Twitter unofficially became the fourth largest country in the world this week, with the micro-blogging system reaching 10m active users in the UK alone, more than the combined total of people who buy daily national newspapers.

The significant milestone marks a shift in the balance of power from politicians and press barons to the individual, handing power to the people and underlining its influence as one of the primary communication mediums of choice – with the Arab Spring one of many examples highlighting the global influence of Twitter.

However, with great power comes great responsibility, and tweeps haven’t always been responsible in their use of social media. Twitter was perceived to have played a major role in the London riots, and various corporations and individuals have fallen victim to unsolicited tweets.

Despite this, Twitter will only continue to grow in influence, and with 80% of UK users accessing it on mobile phones, Twitter owes gratitude to the smartphone manufacturers who enabled it to become a globally accessible phenomenon. Furthermore, by announcing it will honour a ‘Do Not Track’ request from users, it has positively differentiated itself from rivals such as Google and Facebook.

From a position of uncertainty earlier this year, Vauxhall has confirmed that the new Astra will be built in the UK, paving the way major investment for the UK’s motor industry.

It is the latest endorsement for the UK car industry from foreign owners, with Nissan, Honda and Jaguar Land Rover all either committing their futures or increasing production in Britain. It also marks a rare occasion where all parties, including unions, staff, the employer and the Government, are able to come to an amicable solution.

The positive effect of this should not be underestimated. For the first time, Britain is now exporting more cars than it is importing, marking a great success story for British manufacturing, particularly as the Ellesmere Port was in direct competition with GM’s Opel factory in Bochum, Germany, whose future remains at risk of closure.

In a tough retail environment, lower prices and struggling rivals helped Asda increase its like-for-like sales by over 2%, helping the company reach a record market share of 17.6% in the UK.

While Tesco and Morrisons continue to struggle, Asda benefited from its focus on value, with consumers once more looking to make savings. A revamped own-brand range and its “price guarantee” also seems to have appealed to budget-conscious shoppers.

Asda’s success could be put down to its customer engagement – it also won the battle for Christmas grocery spend last December. The two buzzwords in the grocery market are ‘fresh’ and ‘service’, and Asda’s CFO, Rob McWilliam, believes Asda is now reaping the benefits of investing in quality – through its tie up with Leith’s Cookery School.

Tesco continues to be the market leader for now, but with Sainsbury’s and Asda breathing down its neck, how much longer will this be the case?

In yet another damaging episode for the technology giant, the CEO of Yahoo! was forced to step down this week after it was revealed that he did not have qualifications claimed on his CV.

While Facebook, Google and even Spotify appear to be flourishing, the US internet company is struggling to revive its flagging fortunes. The only significant decision made by the CEO was to cut 2,000 jobs, and this poses yet another leadership crisis, particularly after the acrimonious departure of previous CEO Carol Bartz.

It was hedge fund manager Third Point who discovered the error and lobbied for the CEO to step down, and this comes amid a proxy battle to install four directors on to the board. While this may be seen as a victory for Yahoo’s largest outside shareholder, it does nothing to convince its stakeholders that can provide genuine competition to its tech rivals or reverse its decline.

The weaknesses of VaR have been well documented by the losses at JP Morgan and it is clear that the model is fundamentally flawed and unsuitable, particularly in times of political uncertainty or economic volatility, as it does not account for unexpected events in financial markets, liquidity risk, political or regulatory risk.

VaR has been adopted by numerous banks and the Basel Committee as a measure of risk management, but very few traders measure risk using VaR. It therefore begs the question as to why regulators keep insisting on it when its flaws are so clear – if the euro were to break up, for example, relying on historical relationships through VaR to quantify risk could be suicidal.

Many market experts believe that in today’s market conditions, it is essential that institutions undertake daily, or even intraday, monitoring of the hedges’ value. They cannot just rely on simpler instruments to hedge common portfolios – it must be combined with other stress testing measures in order to be truly effective.

This event has battered the reputation of JP Morgan and the banking industry, and it seems inevitable that stricter regulation is on its way. Let’s hope, for the reputation of the industry, that the new rules are appropriate for today’s unprecedented market conditions.

There appears to be no end in sight for the long queues at London’s Heathrow Airport, and with the Olympics just a few months away, many feel the UK Border Agency’s woes will continue.

London’s international reputation is in severe danger of being damaged, with Keith Vaz MP noting that UK airports receive poor ratings from travellers. And while the Immigration Minister announced a new wave of recruitment, it seems the blame game has already begun.

The direction of the wind and lack of information from airlines in relation to passenger numbers were put forward to the Home Affairs Select Committee, but the BAA CEO said this is a culmination of “a steady deterioration over the last two years”.

Whatever the case, the UKBA must get its act together quickly – yet one cannot help but be concerned when the Prime Minister’s spokesperson admits it will take “some time” to improve the efficiency of the UK Border Force.

Dixons defied the gloom in the weakening retail market with like-for-like sales in the UK and Ireland climbing 8% in the year to April, representing a strong start for new CEO Sebastian James, who replaced John Browett in February.

With rivals such as Argos, Comet and Best Buy all struggling in a difficult economic environment while internet retailers continue to flourish, the owner of Currys and PC World had a good year overall, and the results provide a strong indication that it has put the foundations in place to turn around its fortunes.

While the company’s annual pre-tax profits are at the top end of expectations, sales at Dixons also illustrated contrasting levels of consumer sentiment across Europe. However, the markets endorsed the results with shares subsequently rising, but although trading conditions remain uncertain, the outlook looks positive for Europe’s second largest electrical goods retailer.

