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PRINCE2 PROJECT MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK – THEN AND NOW

Business

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27 March 2017

PRINCE2 PROJECT MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK – THEN AND NOW

PRINCE2 project management framework is recognised throughout the world for its ability to help deliver many successful projects. 2017 marks the year of the first major update to this framework since 2009. A lot is going to change, and we’re interested to find out how much has changed not just from the 2009 update, but since PRINCE2 was born in 1996.

The Origins Of PRINCE2
While PRINCE2 itself wasn’t released until 1996, its origins date back to 1975. The British government called for some sort of framework to help with project management, as they weren’t having a lot of success. Along came something called PROMPT, which was designed to make computer projects more manageable. Further along the line, in 1989, a variation of PROMPT was born, called PRINCE. It was then released for public use in 1990.

Fast forward to 1996, and the first version of PRINCE2 came about. A committee of project managers got together and decided on what was best practices for project management were. They used this, and the existing framework of PRINCE, to form PRINCE2.

PRINCE2 1996
When PRINCE2 first came around it was designed to be a project management framework for use across multiple industries. The idea was to make this framework suitable for every single project, regardless of size. It moved on from being a framework solely focused on IT projects, which is what PRINCE originally was.

PRINCE2 2009
In 2009, PRINCE2 underwent its first proper update. The main focus of this update was to simplify the framework and make it easier for people to customise it to their own project needs. It also birthed the seven core principles of PRINCE2. This update made the framework so much lighter than it had originally been.

Between the 2009 update and the upcoming 2017 update, PRINCE2’s ownership changed hands. In 2013, it became the property of AXELOS Ltd.

Now, this new update is coming along to make significant changes to the framework. The focus is firmly on scalability and the ability to be more flexible. This update looks to make the framework easier for people to use for any project they’re managing. There’s also far more emphasis on tailoring and project managers are encouraged to use things that work for them, and neglect things that won’t. It’s brought more guidance to the framework, with tips and hints on how to apply the principles and themes to your product. Along with this, it’s also changing two examinations for PRINCE2 certificates; Foundation and Practitioner.

The Evolution Of PRINCE2
Having looked at the history of PRINCE2, you can see how much it has evolved. The first ever version was designed solely for use with IT projects. It was a very large framework that needed to be adapted by project managers for their chosen industries. Then, the original became PRINCE2, and there’s been a focus on scaling things down and making the framework easier to use for everyone ever since.

Everything Sounds Better On Vinyl – The World’s Most Expensive Records

Music

ABC Staff

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27 March 2017

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Everything Sounds Better On Vinyl – The World’s Most Expensive Records

Are you a Beatles aficionado or a Sex Pistols maniac? Do you have old Bowie vinyls and Classical recordings tucked away? If you do, you’re probably not inclined to part with your collection – but you might change your mind when you see the prices they go for.

A new infographic from MrGamez shows the most expensive record prices on the market today.

The top five include: The Sex Pistols, The Beatles and Paul McCartney.

1. God Save The Queen – The Sex Pistols – £8,600.00

2. Please Please Me – The Beatles – £6,766.67

3. Introducing… The Beatles – £6,157.13

4. Bach / Mozart : Violin Concertos – Gioconda De Vito / Rafael Kubelik – £4,999.00

5. Ram – Paul McCartney – £4,104.75.

There are a further 20 records listed on the infographic below.

If you have a stash of records up in the loft, then why not pay it a visit. It may just pay for your next holiday or a conservatory on your house.

How to Get the Best Loan for Your Needs

Finance
News

ABC Staff

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27 March 2017

0

The US economy may well be entering a period of monetary tightening and increased dollar strength. However, what happens on Wall Street does not necessarily filter to down to Main Street. The unemployment rate is currently 4.7%, and inflation is rapidly rising towards the 2% objective set by the Fed. Other US economic indicators paint a picture of an economy moving towards a recovery and higher interest rates. Nonetheless, jobs remain scarce and opportunities for investment require a little digging. For many people, the only way to build an asset portfolio is through credit facilities.

