Business

Gilbert Stephens LLP laid down the gauntlet to their Young Professionals Network by hosting a ten pin bowling competition at Haven Banks Retail Park on 16 February 2017.

All teams who entered showed a competitive streak and Luke Kitteridge, IT Assistant at Gilbert Stephens stole the show by winning both games. Mat Bennett from Bishop Flemming accountants and Rachel Philips of Frosts Estate Agents in Exeter, both showed good form when coming in as joint runners up.

Jamilah Pringle, Associate Solicitor at Gilbert Stephens says, "Everyone enjoyed the evening. It was a great...

The internet has really changed the way we communicate over the years. Instead of phone calls, we now rely on video conferences, text messages and social media to connect with others. The same changes are affecting business, too. Live communications with customers are now conducted through more channels than ever before.

Despite these changes, a recent report suggests that a lot of businesses are still using SMS messages to connect with customers. More importantly, many brands and companies who have fully embraced the internet are going back to using SMS messages for marketing....

Devon businesses could risk seven figure fines by falling foul of new data protection rules, according to a local expert. A survey carried out at the recent Cyber Security Awareness Week in Exeter showed that none of the attendees were ready for the new law, with half yet to take any action to prepare. The General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR) will come into force in 2018, bringing major changes to the data protection laws, along with fines of up to two million Euros or 4% of worldwide turnover. The UK is a leading the way on data protection and the government has confirmed the...

Economic growth in the South West lost momentum at the start of 2017, while there was a strong rise in cost pressures faced by local businesses, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Regional PMI.

The South West PMI® fell to 54.8 in January, down from 58.7 in December. A PMI reading above 50 signifies growth in business activity.

Data from January showed that the pace of growth in business output and new work eased. Firms continuing to create jobs, however, albeit at a slower rate than in December.

This extra caution towards hiring can be linked to rising input costs...