Five live

Good morning, and a very Happy New Year to you.

And what a year it promises to be for all sorts of reasons, not least the rapidly approaching UK General Election.

Yes, there are only 121 days of campaigning to go before you can catapult yourself out of bed before sprinting down the road to your local polling station.  Lucky old you.

If you're wondering why this campaign already seems to be the longest in British political history, it's because it is.

Previous to this Parliament, a British Prime Minister had the option to pop down to Buckingham Palace and ask the Queen for permission to go to the country at a time of his or her own choosing.  But as a result of the Conservative-Lib Dem Coalition Agreement of 2010, the date of 7 May 2015 has long been set in legislative stone.  And whilst the three largest parties "formally" launched their respective campaigns yesterday, the truth is that they have effectively been underway for much longer than that.

From a positive viewpoint, this does leave voters and the media with more time than usual to scrutinise the array of policies on offer.  More negatively, it does risk the public's current contempt for politicians growing even higher - fed by journalistic lampooning. 

To illustrate, you may have seen the images of five Cabinet ministers lining up behind lecterns at yesterday's Conservative launch.  It was obviously meant to a serious event - "serious times require serious people" and all that.

But within minutes, the scene was being compared by political hacks to a slimmed-down version of gameshow Fifteen to One and a Kraftwerk concert.

THIS was Newsnight's take on it. 

Prepare for much more of the same in the weeks and months ahead (whether you like it or not).

And it's a HO HO HO from her

If you're not already on holiday, be assured that you've almost reached that magical moment when it's time to turn your "out of office" response on, gather up your Christmas cards and Secret Santa prize, and head for home.

For some, the stresses and strains of Christmas with the in-laws often outweigh those felt in the workplace.  But hopefully you don't fall into that category. 

For our part, Vanessa and I would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped us get VANBAR associates off the ground over the past few weeks.  

And as we look forward to 2015, we do so with real confidence, enthusiasm and the expectation of a year to remember.

But we'll give that more thought on Friday 2 January.

In the meantime, I'll leave the last word to Mrs White.  

A new Black Friday dawns

You may have read in your newspapers this morning that Black Friday proved to be a resounding success for the UK retail sector.

Official figures released yesterday showed that sales in November rose 6.4% in comparison with twelve months ago, the fastest annual increase in a decade.  

According to the Office for National Statistics, sales of electrical goods were up almost a third on this time last year with department stores increasing their sales by 15%. 

This is obviously very good news for all involved, other than those overkeen shoppers who sustained bodily injuries whilst scrapping for a cheap telly.

Which reminds me, tonight is Black Eye Friday (formerly known as Mad Friday) when revellers all over the country spill out of their workplaces and into bars for a pre-Christmas cocktail of good cheer laced with occasional extreme violence.

Be safe people. 

Networking the rugby way

A new and certainly very interesting experience for me last night when I attended a Rugby Business Network event in Leeds addressed by none other than England rugby union head coach Stuart Lancaster.

The Rugby Business Network is a not-for-profit organisation, set up in 2010 by digital entrepreneur and ex-rugby pro Colm Hannon, with the mission of "encouraging and celebrating the application of rugby’s values to business."  It now welcomes upwards of 25,000 members to its regular events held in more than 50 cities around the world.  

Yesterday evening's event featured a particularly impressive 45-minute multimedia presentation from Coach Lancaster about his approach to drilling's England's finest.  He then took questions from the floor.  If you're a fan of singing Swing Low Sweet Chariot at an annoying volume level, you'll be thrilled to learn that Stuart is confident of building an England team capable of winning next year's Rugby World Cup, and much else besides.  An an Ireland rugby fan, I am equally confident that we have a better group of players than he has.  But that's all part of the fun.    

You can find out more about the Rugby Business Network, including details of upcoming events, by logging onto www.therugbybusinessnetwork.com

I might even see you at a future gathering.  

