Business and Financial News

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In Congress, the Democrats sit on one side and the Republicans sit on the other. Is it any wonder that the parties don’t get along? Or that they lack the resolve and unity of purpose to find common solutions to our nation’s huge problems?

Without a doubt, as Joe Reeder, a Washington lawyer and former assistant secretary of the Army, describes in his article, Break Up the Parties, “this segmented seating arrangement shelters our representatives from opposing points of view, reduces the need for common courtesy, reinforces the worst tendencies of a two-party system, and undermines efforts at cooperation.”

Being physically and emotionally separated by party intensifies the partisan rancor that’s innately alive.

What if, instead of being seated by party, representatives were seated alphabetically?

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The administrators of tile manufacturer and distributor Pilkington’s Group have confirmed that 204 staff have been made redundant at the group’s Swinton headquarters.

The privately-owned group was placed in administration on Monday after repeated attempts to refinance the business failed.

Distraught staff were in tears after being told by bosses not to return to work until further notice.

Pilkington’s previously employed 380 staff, including 343 at Swinton, where production of its terrazzo flooring range is planned to restart next week.

It is still hoped that elements of the business can be sold as a going concern and will continue trading – including the terrazzo division – though the group looks set to be broken up for a sale.

Pilkington’s, which was founded in 1892, last changed hands in 2004 when it was taken private by a consortium.

Last year it announced a £500,000 investment at its Salford factory to develop new product ranges, upgrade manufacturing equipment and a create new factory outlet bathroom showroom.

Paul Flint, joint administrator and restructuring associate partner at administrators KPMG, said: “Unfortunately, on assessing the demand for the company’s products, it has been necessary to make 204 staff redundant.

“Negotiations with customers are ongoing and we are hopeful that we will be able to recommence production of terrazzo flooring and the ceramic products in the Swinton factory in Greater Manchester early next week.

“We continue to work hard on securing a buyer for the business, either in distinct parts or as a whole.

“To date, a great deal of buyer interest has been shown in the terrazzo and ceramics production.”

Pilkington’s tiles are sold directly to householders as well as builders, DIY chains, builders’ merchants and architects.

They are used in schools, airports, hospitals and homes and its brands include Pilkington’s and Quiligotti Terrazzo.

The company also has a showroom and factory shop in Audenshaw, Tameside.

Thirty-seven jobs have been axed at its factory in Poole, Dorset, which is being closed.

Eight employees are being kept on there to maintain the site and despatch orders.

Stocks gapped higher at the opening bell this morning on news that China would (slowly) allow the Yuan to float.  The “Renminbi Rally” was to be short lived, however.  The S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX)(…)Read the rest of Is The S&P 500 ETF On The Cusp Of A Significant Reversal? (SPY, SDS)
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 We’re here. We need to get there. But how?

(Well, that’s project management summed up in under 10 words. But I’m sure you probably want a little more than that, right?)

I found a great post by friend and colleague, Josh Nankivel on the powers of using mind mapping as a project management tool.

In short, a mind map is an amazingly effective brainstorming tool which allows you to keep your thoughts organized in a series of hubs and spokes as you continue to build out.  It’s not as linear as “traditional brainstorming” and quite frankly, that’s a good thing.

This weekend, I will be leading a workshop with a group of high schoolers attending an entrepreneur camp.  

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Adam Bell, National Campaigns co-ordinator at RenewableUK, believes large-scale projects are needed to provide power to enough homes to make a difference.

“It takes six to eight weeks to get planning permission for a supermarket or housing estate whereas it’s months to get planning permission for a new wind farm,” he explained.

Mr Bell revealed that just 25% of applications for wind farms actually get approved, meaning the potential for improving energy efficiency is significantly reduced.

Recent research from Cardiff University shows support for renewable energy from wind is very high, even within five miles of a respondent’s home.

Nuclear power, however, was identified as being much less popular, especially if the site were to be constructed in or close to the area where the person lives.