I hope Bernard Matthews was watching the Virgin reply to the rail accident on Friday night. Now that was an excellent example of crisis management.
Richard Branson immediately left his skiing holiday to go to the site of the crash and to visit the victims in hospital. He praised the driver and the rescue teams, and gave his heart felt and genuine sympathy to the families of the victims.
As well as being on site, he managed to get the message of just how safe the new Pendolino trains are as well. This reassurance will certainly help reduce the impact a crash like this can have on ticket sales.
Well done Sir Richard.
Monday, 26 February 2007
Friday, 23 February 2007
Glamorising Gun Gangs
In the news today there is a picture of David Cameron in Manchester with a delightful 'hoodie' behind him making a gun gesture.
Is it just me, or is it totally irresponsible to be splashing this boy all over the media, citing him as a member of a gang and a cannabis and cocaine taker?! He and his fellow gang members must be absolutely thrilled with the publicity.
Whilst politicians and community groups fight to tackle the problem and stop another life from being lost, the media are giving these despicable gangs national coverage. I'm even reluctant to publish this blog and give the story the time of day.
The publications who have published this picture and story should be ashamed of themselves.
Helen
Is it just me, or is it totally irresponsible to be splashing this boy all over the media, citing him as a member of a gang and a cannabis and cocaine taker?! He and his fellow gang members must be absolutely thrilled with the publicity.
Whilst politicians and community groups fight to tackle the problem and stop another life from being lost, the media are giving these despicable gangs national coverage. I'm even reluctant to publish this blog and give the story the time of day.
The publications who have published this picture and story should be ashamed of themselves.
Helen
Friday, 16 February 2007
Debts on the increase!
Another day, another headline about the rise in bankrupcy and debt! Keeping up with the Jones' and an I WANT IT NOW attitude have been blamed
The government is blaming credit card companies, store cards, high interest loans etc, but when are they going to realise that growing interest rates, the reduction in free NHS treatments, student loans and extortionate tax are also contributing to the problem.
Old Tony B was delighted this week that University applications haven't decreased-well done, Tone, there's your next generation of debt ridden twenty somethings!
And then there was the rumour that interest rates are to rise again soon; I am hoping to buy my first house this summer but don't know if the financial risk is worth taking...and for that matter, if I can't opt for free dental health care, can i reduce the amount of national insurance and tax that i pay please? I appear to be paying more and more and getting less and less?!
The Daily Telegraph reported a 20 year low in in high street takings today, due to interest rates and higher living costs, and they asked the question: "Where will it stop?"
Ruth
The government is blaming credit card companies, store cards, high interest loans etc, but when are they going to realise that growing interest rates, the reduction in free NHS treatments, student loans and extortionate tax are also contributing to the problem.
Old Tony B was delighted this week that University applications haven't decreased-well done, Tone, there's your next generation of debt ridden twenty somethings!
And then there was the rumour that interest rates are to rise again soon; I am hoping to buy my first house this summer but don't know if the financial risk is worth taking...and for that matter, if I can't opt for free dental health care, can i reduce the amount of national insurance and tax that i pay please? I appear to be paying more and more and getting less and less?!
The Daily Telegraph reported a 20 year low in in high street takings today, due to interest rates and higher living costs, and they asked the question: "Where will it stop?"
Ruth
Monday, 12 February 2007
Where is Bernard Matthew's PR?!
I've been waiting and waiting but I've yet to see the Bernard Matthew's PR force get into gear and redeem the troubled brand.
The company has had somewhat of a crisis over the last couple of weeks due the outbreak of H5N1 at their farm in Suffolk. In these sort of situations you would expect a spokesperson to step up and shout out about what the company is doing to solve the situation, protect it's workers, protects it's customers etc etc. But there seems to have been a distinct lack of this from Bernard Matthews.
It's not that I expect the man himself to appear, but I certainly didn't expect to see two farm workers down the pub with a BBC journalist talking about the lack of information and protection from their employers.