Tips for Applying for Personal Loans

A recent report was published stating that most American households do not have $500 in cash available for an emergency. This means that most American households are using credit cards to pay for their exigencies. Credit card debt is one of the biggest drivers of personal debt, and it often creates a situation where people find it difficult to turn things around. Fortunately, personal loans are a viable solution for this dilemma. These personal loans do not typically require upfront collateral, and this means that the lender has no guarantee that the loan will be repaid. This typically results in a higher interest rate than mortgages or auto loans. Regardless, personal loans are extremely popular in the US and elsewhere, and here are some tips on how to go about being approved for one.

What type of loan is required?

A loan is a loan right? Wrong. Personal loans vary from secured to unsecured. A secured loan will use your fixed assets, vehicles, or machinery as collateral. This means that if you default on the loan, your possessions can be requisitioned. A more popular option for personal loans are unsecured loans. No collateral is required for these loans, and it presents a greater risk to the lender, not to the borrower. The downside for the borrower is that it comes at a higher interest rate, and nonpayment can result in judgments, and a negative impact on the user’s credit score.

What do you qualify for?

The loan approval process is contingent upon many factors, a person’s credit score being the most critical. However, there are many other factors that come into play. These include your employment history, criminal background check, length of tenancy at current residence, court judgments, liens and other factors and so forth. It’s entirely possible to receive a personal loan with a credit score of 640+ or less than that. But, the lower the credit score, the worse the terms vis-à-vis interest repayments.

What lenders should you go to?

There are bad credit loan lenders, banks, financial institutions, and various other potential lenders out there in the market. Your credit score is a useful determinant of what you qualify for, and who is most likely to approve your loan.

What documents do you need to apply for a personal loan?

Once the necessary research has been conducted, the paperwork needs to be gathered. The paperwork typically includes paychecks/pay stubs, rental agreement or title deed, letters from creditors or employers etc. Bank statements are also a good idea as they show your debits and credits over time. The loan application form needs to be correctly filled out. Incomplete applications are summarily rejected, and will not reflect positively on the borrower. The most important T & C for personal loans is associated with the interest rates and repayment conditions. Flexible lenders, low interest rates and tailored solutions are best.

The Clear Link Between Career Choice and TV Shows

Business

ABC Staff

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27 March 2017

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The Clear Link Between Career Choice and TV Shows

Who doesn’t want to spend a quiet weekend at home, curled up in front of the tube catching up on an episode (or entire season) of a favourite show? It’s a pastime we all engage in, for better or worse, but a recent study reveals it has an impact on far more than how we spend a few hours each week. Fletchers Solicitors, a leading law firm in the UK, published Careers on the Box, which highlighted a growing trend of making career decisions based on the job ambitions of beloved television characters.

The report found that one in five Brits let the leading characters on television shows influence career decisions. Among younger viewers – those who fall into the Millennial category – that statistic nearly doubles to 39%. Making a choice to attend law school, pursue a medical degree, or focus efforts in the field of journalism and writing can be clearly linked back to the most loved shows like Law and Order and Judge Rinder, Grey’s Anatomy, and Sex and the City. Part of the draw to these programs goes beyond the career itself, as characters are often found in deeply personal relationships and emotional conflicts of which millions of viewers can easily relate.

CEO of Fletchers Solicitors, Ed Fletcher, believes that the connection between career ambitions and television shows is closely tied to the work that the characters do for the greater good in each and every episode. It is easy to fall in love with leading roles like Jack McCoy of Law and Order or Rachel Zane of Suits because of their equally high profile lives and human struggles. These relatable characters are seen as part of the rise in law university applications and attendance throughout the UK in recent years.

The television industry is a booming business, with millions of viewers tuning in each day as a way to relax, connect, or simply escape the stressful world around them. In the years to come, it will be interesting to see how the leading roles in popular shows shift to meet the evolving needs of a widely diverse population. Show creators who understand the impact their programs have on the career choices of younger viewers may include an array of occupations in future shows, like engineers or entrepreneurs. As it stands now, the draw to legal, medical, and journalism careers remains strong based on what we watch.