Amy seeks to ‘Herd’ up the best for Leeds digital sector

An eyebrow-raising piece in the business pages of today’s Yorkshire Post which revealed that there are more than 400 “hidden” vacancies in the Leeds digital sector, costing an estimated £15million in lost benefit to the local economy.

A piece of sharp analysis from technology recruitment firm Herd found that there were 426 digital vacancies in Leeds in October, with some posts being left vacant for six months.  

“Cities are complex and understanding the digital economy has always been a challenge,” Herd founder Amy De-Balsi told the paper.

“People are constantly arguing about what constitutes a digital company, whether a digital sector exists because most businesses use technology and before those arguments are even settled, the digital world has moved on. Leeds is no exception.”

And whilst the city has worked hard to grow its reputation in digital industries, not a single UK or multinational technology big player is headquartered here.   

But never one to stand on the sidelines, Amy – who I was proud to work with at Yorkshire Forward – is doing her bit by bringing digital leaders together to work for a solution.

The Herd website promotes vacancies across a growing number of digital companies including Epiphany, The Test People, Web Anywhere and Immedia Solutions.

You can see what’s currently available by visiting www.leedsherd.co.uk  

“There is huge support for Leeds to be put on the map,” said Amy.  And she’s right.  

Don't call us - or I'll call you (bad names)

A report published today has recommended that rogue firms behind unwanted sales calls are fined up to £500,000 for being pains in the you know what.

The Nuisance Calls Task Force (I wonder if they have to wear a uniform) also argued that company directors should be held personally responsible for the estimated one billion nuisance calls received by long-suffering members of the British public each year.   

Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Task Force chairman Richard Lloyd made clear that many firms were acting illegally by contacting people who had "opted out" of receiving calls through the Telephone Preference Service.  And he called for the law to be more rigorously enforced.  

I have to admit to being slightly at odds with myself over this issue.  

On the one hand, it is outrageous that so many businesses think it is acceptable for them to thumb their nose at legislation which expressly prohibits such activities.        

But on the other, when I'm having a bad day, I find it slightly liberating to have the opportunity for a rant at some poor soul who has phoned up to sell me cheap windows.   

On balance though, it is clear that the law should be toughened and adhered to.  And while they're at it, maybe something can also be done about chuggers.     

Nobody puts baby in a corner

We at VANBAR associates are committed to the maintenance of non-party political approach to our work.  But with a General Election just five months away, I'm sure you'll permit us the occasional indulgence of highlighting instances when one of our esteemed political masters goes off piste. 

Step forward UKIP Leader Nigel Farage.

During his regular LBC radio phone-in earlier today, the former stockbroker turned self-proclaimed man of the people was asked for his views about an incident at Claridge's in London when a woman was requested to cover up with a napkin while breastfeeding her baby daughter.    

Super Nigel's view?  That some people were uncomfortable with "ostentatious" breastfeeding, and it was perfectly acceptable for a venue to expect a mum to "sit in a corner, or whatever it might be."  

Hmmmm.

Finding himself in the eye of a swiftly gathering media storm, Mr Farage decided to issue a statement claiming that he had not in fact said that mothers should be forced to breastfeed out of sight.  

"I personally have no problem with mothers breastfeeding wherever they want," the statement read.  "I remarked that perhaps they might ask women to sit in a corner. Did I say I believe they should have to? No. Did I say I personally endorse this concept? No."

Hmmmm (again).

Let's hope he feels a bit of a tit. 

Ho-ho-horrible

The first ever VANBAR associates Christmas e-card is all done and ready to go, which we're very pleased about.  

And you'll hopefully be relieved to learn that it's a little more relaxed in style than Tony and Cherie Blair's official card which is now doing the rounds.   

It has long been common for public figures - particularly from the political world - to produce "portrait" style cards, often featuring their children as unwilling appendages.  I used to see a lot of them when I worked in Parliament and some were certainly more memorable than others.  

