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Bye Bye Camp Bastion - bye bye major operations? 28th October 2014 2:45 PM

As British Troops finally leave and hand Camp Bastion over to the Afghan Army, it's time to reflect, what was it all about and wonder what the future will bring.

Will it be under Taliban control in 6 months as some suspect, making the whole adventure pointless, or will the Afghan Military continue and win the fight finally bringing peace to this tortured country?

Western Countries have paid a heavy price in blood and lives over the last 10 years, as well as financially. Are we happy with the results as we pull out, or were we just the latest chapter of occupying troops to leave the country with a bloody nose? After all the UK has been there before if you know your history.

It's fascinating when you look at the scale of the military operation at its peak:

Then there is the cost and complexity of bringing all the stuff back:

Images courtesy of the MOD

When you look at recent history and current events in Iraq, you have to wonder if Afghanistan will fare any better. I hope so, but I suspect there will be a lot of bitter squaddies wondering why we were there in the first place, and then not given enough resources to at least finish the job.

Maybe we have witnessed the last major deployment of ground troops to be used in an offensive combat role in a foreign country? I don't think public opinion would allow it again. Can you imagine an armoured brigade being sent off to fight ISIS or move into Syria?

The Ukraine has showed us that when an aggressor has a bigger stick, then we'll stick with diplomacy The US wouldn't even consider going into North Korea, who have arguably been a larger threat to the world order over the years than Iraq or Afghanistan.

But I don't want to take it away from the men and women in the UK military who as always, have done a magnificent job, stepping up to the plate often with inadequate kit or making up for a shortfall of resources with ingenuity and cunning. Plus remember the 2,116 who were wounded in action, some horrifically and the 453 who paid the ultimate price.

Lets hope our troops who are now very few in number after repeated defence cuts, get a well earned break from conflict for a few years, and the current operations by the RAF in Iraq don't escalate!

Anyone got any views on Camp Bastion, Afghanistan or our role in the world today?

films you enjoy 27th October 2014 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Don

“You can get carried away with this films is good and that film is bad.”

Very true and a good point that different views can relate to different moods.

But can also be interesting to hear about films you haven't come across before and put on your own watch list

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Thanks from: Lou M

Own up, who talks to their phone? Apparently teenagers do 27th October 2014 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by abfabcards

“A friend told me how her daughter in the evening is always texting friends, my friend said what can they have to talk about, when her daughter been with her friends at School during the day! ”

I think that is an ability unique to all females from Teenage years onwards...

Benefit (B) Corporations - a force for good or a hippy fad? 24th October 2014 4:12 PM

I came across the term B Corporation yesterday for the first time and it made me think of a recent thread, Do you build your business for the greater good of all?

Well it seems there is now a business structure/ethos that aims to do exactly that.

Here is some blurb of their site:

"B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

Today, there is a growing community of more than 1,000 Certified B Corps from 33 countries and over 60 industries working together toward 1 unifying goal: to redefine success in business."

www.bcorporation.net

Here is there promotional video:

It sounds all very impressive. Is this the future of business and the rough and tumble commercial world will become a thing of the past?

Can't see it personally although it's very admirable. Small businesses may want to be good social citizens but talk is cheap with little revenue and not having the luxury to give much away.

Then you grow into a larger business and enjoy the rewards that go with it, making it hard to walk in one day and say tomorrow we will start feeding the local schools for free and reduce our dividends to pay for it.

Maybe there is a halfway house and be interesting to see if this concept takes off.

Do we have any B Corp converts here?

A visual lesson in social media security 24th October 2014 2:33 PM

I thought this was a superb demonstration of both marketing via social media as well as it's intended purpose, online security.

A teacher uploaded an image to demonstrate to her class how far and wide images can travel. Look at the number of shares since 4th October and a few of the comments!

Here is the original post on Facebook if you want to leave your own comment

A fantastic visual safety aid for kids as well as a lesson in how to produce viral content!

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Tesco's new CEO takes charge of damage limitation 24th October 2014 2:12 PM

Well this is interesting, technically it's propaganda as the new CEO is being interviewed by a Tescos colleague, but it's being published publicly as new CEO Dave Lewis takes a firm hand to the Tescos Brand.

What do you think, heartfelt or just PR?

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UK to pay an extra 24th October 2014 11:21 AM

Well it's great to see the economies doing so well, we've all got cash in our pockets, life is good so it's only fair we pay a surcharge of £1.7bn to help out the Euozone..

Isn't it?

Couldn't believe it when I heard it on the beeb this morning.

This is simply going to fuel the anti Euro fires and push voters to UKIP. Do actually feel sorry for Cameron as he is in a dammed or be dammed situation from home and the EU.

Interesting graphic on the BBC Site which is apparently a leaked doc.

Full story on the BBC Site

So we get stitched to pay more while France and Germany get a rebate.

Even poor old Cyprus gets hammered, that's like fleecing the Isle of White

Previously I've always thought we should stay connected to the EU for trade reasons, but with less controlling powers coming from the likes of Brussels and this seems to be the stance the Tories are trying to take.

But things like this do make you wonder would we be better out of the Eurozone completely?

What does anyone else think?

Looking to expand my business 23rd October 2014 9:16 PM

Originally Posted by abfabcards

“I am on track this month to hit my retail goal of £800 sales. Last month I achieved £600, I like to stretch myself each month to do more than the previous month.”

Happy days, it's all about realistic and achievable goals. Each one you hit is a victory But when it goes the other way (which it will) analyse why and learn from it.

Rinse and repeat

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Looking to expand my business 23rd October 2014 3:56 PM

Originally Posted by abfabcards

“Approaching big businesses is exactly what I was thinking. I was also thinking do Estate Agents send a Christmas card to a customer spending their first Christmas in a house they have bought from the Estate Agent?

How best to approach businesses, e-mail, phone call, post, in person? ”

Good idea. Luckily I know somewhere that lists all the approved Estate Agents in the UK

I think email is a waste of time and will just be seen as spam. Visit local ones in person to gauge reaction and hone your pitch. If it works and they are receptive, cast your net wider and give them a call.

Be polite, courteous and non pushy. If the consensus is your getting nowhere, then knock it on the head and try a new approach.

Unfortunately (as I well know from experience) sat in your comfort zone waiting for leads to come to you will never/rarely happen Get out there and start pounding the street. If you want some humorous inspiration, just watch a few episodes of the apprentice!

Let us know how you get on

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Looking to expand my business 23rd October 2014 2:42 PM

Originally Posted by Shakey Fan

“Get a plan raise some money and grow unless its a hobby?”

That's a fair point, but it can be a bit like the chicken and the egg, especially for more lifestyle type businesses looking to expand.

But even with free advertising/promotion there are still costs, ie your time (unless you work for free!)

I'd imagine your line of work would be quite receptive to local offline networking groups, or at least 1 or 2 meetings then move on to the next. No point peddling to the same people

If you want to capitalise on xmas cards, then look at bulk. Can/have you approached businesses? Lots of bigger businesses send out supplier cards etc. Can you do designs incorporating commercial logos? Maybe they would be receptive to the charity angle? Big business is very sensitive to be perceived as being a good corporate citizen these days.

Lots of shoe leather, door knocking and making contacts will be the way forward. Waiting for a huge surge from social media will leave you still sitting there next xmas

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