London Office Buzz – Page 15 – More than an office blog

The London Marathon

Posted on March 14, 2014

The 34th London Marathon will be run on 13 April 2014, and is one of the world’s leading athletics events. The London Marathon attracts world and Olympic champions, as well as range of amateur runners of all abilities. The festive atmosphere often features playful runners dressed up for charity.

About the London Marathon

Although the current London Marathon was first run on 29 March 1981, long-distance races have been held in the city as early as 1909. In that year, the Polytechnic Marathon was organised for the first time. The last Polytechnic Marathon was run in 1996. The prestigious London Marathon is held each year in the spring. Founded by former Olympian Chris Brasher and John Disley, the London Marathon is one of the top six international marathons recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in addition to New York, Boston, Tokyo, Berlin and Chicago. The London Marathon features three groups of starters: Elite Women, Elite Men, and Wheelchair (men and women). These starter groups are followed by a Mass Race with runners of various abilities. The first edition of the London Marathon attracted 6,747 runners. In 2013, the event attracted 34,631 participants.

The Route

The route for the London Marathon is largely flat and concentrated around the River Thames. It has changed very little over the years, with changes primarily being made as a result of construction and road works. The race begins at three different points around Blackheath. The often fast-paced marathon ends at The Mall, next to St. James’s Park and close to Buckingham Palace. The course spans 42.195 kilometres, or 26 miles and 385 yards.

Beginning at Blackheath, the London Marathon travels south of the River Thames and east towards Charlton. The three separate starting points merge after 4.5 kilometres (2.8 miles) near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich. From there, runners travel past the Old Royal Naval College before heading to the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. The course then winds towards Surrey Quays at the Docklands, followed by Bermondsey. After running along Jamaica Road, competitors reach the half-way point of the marathon at Tower Bridge. Continue reading “The London Marathon” →

Is it Faster to Walk Between Some London Underground Stations than Take the Tube?

Posted on March 7, 2014

Built 150 yeas ago, the London Underground is now part and parcel of the life of many Londoners. Given the capital’s notoriously bad traffic, the tube is often hailed as the quickest way of getting from A to B. But is it really so? Some of the trains running up and down the Metropolitan line can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, but in the city centre, trains barely reach half of that speed. The reason? The stations are too close to each other. This means that in some cases, it might actually be faster to walk than to take the tube. If you are often pressed for time or simply enjoy walking around, take a look at a few alternative walking routes that can save you time and money.

Leicester Square to Covent Garden

These two Piccadilly line stations are only 270 yards apart. In fact, you will see signs at both stations recommending passengers to walk, especially at peak times. Walking takes just 4 minutes, plus you won’t be putting your patience to the test on the crowded escalators or using up all your energy climbing the 193 steps at Covent Garden.

Charing Cross to Embankment

Many stations on the Jubilee line are barely 500 yards apart from each other. Charing Cross and Embankment are even closer, at just under 300 yards. Walking will definitely offer you a welcome break from the trains that are often packed with commuters. The walk down Northumberland Avenue is quite pleasant and takes only 5 minutes.

Farringdon to Chancery Lane

Trying to get by tube between these two stations involves changing from the Central to the Northern line at Bank station and changing lines again (after just 1 stop) at Moorgate. The trip seems too much of a hassle considering that you can walk between both stations is less than 10 minutes and enjoy a walk through the backstreets of old Holborn. Continue reading “Is it Faster to Walk Between Some London Underground Stations than Take the Tube?” →

The Top Business Incubators in London

Posted on February 28, 2014

A business incubator is an excellent opportunity for start-up and development stage businesses to grow. Through a variety of supports that include mentorship, office space, financing and more, businesses and entrepreneurs are able to improve networks and develop skills and promising products or services for the market. London is home to some of the world’s top business incubator programmes, including Impact Hub and Accelerator.

Accelerator

Accelerator is a specialist business incubator located in Shoreditch. The district is at the centre of London’s information and communication technology (ICT) and digital media economy. Part of London Metropolitan University, the incubator provides services for students and businesses. For students, Accelerator offers support, advice and advice for any one interested in starting their own business. The program also runs an annual Business Plan Competition for students. From two-day boot camps for entrepreneurs and start-ups to meeting facilities, the incubator offers, the incubator delivers supports for pre-start up, start-up and early stage businesses. Both physical and virtual incubation is available to businesses primarily in the ICT and digital media community, including affordable office space, access to business support and training, networking opportunities, and other resources. For more information, visit www.accelerator-london.com.

