesser-known emerging economies are gaining ground.Google, Apple, Samsung surge to top of market for smartphones, tablets, PCs
Surging sales of smartphones and tablets running on the Android operating system has pushed Google to a majority position among OS providers for smart connected devices—a category that includes PCs as well as smartphones and tablets. Microsoft has lost ground as mobile has gained in importance, while Apple is No. 1 in the dollar value of smart devices shipped.Budget, staff projected to rise for internal audit departments
A survey by the Institute of Internal Auditors shows that most companies plan to maintain or increase staff and budget for internal audit. The report also takes a look at what risk categories audit executives will focus on in 2013.CFOs in holding pattern as economic uncertainty continues
Economic uncertainty has made financial executives reluctant to make the significant investments in hiring or mergers and acquisitions that would spark strong growth. The fiscal cliff and higher health care costs concern CFOs in the United States, while European woes include the possibility of a request for a bailout by Spain.Pay for senior managers skyrockets in emerging markets
Increasing demand for talent and a short supply of experienced, competent senior managers has led to dramatic rises in salaries for those leadership positions in emerging markets. Such increases may be one factor diminishing returns on investment in emerging markets.Build a strong team to comply with conflict minerals rule
New SEC regulations require US public companies to dig into their supply chain to trace the origin of the so-called “conflict minerals” of tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold. Experts are advising companies to build cross-functional, empowered teams to comply with the rule, which is aimed at choking off funding to oppressive warlords who run mines in Africa.IFRS Foundation trustee: Don’t wave white flag on co-operation
As another year appears ready to pass without a US commitment to IFRS, an IFRS Foundation trustee and a UK accounting body say separately that the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) needs to wrap up its current convergence projects with FASB. But the trustee, James Quigley, said the IASB’s cooperation with FASB should continue after the projects are finished.One-to-One: Keshav Murugesh, group chief executive, WNS
Keshav Murugesh, group chief executive of business process outsourcing company WNS Group, shares insight on achieving sustainable business success. Among his tips: Get the right people, and put the customer at the centre of the business.Office holiday parties live on; six tips to survive them
Data suggest that office holiday parties are making a bit of a comeback. Though not always grand in scale, the office party’s return is generally met with smiles by employees. Here are six tips to steer clear of office-party danger and make the experience a good one for you and your coworkers.Finance professionals: Fiscal cliff could sap US economic growth
Finance professionals continue to keep one eye on the bottom line and one eye on the fiscal cliff. Respondents to a new Association for Financial Professionals survey warn that US economic growth is in jeopardy if Congress can’t quickly resolve budget issues.
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