Business, Management, Marketing, Money, Tax, Law, People

Company Name Tribunal Actions: A Review of recent Defended Actions

If a company registers an identical or similar company name in the UK with Companies House, submitting a complaint with the Company Names Tribunal (“CNT”) can be an effective way to challenge them.  In a related article,  we discussed what you would need to submit a successful complaint, the possible issues that may arise, the expected timescale and some practical tips. In this article, BrandWrites looks at the defended CNT actions to date and…

Continue ReadingCompany Name Tribunal Actions: A Review of recent Defended Actions

Labeling AI-Generated Images

As a company that’s been at the cutting edge of AI development for more than a decade, it’s been hugely encouraging to witness the explosion of creativity from people using our new generative AI tools, like our Meta AI image generator which helps people create pictures with simple text prompts. As the difference between human and synthetic content gets blurred, people want to know where the boundary lies. People are…

Continue ReadingLabeling AI-Generated Images

Catalent Acquisition by Novo Holdings and the Biopharma Industry

Novo Holdings, the parent company to Novo Nordisk, announced a deal this morning to acquire Catalent, a leading global CDMO known for its broad end-to-end CDMO capabilities. The deal, valuing Catalent at $16.5bn, is designed to help improve supply challenges that have been holding back the growth of their blockbuster GLP-1 drug semaglutide, more well-known by brand names Ozempic and Wegovy. In the same breath, Novo Holdings announced they will…

Continue ReadingCatalent Acquisition by Novo Holdings and the Biopharma Industry

Retailers and Generation Alpha

The youngest generation of shoppers – Gen Alpha – seems to be dominating news headlines lately, flocking into retail stores like Ulta and Sephora over the holiday season as they shop for the perfect products for their 10-step skincare routines and “Get Ready with Me” TikTok videos. As Ulta Beauty’s Chief Merchandising Officer noted, skincare was at the top of Gen Alpha’s holiday wish list as the 2023 holiday season…

Continue ReadingRetailers and Generation Alpha

Four Global Trends in Business and Society in 2024

Business continues to play a critical role in society, according to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer. The survey, which polled more than 32,000 citizens across 28 countries, finds that business is the most trusted institution to integrate innovation into society. Business is also seen as more competent and ethical than governments, NGOs and the media.  With this power comes responsibility – specifically, a responsibility to serve as a force for good.…

  • Post category:INSEAD Knowledge
  • Reading time:9 mins read
Continue ReadingFour Global Trends in Business and Society in 2024

‘What’s going to come next is really hard’

  Health After Cancer podcast tackles survivorship, advocacy The Health After Cancer podcast brings together Stanford Medicine physicians, cancer survivors and advocates to discuss issues around cancer survivorship and health after cancer treatment. Author Krista CongerPublished on February 2, 2024February 2, 2024   A young adult grappling with murky memories -- but permanent side-effects -- of cancer treatment as a child. A woman recently declared breast-cancer-free who opens her mailbox…

Continue Reading‘What’s going to come next is really hard’

Freshening up your wealth management plan is the perfect New Year’s resolution

The start of a new year is always a great time for a fresh outlook on your finances. Strong wealth management requires regular reassessments of your financial priorities and this time of year is the perfect period to take stock. Putting thought into how your financial position has changed and whether you have new aims for your wealth could lead to positive results. Financial planning is one of our core…

Continue ReadingFreshening up your wealth management plan is the perfect New Year’s resolution

Derivative claims – a means for minority shareholders to fight back

Are the directors of the company you invested in failing to act in that company’s best interests? You may be able to protect that company’s best interests by bringing a derivative claim against them on behalf of that company, no matter how small your shareholding is in it. The laws of England & Wales consider private limited companies (Ltds) to have their own legal personality separate from that of their…

Continue ReadingDerivative claims – a means for minority shareholders to fight back

META – Investing In Privacy (for real?)

2023 was a busy year for privacy, and it’s become even more critical to build scalable privacy practices. With that in mind, we’ve invested $5.5 billion in our privacy program since 2019, and have grown the teams focused on privacy to more than 3,000 people. In honor of Data Privacy Day, we’re looking at some areas that have benefited from this investment. Click to view slideshow. Sharing Our Privacy Progress…

Continue ReadingMETA – Investing In Privacy (for real?)

