Logistics Link South 2012 Event

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Logistics Link South 2012 is a logistics industry event taking place on the twenty first and twenty second of February at Sandown Park, Esher. Logistic Link South 2012 will provide individuals and businesses with the opportunity to learn how to improve customer service, become more cost effective and boost productivity.

At the Logistics Link South event attendees will be able to share ideas and network in the Byers Networking Lounge, attend free technology seminars and meet with over one hundred companies providing the latest software, equipment, services and systems.

Information on Tech News, Technology Issues and London’s Tech Clusters.

Plans Afoot to keep Watford Metropolitan Station Open

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Watford Borough councillors are planning on petitioning London Underground in the hopes of keeping Watford Metropolitan station open. Due to the Croxley Rail Link plans the Watford line would be redirected to Watford Junction, instead of Croxley Station.

Current plans would see Watford Met closing as a passenger station, however it would still be used as a train storage facility. Representative from the Watford area along with locals would like to see the station remain open hope to convince London Underground chiefs of the merits of keeping the station open for passengers.

Local councillor Peter Jeffree, has said that the Croxley Rail Link is going to greatly benefit the Watford area, however he did hope that residents and rail users would support the plan to keep Watford Met station open.

Further Reading on Transportation in London

Business Parking in London
London Rail Link
London Underground Workers
London Transport Olympic Games
Survival Guide to Working in London During the Olympics

London Transport MP Urges Flexi Time During 2012 Games

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In order to limit the amount of commuters using the London transport network during the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Department for Transport has recommended that businesses allow employees flexible hours or remote working where possible.

Due to the expected influx of tourists and visitors during the London 2012 Olympic Games London Underground and bus services are expected to be stretched to the limit, with overcrowding and delays.

Norman Baker MP, the minister for transport has said that although the transport system has been upgraded and an investment of 6.5 billion pounds has been made, this will not be enough to stop travel delays and issues.

Mr Baker recommended that businesses allow London based office employees work closer to home, use video conferencing facilities or work from home if possible to ease congestion on public transportation during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

London’s High Speed Rail Link

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A second high speed rail link has been approved by the government, which will run from London to Birmingham. This news has been welcomed by industry leaders and is expected to create an estimated 20,000 new job opportunities, which will be a boost for the economy and promote further growth.

Old Oak Common is the proposed location of the interchange for the high speed rail link, along with new city quarter at Park Royal City, which is part of London’s regeneration project. It has been estimated that Old Oak Common would serve an additional 13,000 passengers per hour.

Further proposals include high speed links between Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow, which would further boost employment. It is also estimated that a further 10,000 much needed homes will be created.

Further Reading on Transportation in London

Watford Station
Survival Guide to Working in London During the Olympics
Business Parking in London
London Underground Workers
London Transport Olympic Games

London’s Tech Clusters

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The city of London has become the home of a new breed of Tech Clusters, with a number of major organisations along with small digital business startups establishing themselves. London is the largest hub for tech start-ups in the world, after California’s Silicon Valley.

Facebook, with offices in Covent Garden and Carnaby Street, Google, with offices in Victoria, Apple, Nokia and Groupon are just some of the big names expanding business operations in London. Telefónica, owner of O2, has recently set up new offices in Regent Street in the heart of Central London.

Although demand for central London office space dropped by twenty seven percent in 2011, it has been reported that telecom and Information Technology companies doubled.

In addition to Old Street’s Silicon Roundabout, situated in the Shoreditch area of East London, tech clusters have also been established in Fitzrovia, South Bank, Covent Garden and Clerkenwell. More than one million square feet of office space was acquired by tech companies across London during 2010 and 2012.

Information on Tech News, Technology Issues and Technology Seminars.

London Underground workers seek bonus payments during the 2012 Olympic Games

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According to reports London Underground workers, including drivers, ticketing staff, engineers and station staff have requested bonus payments to work during the London 2012 Olympic Games, in addition to normal pay. Tube workers were offered a five hundred pound bonus for working during the games, however this has been turned down. RMT boss, Bob Crow, was in discussion with Peter Hendy, head of Transport for London, when the breakdown in talks occurred.

District Light Railway workers have been offered a deal worth £2,500 for working overtime during the London 2012 Olympic Games. RMT has stated that tube workers should be offered a similar deal for working during this period. Tube drivers have already been allocated an extra £1,200 for working during the Games. A large number of London Overground staff are also due to receive a £600 bonus.

Transport for London expects increased passenger volume during the London 2012 Olympic Games and commuters are advised to allow extra time for journeys during this period. London office workers are urged to find alternative routes into work and businesses, particularly in the East London and Stratford area where the Olympic Village is situated, have been advised to offer employees flexible work hours or the option to work from home.