In an attempt to show potential investors that it has multiple revenue streams available, Facebook launched a new App Centre this week to help people discover “the best apps” which their friends enjoy using.

Widely seen as a shrewd move, the App Centre will allow the social network to showcase the best apps to a potential market of 900 million people, based on its extensive social data, which allow users to login using their Facebook details via Connect.

Available on the Web and on both iOS and Android operating systems, it is also the first truly significant move by Facebook to counter worries about mobile revenue, where social networking sites provide limited ads. It is also the first time developers can sell apps to consumers directly on Facebook and is likely to herald the launch of the first paid apps on social networks.

The uncertainty in financial markets has led to retail investors abandoning active fund managers, with tracker funds outselling actively managed funds by nearly two to one and hitting record highs of £661m this year, the highest level since records began.

The benefits of tracker funds have always been clear – they are usually cheaper and offer access to a diversified portfolio without having to select a particular type of investment – and according to the Investment Management Association, the trade body “had not seen such sales figures in nearly two decades.”

Sales of tracker funds are particularly popular as charges are quite a hot topic in the industry, and this is further demonstrated by sales of funds of funds, which traditionally have higher fees, fell by £1.3bn compared to the same period in the previous year.

As the retail investment market grows, it is likely that sales of tracker funds and ETFs will grow, and active fund managers may be have to adapt in order to continue to attract sales.

The elections in Greece signalled anger at the political establishment’s contribution to the eurozone crisis, and almost a week after voters made their voice heard, political leaders and financial markets are hoping Greece’s third bid for a coalition is successful.

Mainstream Greek parties are showing signs of wanting to renegotiate the terms of an international bailout, and Europe’s leaders responded by threatening to withhold aid if the country reneges on its reform commitments.

The standoff has caused further chaos in financial markets, with the single currency dropping to its lowest level since mid-January and equity markets suffering. Some have always questioned the legitimacy of Greece’s membership of the single currency, and it seems that although a return to the drachma would have devastating repercussions across Europe, it may be a price worth paying.

In a case that will hardly help to improve the reputation of the industry in general, 104 former Dresdner Kleinwort investment bankers won the battle to share a €50 million bonus pool.

This comes at a time of heightened public scrutiny over remuneration, with the so-called ‘shareholder spring’ already causing significant victims, further damaging the reputation of the industry and top-level executives.

For many, this case will epitomise the need for reform. The circumstances have changed for millions of people since the global financial crisis of 2008, and for many, the honourable thing would have been to drop their legal action, thus proving that bankers didn’t “work for the money”. Instead, this case only reinforces that view, and may increase call for additional regulation.

Aviva will not be the last scalp in the shareholder spring in the latest wakeup call for the c-suite. The issue is not really one of executive pay – successful CEOs get rewarded very well – the issue is strategy, underperformance and leadership.

Aviva has been buffeted by exposure to the eurozone crisis, but also, by a perceived lack of coherent strategic planning and leadership, leaving the communications function with limited wriggle room when the fundamentals were so weak.

Reputation is everything, particularly in a punishing operating environment. Aviva must get a grip on its narrative and then its ongoing dialogue with the key stakeholders on whom it relies to operate – from internal communications right through to investor relations.

A YouGov poll showed that one in four Britons are abandoning scheduled TV to watch programmes on demand – via services such as the BBC’s iPlayer, 4oD and LoveFilm. This was largely driven by the popularity of tablet and mobile technology, faster and more accessible internet speeds and Smart TVs.

When considering that the number rises to 41% amongst 18-24 year olds, it is a strong indication of the “paradigm shift” in TV viewing habits that has taken place in recent years, and is likely to become the norm amongst the growing, internet-savvy generation.

This is also great news for the manufacturers of on-demand services, with Apple and Sony dominating the tablet and Smart TV markets respectively. However, with Sony declaring it will focus on mobile devices, games and digital imaging and Samsung eating into the market share of both companies, it sets the scene for Apple and Samsung to mirror the heated battle currently taking place in the smartphone sector.

RSA Insurance reported a 5% net rise in global premiums for Q1 this week, undoubtedly pleasing the senior management at a time when a ‘Shareholder Spring’ appears to be gaining momentum.

While the company reported steady growth in most major markets, including the UK, Europe and Canada, the most pleasing news almost certainly came from emerging markets, where strong demand drove net written premiums up by 21%.

This bodes well for RSA – by tapping into a developing market that is likely to grow over the decades, it has the opportunity to cement its position and create the foundations for long-term growth in emerging markets. It must surely be a key strategic focus for the company, and with profitability and growth lines seemingly secure, the company can avoid the uncertainty currently surrounding rivals such as Prudential and Aviva.

The company’s gamble in the UK also appears to have paid off. Last year, it made a bold move by announcing it would reduce its share of the “dysfunctional” motor insurance industry to focus on more profitable areas. This has proved to be a success, with UK pet and household insurance premiums rising, and partnerships with major high street brands will ensure that this is likely to continue and grow.

Many journalists and tech analysts went to the launch of the new Galaxy yesterday wondering if Samsung’s latest offering would continue to challenge Apple, and its fair to say that many left the event impressed.

While there were a few analysts left underwhelmed, everyone unanimously agrees that the phone will sell well, particularly as a new iPhone is not expected for a few months. “It makes the iPhone look a little like yesterday’s model… and really puts the pressure on Apple to come up with something different for its next iPhone” one tech editor reported, while the BBC called the Super HD Amoled screen ‘stunning’.