Leadership Challenges When Companies Merge are…

Mergers have become the norm in the telco sector recently. Far EasTone and Asia Pacific Telecom in Taiwan in 2022, True and DTAC in Thailand, as well as Celcom and Digi in Malaysia both in 2023. These represent a global shift towards an era of two-three players in each market, especially in Asia. Increased competition, the pressure for infrastructure investments and digital transformation are all driving this trend. Mergers promise extra…

  • Post category:INSEAD Knowledge
  • Reading time:8 mins read
Continue ReadingLeadership Challenges When Companies Merge are…

EUIPO Board of Appeal invalidates 3D Rubik’s cube mark

Verdes sought to invalidate a 3D mark including colour claims for the Rubik’s cube The Board of Appeal agreed with the Cancellation Division that the mark was invalid as it consisted exclusively of the shape of goods necessary to obtain a technical result The absence of ‘shape’ per se does not exclude colours from obtaining a technical result On 20 October 2023 the First Board of Appeal of the EUIPO…

Continue ReadingEUIPO Board of Appeal invalidates 3D Rubik’s cube mark

How to stop free riders from riding the coattails of your (reputed) brand

Brand owners often struggle to protect their look-and-feel against free riders. A ten-year review of the EUIPO’s case-law shows that the look-and-feel of reputed marks – ranging from their logo, colour scheme to even their typical font – can be protected against imitations of this look-and-feel, even when the word elements completely differ. Hopefully, national courts follow suit. This article also contains some practical guidance on how to reach this…

Continue ReadingHow to stop free riders from riding the coattails of your (reputed) brand

How We Measure Globalization

When the world was a simpler place, most manufacturers did their work in-house and in their home country. This included product design and innovation; making inputs and assembling them; and sales, marketing, and distribution. In the early 1900s, for example, Ford made almost all of its 15 million Model Ts at its Highland Park plant, in Michigan.  Tuck professor Teresa Fort teaches the core MBA microeconomics course and a seminar…

Continue ReadingHow We Measure Globalization

Rooting out systemic racism in maternity care

  How California is taking on inequity for Black patients during pregnancy, childbirth Across the United States, Black women are three to four times as likely as their white peers to experience life-threatening pregnancy complications or die giving birth Author Erin DigitalePublished on January 31, 2024January 31, 2024 Across the United States, Black women are three to four times as likely as their white peers to experience life-threatening pregnancy complications…

Continue ReadingRooting out systemic racism in maternity care

Wellness Apps and Privacy

  Employers looking to enhance their suite of employee benefit programs, and focused on lessons learned during the pandemic on wellbeing, are interested in providing greater access to wellness tools. And, the vendors who support those tools are more than happy to provide them. Global spend in the health and wellness market would be around $24.8 billion in 2023 according to a study by Kilo Health. Wellness apps and wearables…

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read
Continue ReadingWellness Apps and Privacy

The art of communicating change in op model design – Part 1: The change team

The way that change is communicated to any team, whether it’s the change team speaking to the leadership team at the start of a project or leaders speaking to their people further down the line, plays a huge role in how we feel about the future of the business, our job security, and the journey ahead. Therefore, it’s important at every stage of a change project, that communication is well…

  • Post category:Clarasys
  • Reading time:5 mins read
Continue ReadingThe art of communicating change in op model design – Part 1: The change team

Some CEOs Are More Likely to Engage in Downsizing

When a firm’s performance falls short of aspirations, organisational changes can help stop the bleeding and get things back on track. Broadly speaking, firms have two strategic avenues to consider. The first is growth-related strategies to improve the firm’s position and performance, which could range from mergers and acquisitions to introducing new products and expanding factories. The second is corporate downsizing actions such as divesting from loss-making units, closing production facilities,…

  • Post category:INSEAD Knowledge
  • Reading time:6 mins read
Continue ReadingSome CEOs Are More Likely to Engage in Downsizing

The Future of Prosumer: The Rise of “AI Native” Workflows

Few people love the software they use to get things done. And it’s no surprise why. Whether it’s a slide deck builder, a video editor, or a photo enhancer, today’s work tools were conceived decades ago — and it shows! Even best-in-class products often feel either too inflexible and unsophisticated to do real work, or have steep, inaccessible learning curves (we’re looking at you, Adobe InDesign). Generative AI offers founders…

Continue ReadingThe Future of Prosumer: The Rise of “AI Native” Workflows

Piero Cipollone, Philip R. Lane, Isabel Schnabel: Learning from crises: our new framework for euro liquidity lines

