Goldman Sachs Muppet Show

If you are going to resign from one the world’s largest investment banks, I guess you got to do it in style. Greg Smith, resigned today from his position as Executive Director from Goldman Sachs and yesterday his letter was published in the New York Times.

The letter exposes the sheer nature of the culture within investment banks that seethes most of us and finally one individual has stood up to be counted after 12 years of working at the company that he once loved. Clients are said to be referred to as “muppets” internally by senior management, clients’ best interests are sidelined in the way the bank makes money and there is a distinct lack of integrity in the way business is conducted. So will anyone take notice of Greg Smith or will his resignation letter just go on a pile and he be forgotton. Furthermore, who will employ him now that he has made such a public statement about his previous employers?

Super Commuters

An increasing number of Americans are willing to fly even 100 miles to get to work every day, most at their own expense as professional struggle to get employment.

Perception of distances and our tolerance of travel are open to change. 

Young, Unpaid and Angry

No, I am not talking about the riots, but unpaid internships.

Once the culture of the arts, unpaid internships are now quite common in many industries but these companies could face legal action as they are breaking employment laws.

University Challenge

Today is the day when A-level students find out whether they have got a university place of their choice. UCAS are reporting that approximately 200,000 candidates will, once again, fail to secure a university place this year and with the introduction of university fees, it may mean that many will be left without further education.

Made In Britain No More

Yesterday’s news on Bombardier losing the contract to make Thameslink trains, made me howl with anger.

For so long now I have listened to how this government’s strategy on economic recovery and core to this was to resurrect and protect manufacturing. It’s failure to support Bombardier’s bid and allow the contract to fall into German company Siemens hands is a great and devastating blow to British manufacturing, economic recovery and British skillsets.

Till Death Us Do Part

You can now work till you drop. Government legislation is changing retirement laws to enable people to work until they choose to leave. Whilst I am all for people working, this change in law does worry me on many accounts.