It is a testament to Samsung that it never took its foot off the pedal, unlike many rivals who have since faltered, and its ability to continuously innovate and create a buzz has once again cemented Samsung’s position in global smartphone and Google Android markets. While the technology and software of the product continues to impress, it is accompanied by the firm’s strong brand image, and the onus is once again on Apple to push the boundaries and set the benchmark.

Carnival UK, parent company of P&O cruise lines, caused an outrage this week after it was revealed that some staff on board its cruise ships earned less that £60 a week for working 11 hour shifts, 7 days a week.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber called it a “disgraceful practice of allowing the shipping industry to pay poverty wages”, and he has a point. Crew members are paid a basic salary of as little as 75p an hour, and to rub salt in the wounds, they also face having tips from passengers withheld unless they hit stringent and demanding performance targets.

Passengers returning to Southampton said that members of the mostly Indian crew, many of whom grew up in extreme poverty, were upset by the deal. One passenger called it an “absolute scandal” and reported that “grown men were in tears” at a meeting towards the end of a 97-day world cruise, where they were notified of the new arrangements.

This comes at a difficult time for the company, which has had to face a wave of negative headlines, and its cause is unlikely to be helped by quotes attributed to David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK, who tried to justify the low pay by comparing it to the salary levels in India and claiming that the “earning ability is greater on our ships”.

When a company is trying to fight off claims of exploitation, such comments are hardly likely to fend off negative headlines, and surely a major review of remuneration and working conditions is imminent.

With consumers continuing to tighten their belts amidst a tough economic environment, many high street brands have fallen, and it seems Argos and Homebase are next in line after both its profits and share price of parent company Home Retail Group slumped this week.

A deteriorating consumer electronics market has hit Argos, with electrical goods (excluding laptops and tablets) declining by 80%, and overall, like-for-like sales have consistently been falling since 2008/09. Worryingly, it appears that there no new strategy has been outlined by the senior management of the company to reverse this trend.

The next few years will be critical for the company, with leases due to expire on 230 Argos stores over the next five years, and with job cuts and store closures seemingly inevitable, analysts are pessimistic. “The decline in profits is structural and is set to continue”, according to Freddie George at Seymour Pierce, who reiterates his sell recommendation. Meanwhile, Philip Dorgan at Panmure Gordon was even less optimistic, and believes Argos will need “a significant store closure programme, as it shifts towards ‘clicks’, rather than ‘bricks’”.

While it seems strange that this strategy has not been pursued earlier, it may yet prove to be too little too late for HRG.

Ikea braced itself for a wave of embarrassing headlines after a Swedish documentary alleged that it used political prisoners to manufacture products in the former East Germany during the 70s and 80s, before the fall of the Berlin Wall.

This is not the first time that such allegations have been made, and the new programme, which has found documents supporting its claim in secret police files, and is likely to make uncomfortable viewing for the world’s largest furniture retailer.

Last year a German TV channel revealed that at least 65 workshops were used for the manufacture of Ikea products in the former East Germany, and identified prisons where inmates, some of whom were political prisoners, were used to make furniture. It also claimed that Ikea’s founder, Ingvar Kamprad, believed his company’s cooperation with the communist authorities were “completely in the interests of society”.

For a company that likes to project a responsible, clean-cut image, this scandal is likely to cause serious reputational damage, and comes after it apologised for spying on staff and “difficult” customers in France last month. It is unlikely to impact global sales, but highlights once again that in today’s digital world, no company is safe from a single documentary reaching every corner of the world.

“At what was supposed to be a difficult and challenging time for the maker of shiny things, the tech giant announced record quarterly profits, eclipsing all expectations.

“Boosted by a new operating system and sales of the iPhone and iPad, whicht rose by 88% and 151% respectively, net income nearly doubled, rising by a staggering 94% to $11.6bn.

“Such is the innovation, creativity and brand image associated with Apple that the public expect mindblowing gizmos every year, and there are some concerns that Apple’s success is reaching a cliff. Not so, according to CEO Tim Cook, who promised there is more to come: “The new iPad is off to a great start, and across the year you’re going to see a lot more of the kind of innovation that only Apple can deliver.””

“In a week when Apple raised eyebrows due to its staggering profits, Samsung stole a march on its rivals by being named world’s largest mobile phone maker AND largest smartphone vendor, as the fierce battle amongst the world’s technology giants continues.

“Samsung took over 30% of the smartphone market, boosted by the success of the Galaxy range, while Apple held a 24% share of the market. Undoubtedly, there is more to come, there is a real possibility that Samsung’s share will continue to expand rapidly, particularly as it has become a “poster child” for Android smartphones.

“This sets up an exciting level playing field for the rest of the year. Apple, Samsung and Nokia are all expected to launch new phones, while emerging Chinese manufacturers are looking to grab a slice of an increasingly congested market. While the competition is fierce, it seems innovation and consumer choice will be the ultimate winners. Let battle commence!”

“Honda, like many Japanese manufacturers, was hampered severely by the tsunami, floods in Thailand and a strong yen – yet it is a testament to their spirits that so many manufacturers have recovered so quickly.

“Japan’s third largest automaker joined the crowd, reporting faster demand from the US as one of the main drivers for forecasting an operating profit of $7.7bn, with car sales set to jump by nearly 40%

“With its domestic supply chain and production networks back online, the company is on track to regain lost ground. The CEO admitted that the company “may have let down its guard”, but boosted by an ever-strong brand, the foundations are now in place for Honda to complete an emphatic recovery.”