29 January 2024By Piero Cipollone, Philip Lane and Isabel SchnabelThe ECB can lend euro to non-euro area central banks to reduce the risk of financial stress spilling over to the euro area. Piero Cipollone, Philip Lane and Isabel Schnabel explain how we have made such liquidity lines more effective and agile. The financial disruptions during the coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have once again underscored the importance of…

Continue ReadingPiero Cipollone, Philip R. Lane, Isabel Schnabel: Learning from crises: our new framework for euro liquidity lines

INFLUENCER AGREEMENT: legal issues to consider

Influencing has been the modern means of advertisement in the recent world of marketing. Influencing refers to the ability to have an impact or effect on the thoughts, actions, or behavior of others in promoting products or services through social media platforms. It involves persuasion, communication, and other strategies to bring about a change or influence a decision. An influencer agreement is a contract, which stipulates rights and obligations between…

Continue ReadingINFLUENCER AGREEMENT: legal issues to consider

Setting up as a freelancer – Malta

Setting up as a self-employed individual can have several benefits. Some general advantages are the flexibility this setup offer. Being self-employed often allows for greater flexibility in terms of working hours and locations. You have more control over your schedule, which can be particularly beneficial for those who prefer a non-traditional work structure. As a self-employed individual, you are your own boss. This independence allows you to make decisions without…

  • Post category:Finance Malta
  • Reading time:4 mins read
Continue ReadingSetting up as a freelancer – Malta

A Unique Driver of the Sharing Economy: Belief in the Meritocracy

The technical term for platforms like AirBnb and Task Rabbit is “peer-to-peer exchanges,” but most people know them as part of the sharing economy. The sharing economy, or that part of commerce where individuals share their resources with others for a fee, has been around for thousands of years.  Tuck professor Nailya Ordabayeva teaches the core marketing course in the Tuck MBA program. She also teaches Marketing Principles for Creating…

Continue ReadingA Unique Driver of the Sharing Economy: Belief in the Meritocracy

2024 business outlook – fortune favours the bold

2024 is only three weeks old, but it’s clear those waiting for a return to business as usual are missing the moment – and leaders focused on growth have good reason for the spring in their step. Turbulence is priced in Times have changed – turbulence in global affairs is here to stay. China’s rise & stall will not be without incident; Russia is testing the West’s will in Ukraine;…

  • Post category:Q5 Partners
  • Reading time:3 mins read
Continue Reading2024 business outlook – fortune favours the bold

How risk leadership leads to better, more rational decisions

Dr. Annette Hofmann is a researcher, author, and leading expert in the field of organizational risk. In this interview with Bhavik Modi, Senior Director, BTS, Dr. Hofmann explains how moving beyond a traditional approach to risk and developing risk leadership competence can help companies become more resilient and profitable—and may even save lives. Bhavik Modi, Senior Director, Innovation and Digital Transformation at BTS Dr. Annette Hofmann, Director of the Lindner Center for…

Continue ReadingHow risk leadership leads to better, more rational decisions

Huge Profits for State Electricity Suppliers

For many Swiss households, the new year brings higher electricity prices. Compared to 2023, electricity costs for a typical household (H4) will rise over 18 percent on average in 2024. The increase compared to 2021 – when costs began to rise quickly – will be 57 percent. And this, despite the fact that market prices have fallen considerably. Even futures, meaning the current price fixings for electricity supply in one…

  • Post category:Avenir Suisse
  • Reading time:7 mins read
Continue ReadingHuge Profits for State Electricity Suppliers

Building Safety is all about the data

Last week saw further sections of the Building Safety Act 2022 (the Building Safety Act) come into force, which include the requirement for safety case reports to be completed. As we look at the key changes, it is timely to recall that when a panellist at the 2023 Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) conference asked the audience to indicate whether they had prepared a building safety case report, only…

  • Post category:Gowling WLG
  • Reading time:9 mins read
Continue ReadingBuilding Safety is all about the data

USA Open Banking Regulation Arrives in the US

In 2010, Congress included a provision in the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) requiring that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) promulgate rules effectuating what is commonly referred to as “Open Banking.”   Specifically, the rules would require any entity that engages in offering or providing a consumer financial product or service to make available information concerning the financial products or services that the consumer received from the entity.…

  • Post category:DLA Piper
  • Reading time:16 mins read
Continue ReadingUSA Open Banking Regulation Arrives in the US

