All Features articles – Page 582
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Features
Jeans therapy
Sue Neumeister, HR manager at consultant Cyril Sweett, examines the benefits, difficulties and implications of having a company 'dress-down' policy
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Features
Focus on the regions
A closer look at activity levels and order books in 11 regions around the UK (figures are % balances)The balance is the difference between the percentage of firms reporting an increase and those reporting a decrease
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FeaturesSir John Fairclough
The government's latest one-man ginger group for construction is its former chief scientific adviser, but, as Thomas Lane discovered, he is not just calling for radical reform. He's much more ambitious than that …
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Features
Delegation's what you need
If your company isn't growing as fast as your ambitions, it's tempting to blame the economy or bad weather. But you might be surprised to find the problem lies much closer to home. Victoria Madine talks to one owner-manager who invested in his own management skills – with impressive results.
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Features
Conscientious objectors
Almost 80% of fund managers are deterred from investing in firms with bad human rights or environmental records, which means that ethics has suddenly become big business. Matthew Richards finds out what construction can do to impress the money men
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Features
On the champagne trail
What MIPIM has to offer – as well as bubbly – is a whole continent of opportunity
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Features
New year blues
In this month's tracker, Construction Forecasting and Research reports a weak start to the year with both activity and order books down on the previous month
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FeaturesBathed in light
British architect Pringle Brandon Botschi's Austrian spa hotel encourages indulgence in its sun-drenched terraces, elegant, light-filled rooms and generous bathing areas. Pass the loofah …
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FeaturesAppointments
HousebuildersHousebuilder Lovell has promoted Alan Taylor regional manager for Scotland. Berkeley Homes (Oxford and Chiltern) has appointed Alison Graham (left) marketing manager in Abingdon. She will work alongside Jan Howe who has recently been appointed sales and marketing director. ClientsBrixton has appointed Paul Weston, previously with Gazeley, director of development ...
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Features
Five things to look for in annual results
Turnover This is the biggest number in the results, and the best indicator of how the business is performing. If turnover is significantly up on the previous year, that means the business is doing well. But you need to distinguish between organic growth and additional turnover from mergers and acquisitions.Profit ...
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FeaturesTop hat and tails
Continuing our series of revisits, Bernard Hunt, managing director of architect HTA, met resident Stella Isaacs to review the Waltham Forest Housing Action Trust, the pioneer of tenant-centred rebuilding that has transformed not just the estate, but a whole way of life.
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FeaturesFront line
Is Richard Rogers' urban renewal vision producing results? Peter Harris thinks we have taken some steps forward, but Graeme Dodds says delivery is falling far short of what is needed
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FeaturesGreen and crescent land
A small scheme to build 41 houses and 12 apartments on a football pitch site has heralded the start of a major estate regeneration project in Neasden, north-west London. Over the next nine years, 730 homes on the Resiform estate will be demolished and 530 new ones built.
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FeaturesCity of fear
Developers are delivering the high-density urban living Lord Rogers demanded, just as crime figures soar and public services break down. Are developers now paying the price for government underfunding?
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FeaturesThe north will rise again
The parallels between Manchester's upcoming Northern Quarter and Covent Garden in London are all too obvious. Both are based around former market buildings, and both rely on trendy one-off retailers and restaurants to create the sense of style and individuality that pulls in the crowds.
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Features
Taking off the pounds
As the financial year-end approaches, smaller businesses should be planning to save tax
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FeaturesStarting LIFT off
The Local Improvement Finance Trust, designed to get health centres ship-shape by 2004, was launched two years ago. So why, asks Victoria Madine, hasn't it got off the ground yet?
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FeaturesRaising Hull
Opening to the public this weekend, Sir Terry Farrell's Hull aquarium is designed to put the lost city of the North back on the map. But, asks Martin Spring, is The Deep up to the task?
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Features
Grow your own
Contractor Hills Electrical & Mechanical tackles skills shortages with post A-level training, as human resources co-ordinator Adele Turner explains
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Features
How to make friends and influence parliament
It seems construction is getting the hang of getting government's ear. Specialists, for example, have gathered 150 MPs behind their campaign to scrap retentions. Andy Pearson looks at how you, too, can have your way in Westminster. Illustration by Andrzej Krauze