Featured image: Aaron Escobar [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

New £1 Coin Set to Bring Parking Chaos in Britain

News

Sam Allcock

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27 March 2017

0

New £1 Coin Set to Bring Parking Chaos in Britain

On Tuesday, the new £1 coin is set to enter circulation in the UK and whilst it’s an exciting moment for many currency collectors, it’s set to induce chaos when it comes to Britain’s parking meters.

The coin is set to replace the traditional “round pound” that has been used for the past 30 years and there’s been a huge overhaul in the design. The new £1 coin has been released in an attempt to combat the counterfeit coins. The Royal Mint have said that approximately one in 30 of the current coins are counterfeit, and that they’re easy to replicate. The new coin has been dubbed as the “most secure in the world”.

Instead of the circular shape, the new £1 coin will have 12 edges – something that many parking meters, vending machines and other pay machine won’t accept.

Around a quarter of the nation’s pay and display machines are not expected to be ready for the introduction on March 28th, and drivers are being warned to carry the old pound coin as a back-up. The existing £1 coin will be accepted until 15 October this year.

The British Parking Association explained that parking spots in rural areas are the most unprepared for the change as many machines are too old to be modified. It’s estimated that the cost of modifying the machines could be as much as £50 million.

The Automatic Vending Association (AVA) said: “In 2011, the new 5p and 10p coins were introduced at a cost to the industry of £28.9 million and it is estimated that the upgrades required for the new £1 coin will cost approximately £32 million.”

The new coin change also means that millions of supermarket trolleys will need to be changed in order to accept the new shape, although many big-name brands have already completed this.

Slot machines and laundrette facilities will also need updating in order to accept the new £1 coin, proving that it’s causing chaos all over Britain.

National Living Wage Rises to £7.50 from £7.20

News

Sam Allcock

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24 March 2017

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National Living Wage Rises to £7.50 from £7.20

Millions of people are set to receive an annual pay rise of £585 once the new National Living Wage comes into play this April.

The news was announced last year in the chancellor’s Autumn statement, as well as the Budget that happened earlier this month. The raise is in place in a bid to reach George Osborne’s vision of reaching the minimum wage to £9 by 2020 and give a huge boost to the economy.

However, the raise in national living wages is only going to benefit those over the age of 25. The wages for people beneath this age are as follows (commencing on 1 April 2017):

Apprentice: £3.50

Under 18: £4.05

18-20: £5.60

21-24: £7.05

25+: £7.50

This means that if you should be expecting to see a small rise in your monthly wages when the changes are put into place next month. Even just a 35p pay rise from £7.20 to £7.50 per hour will bag you an extra £585 per year!

Whilst these changes are ready to be rolled out next month, there’s a possibility that the minimum living wage could rise even further. Many experts have expressed that they do not find the current payouts to be satisfactory, and some argue that the minimum wage should be at least £2 higher in areas in and around London.

Director of the Living Wage Foundation, Katherine Smith, commented:

“”The reality, however, is that a fifth of UK workers aren’t paid enough to live on. There’s still a gap between the government minimum and our real Living Wage of £8.45 in the UK and £9.75 in London, which is based on what families need to earn to meet everyday costs.”

On the start date of the wage rises, employers will need to ensure that they’re paying staff the correct rates. As an employee, you should check that you’re receiving the minimum wage for your age group by checking your payslip at the end of April.

How to Kick Start Your Investment Strategy in Student Housing

Sam Allcock

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22 March 2017

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How to Kick Start Your Investment Strategy in Student Housing

Everyone can remember the times when they were students struggling to find the best environment in which to learn and evolve to become great professionals. Everything in life starts with proper education and the wish to evolve and become the best version that any individual can be. The same applies later in life when you decide to develop a business and try to find ways in which to invest in a smart manner so that your business might constantly grow. As far as investments go this year, investors focusing on new strategies in student housing investments should be aware of important factors that influence the success of their business. Today we will reveal a few inside secrets on how to kick start your investment strategy in this segment.

