Articles

In tough times, businesses are more likely to succeed through collaboration. Networking is vital, helping businesses become better known, better equipped and achieve better market penetration. So, how can networking help you get the edge you need?

The Chairman and the Chief Executive collectively are responsible for the leadership of the Company. The Chairman’s primary responsibility is for leading the Board and ensuring its effectiveness whilst the Chief Executive is responsible for running the Company’s business. This article outlines the main duties of The Chairman.

The fourth quarter began with market concerns over three themes: the continuing eurozone debt crisis and policy inaction, fears of a Chinese “hard landing” and worries that the U.S. would dip back into recession. Global stock markets fell and speculation rose over the probability of a eurozone break-up. The price of political inertia: a eurozone recession, seen in poor data and low levels of confidence.

From the indebtedness of the West to the rapid rise of emerging markets, the financial landscape has fundamentally changed, challenging some of our most basic assumptions about investing. Visit the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management website (http://bit.ly/tfKUgN) to learn how to adapt your investment strategy to the new global paradigm.

Another week, another crisis point in the eurozone debt melodrama: developments this week are typical of the trend we have witnessed in the last year. The euro finance ministers have again failed to come to an agreement on the medium term financing of the Greek state. In addition, the focus on the distressed market in Spanish and Italian sovereigns is simply confined to further calls for austerity measures. Once again, eurozone policy makers are seen to be at the mercy of events. Quite apart from negotiations over the second Greek bailout package, last week’s dramatic downgrading of Portuguese debt to junk status by Moody’s completely undermined any notion that Athens’ problems could be placed in quarantine.

Since making the news last April for needing additional finance to meet its fiscal deficit funding needs, Greece has failed to stay out of the headlines. Funding arrangements have actually worsened. Markets continue to be uncomfortable with developments, to the point where outright default and Greece’s exit from the euro is now being discussed openly. Unless a credible solution to the problem is found, market volatility is unlikely to subside.

Potential women Non-Executive Directors discover a short cut to meet chairmen and boost their profiles

Rod Perry, Chairman of PartyGaming plc gives us an insight into what he has learned during his role as Chairman

John O'Connell, Chairman of Mtivity and Helveta shares his top three tips.

This month Bob Mann of Foundation Network and Openbravo provides an abbreviated insight into what he has learned in his role as Chairman

We regularly poll our member Chairmen to find any hints or tips that they have learned in their role or which have helped them. This month it's the turn of Malcolm Durham, FD Solutions.

The first NXD/NXC role can be the hardest to gain as you are “unproven” in that capacity even if you have been a successful CFO, FD, CEO etc in another company. This article provides some ideas as to how to get your first rung on the ladder.

Top Chairmen and business thinkers from The Chairman's Network have been quizzed about the challenges and opportunities they foresee for the next 12 months. In this frank and informative article they reveal some of the pearls of wisdom, advice and pragmatic tips that have worked for them.

Cobalt, the corporate finance TMT sector specialist, has conducted its second annual survey of over 100 UK mid-market businesses in the Technology, Media and Telecoms industries to get their view on the shocks and turbulence of the last year and the impact on their businesses. The results show a stark contrast between the state of the economy and the prospects for the TMT sector businesses.

Patrick J. Swanick, CEO Gila Corporation, writes for The National Association of Corporate Directors 'Directors Monthly' newsletter. In response to the volatility and turbulence of the present day corporate directors are encouraged to approach their responsibilities and examine boardroom dynamics in a new light. This article provides a practical commentary on several critically important, yet sometimes overlooked, board issues.

So the rise in women in the boardroom is continuing at a glacial pace? ('Get women on board, bailed-out banks urged', Financial Times November 20 08). Well, at grave risk to my future career, let me tell it how it is.