12 trends shaping the not-for-profit, charitable, and public sectors in 2024

What is on the horizon for 2024?  2023 was a year of change and challenge. The continuing cost-of-living crisis, yet another government reshuffle, high interest rates and tax burden, the rise of Artificial Intelligence, investment in renewable energy, and the resurfacing of enduring global conflicts – to name just a few! Charities, housing associations, health and care providers, councils, and other public bodies have had to manage increasing demand for their…

Continue Reading12 trends shaping the not-for-profit, charitable, and public sectors in 2024

Europe’s metals sector expresses its desire for independence

The consensus is clear: there will be no energy transition without strategic metals. Batteries, wind turbines and solar cells require large amounts of lithium, nickel, rare earths and other exotic elements. More broadly, strategic sectors like aerospace and defence are also dependent on critical resources whose suppliers have de facto life-or-death control over the relevant production chains. As per the recent example of the gradual exclusion of Russia (and its…

  • Post category:Credit Agricole
  • Reading time:7 mins read
Continue ReadingEurope’s metals sector expresses its desire for independence

But Will They Watch till the End?

If you’ve browsed the Internet recently, you’ve probably noticed a significant uptick in the number of video advertisements popping up. Your eyes are not deceiving you. In the past five years, the online video ad industry has grown from $24 billion to $74 billion in size, and now video ads make up almost a third of all digital advertising. What’s behind this rapid surge? The theory goes that video ads…

Continue ReadingBut Will They Watch till the End?

AI Survey Reveals Financial Industry’s Top Trends for 2024

The financial services industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the adoption of AI technologies. NVIDIA’s fourth annual State of AI in Financial Services Report provides insights into the current landscape and emerging trends for 2024. The report reveals that an overwhelming 91% of financial services companies are either assessing AI or already using it in production. These firms are using AI to drive innovation, improve operational efficiency and enhance…

  • Post category:NVIDIA
  • Reading time:4 mins read
Continue ReadingAI Survey Reveals Financial Industry’s Top Trends for 2024

Home-grown innovation investment for UK agri-food

British farmers and food producers started the new year with some good news from government. Labelling rules are to be clarified to help make UK products stand out more to consumers, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced. This ‘Buy British’ measure may be modest, but it aligns with wider forces at work in the ever-changing UK agri-food industry that are driving innovation and investment in domestic…

  • Post category:Ayming consulting
  • Reading time:4 mins read
Continue ReadingHome-grown innovation investment for UK agri-food

Eight Essential Leadership Tips for 2024

As leaders consider which skills to focus on developing in 2024, change management and emotional intelligence might top the list. Even as leaders are called on to craft strategy around the use of artificial intelligence, the harder problems involve steering teams through all of the changes AI continues to bring. If you’re one of those leaders, you’ll need to not only retain but also inspire your best people in 2024.…

Continue ReadingEight Essential Leadership Tips for 2024

NVIDIA CEO: ‘Every Industry Will Become a Technology Industry’

“This year, every industry will become a technology industry,” NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang told attendees Wednesday during the annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. “You can now recognize and learn the language of almost anything with structure, and you can translate it to anything with structure — so text-protein, protein-text,” Huang said in a fireside chat with Martin Chavez, partner and vice chairman of global investment firm Sixth Street…

  • Post category:NVIDIA
  • Reading time:4 mins read
Continue ReadingNVIDIA CEO: ‘Every Industry Will Become a Technology Industry’

Securing future: What is cashflow modelling and how can it help protect wealth

Cashflow modelling is an integral part of the wealth management process. Anyone whose wealth grows beyond a certain size will soon realise that this blessing comes with the need to handle an increased level of financial complexity. More money tends to mean more complications and losing track of your finances is a genuine risk. Robust cashflow modelling can bring much-needed clarity and help to ensure your future remains financially secure.…

Continue ReadingSecuring future: What is cashflow modelling and how can it help protect wealth

12 Great Pieces of Company-Building Advice We Heard in 2023

Times have gotten more challenging for many technology companies of all sizes. The easy-money era of low interest rates is over, and many investors are demanding more rigor from the companies they back. No more growth at all costs—software leaders must focus on smart growth, discipline and sustainable revenue in 2024 and beyond. Helping small startups and larger, more-mature tech companies scale to reach their potential is always tricky. Fortunately,…

  • Post category:Battery Ventures
  • Reading time:10 mins read
Continue Reading12 Great Pieces of Company-Building Advice We Heard in 2023