The students may not be back yet but we are!

Happy New year and welcome to the soon starting Middlesex term!

As with my last post in 2014, I have several end of year reports and indeed predictions for the future that I think are interesting. Firstly a report on the 'Business of Whisky' - probably doing well over the last few weeks although overall sales have fallen. Also an interesting Review of the Year in the Middle East, looking at the many and varied events throughout that region and the likely consequences for business and politics. Now rather the reviews of the year gone, here are the Financial Times predictions for 2015 - is an industry you are interested in covered here? Have a look!

For those of you interesting in Oil and Gas here is some grim reading as Oil prices continue to plummet. The piece analyses the winners and losers from this situation while this video looks at tough time for US Gas. Food for thought in both cases. Two more videos now looking at the fortunes of Tesco and Sainsbury, Tesco, despite a terrible year, is showing some signs of recovery and has a clear plan for the future. In contrast, Sainsbury is suffering eroded returns are the whole supermarket sector suffers.

Away from news and on to skills and inspiration. Firstly should  business students be taught to 'be detectives'? This article argues that Business Schools need to better equip students with practical skills and to tailor their research closer to real world scenarios - what do you think? Finally a post on the Blog of Harvard Business Review talking to ten people about having a career that matters. Really interesting and inspiring!