But what you can see above is without question one of the most bizarre I've encountered.  Cold, stiff and arguably on the wrong side of madness.  (And I dread to think what Cherie's doing with her missing arm).  Yes, that's the Blairs for you. 

Still, it is (almost) Christmas so "Season's Greetings" to them too.   

Sport works for local business

I'm not a big fan of killjoys but I am a big fan of sport.

I was therefore not especially impressed by a report published today by the hitherto unknown (to me at least) What Works Network which claimed that major sporting and cultural events return no measurable economic benefit.

Shuttlecocks, I say.

Having in recent weeks shelled out hard-earned cash for 2015 Rugby World Cup tickets - for games in Leeds and Cardiff - and flight tickets so I can attend next year's North West 200 motorcycle races in Northern Ireland, I must question where these academics think my additional spend will go.

I'll be in Cardiff for at least one night, requiring the need for a hotel.  And I'll have to eat and drink (watching rugby tends to be thirsty work).  Similarly in Northern Ireland, where I will be "put up" but will also be out and about - requiring regular refuelling - for four solid days.  And I have little doubt that my kids will be expecting presents brought back.  

Around 80,000 people will fill the seats at Elland Road over the two days when Leeds hosts its Rugby World Cup games.  The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff holds 72,000 spectators and will be home to several high-profile games over the duration of the six-week tournament.  And, with fair weather, the North West 200 can be expected to attract around 200,000 race fans around the famous 8.9 mile circuit.

So no benefit for the respective local economies?    I suspect many business owners would say something very different.

Mellor puts his toe in it - again

I've been fortunate in my working life to have met quite a number of famous people, some more impressive than others.  

Former England cricket captain Lord Cowdrey, now deceased, who I encountered twice in very different circumstances, will probably always top my personal "impressed by" list.  Actress Sue Johnson, formerly of Brookside and The Royle Family and more latterly of Downton Abbey, currently heads the other.    

Meanwhile, I've never met David Mellor but I used to work with someone who knows him well.  And my friend always had a reasonably positive view of him.  

His words, which are prominent in today's media, therefore woke me with a start when I heard them on the radio early this morning.  

If you haven't heard, the former Government minister turned talking head has been caught on tape describing a taxi driver as  "sweaty, stupid little s**t" during an argument about the route the cab was taking.

Mr Mellor, who also told the driver to "f*** off," went on to add: "You’ve been driving a cab for 10 years, I’ve been in the Cabinet, I’m an award-winning broadcaster, I’m a Queen’s Counsel. You think that your experiences are anything compared to mine?"

Whilst one might fairly wonder why the cabbie had a tape recorder running in the first place, I'm personally glad that he did - if only because of the tweet it provoked from fellow Marmite man Piers Morgan.

And I quote: “This tape is outrageous. David Mellor, you’re a loathsome snob. I hope London’s black cab drivers now boycott David Mellor. Looks like he could do with a few walks anyway.”

Pot calling the kettle black?  Most likely.  But certainly close to the mark.  

Christmas till bells ringing

Good news for Christmas shoppers today after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that prices are falling faster than at any time since 2002. 

In-store prices are now 1.5% lower than 12 months ago, one explanation for why sales rose by 4.3% in comparison with last October and 0.8% since last month.  This followed an unexpected drop in September caused, according to the experts, by the mild weather and a dearth of winter coat purchases.  (They are probably right as I only bought mine last week).    

Also, the increasing power of Aldi and Lidl have forced the established supermarkets to reduce their prices to compete, whilst online retailers have in turn compelled high street stores to up their game.

But whilst prices are falling in the shops, retailers’ margins are still expected to be supported because of falling costs including production costs which are benefitting from cheaper oil prices.

With Black Friday and Mega Monday on the horizon – and falling on the same weekend for the first time in six years – and promotions aplenty being planned, the climate suggests a much merrier Christmas for many this year than for some time.

Let’s hope so. 

Blackpool howler

The quest for good PR certainly does know bounds - including common sense and decency -  as the owners of a Blackpool hotel have found out.