Impact Hub Islington

Impact Hub is an international network with more than 8,000 members from around the world. Business and entrepreneurs in London have access to advice, resources and development opportunities from over 40 Impact Hubs in dozens of cities. The collaborative network includes Impact Hub Westminster, which opened in 2011. Impact Hub Islington hosts monthly programmes and events to provide entrepreneurs and businesses with opportunities to connect. With 1,200 members, Impact Hub Islington also makes a community workspace available for entrepreneurs and businesses to meet, connect, and work. The incubator is based in a modern space located at a converted warehouse near Angel tube station in Islington. Visit www.islington.impacthub.net for more information about Impact Hub. Continue reading “The Top Business Incubators in London” →

Office Breakfast Delivery Services in London

Posted on February 7, 2014

‘Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince and Dine like a Pauper’ – a delicate balancing act of what quantities one should consume for the healthiest diet, this old saying has become somewhat turned on its head in recent years.

Breakfast is undoubtedly the most important meal of the day: it affects the rest of your day. Skipping this all important meal can lead to a host of irritations that will affect the entire day. Mood swings and gnawing hunger certainly won’t lead to a productive start to your day, and can make you snappish and difficult to get on with – something that is certainly not going to be helpful if there’s a big meeting coming up. After a full night’s sleep, the brain desperately needs to replenish its glucose stores, and so feasting on a scrumptious and healthy breakfast will extend your attention span as well as increasing productivity.

Of course, grabbing a bacon butty swimming in grease and butter – while being delicious and filling at the time – can be no better than eating nothing at all. Full of fat, calories and salt, breakfast meats such as bacon and sausage can sit in your stomach all day, making you feel bloated and uncomfortable. A balanced breakfast with slow-release foods and fruit can work wonders as a morning pick-me-up.

Luckily, in this age of instant messages, email and microwave-able ready meals, the hassle of cooking up a large, healthy and balanced breakfast can be dropped into another’s hands. Whether as part of the catering for a busy morning meeting or just to share with co-workers, there are many catering companies which offer a variety of readymade, delicious breakfast menus delivered to the office.

London’s office breakfast delivery businesses are booming, with companies such as Grazing, Franks Express, Kudos and Office Diner being only a sample few amongst dozens. Continue reading “Office Breakfast Delivery Services in London” →

The Top Business Locations in London

Posted on January 31, 2014

London is one of the world’s most important business centres. The global city is a commerce and finance hub, according to the Institute for Urban Strategies, as well as a centre for education, entertainment, tourism, media, research and development, healthcare, professional services, and transport. There are five major business districts across the city, each with a distinct character and economic strengths.

City of London

The City of London is the historic centre of England’s capital. First settled by the Romans in the around 47 AD, it is often simply referred to as the City. Emerging as one of the world’s most important commercial centres during the 19th century, the City remains a significant business and financial hub. Although the area only has a population of 7,000 according to the 2011 Census, more than 380,000 work in the City of London. Approximately 155,000 people or 41 percent of workers in the City were employed in the financial sector in 2011, with 27 percent or 105,000 people employed by companies in the professional and estate sector.

The greatest concentration of financial companies is found in the east, particularly Bishopsgate. Insurance firms also have a major presence in the east end of the City. Legal firms primarily found in the north and west, while professional and estate companies are largely based in the west. Some of London’s tallest buildings are found in the City, including the Natwest Tower, the first skyscraper in the UK. Newer skyscrapers include 30 St. Mary Axe (also known as the Gherkin), the Broadgate Tower, and the Heron Tower. Major office buildings under development include the Pinnacle, 20 Fenchurch Street, and the Leadenhall Building. The district serves as the headquarters for several major national and international firms, including Aviva, BT Group, Lloyds Banking Group, Prudential, Standard Chartered, Ernst and Young, Unilever, Old Mutual, and several of the world’s largest law firms.

Canary Wharf

London’s secondary financial centre is Canary Wharf. Situated approximately four kilometres or 2.5 miles from the City of London, Canary Wharf is located in the borough of Tower Hamlets. Some of the UK’s tallest buildings are found in the district, including One Canada Square. Once the site of derelict docklands, Canary Wharf now boasts over 16 millions square feet of office, retail and leisure space. More than half of the property is owned and managed by Canary Wharf Group plc (CWG), a partnership of property development, investment and management companies. The district features 35 completed buildings and employs approximately 100,000 people, according to CWG. Continue reading “The Top Business Locations in London” →

Important London Conferences in 2014

Posted on January 24, 2014

As a world class city, rich in cultural history and global economic tradition, London is the top choice for events and exhibitions. Visitors to the city will find a wide array of hotel rooms, restaurants to suit every diet and an excellent transportation system providing access to the many available meeting venues. London hosts thousands of events every year. Below are the top events worth paying attention to in London this year.