Add to that all the confusion over whether their food is safe to eat, there seems to be a 'no it isn't', 'yes, it is' battle going on between various organisations at the moment.
And then came the accusations that poor condititons and the way birds are farmed in this country can increase the risk of outbreaks - what are customers supposed to think? Shouldn't there be some sort of defence or explanation from Bernard Matthews?
What about smaller, independent local poultry farmers? They need the big boys to step up, reassure the public and keep the whole industry running.
I admit I may have missed a statement from the company at some point, I'm sure they wouldn't remain silent, and they do have a Q&A on their website - but how many customers will log-on to this? I've certainly seen less from them in the press than I have from their disgruntled workers.
As I write this, investigations continue about the source of the outbreak - where are you Bernard Matthews??
Helen
The company has had somewhat of a crisis over the last couple of weeks due the outbreak of H5N1 at their farm in Suffolk. In these sort of situations you would expect a spokesperson to step up and shout out about what the company is doing to solve the situation, protect it's workers, protects it's customers etc etc. But there seems to have been a distinct lack of this from Bernard Matthews.
It's not that I expect the man himself to appear, but I certainly didn't expect to see two farm workers down the pub with a BBC journalist talking about the lack of information and protection from their employers.
Add to that all the confusion over whether their food is safe to eat, there seems to be a 'no it isn't', 'yes, it is' battle going on between various organisations at the moment.
And then came the accusations that poor condititons and the way birds are farmed in this country can increase the risk of outbreaks - what are customers supposed to think? Shouldn't there be some sort of defence or explanation from Bernard Matthews?
What about smaller, independent local poultry farmers? They need the big boys to step up, reassure the public and keep the whole industry running.
I admit I may have missed a statement from the company at some point, I'm sure they wouldn't remain silent, and they do have a Q&A on their website - but how many customers will log-on to this? I've certainly seen less from them in the press than I have from their disgruntled workers.
As I write this, investigations continue about the source of the outbreak - where are you Bernard Matthews??
Helen
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
Climate Crisis
Climate change was in the headlines last week again…and will continue to be for a long time until the trend of global warming is slowed or even reversed.
Cynic or supporter this topic isn’t going away.
I for one am a keen supporter of recycling, reducing emissions and saving the planet!! Okay maybe that’s one step too far, but I believe that if more people got onto the ‘green’ bandwagon then surely there will be some positive effects. I get cross when I hear others saying “what difference I make, I’m just one person…” If a third of our population decided to go green, and therefore 20 million ‘one persons’ changed their habits, not only would the UK carbon footprint be reduced, but the government would have to make some bigger changes; such as eco-friendly houses, wind farms, replacing the use of fossil fuels with re-usable ones and the improvement of public transport systems etc.
So go one, re-use your paper, recycle your rubbish, reduce your emissions and make a difference.
Ruth
Cynic or supporter this topic isn’t going away.
I for one am a keen supporter of recycling, reducing emissions and saving the planet!! Okay maybe that’s one step too far, but I believe that if more people got onto the ‘green’ bandwagon then surely there will be some positive effects. I get cross when I hear others saying “what difference I make, I’m just one person…” If a third of our population decided to go green, and therefore 20 million ‘one persons’ changed their habits, not only would the UK carbon footprint be reduced, but the government would have to make some bigger changes; such as eco-friendly houses, wind farms, replacing the use of fossil fuels with re-usable ones and the improvement of public transport systems etc.
So go one, re-use your paper, recycle your rubbish, reduce your emissions and make a difference.
Ruth
Friday, 2 February 2007
Latest Blow to the train services
I read in the Nottingham Evening Post that there are plans to reduce the size and number of trains that go directly to London which is a heavy commuter route. This is just another intelligent move to ensure that people get in their cars rather than use public transport. The move simply represents the latest blow to hit the rail services, following the increase in fares, not to mention the lack of interest this plan appears to have in preserving the environment.
You can only wonder who comes up with these ideas. There just seems to be no logic. What do you think?
Emma
You can only wonder who comes up with these ideas. There just seems to be no logic. What do you think?
Emma
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