The Value of Alternatives in Terms of Student Housing

When it comes to students, not all of them wish or have the opportunity to stay in university campuses all throughout their study years. Investors focusing on alternatives for students can also consider off-campus housing options for them and make their investments become successful in the long-term. There is a serious increase in the number of adults willing to extend their knowledge and skills by applying to different universities every year. These are the ones who usually wish to find an off-campus site where they could live their new student experience.

Off-campus housing has thus become more than necessary in various cities across the world. No matter where your business might be based, you can now find perfect regions where to offer such housing options for worldwide students. Moreover, you can also find a region in which the housing options that are already there are the perfect match for this intended purpose. It is all about extending your horizons in the investment world and creating that perfect strategy that will prove to be effective in the short and long-term.

The Main Benefits of Off-Campus Student Housing

Another great benefit that comes from investing in off-campus housing is represented by the huge request for such options. International students need a place where they can focus on their learning experience and overall evolution. Such places that are off-campus are usual less expensive than campus ones so as an investor you will never have to worry about finding the right tenants all throughout the year. Thousands of students need housing that will be available for them all year round and they are ready to pay the market price for this. This means that your investment will never encounter losses in this case because your houses will be rented all throughout the year.

Increased Potential of Student Housing Investments

The increasing number of students who wish to study in major universities across the globe has made the student housing investment options become more popular than ever in the last three years. People at the right age for university studies as well as adults who wish to change their professions wish to rely on new study opportunities. This means that your targeted audience as a property investor is a large and varied one that you can rely on every year. This determines the increase in value in terms of potential when it comes to investing in student housing.

Important Factors to Consider

The main factor you need to consider for improving your investment strategy in this case is focusing on the right audience and finding the perfect place where to create housing alternatives that your audience might consider worth going for every year. This type of investment is one that can bring noticeable results in the long-term and one that has a huge potential that you should explore.

Moreover, going for diversity in terms of options for students is another way in which you can make your whole investment strategy become more successful. You need to set yourself apart from the competition and offer your future tenants the best conditions or services they could get for the required price. You can easily capitalize on the growing demand for accommodation for students in university campuses and outside of these if you establish a perfect investment strategy that will attract attention.

Rely on Professionals that Help Grow Your Business

Finally, rely on professionals for every kind of details that influence the success of your investment business in student accommodation London. Choose the best area for building those houses or find one that is already filled with houses you can use for this intended purpose.

Place yourself in the shoes of those students trying to find the best environment in which they could learn and offer them the best conditions every time. This is what will set you apart from your competition and will ensure huge financial revenues for you in the long-term.

Disqualification Given to Man Acting as Company Director Whilst Bankrupt

News

Sam Allcock

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22 March 2017

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Disqualification Given to Man Acting as Company Director Whilst Bankrupt

A disqualification has been handed to the sales director of a printing company in Lincolnshire after he had been found to breach his bankruptcy.

Mr Peter Henry Nicholson was found to be acting as the sales director of Tandem Print Solutions Limited (formerly Tandem Solutions Group Limited) after being appointed on 1 June 2012, and still acting in the position until 18 March 2014; just a few months before the company went into administration on the 31 July the same year.

Whilst there is nothing wrong with being the sales director of a company, Mr Nicholson had previously received a bankruptcy order on 14 May 2012, which meant that he was unable to act as the director of a company for a period of 12 months commencing on the date that the order was given. He would only be allowed to act as director if he was given leave of the Court. However, this was not handed to Mr Nicholson at any point during this period.

The bankruptcy order meant that he was under meant that he had to adhere to a number of restrictions, including:

He must not take part in the formation, promotion or management of a company unless they have permission from the court.
He must disclose his status to a credit provider if he wishes to get credit of more than £500.
He cannot be the receiver/manager of a company’s property on behalf of debenture holders, or act as an insolvency practitioner.

Sue MacLeod, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, commented:

“The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will continue to uphold the integrity of the insolvency regime and will not hesitate to act if a bankrupt breaches the restrictions to which he is subject. This disqualification should act as a deterrent and warning to others who might be considering such breaches.”

Is Your Internet Payday Loan Provider Legal?

Finance

ABC Staff

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21 March 2017

0

Is Your Internet Payday Loan Provider Legal?