“Jeremy Hunt has kept a relatively low profile until this week, when yet again, the relationship between a senior Tory MP and the Murdoch empire came to light, damaging his reputation and that of the entire Department of Culture, Media and Sports.

“Though many questions remain unanswered, the most serious is surely the “absolutely illegal” claim of possible insider trading and how Frederic Michel appeared to know what Hunt would say to the Commons before he said it. The FSA are reportedly investigating this, and if it turns to out to be true, this potentially incriminating development will surely call for more heads to roll.

“All the side-stepping and lack of transparency adds to the perception of wrongdoing and cover up, particularly after the Permanent Secretary to the DCMS refused to discuss whether he authorised Adam Smith to communicate directly with News Corp or was aware of it.

“Trust in the Government is at an all time low, and it seems that the relationship and dealings of certain individuals with the Murdoch empire could cause a premature end to the coalition government.”

“The Prime Minister openly admitted that the Coalition was facing a sticky period following the budget – but that was before the revelations at the Leveson inquiry and the UK’s double-dip recession came in to consideration.

“It is very likely that the Murdoch family may topple David Cameron and bring down the government. The Daily Telegraph’s Deputy Editor believes “this one goes all the way up” and Cameron “looked frightened” at PMQs. His colleague, James Kirkup, described Cameron’s attempt wait for the end of the Leveson enquiry before reaching conclusions as “a flimsy enough claim at the best of times”.

“The longer the PM delays an independent inquiry into whether Jeremy Hunt broke the ministerial code, the longer he will add to a perception of sleaze, wrongdoing and lack of impartiality that the opposition allege. We fear troubled times ahead.”

“Reporting a 38% drop in quarterly profits proved too much for David Brennan, CEO of AstraZeneca, who quit amid reports of a boardroom coup.

“This was seen as another victory for shareholders at Britain’s second-largest drugs manufacturer, and came just hours before the shareholder meeting. The company has struggled in the wake of severe competition in a tough trading environment, and failed drug developments have contributed to billions of pounds being wiped off the value of the company.

“Despite the change, the short-term outlook for AstraZeneca remains uncertain. It is in the process of losing patent protection on Seroquel and Nexium, its second and third largest sellers with combined sales of $10.3 billion last year.

“The size of the CEO’s pay package for leaving could yet cause further pain for the company. Approximately 8.6% of investors voted against AstraZeneca’s 2011 remuneration at Thursday’s meeting – and at a time when shareholder revolts seems to be gaining traction, there could be worse to come.”

“It appears that the capital’s bitter taxi war is back on, with Addison Lee launching an aggressive campaign for use of bus lanes, ordering its drivers to defy traffic rules in the process.

“With the London Mayoral elections and the Olympics to look forward to, the timing is significant. It seems this is the firm’s way of highlighting the traffic issues that will arise over the next six months, and if this message is pushed strongly, the company will be on the front foot.

“While we admire audacity of the move, how this story develops will be interesting for all those concerned. The Mayoral candidates surely cannot go long without having to comment on the matter, and with Addison Lee also a Tory donor, waging a campaign of civil disobedience will surely grab the attention of those at Downing Street.”

“The success of Apple has led to the decline of many technology giants, but judging by this week’s results, Microsoft will not be one of its many victims.

“It’s Windows and MS Office divisions remain strong, beating analyst expectations, and there is a Windows phone to look forward to next year. And although profits and sales fell in its gaming division, there is reason to be excited.

“Interestingly, R&D costs increased by 35% – rumoured to be linked to the Xbox 360’s successor. So with the demise of the PC no longer inevitable and new products expected in the coming year, the future looks bright once again for Microsoft.”

“The shareholders at banking giants Barclays and Citi faced the wrath of investors this week after pay packages for CEOs were rejected.

“This high-profile rebuke sent a clear message that compensation must be tied with performance, and marks a watershed moment for shareholders and taxpayers who previously appeared to have no say in such matters. As CEO of The Value Alliance in the US put it, “none of the Wall Street firms have received this kind of a review yet”, referring to Vikram Pandit’s remuneration package.

“While some may argue that many of the institutional shareholders who voted against the packages are also on generous salaries, the votes are historic and came as a surprise to some analysts. While such occurrences are rare, it signals a shift in attitudes, and it could be the first many shareholder interventions to come.”

“The coalition MPs have hardly been popular for the past few weeks – this time it was Theresa May who faced ridicule after became the latest MP to make a huge blunder.

“Her personal handling of the “chaotic” deportation was describe as “a farce”, and she became a further source of embarrassment when she was pictured “partying” with X Factor judges.

“While she stood firm in her response that the deadline for appeal had passed, this long line of damaging events are increasingly causing a drag on the Government, who seem unable to escape the barrage of anger from the backbenchers.

“The UK media have also made their voices clear, and did not hold back in criticising the Home Secretary’s handling of the situation. It seems that this is yet another episode where the government is losing the communications challenge and failing to reverse the negative headlines that could define their fortunes heading into the second half of the year.”

“SuperGroup, owner of fashion brand Superdry, admitted a catastrophic accounting error this week after scaling profit expectations, resulting in its share price plunging and leaving analysts to question the long-term sustainability of the company.

“Although the company doubled profits in early 2011, a tough retail environment, particularly over Christmas, and internal gaffes has since left the company kicking itself. A botched implementation of a warehouse IT system upgrade left stores short of stock last October, leading to a profit warning. This accounting error is seemingly the nail in the coffin, and questions the role of the executive management and whether investors can continue to trust them.

