Best of Elevate: our top 10 business posts of 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011 | Posted by: Fiona Cullinan
Categories: Thought Leadership | Tags: business, entrepreneurs, links, blog, best, Elevate, 2011, reads

Another chance to see our most popular business-related posts of 2011…

1. Do your loan notes hold a nasty surprise?
Loan notes provide an excellent method of deferring the cost of buying a company, but tax changes mean that they are now less appealing and may hold a nasty tax hike for some. (For up-to-date advice on loan notes, please contact Nadine Elliott at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).)

2. Women in the boardroom world map (infographic)
Which countries top the list for employing female senior-level female executives? Grant Thornton’s infographic maps figures from 24 countries.

3. What makes an outstanding FD?
Grant Thornton, with Directorbank Group, asked nearly 350 directors, chairmen, chief executives and executive directors to nominate the best finance directors (FD) they’ve worked with. The final 25 were then interviewed on what it takes to get to the top – and what advice they have for their peers in the current economy…

4. Sustainable cities: how business can help ‘green’ the public sector
Private, public and third sector are being encouraged to come together to create sustainable cities of the future. Grant Thornton’s in-depth report reviews the sustainability landscape and commercial involvement.

5. Corporate social responsibility, Big Society and the bottom line
How’s your corporate social life? Responsible? Non-existent? Alex Connock looks at corporate social responsibility (CSR) and argues that it is becoming intrinsic to business success.

6. Let’s make some world-class media: Media trends forecast 2011-20
What will make British media businesses world class in the next decade? It’s a big question – but there is consensus on the answer, says Alex Connock.

7. Our 2011 Budget predictions for business
What changes lie ahead for entrepreneurs and privately held businesses in the UK? Francesca Lagerberg, Grant Thornton’s Head of Tax, makes some predictions. (Updated information is now available on our Autumn Statement and draft Finance Bill 2012 page).

8. Who’s topping this year’s Sunday Times Top Track 250?
Find out which mid-market companies are leading the UK out of recession, with the release of the 2011 Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250 list, sponsored by Grant Thornton.

9. When corporate hospitality could equate to bribery -and other new risks arising from new Bribery Act
The UK Bribery Act became law in April 2010, creating new risks to businesses operating in certain markets. Where are the new risks and how can you mitigate them?

10. Financing improves but mid-market remains frustrated
Grant Thornton’s 2011 survey maps the financing needs, wants and strategies of the UK mid-market in 2011.

The posts above appeared throughout 2010 and 2011 so some of the information may have changed – please get in touch to discuss developments and current thinking on the topics covered above.

We hope you enjoyed reading Elevate blog for business leaders in 2011 and that you’ll rejoin us in 2012 – remember, you can subscribe to our updates via our Elevate blog feed.

Until then we wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year!