analysis
Excel-based report writers; the inside story
Take a look at the Excel-based report writers with a quick summary of how they work. David Carter also gives you a comprehensive set of links to Excel competitors and their data marts to help you improve company reporting.
Outlook 2009: Standard Life says timing is the key
Long term value exists across a range of asset classes; the key issue is when and how this might be released, according Andrew Milligan, head of global strategy at Standard Life Investments.
Information Builders: BI has more impact on the front line
To make a real difference, business intelligence (BI) technology needs to be applied to frontline, operational activities and not finance and strategy, according to Kevin Quinn, vice president of Business Intelligence at Information Builders.
Credit market freeze continues to hit US companies
Greenwich Associates, says U.S. companies expect a deep and long economic downturn. Its research shows that even the biggest and strongest U.S. companies are reporting difficulty accessing essential credit.
Sterling: where next for your pound?
Peter Hargreaves, chief executive of financial services group Hargreaves Lansdown, explains in a hard-hitting article why he believes the UK economy is in deep trouble.
How to improve sales and forecasting with Excel and Access - a tutorial
David Carter's tutorial uses a sample database enabling companies to learn how to improve their sales orders and stock control which runs through an accounts package written in Access by live-linking Excel direct to their Access database. His analysis also utilises pivot tables. This is an introduction to a series of four tutorials.
The power of web analytics in the marketing arsenal
Conrad Bennett, at WebTrends, looks at how analysing internet movements and keywords can boost a company's marketing returns and bring in new business. He outlines how the NS&I used the technology to promote products other than the premium bonds, its market leader.
The finance directors top ten challenges
A new survey shows that heads of corporate finance are taking a gloomy view until at least next year, while their top concern is cost control. At the same time a number of companies are considering moving abroad citing corporation tax as their main irritant.
How risk managers missed the credit crunch
Proponents of risk management argue it benefits the corporate culture but the current credit crunch shows the elite of risk analysis, the banks, managed to get it wrong. Carolyn Williams offers some reasons as to why risk analysis failed.
Corporate Britain has more surplus cash than expected
Figures from the government's Blue Book show that UK Inc has more cash available than at any time over the past 20 years.
The Bottom Line:If Mr Cable has his way...
"If Mr Cable had his way, all the big banks would be broken up and bonuses would be virtually eliminated - a sure-fire way in my view of guaranteeing an end to the UK’s ability to compete as an international financial centre. Let’s not forget that this is a man who is on record as saying that everyone who works in a bank has an ‘aristocratic lifestyle’ clearly demonstrating his lack of understanding of the sector." A tough line on bankers’ bonuses could make a brain drain of financial talent a distinct possibility, warns Paul Marsden. Read more