Blog

Six steps to prepare for the recovery

By Guy Corbet, Fourteen Forty

GCSurvival has been the name of the game, but it is not an end game.

For many firms, the main focus so far has been to batten down the hatches in the face of rising uncertainty.

It is time to start rebuilding.  Gradually, the economy will start to splutter back into life.  We will be at the foot of a tall mountain.

Is the content bubble about to burst?

By Diane Banks, CEO of literary, broadcast and speaking agency Northbank Talent Management

Diane BanksMany of us have read about the $17bn which, pre-C19, Netflix had allocated to spend on content this year, projected to rise to $26bn by 2028 (source: Variety).

They were not alone.  Disney allocated $2.5bn to launch Disney.  Apple $6 billion for Apple TV+ in its first year.  AT&T more than $2bn for its forthcoming streaming service, HBO Max.  Comcast’s NBCUniversal set aside $2 billion to fund the first two years of its new streaming service, Peacock.

Weak Links #7: free speech, silence, corporate citizenship, diversity

“Weak Links?”

In 1973 Stanford Professor Mark Granovetter’s “the strength of weak ties” argued that weak links, between people with different opinions, help new and unfamiliar ideas spread.

“Don’t be evil”

By Jess McAree, Head of Editorial Compliance, Telegraph Media Group, and independent PR and communications consultant

JMThe man who deals with complaints about editorial content at the Telegraph Media Group makes a robust defence of freedom of speech

“(S)he shouldn’t be allowed to say that. It’s disgraceful.”

Admit it: you’ve privately thought it, or perhaps said it. You may even have written the letter to the Editor, or to my counterparts who deals with complaints on other newspapers. Perhaps you’ve gone further, and taken active steps to stop the person saying it – whatever ‘it’ is.

Silence is golden in an age of sharing

By Amy Watt, founder, Megawatt Coaching 

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As we settle into self-isolation, silence is likely to become a bigger part of our lives. A little understood virtue in communications, those who harness its power are often on the front foot in their careers and their counsel. 

Ever found yourself in a one-sided conversation about a project, with little chance to speak or ask a question?  If so, you’re not alone.  We comms people are often in overdrive, with many meetings, tasks and priorities.

Is diversity becoming the new conformity?

By Lindsay Reid ACSI, a former compliance recruiter and now an independent compliance consultant specialist

LRNot long ago I heard that recruiters in the banking and finance sector increasingly favour female candidates for some senior roles.  As a former recruiter, I was taken aback, having always applied the basic principles of best-servicing clients by providing a selection of the best available, qualified and experienced candidates.

Getting it done despite the contagion

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, delivered what must have been the most important speech of his life today with the nation, and much of Europe, now reaching crisis point.

Having unexpectedly stumbled into the job less than a month ago, he was always going to have his work cut out to deliver this.  And that was before the Covid-19 spectre reared up.

Fourteen Forty to help global fintech Paysend build its brand and reputation

Paysend, the global fintech based in the UK, has appointed Fourteen Forty to help it build its brand and reputation among users, the fintech industry and investors.

Fourteen Forty will help Paysend build its brand around the proposition it developed that “moving money changes lives” around the world.