Person of the Week

Marc Bolland

Marc was appointed as the new Chief Executive of Marks & Spencer this week and will take up his appointment in the New Year. Currently the Chief Executive of Morrisons, he was previously the Chief Operating Officer of Heineken NV based in the Netherlands. Sir Stuart Rose, M&S Chairman said, "I am delighted that Marc is to be M&S’ next Chief Executive. He brings a wealth of consumer marketing experience and has made a great success of his time at Morrisons. We very much look forward to welcoming him and working together."

Quote of the Week

"I love being married. My favourite thing about being married is that ever
since I got married, I haven't had to plan a f***ing wedding."

Irish comedian Ed Byrne commenting on his recent wedding

Facts of the week

Former Groucho club owners looking to re-enter into the hospitality and leisure sector

Longshot have announced a £30 million pool of funds for investment in distressed assets

• In an interesting news story this week, Longshot have stated that they see opportunities in purchasing boutique hotels and golf clubs, as well as restaurants, pubs and bars - and merging some under one roof.
• Founded by Joel Cadbury and Ollie Vigors 15 years ago, Longshot's assets included The Third Space, a health and fitness centre, Vingt-Quatre, a 24 hour restaurant, and the Groucho Club, which they acquired in 2001 for £11.6 million, before disposing of it 2006 for £22 million.
• Joel Cadbury, a member of the chocolate marker's family, said, "Hotels are a great opportunity. London is probably the last civilised capital where top five star hotels do not have a proper health club."
• Does this decision reflect the mood of other investors?

Source: ft.com

Email could be replaced by text within ten years

Research into technology behaviour patterns has driven a report this week that email could become 'greymail'.

• The story has been published on the back of research commissioned by Charles Dunstone's business TalkTalk and carried out by a social anthropologist at the University of Kent.
• The research identifies six tribes of 'homo digitalis' defined by their behaviours and preferences in technology use.
• The two biggest tribes at present are 'Timid Technophobes' (23%) and 'E-ager Beavers' (29%) - to find out which tribe you belong to you can take the Quiz.
• However, this week's report points to the increasing influence of 'First Lifers' - predominantly in their teens and early 20s – arguing that just 51% regularly use email, preferring social networking sites to keep updated, supplemented by text messages or instant messaging when they are out and about.
• Older generations are now more likely to use email than any other group – 98% aged 65+, 96% aged 45-64 compared with 87% aged 25-34, 86% aged 15-24.
• The relevance of technology and social networking has been an increasingly important topic of debate in recent months, as many operators are looking at new ways of marketing their business. How would such a shift impact on communications with clients and employees?

Source: talktalk.co.uk

Building Success on shifting sands

The 17th annual General Managers' conference

18th and 19th January 2010

Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel

The General Managers' annual conference has become renowned as the most important event of its kind in the hotelier's calendar. Sessions are stimulating, speakers thought provoking, and the venue always inspiring, not to mention the plentiful networking opportunities.

http://www.masterinnholders.co.uk/conference.htm

Article of the week

EP Condense is EP's weekly e-newsletter. But did you know that EP is also a bimonthly magazine available via subscription? Our Article of the Week provides a sample of what we have featured in past issue.

This week we feature a story from of EP archives. It is a management feature entitled "Merging a business but retaining a flair for the creative." EP met with Paul Heathcote in 2006, just after the merger of Heathcotes outside with Lindley Catering. Paul collected his MBE from the Queen this week and we wanted to revisit his thoughts and views, not only on the deal, but on the industry. What inspires Paul and keeps him motivated?