News
Rapid-growth investment opportunities to research during the lull in M&A activity
While companies are waiting for the global economic climate to stabilise, they have time to look around for rapid-growth markets that might offer similar or better opportunities than China once their appetite for mergers and acquisitions returns. Ernst & Young’s M&A Maturity Index highlights some unexpected candidates.Low wages, annoying co-workers stress out workers
Almost three-fourths of U.S. workers report being stressed out by at least one thing at work, according to a new survey. Low wages and annoying co-workers are the top stressors.Sense of direction is critical to employee satisfaction
A sense of direction, path, and destination is a critical factor in employee satisfaction, according to a new survey. Eighty-five per cent of respondents said knowing their potential career path is very important or somewhat important.PwC: Internal audit has to play a more substantial role in information security
Companies must do a better job of evaluating and updating their cybersecurity policies as data breaches grow in number and sophistication, PwC says in a new report. To shore up their defences against cybercriminals, companies should institute three lines of defence.Tweet this: Social media emerging as a top risk
Just a few years ago, social media barely registered among the enterprise risks that concerned executives. But a recent survey shows that social media is emerging as one of the top risks to companies.The look ahead: Russia to join WTO; US regulators scrutinise conflict minerals
Russia will take a momentous step August 22nd by joining the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO membership for the world’s ninth-largest economy comes with binding trade rules that are expected to alter Russia’s business landscape and lead to a permanent normalisation of trade relations between the US and Russia, former Cold War archenemies.Mid-size US companies continue to look for greener pastures abroad
With the US economy still relatively sluggish, mid-size US companies are increasingly looking for opportunities to boost revenue overseas, a KPMG survey shows. Canada and Europe top their list of preferred locations, followed by China, Mexico and India.Appraising the performance review: Broken but not beyond repair
A recent US survey shows a disconnect between CFOs and workers on the effectiveness of performance reviews, a view that appears to be shared by the global workforce. Reviews may be seen in a negative light, but they can have meaning, especially if the supervisor giving the review follows these five communication tips from experts on two continents.The premortem: Death before life
The significance of “black swan events” in the financial crisis has prompted many organisations to use premortems to identify potentially disastrous issues. Learn the merits of thinking the unthinkable.Rapid-growth markets hit a temporary lull
Rising domestic demand will help reverse the slowdown in rapid-growth countries, an Ernst & Young projection suggests. To tap this emerging demand, companies will have to pay attention to the different challenges and opportunities shaping up in specific national and regional markets.One-to-One: Paul Walsh, chief executive, Diageo plc
This month’s column is based upon my discussion with Paul Walsh, chief executive of Diageo, the world’s largest and most respected premium drinks company, responsible for iconic brands such as Johnnie Walker and Baileys.The look ahead: Europe’s factories, US consumers look for signs of hope
Industrial production in the euro zone and the European Union increased in May, raising hopes after back-to-back decreases in March and April that Europe would avert an economic contraction in the second quarter.Memo to finance professionals: Broaden your horizons, take a broader role in your company
Finance professionals recognise the need to shift the emphasis in how they spend their time toward providing management information and decision support to business managers. They also recognise that they need to develop the ability to contribute commercial insight or managerial skills. These enhanced skills are necessary to help them succeed in their careers and to help their employers’ businesses succeed, according to a new CGMA report.Older workers, more cost for companies in developed regions
Older workers are staying longer in jobs, resulting in top-heavy companies whose per-employee cost in Europe has risen 16% since 2009. Productivity is down, and younger workers are having a tougher time finding work, according to a PwC report.Protect “crown jewels” by integrating risk management into strategy
Fewer than two in 10 businesses have integrated enterprisewide risk management into their business strategies despite risks that are growing in volume and complexity, according to a survey performed for the AICPA.Most US small businesses lack disaster-recovery plans
More than 60% of US small businesses do not have a formal emergency-response plan and fail to back up their financial data off-site, leaving them vulnerable to catastrophic data loss in the event of a natural disaster.PCAOB gives audit committees guidance on inspections of audit firms
In an effort to help audit committees make informed decisions, the US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) released a 26-page report describing how its inspections of audit firms work and how to gather information from audit firms about those inspections.Four steps to formalise internal audit’s strategic impact
Internal audit is evolving from a strict compliance function, but its strategic alignment with business strategy has yet to be formalised and documented in many organisations. Here are four steps to develop a formal strategy document for the internal audit function.The look ahead: Will US consumer data hint at optimism?
Consumer credit data due out in the week ahead could shed light on the economic picture in the US, where a slowing rate of growth is playing a key role in the approaching US presidential election.
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