Tony and Jan Jenkinson from Whitehaven in Cumbria recently spent the night at the Broadway Hotel in Blackpool and weren't impressed by what they got in return for their £36.

So they did what is the way of things these days and posted a less than warm review on TripAdvisor. 

The hotel's response?  They charged an extra £100 on the couple's credit card after an apparent breach of the booking form fine print which warned of a penalty fee for leaving negative comments.  Mr Jenkinson later claimed that his wife hadn't been wearing her glasses when she signed on the dotted line.  

It emerged today that Blackpool Trading Standards have now spoken to management at the Broadway Hotel who have promised to refrain from fining future guests for expressing derogatory views. 

That's if they are fortunate enough to attract any future guests. 

Poor relations

As a partner in a fledgling communications company, you will not be shocked to learn that I regard a strong profile, a clear message and a professional approach as key to organisational and business success.

And the best possible attitude to customer relations is, in turn, crucial to the latter.   

Replacing my VANBAR associates hat with my man-in-the-street hoodie (which I'm just about young enough to get away with - just), this week I've experienced stark contrasts in how high up the list of priorities good customer relations are for some firms.

Let's start at the top with Specsavers.  I've worn contact lenses since my late teenage years and have been through several different suppliers.  But Specsavers are in a different league.  From getting an appointment, to having an eye examination, to needing a bit of help with broken glasses or ripped lenses; nothing ever seems like too much trouble for its staff and, more often than not, encounters can be fun.   A couple of days ago, I ran out of solution and my quarterly lens pack had not yet arrived in the post.  It wasn't late, I'd just used more solution than normal.  So I called in to buy some more.  The nice lady asked me to go and sit down and, two minutes later, she returned with a free bottle of solution, a joke and a smile.  First class.

Fast forward to this morning when I was at Leeds Bradford airport to catch the red-eye flight to Belfast.  I was a bit early and hadn't eaten so, on a whim, called into Burger King in departures.  I had no idea what I wanted - and was still half-asleep - so the little guy at the counter advised that I had all the time in the world to decide (flight departure time permitting).  I eventually chose, he took my cash and said he'd bring it to my table, which he did very shortly afterwards.  Some might say 'so what?' or 'he's only doing his job' but it set me off on the right foot for what is destined to be a very long day.  Proper - and sincere - customer relations, for which I was grateful.

The contrast arrives in the form of gym chain LA Fitness.  My 'get fit' activities have for some years centred almost exclusively on running.  One London Marathon, six half-marathons and dozens of 10k races have been my focus with a few quid raised for charity along the way.  But the required long training runs have started to get to me.  Plus, just running all the time only leaves you with a certain type of conditioning.  So I gave thought to joining the local LA Fitness where Vanessa is already a member.

When I mentioned my plan to her, she very kindly offered to 'refer' me, thereby qualifying for a £100 holiday voucher.  Excellent.  I filled in all the forms, paid my first fee and got on with it.  That was in the middle of last month.  But Vanessa did not receive her promised voucher.  I mentioned this to a member of staff when I was in for a workout who said that the voucher would be issued at the end of the month instead.  Fair enough, so I got on with my sit-ups.  But no voucher came.  

So Vanessa emailed the gym last week. No response.  I phoned national member support on Tuesday to find out what was going on.  I was told coldly that the offer was no longer on.  I advised the lady that it was and read out from a flyer I'd picked up earlier to confirm this.  She told me to send an email.  It didn't receive a response.  So I emailed again the next day, both member support and the local gym.  No response from either.  Vanessa did the same.  No responses.  

By yesterday morning, I was becoming quite annoyed and decided it was time to take the public route.  I sent a tweet to member support.  They swiftly responded to ask where I'd sent my emails.  I told them.  As I write, I am yet to receive an email response although I understand from Vanessa that a voucher has now arrived through our letter box.  No covering note. 