SES London 2014

Coming February 26, discover what’s new in Converged Media. Paid and social media work together to influence consumers across multiple channels. Learn about the strategies for successful marketing campaigns. Top innovators provide training for advertisers, marketers and business leaders. SES London will be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in the heart of Westminster.

TEDx Houses of Parliament 2014

The popular TED talks are once again coming to London on June 27. Speakers will be presenting at the QEII conference centre on themed topics. Always enlightening, TED speakers cover subjects from all aspects of technology, education and design. Tickets are in high demand every year, so register early.

Integrating Passenger Information 2014

Meeting from March 26-27 to study the automation of data from transportation services and how they interface with social media, smartphones and public information services.

TeachMeet BETT

A relaxed gathering at the Docklands on January 24, TEACHMEET is for anyone who is interested in education and for teachers to share ideas that they’ve tried in their classrooms. All teaching professionals are welcomed to take part and share their stories about learning. Continue reading “Important London Conferences in 2014” →

The Most Sought After Careers and Popular Jobs in London

Posted on January 3, 2014

Being the capital of one of the strongest economies in the world, it is not surprising that London attracts thousands of jobseekers every year, who arrive in the British capital hoping to give a boost to their career by landing a position in the city. According to a March 2013 report published by local London newspaper The Evening Standard, the official unemployment rate in the city is at a four-year low, and currently stands at 7.8 per cent. Data collected by the Greater London Authority show that during 2013, the total number of jobs available in the city has increased by 3.9 per cent when compared to the previous year.

London is also the most popular UK city for graduates who are in search of their first job. This trend has been specially notorious since the economic recession hit, according to the Higher Education Careers Services Unit. But where exactly are the most popular jobs in London and what are the key trends for the near future? In this article we take a look at the most fruitful sources of employment in the British capital and at some interesting data about them.

Finance and banking

With hundreds of financial institutions from all over the world headquartered in London, the city naturally attracts jobseekers who are interested in pursuing a career in finance. The city’s status as a leading financial centre at international level is one of the main reasons why the finance job market in London escaped the worst of the recession. In May 2012, a survey carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Research showed that financial jobs in the City were down by nearly 100,000 when compared to the pre-recession years. However, the sector has since stabilised and currently the number of finance jobs available is on the rise. Banking jobs have increased by 3.2 per cent, whereas the bulk of finance jobs available is 1.8 per cent higher than last year.

According to the Higher Education Careers Services Unit, approximately 66 per cent of all graduates who are currently working as financial analysts began their career in London. One thing is clear: the finance job market in London is changing, and while jobs some types of finance and banking are becoming scarce, there are new opportunities in areas like fund management and insurance.

Construction

Construction is a booming sector in London that has benefited from the celebration of the Olympic Games and from some large-scale infrastructure projects, like the Thames Tideway Tunnel or Crossrail, which will require large numbers of construction workers until 2019. All in all, there are nearly 700 ongoing construction projects around London. In the residential sector, there are more than 200,000 London homes with approved building permission. According to the Construction Skills Network, at the end of 2012 there were 260,000 people employed in the construction sector in Greater London.

However, the London Assembly Economy Committee has recently published a report affirming that there are important skills shortages in this particular labour market, especially when it comes to dry liners, glazers, plasterers, and building envelope specialists. These are the areas where the best paying constrution jobs can be found.

Hospitality

London is an industry leader in the hotel and catering industry, and according to some recent reports, the hospitality industry in the capital has outpaced the rest of the country and is showing growth levels that are higher than those of the pre-recession years. By 2020, it is expected that there will be 5,000 new hotel rooms in the city, in addition to the 8,000 that opened up on occasion of the Olympics.

Yet, the latest State of the Nation report shows that the city is experiencing critical skill shortages, especially when it comes to chefs and qualified hospitality managers. While vacancies for front of the house staff and waiting staff are always available in London, the highest paying hospitality jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Retail

Retail is one of the most important contributors to the economy of London. According to data published at the London’s Economic Plan website, the retail industry employs more than 400,000 people, a figure that represents approximately 9 per cent of all jobs in Greater London. It is expected that within the next ten years, there will be a further 75,000 retail vacancies available in the city.