Sometimes it’s difficult to take a loan from a bank – creditors’ claims become tougher day by day after all. But to take out a loan arranged over the internet is easy and available to anyone, be it a student, retiree or unemployed.

The advantages are obvious. To apply for a loan, a customer doesn’t have to travel to the company office or meet with an agent, which is pretty convenient. You can apply from home, during work or even a vacation. Only the internet access is needed, and the whole procedure of application and loan takes just 15 minutes. Consideration of the application usually over in a matter of seconds; borrower will get a reply almost instantly. No queues, lengthy collection of documents and other bureaucratic moments.

But not every payday loan provider working online is reliable like Burzi krediti online. In fact, many of lenders fail to meet their legal obligations.

How to check the reliability of the company?

Internet payday loans providers must follow the same set of rules, as their storefront counterparts. It’s very dangerous to borrow from a company, which provides have very scarce information about itself.

In past, the European Union investigations found that four out of five UK online payday loan companies couldn’t provide the basic information required by law. Companies which just want to make quick money and leave the market usually have no intentions to invest into infrastructure.

When looking for online companies, take note whether they have working call-center, as well as reliability and creditability ratings – a solid company is always rated.

Some sites are missing even very basic elements of regulations on payday lending: no mention of representative APRs, no contact details. And on top of that, the company might be a mere broker in disguise of a payday lender, simply introducing borrowers to lenders.

The company license might also be missing or expired long ago. It is impossible to check their credentials or authorizations.

But forewarned is forearmed, right? Users have to pay attention and realise all risks they’re about to take dealing with online payday lenders.

Things to keep in mind

Remember: if you apply for a loan online, you risk more.

Firstly: you may later be required to repay a loan at a higher rate than was announced, and you will have to prove your case in court.

Secondly: when applying, you have to provide your passport data, which may be used by fraudsters. For this reason, alone, you had better make sure the company is reliable and known.

Thirdly: Always read loan agreement and other documents, like “General rules for lending”, which must be present on every payday loan provider site without exceptions.

If you search on the internet for “payday loans” you will sure find many online companies which would gladly offer cash in a hurry to desperate borrowers. But many of them won’t provide you with cost and length of borrowing details, which is a violation of EU Consumer Credit Directive. Pay attention to their sites, and do your own investigation before you decide to borrow from them.

Diamond Investment Seller Banned for Inflating Prices

News

Sam Allcock

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20 March 2017

0

Diamond Investment Seller Banned for Inflating Prices

A diamond investment seller who sold coloured diamonds for highly inflated prices has been disqualified as acting as a company director for a total of 14 years.

Mr Daniel David Edgar was discovered to be selling the diamonds following an investigation by the Insolvency Service whilst acting as a designated member of the company Reco Commodities LLP (Reco). The fraudulent company found itself in the High Court just two years before Mr Edgar’s disqualification after a confidential enquiry into the activity of the company was voiced.

It was found that the company in which Mr Daniel David Edgar worked for (Reco) operated by making telephone calls to potential investors and persuaded them to invest in their coloured diamonds. However, Reco’s company sold the items at hugely inflated prices, with the end conclusion resulting in the coloured diamonds not being suitable as an investment.

At the moment, it’s expected that the investors who fell for the scam are owed at least £433,155.10 between them.

Mr Mark Francis, another member of the partnership, was disqualified just three months prior to Mr Edgar’s ban for the same reasons.

Anthony Hannon, Official Receiver in the Public Interest Unit, commented:

“The Insolvency Service will not hesitate to use its enforcement powers to investigate and disqualify directors whose companies defraud the public. This lengthy disqualification will protect the public and act as a deterrent to others.”

Whilst the ban of 14 years is in place, Daniel Edgar is unable to act as the director of a limited liability partnership or other form of company. He is also unable to participate in the formation, promotion or management of a company until the disqualification period has finished. His ban commenced on 15 March 2017, and will end in 2031. Mr Daniel David Edgar is unable to complete a range of other restrictions such as acting as an occupational pension scheme trustee without leave from the Pensions Regulator, or apply to the police authority in future.

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