“The response from analysts hardly helped to improve the company’s reputation. One analyst described the update as the “latest calamity” for the company, questioning its growth story and placing its recommendations on review.”

“This week was supposed to mark a new chapter in Formula 1, when the world’s media was expected to descended to Bahrain and watch the best racing drivers in the world pit their wits against each other. Instead, it has become a symbol of a human right struggle and an uprising against oppression.

“Bernie Ecclestone insisted for weeks that the race would be safe, but when the crew members of one team narrowly escaped a petrol bomb attack nearby, the wisdom of racing in Bahrain was once again questioned.

“F1 faces a moral dilemma, and the reputation of the sport and its leaders are at stake. Some will accuse the sport of turning a blind eye on the protesters, and in such a politically sensitive environment, Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA are risking more damage than they perhaps anticipate.”

“Despite the fact that Instagram has yet to celebrate its second birthday, the deal is hugely significant when you consider that it is the single largest acquisition made by Facebook in its 8-year history.

“The speed at which it went from being a student brainwave to a multi-million dollar global company is remarkable, and Mark Zuckerberg called it “an important milestone” for Facebook. The appeal of the app, which counts Barak Obama amongst its users, was too good to turn down, and Facebook has sent a strong signal ahead of its IPO that it is willing to pay top dollar for cutting-edge companies that offer a glimpse of the future.

“Some analysts are voicing concerns about another tech bubble – and they may have a strong case. But the best companies also evolve quickly and Instagram will continue to be an inspiration to other tech entrepreneurs looking to create the next digital phenomenon.”

“A report this week predicted that gold is expected to reach $2,000 per ounce has caught the eyes of investors. Demand for gold has risen steadily over the past decade and traditionally rises during economic crises, and with rising anxiety over Spain and other Eurozone countries, the Thomson Reuters GFMS report has reinforced the reputation of gold as the global safe haven for investors.

“Demand from the BRIC nations, particularly from China, rose sharply in February and the country is poised to overtake India as the world’s largest buyer of the precious metal. This should further boost the price of Gold in the medium term, and all the evidence points to a ’golden’ future….”

“Buoyed by strong financial markets in the first quarter of 2012, net inflows into hedge funds rose by 0.35% during March.

“It follows a strong increase of over 2% in February, and the data appears to show that hedge funds are once again regaining their popularity after losing 5.2% last year.

“In the first quarter of 2012, the average hedge fund is up nearly 5% with some big-name managers recording double-digit gains. As long as the Eurozone crisis lingers on, there will always be an element of uncertainty, but GlobeOp’s data is a positive indicator of wider trends in the hedge fund market and will undoubtedly have put a smile on the faces of investors and fund managers.”

“Sony will change.” That was the bold statement by new CEO Kazuo Hirai as he sought to turn around the fortunes of the loss-making company. But can he convince the company’s stakeholders that the worst is over?

“The problem for Sony is that its value has fallen in the eyes of consumers and investors, and it may struggle to please both. Restructuring is expected to cost around $1bn this fiscal year, and Sony is taking a serious gamble by focusing on mobile devices, games and digital imaging – sectors increasingly dominated by its biggest rivals.

“While the new CEO comes with a reputation of revitalising the PlayStation game business, analysts remain sceptical. “… more and more investors doubt the ability of Sony’s management”, said one analyst, while a hedge fund CEO couldn’t see “anything positive in this plan”, according to Bloomberg.

“That being the case, it is a case of ‘wait and see’ if Sony can create another ‘Walkman generation’ over the coming years or whether it will become yet another victim of the 21st Century digital world.”

“Pasty tax, granny tax, internet surveillance and now tax relief – it appears that any announcement made by the two most important men in Government are being badly received.

“This week, they came under attack from charities and MPs over the planned cap on tax relief for charitable donations. Vince Cable and Tory MP Zac Goldsmith both expressed their concerns, while the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is reportedly lobbying the Treasury to amend the plans.

“It also caused widespread anger in the press, with the Daily Mail arguing it made “a nonsense of the Big Society” and The Mirror accusing the government of “staggering incompetence”. Of course Ed Miliband got in on the act too, sensing an opportunity and using it to his advantage.

“When considering the wider picture, one cannot help but question the communications and media strategy put in place ahead of these policy announcements, and whether the media team is capable of handling such scrutiny. If the PM is to win over a sceptical public, drastic action may need to be taken.”

“Nokia’s struggles are neither secret nor new – its mobile operating profits have declined for six consecutive quarters and its year-on-year profits fell by 40%. This week, its reputation arguably reached a new low after a profit warning caused its shares to drop by 14%, while a software glitch in the US hindered the launch of the Lumia 900.

“All this comes amid a relatively rosy time for the Finnish company. It recently teamed up with Microsoft to create an operating platform, its bold launch of the 808 PureView at the MWC 2012 won rave reviews and its Lumia smart phones have also earned praise.

“However, sales have continued to be sluggish, and with Apple and Samsung seemingly unstoppable and Chinese handset makers such as ZTE and Huawei threatening to undercut rivals, there is a real danger that Nokia will become increasingly polarised in an increasingly congested market.”

“As GAME became the latest high street brand to fall in to administration, John Lewis reported “solid” sales, providing a rare success story for the retail sector.

“In a week when UK consumer confidence fell to a three-month low, as Britons grow increasingly worried about the outlook for their finances and for the economy, John Lewis continued to outperform the wider retail market, with sales also rising at Waitrose, its upmarket grocery chain.