By far, the most popular retail jobs are to be found in specialist clothing stores, which employ 78,000 jobs across London. Next are food retail outlets, which provide more than 22,000 people, followed by outlets selling electrical goods, books, and furniture, in which more than 10,000 people are employed.

Work and Career New Year Resolutions for 2014

Posted on December 20, 2013

The countdown to Christmas has already started. In addition to being the best time of the year for family gatherings and for taking some well-deserved time off, the transition period between one year and the next is also great for setting up personal and professional goals. New Year resolutions are often consigned to oblivion after a few weeks, but more likely than not, this is so because the resolutions were not realistic enough. When it comes to the workplace, this period is the perfect time of the year to take stock of our achievements and to set out a few reasonable objectives for the year that’s just about to start. In this article you will find some useful suggestions that might inspire you to start the new year in the office with motivation and enthusiasm.

Start the year with a positive attitude

Although this may seem obvious, a positive attitude can make a world of a difference when it comes to your working life. If you only decide on one New Year resolution for 2014, make it taking yourself less seriously. Of course, there are stressful situations that you will have to deal with, such as dealing with difficult customers, meeting strict deadlines, or simply surviving the kind of days when everything seems to go wrong. But if you think of it, chances are that you will not be the only one in the office feeling overwhelmed by this type of situations. Taking negative things with a pinch of salt and with a lot of humour can help reduce the tension in the office atmosphere.

Avoid gossip and criticism

Whether we like it or not, office politics are a fact of life in most workplaces. Having to spend at least 8 hours a day, 5 days a week surrounded by people with different personalities and points of view can be hard and lead to much complaining and criticism. Many employees see criticism and gossip as a way of blowing off some steam, but in the long term, this will end up being counter-productive. Gossiping about others in the office undermines motivation, team spirit, and ultimately, productivity. Make a point of doing your part to contribute to a healthier working environment by avoiding listening and spreading gossip and criticism. Continue reading “Work and Career New Year Resolutions for 2014” →

Overview of London’s Commercial Property Market – 4th Quarter 2013

Posted on December 13, 2013

Latest trends in the London office property market

According to an October 2013 report published by Jones Lang Lasalle, the main characteristic of the London office market during the last quarter of the year has been accelerated rental growth. This has been especially evident in London’s West End and in the City. Prime office rental values in the West End and in the City evidence a quarter-on-quarter increase of nearly 4 per cent. This means that the London office market is now among the top five most expensive in Europe.

Quarter-on-quarter surveys show that the highest increase in rental values has taken place in properties located in Mayfair and St James’, where prices have reached £110 per square foot. Other significant increases have been observed in Soho, Covent Garden, Victoria, Noho, and Fitzrovia. The areas that have experienced the least dramatic increases are Shoreditch, Old Street, Canary Wharf, and Camden.

The largest transaction during this quarter involved a 430,000 square feet property near London Bridge.

The retail property market in London, Q4 2013

The London retail property market has bucked the nationwide trend during this quarter, as it has been characterised by rental growth and low vacancy rates. When compared to the fourth quarter of 2012, retail rental values are 5.7 per cent up.

Investment yields in prime locations have increased by 4.75 per cent, whereas in secondary locations they have grown by 6.25 per cent. However, during the fourth quarter of the year, rental value growth levels for retail floor space has decreased by 0.6 per cent. Continue reading “Overview of London’s Commercial Property Market – 4th Quarter 2013” →

How to Keep your Office Healthy

Posted on December 6, 2013

If you run a business or are an office manager, chances are that one of your main concerns has to do with keeping up productivity levels so that your company can compete in the local economy. As you probably know, one of the most important factors affecting productivity is absenteeism. According to the most recent Absence and Workplace Health survey, workplace absenteeism costs the British economy a whopping £14 billion a year. Most of it is due to sickness, as research has shown that the average British employee takes up to four more times the amount of sick days off than workers in other developed countries.

Because the business implications of absenteeism due to poor health are so important for companies, it is only natural that business owners will want to prevent health issues among their employees as much as it is reasonably possible. This is particularly important during the winter season, when health problems rise substantially. In this article we offer some useful suggestions that can help you keep your office healthy and provide a better working environment for your staff.

How to achieve a healthy office environment

Keeping your workforce healthy cannot be achieved by simply targeting one factor. It is important that office managers and business owners have a holistic perspective of what can be done in this respect, as the health of your workforce depends on both physical and psychological elements. So what are some of the things that can be done to improve the physical environment of your office in order to make it healthier? Continue reading “How to Keep your Office Healthy” →