Further Reading on Transportation in London

London Rail Link
Watford Station
London Transport Olympic Games
Survival Guide to Working in London During the Olympics
Business Parking in London

Office to Evening Wear at Superman Speed

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We’ve all seen the movies, the uptight office worker removes her glasses, shakes her hair loose from its confining bun, and suddenly she’s the femme fatale. Who knew the wondrous beauty she had been concealing under those specs?

Unfortunately for most of us, that’s not how it works. If I shake my hair loose after a day at the office, I’m more likely to look like Medusa than Aphrodite. My make-up will be ruined, my clothes rumpled, but not in the romantic way.

That guy from accounting is coming to a work’s night out, and you’ve been hoping to let him see the ‘fun and sparkly’ side of you for months. Or ‘that photocopy girl/bovine’ who stole your man needs taking down a peg or two, not that you’re bitter, naturally.

With a few quick changes to your workwear, you can glam yourself up and be ready to impress.

First, it really does help to have a couple items under your desk at work, perhaps just a stylish top or a pair of killer heels, isn’t that what the space is for? Accessories, small pieces that jazz up what you’re wearing, some earrings, a necklace or bracelet, it all helps.

A quick dash to the ladies loo to apply a little bit more pretty, darker eyes, a slick of gloss and a splash of colour to your cheeks. A quick repair to your hair and your ready to save the world, or at least spin in a revolving door.

Further information on after work drinks, outdoor lunches in London and office parties.

Planning the Office Christmas Party in London

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Yes, it’s getting to be that time of year again. You can’t walk past a shop without being blinded by flashing red noses and enough tinsel to carpet all of central London. Those old songs are being belted out at you wherever you turn, there are funny men dressed in red suits and you’re thinking, “Is it too early in the relationship to be having Christmas with the ‘out laws’?”.

It’s time to plan the office Christmas party. You don’t want to be banished forever for planning the worst one since the girl from reception was ill all over the boss’s new shoes. You want people to enjoy themselves, they deserve it after a year of surfing the net – I mean, hard work.

I think getting some input from staff is a good idea, what do they want to do? Would they like a themed event? Finger buffet? Party Bus? Whatever it is, it needs careful planning.

Get quotes from catering companies, ask for references and do follow them up. You don’t want to end up with soggy sausage rolls and iffy deviled eggs. Is it an employee only party or can people bring dates, partners, pets? Continue reading “Planning the Office Christmas Party in London” →

After Work Drinks

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Yes, there is Life after Work.

It’s Friday, you’ve had a tough week at the office and just need to unwind and let your hair down. That merger/broken photocopier/temp girl wearing the same top as you have taken you to the edge of stress canyon, and it’s a long way down.

The question is, where shall we go? Not that dodgy old man pub, you’re trying to relax, not have the life sucked out of you and replaced with a woolly jumper (though actually, granddad jumpers may be back in, it’s hard to keep up).

There are plenty of light and airy bars around where you can have a civilized drink or three with your work mates. Some have happy hours, or more like “what did I do/who did I call” last night hours. Don’t worry about that, recriminations are for the morning after the night before. Just make sure your boss has a tipple or two more than you – it makes good career sense.

Some London bars we would recommend:

Alphabet Bar
61-63 Beak Street, Soho, LONDON, W1F 9FL
Tel. 08710751606

The Slug and Lettuce
80-82 Wardour Street, LONDON, W1V 3LF
Tel. 08713322385

Loungelover
1 Whitby Street, LONDON, E2 7DP
Tel. 08713326749

Terroirs
5 William IV Street, LONDON WC2N 4DW
Tel. 020 7036 0660

Boisdale
13-15 Eccleston Street, LONDON SW1W 9LX
Tel. 020 7730 6922

Portobello Star
171 Portobello Road, LONDON W11 2DY
Tel. 020 7229 8016

Additional tips and advice on office evening wear, office parties and outdoor lunches in London.

UK office staff lean towards remote working

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According to a recent survey carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), UK workers believe that by 2020 it will be an absolute norm to work remotely – from home, the cafe, the park or anywhere else – rather than from the cramped and soulless office.

More than 1,150 were asked to predict their career situation and workplace conditions for the year 2020. The majority of respondents admitted being worn down by the increased workload due to the recent recession, causing them to desire for better flexible working arrangements (reported by 47 per cent of respondents). Nearly half (42 per cent) admitted desiring for an improved work/life balance.

Interestingly, only the younger group of respondents (61 per cent of 16-25 year olds) believed they would still be working in an office environment by 2020.
There have been reports that office workers might not need to wait until 2020 for more flexible working arrangements, as many CEOs are already looking to invest in technologies allowing remote operations.