I can see no logic in the approach LA Fitness has taken on all of this and, were I now not locked into a 12-month contract, I would certainly be seeking to take my business elsewhere.  

I'll end where I began - good customer relations are of utmost importance.  And, referring back to my experiences in Specsavers and Burger King, they should also be seen as genuine.  Sadly, LA Fitness has institutionally failed on both.  

Our BS

I’m sure I wasn’t alone in my annoyance this morning at waking up to news that five banks had been fined more than £1.1bn by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for colluding in foreign exchange markets. 

Breaking down the scores on the doors, Citibank was fined £225.6m, HSBC £216.3m, JPMorgan Chase £222.2m, RBS £217m and UBS £233.8m, with the FCA accusing the banks of "imperilling market integrity".

The self-same institutions were also hit by penalties totalling almost £900m by the US regulator, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Negotiations with Barclays are apparently ongoing.

But it was the conduct of RBS which upset me most.

Let me quote you some more figures from the RBS website.  In the immediate aftermath of the 2008 financial crash, the British Government became the majority shareholder of RBS and now owns 63% of ordinary shares. Including an acquisition of B shares the following year, “the total economic ownership of the UK Government is currently 79% of the RBS Group.”

Or to put it another way, we – the British people – now own 79% of RBS.  And that’s why I’m not particularly thrilled that illegal practices have been carried out in our name.

Neither, indeed, am I pleased that the bank’s resources – our resources - have been further depleted by the fines (although the FCA penalties on all five banks will go to the Treasury with Chancellor George Osborne making a welcome commitment this morning that “these fines [will be] used for the wider public good.")

In a statement, RBS Chairman Philip Hampton said the bank was “reviewing the conduct of over 50 current and former members of trading staff around the world as well as dozens of supervisors and senior management responsible and accountable for this business.”  He added: “As part of that process, we have already placed six individuals into a disciplinary process, three of whom are currently suspended, pending further investigation.”

Forgive me for feeling underwhelmed, but I’m not convinced that the all-important 79% bloc of RBS shareholders will feel greatly reassured by that. 

Sports Direct clambers onto gym treadmill

An interesting development in the fitness market today with news that Sports Direct is planning to open 200 gyms across the UK with membership packages starting at £5 per month.

The move comes in the wake of the firm’s decision to buy 30 sites from well-known chain LA Fitness.  

"This will be affordable fitness on an unprecedented scale," said a spokesman for Sports Direct.

"It will revolutionise the market by making private gym membership a realistic lifestyle choice for millions of people."

Hmmmm. 

Given that Sports Direct is run by self-made billionaire and Newcastle United FC owner Mike Ashley, I can’t help but think that he knows what he’s doing.

But there again, have you seen the size of him?    

I agree with Nick

Another red letter day for the North of England when Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg arrived bearing gifts.

Earlier this week I wrote about the prospect of Leeds following Manchester in agreeing to have a directly-elected mayor.  

And now this afternoon Mr Clegg signed a £1 billion Leeds City Region Growth Deal, "to improve transport links, boost housing growth, accelerate town centre regeneration, develop a skilled workforce and support businesses."

"Devolving power and money to the North has been something I’ve been pushing for and this Deal is the perfect example of how local people know what works," he commented whilst waiting for the ink to dry.  

“By 2021, this Deal will create at least 8,000 jobs and allow 1,000 homes to be built."

One word.  Good. 

Leeds to lead mayoral charge?

An interesting development yesterday when Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced that Greater Manchester is to have a Boris-style directly elected mayor in 2017.  

He or she will have control of billions of pounds of public money and responsibility for a wide range of policy areas including transport, planning, housing, skills and policing.  

The mayor will lead the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and preside over a cabinet made up of the leaders of the area's 10 local authorities.

The local reaction was positive with Sir Richard Leese, the Leader of Manchester City Council, welcoming the opportunity "to demonstrate what a city region with greater freedoms can achieve and contribute further to the growth of the UK."