“This provided a double dose of good news – not only has it provided some welcome and much-needed encouraging news on the consumer front, it also reinforces John Lewis’ position as a retailer that understands its consumers and its commitment to being ‘never knowingly undersold’.”

“The budget was bad news for Greggs, but by managing a potentially damaging scenario so well, the company has thoroughly enhanced it’s reputation by leading the fight against #pastygate and earning widespread sympathy and support along the way.

“As the editor of British Baker Magazine put it, “Greggs is a very clever business” and the chain’s popularity lies with its prices as well as its regional variations.

“When the political class realised the significance of the issue, politicians from all sides of the spectrum queued up to associate themselves with the company – David Cameron expressed his love for a pasty and Ed Miliband and Ed Balls stopped for lunch. This gave Greggs the opportunity to earn pages upon pages of overwhelmingly positive media coverage – an opportunity its rivals will continue to crave.”

“The loss of a by-election in Bradford was a damaging blip in a week when Ed Miliband took a stand against the government. It was the Tories who had their backs to the wall this week, and Ed played a blinder.

“Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined the 50p tax row being followed by the three scandals that stung the government so hard. The pictures of the Labour leader visiting Greggs would have caused widespread groans at 10 Downing Street and was a great move by his advisers.

“It will be interesting to observe if Labour can successfully build on this. Ed still faces many political threats but this could yet prove to be a stepping-stone to changing his fortunes.”

“The accusation by the BBC’s Panorama programme about alleged sabotage was followed by reports in Australia that a “secret unit” within News Corporation undertook a programme of piracy against pay television operators in a bid to damage them.

“While NDS and News Corp have strongly deny the claims, this couldn’t have come at a more inopportune time, with another resignation this week relating to the phone hacking scandal in the UK.

“In addition, this has added to calls for an investigation into whether Mr Murdoch is a ‘fit and proper’ person to sit on the board of BSkyB and one cannot help but wonder if there is more to come.”

“What a difference a week makes! It has been a truly horrendous week for the David Cameron and the Tory party, with a row over the Budget, the party funding scandal and a petrol crisis putting the prime minister on the back foot.

“David Cameron has been badly wounded and his advisers were unable to deal with the intense media scrutiny that followed. As the Daily Mail put it, “filling up the family car and buying a hot snack are two of the simple realities of everyday life. But… they conspired to plunge the Government into a day which veered between high farce and panic.” Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s claim about eating a pasty at Leeds station was subsequently questioned, adding further pain.

“One paper likened the #pastygate incident to Tony Blair, who was ridiculed for trying to say he loved watching Jackie Milburn as a child – it later turned out Mr Blair was aged four when Milburn died and had been misquoted, but not before his image had been damaged, helping to cement an impression that he could not be trusted.”

“The week that destroyed his reputation and career? He shoulders much of the blame for what has been an awful week for him, David Cameron and the Government.

“His interview on the Today programme was described as a “car crash” and his Commons statement as “an arrogantly aggressive performance”, which “… set back the Conservative image by 20 years”. Not content with this, however, he was subsequently criticised by Tories, Lib Dems, Labour, the Fire Brigade Union and motoring organisations for his comments and handling of the planned tanker strike.

“Although he did earn degree of sympathy, the level of criticism and ridicule was overwhelming, with one senior Tory saying Francis Maude had “completely mucked up this week” and “he is to blame for the gargantuan queues outside petrol stations.”

“This criticism extended to ridicule on Twitter, with the Daily Mirror’s Deputy Political Editor tweeting that the “Tories should store Francis Maude in a garage until the next election”. Unsruprisingly, the week ended with a Labour calling for him to resign.”

“The life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors have long been a beacon of pride for British manufacturing, and this will now be boosted further after GSK announced additional investment this week.

“Plans to be build a new factory and invest in manufacturing sites in Scotland will certainly boost its appeal in the UK, particularly after GSK confirmed that the decision was influenced by tax cuts announced in this week’s Budget.

“Cutting corporation tax was a punt by George Osborne, and he has pointed to GSK’s plans as vindication that his budget is good for business, with the introduction a so-called ‘patent box’ also welcomed.

“But the BBC’s Robert Peston summed it up nicely when he said, “If businesses and business leaders who benefit from tax cuts use some of the extra income they’ve retained to make new job-creating investments, as Glaxo has done, then the benefits of their tax saving will be more widely shared”. Ultimately, this will be the critical factor in determining whether this punt was a success or a failure.”

“In March 2011, Japan suffered one of the worst natural disasters in its history, breaking the heart of the nation and damaging the foundation of its economy. 12 months on, it announced a surprise trade surplus, boosted by a 12% rise in exports to the US.

“A declining yen made exports more competitive, and Thursday’s data showed a trade surplus of Y33bn ($400m), the first positive reading since July. This surprised Economists who had predicted a Y120bn deficit for February.

“The turnaround isn’t quite complete, however. Exports to mainland China fell 14 per cent to Y1tn, highlighting its reliance on a strong global economy. But for now, this data is welcome news for everyone, particularly at a time when many believe the Eurozone will fall in recession.”

“Like Japan, UBS’s reputation and international competitiveness has taken a hit over the past few months. Therefore, the hire of Andrea Orcel send a strong message to its peers that it is ready to restore its reputation and move forward. It is also a sign of its willingness to pay top dollar in order to attract the best talent.

“The architect of many of Europe’s biggest banking deals, Andrea Orcel’s experience and proven track record will be a huge asset to a UBS. It also severely weakens BofA, who now have three senior roles vacant in Europe.

