Coronavirus is our chance to craft a fairer jobs market

Linda J. Dodson

For businesses, there are a number of strategic implications. Those whose sales and operations span the entire country, or several customer segments, will need to reimagine products and sales offerings to match the large-scale shifts in consumer incomes, attitudes and behaviours. At the same time, the highly different effects on […]

What to do if you want a refund but the company has gone bust

Linda J. Dodson

Countless businesses have been fighting for survival during the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, leaving many customers concerned they may never get their money back on purchases made before the crisis hit.  Airlines, event organisers and hotels have been among the worst affected and been inundated with refund requests.   Many […]

Pubs need two metre rule watered down to survive

Linda J. Dodson

Major pub companies are more circumspect. “No-one wants to put their head above the parapet,” says one industry insider. “There is a growing consensus among MPs that social distancing could be relaxed to 1.5 metres or 1 metre. But there is huge nervousness [within Government] that until they get the guidance from Sage, […]

Dealers are open again – but who wants to buy a car?

Linda J. Dodson

Thanks to the lifting of lockdown restrictions, car dealers reopened their doors to customers on Monday – but mainly by appointment to avoid overcrowding. Showrooms are generally spacious, making it fairly easy to adapt to social distancing measures such as one-way systems to control the flow of people. With 117 […]

Race to run the World Trade Organisation heats up

Linda J. Dodson

Others say it’s Africa’s turn. Nigeria’s Yonov Frederick Agah, one of Azevedo’s deputies, and Eloi Laourou, Benin’s ambassador to the United Nations are on the list, along with Hamid Mamdouh, a lawyer and former WTO director of trade in services and investment who was previously a trade negotiator for Egypt.  Mamdouh […]