Sir Richard is already the bookies' 3/1 favourite to be elected to the post, with former Manchester United manager David Moyes available at a somewhat stingy 200/1.  

Mr Osborne also made clear that he was very keen to talk to other English cities wishing to follow Manchester's example.  "Every city is different and no model of local power will be the same," the Chancellor said.  "Giving cities power is part of our long-term economic plan to reduce the decades-old gap between north and south, London and the rest." 

Speculation is already building about which city will be first to accept the challenge with Leeds widely thought to be at the head of the queue.  

Speaking in the House of Commons earlier today, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander did little to dampen the speculation. 

Responding to a question from Leeds West MP Greg Mulholland, he said: "If the leaders of Leeds wish to come forward with proposals for further devolution and more power over the things you have been talking about, to ensure that we get the right economic developments in the Leeds area, we would be delighted to have those discussions in an active way, to try to settle a deal there as well."

With further developments expected in the Chancellor's annual Autumn Statement next month, this is certainly one to watch.    

Open all hours

It's Halloween today.  

I had actually forgotten until I spotted the spooky lady pictured below in our local Morrisons this morning.  (She was even scarier when she turned around).

Also, because it's Friday, it should be the final day of the school holidays.  But not in Leeds where a training day lies in wait on Monday.      

This is obviously a positive development for the kids.  Vanessa and I have two, a six-year-old boy and a little girl who turns four in December.  So we're off to Blackpool on Sunday to see the illuminations and stay the night before visiting an indoor water park the following morning.  

It's all good, other than the fact that much of Monday will therefore be spent away from the task of keeping VANBAR associates moving in the right direction.  

It's a challenge that will be familiar to many people running their own business. Finding time to take a break is always difficult.  And if you have kids, the task of arranging appropriate childcare for 13 weeks of the year (plus training days) can be a big one.

But whilst it can be expensive, it must be done.  

Being married to your business partner is certainly a bonus in this regard. Indeed, this week Vanessa and I could regularly be seen and heard doing our Chuckle Brothers "to me, to you" impersonation.  And in terms of looking after clients, our laptops and mobile phones have remained on throughout.    

Moving on and unless we're under water, we'll be contactable on Monday too. 

Happy Halloween!

Go West

I'm off to do some stuff in that London tomorrow, including a couple of get togethers which I hope will being benefit to VANBAR associates.  London remains the business capital of the world and, just a two-hour train ride from Leeds, we intend to be fully part of the action.

However, despite what some members of the metropolitan media elite might have us believe, there is life beyond Watford.

The progress Leeds has made in the 11 years we've lived here is quite remarkable.   And Manchester continues to thrive, to put it mildly.  

But whilst the nice trains from Leeds to London cover 200 miles in the time it takes to wade through the morning papers and have a cuppa, it takes almost an hour for the cross-Pennine chugger to crawl a mere 38 miles.  And, in my experience,  you can forget the tea and papers because a seat is out of the question.

That's why I was delighted to wake up this morning to news that things may be about to get better.

Controversy continues to rage about the North-South high-speed rail link, known as "HS2," which our country desperately needs.  

And now the boss of HS2 has produced a report recommending an "HS3" East-West link to cut the journey time from Leeds to Manchester to a mere 26 minutes.  Maybe they'll put a few extra seats in too.

Stand-by for a flurry of complaints from the usual quarters at the estimated £7 billion cost.  Many of the same individuals and groups will also be looking forward to using London's new £16 billion Crossrail train line which opens in 2016.   

Nine years ago, when I was Senior Press Officer at Yorkshire Forward, I remember dealing with the fall-out from the Government of the day putting the block on the Leeds Supertram project - despite £40 million of public money having already been spent on it.  

The overall costs would have been the same as the amount set aside to fund the refurbishment of the ticket hall at London's King's Cross station.   The latter got the go ahead. 

Perhaps some common sense and foresight is now about to prevail.