“It is now widely assumed that many of Andrea’s clients will go with him to UBS, and it looks like the move will pay off. As one source told Reuters, “Carsten [CEO and Chairman of the Investment Bank] has a trading background and Andrea is focused on relationships with clients, there should be a natural fit”.”

“TalkTalk took home the award of ‘Most Complained About’ telecommunications provider this week, an honour it has held for every quarter of 2011, according to figures released by Ofcom.

“In the fourth quarter of 2010, TalkTalk attracted about five times as many complaints over landline services as the next provider down the list, Sky. Between October and December last year, TalkTalk notched up 0.78 complaints per 1,000 landline customers.

“The company pointed out that the number of complaints has halved, but despite this, their record doesn’t stand well against Virgin Media and Sky, who attracted just 0.18 complaints per 1,000.

“While it is clear that Talk Talk’s services has improved since being fined for incorrect billing last year, this serves as a reminder that much more needs to be done, otherwise they stand to lose out to rivals whose customers service is improving at a faster pace.”

“Ryanair’s business model has proven to be a success, despite its reputation constantly taking hits as questions are posed relating to its practices and quality of service. This week it is on the verge of losing another long legal battle relating to the level of “passenger care” deemed appropriate when exception circumstances arise.

“When the volcanic ash cloud halted flights around the world in 2010, most airlines and insurers were quick to offer payouts to ease the pain of travellers. Ryanair stood firm, arguing that it shouldn’t be financially responsible for a natural disaster. It even went as far as calling the legislation “discriminating and unfit for purpose”, in the hope that it would be changed.

“The decision has now backfired and large payout is expected. It now begs the question, was it was worth the negative impact this expensive battle will have on the company’s reputation, and why did it not do the honourable thing at time when the needs of passengers was at its most critical?”

“While Eurozone leaders insist that Greece was a “completely unique case”, it seems the CEO of Pimco is not convinced after he admitted the markets are nervous and that Portugal will need a second rescue package.

“It’s worth noting that private creditors took a large haircut in order to save Greece, and if this extends to Portugal, some argue that investors could lose even more. This would have dangerous far-reaching consequences for the Euro and the Eurozone, with the IMF warning that a “disorderly euro exit would be unavoidable” if the EU cuts off support.

“With several EU countries already in recession, politicians must quickly get a grip on the situation before it escalates to levels not seen since Lehmann Brothers failed, a dangerous situation but one that is looking increasingly plausible.”

“If you had invested in some of the world’s stock markets three years ago this is what your ROI would have been:

• Dow Jones (US) – 97%
• FTSE 100 (UK) – 66%
• Nikkei (Japan) – 40%
• BM&FBovespa (Brazil) – 75%
• RTS (Russia) – 170%

“In addition, there were rises of 113% in India, 100% in China and an 87% rise in Hong Kong – clear proof if any that global equity trading has returned to the forefront of investors’ minds and strategies all over the world.

“When it comes to financial markets, the importance of investor confidence cannot be emphasised enough – ultimately it is this critical factor that allowed stock markets to recover from financial Armageddon.

“Bearing in mind that this comes amidst a Eurozone crisis that caused stock markets to plummet, credit must go to officials in the Eurozone, whose interventions not only calmed equity markets but also allowed them to flourish.”

“London’s reputation amongst foreign investors remains at an all-time high, according to a KPMG report, which showed that the UK capital topped the list of foreign investment – ahead of other established centres such as New York, Singapore and Hong Kong.

“The report proves that the demise of London as a global financial centre is overstated. It has faced a tough few months, and continues to fight a transaction tax that would disproportionately affect its financial district, but the city still has much to offer.

“The report did highlight the rise of emerging market economies – over a two year period Moscow increased investment by 80% and Sao Paulo by 160% – this shows that London cannot afford to bask in its glory”

“We’ll be honest – we weren’t sure about the new iPad, and last week we reserved judgement and carefully observed the reviews of analysts and tech journalists.

“We were pleasantly surprised. The reaction seems to be overwhelmingly positive, with influential journalist Shane Richmond purring over the screen and giving it 5 stars, while another tech website saying the retina display “puts PC displays to shame”.

“The indications are that it will sell very well. eBay reported a spike in iPad 2s being listed for sale in the weeks preceding the announcement (16,000 to be precise) suggesting that many users will purchase the new iPad.

“While a report on Friday showed that queues were shorter in London by up to a third, one analyst company predicted that 65m iPads will be sold this year, 10m more than when the first iPad was launched.

“To add to its glory, Apple’s stocks reached $600 for the first time this week – just one month after reaching the $500 mark – reinforcing its position as the world’s most valuable company.”

“Last week, we highlighted how Puma’s promotional event was an overwhelming success and that its rivals would now have to raise their game. This week, however, Nike got it badly wrong by launching a trainer that evoked historical connotations to the notorious Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force of the 1920s.

“Needless to say, this is not something that a global sports brand will want to be associated with, and an apology was quickly forthcoming. Too little too late – the damage had already been done, and all the newspapers went on to mention the trainer and link it to the atrocities of the 1920s, with one newspaper going as far as comparing it to calling a shoe ‘Al Qaeda.’

“The most surprising aspect of this is that Nike seems not to have learnt from the mistakes of the past. In 2006, Ben & Jerry’s released a ‘Black and Tan’ flavour ice cream, and following a similar outcry, they apologised and only made the product available in the US.

“It’s worth noting that there is a large Irish population in America and around the world, so it will be interesting to see if there is any reaction abroad, and if so, how Nike reacts.”

“The retail sector has been amongst the hardest hit by the financial crisis, and British may yet see another famous name soon disappear after GAME admitted that its suppliers are not trading with them.

“Nintendo, Capcom and most recently Electronic Arts have all refused to supply games to the struggling retailer, leaving its future hanging by a thread. While hope has emerged that buyers are being lined up, the question of rebuilding trust amongst sceptical suppliers is critical and may not be so easy, especially when the digital revolution is in full swing.

“The simple fact is that GAME can no longer compete with internet retailers, who are thriving with their lower costs and global reach. With the growing popularity of tablets computers and downloadable games, how long before this industry becomes extinct?”

“Where to start? There is so much to say about this story, but this our take on the key points.

“The description of the culture at Goldman Sachs is a shock for very few – in fact, many believe it is an accurate representation of the sector. Goldman Sachs would have expected every media outlet around the world to cover the story while reminiscing on the firm’s previous PR disasters – but its reputation amongst its clients, and to an extent, employees, is very much on the line this time.

“Warren Buffet famously said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” As the story developed, the firm’s handling of the situation was critical in determining the short-term damage this would cause, and the leadership qualities of CEO Lloyd Blankfein continue to be keenly observed.

“The reaction of the firm’s PR team / army and how they engage with the media was the second key factor. Their immediate reaction suggested that they weren’t ready (see Robert Peston’s tweet, Wed AM) and the credentials of the firm’s new Head of Corporate Comms was immediately put to the test.

“This story has since developed to the organisational structure of the firm, and it has been widely mentioned that Greg Smith was, relatively speaking, a middle management executive at best. The chances are that this element of the story will drag on, and possibly expand to the lack women at the most senior levels, diversity credentials of the finance industry and so on.

“However, the most serious allegation that the bank turns its back on its clients could be potentially toxic. It has faced similar accusations and lawsuits in the past, and been referred to as the ‘vampire squid’. The million-dollar question is, as the FT pointed out, how long before customers start to question if they are receiving the best execution on their trades, or even worse, write an article explaining why they are leaving Goldman Sachs ? The confidence and trust of clients and investors is key – this is what Goldman Sachs must retain, and is more important than any individual.”

“When an announcement you make is positively welcomed by the government, business leaders, unions and even Daily Mail readers, you deserve to be singled out for praise. That’s what Nissan managed to achieve this week.

“It’s quite a turnaround from the bleak picture just three years ago, when the company cut jobs and production, yet, it managed to turn a potential crisis into a great success story, with record numbers now employed in the UK along with an ever increasing market share.

“Furthermore, by making this announcement in the same week that rival GM admitted it is considering closing its Ellesmere Port plant, the company has endeared itself further to the UK public, and has clearly stated its willingness to stay in the UK.”

“A picture speaks a thousand words – and in the case of Puma, it can also be worth millions of pounds!

“Puma pulled off a fantastic coup this week by having their brand splashed across the world’s front pages, TV screens, online and on social media, and to put it simply, that is brand exposure that no amount of money or advertising can buy.

“It will be interesting to observe the reaction of rivals Nike, Adidas and Reebok, who will all want to make their brand presence felt in a year when the Olympics and European Championships are due to take place. Cue the competition and impress us!”

“The insurance industry in general has had a mixed year, but Cardiff-based Admiral continues to buck the trend with a 13% increase in profits announced this week.

“It has been a very good week for Admiral – it was also named as the 6th best company to work for, up from 9th last year – and also provides welcome relief to the UK government bearing in mind that rival Prudential recently stated its intention to shift its HQ to Asia.

“Happy employees are also a sign of a great internal comms strategy, and its reputation amongst its staff seems to be rising. The company demonstrated this when it gave away free shares worth £3,000 to its estimated 5,500 staff. A good motivational tool, we say.”

“Ed Miliband took part in a 5 live call in to talk about his speech on supporting British businesses. Instead, he came under what can only be described a personal and at times savage attack by callers, many claiming to be labour supporters.

“Anyone who heard it cannot help but feel sympathy for him. Towards the end, he sounded very downbeat and shrugged off the criticism by saying it was part of his job, but it highlights once again that Ed still lacks the personal appeal befitting of a future Prime Minister.

“What now? Ed still seems to be light on the content and fails to commit to a policy. He can no longer afford to sit on the fence and must do more to distinguish himself and make his voice heard, in order to prove to voters and his critics (of which there are many) that he is the man to lead the country. But with his brother increasingly vocal in the media recently, how long before Labour has to quell another rebellion?”

“The payday loan industry has long been accused of deceitful practices, charging staggering levels of interest and preying on the vulnerable. And although Thursday’s announcement was separate from the OFT’s review of the payday loans sector, revoking the license of one of the industry’s brokers is hugely significant.

“Generally viewed as an unregulated industry that has questionable and unethical practices, this sends a signal to all payday loan companies that they are serious and will take severe action against anyone who is found to be in breach of the law.

“The onus is now on the Consumer Finance Association (CFA), which represents 70% of the payday lending industry. They must show that they recognise these concerns and will take firm action against questionable practices, but nonetheless, it seems likely that stricter regulation of this industry is not too far away.”

“Arguably the most unpopular man in Scotland at the moment, Craig Whyte has been in the spotlight for his management of the club.

“While it is clear that the club’s financial problems existed long before Craig bought the club (there has been an unresolved tax tribunal, and it is widely believed that Lloyds bank were keen to remove Rangers from its own debtor list) Craig Whyte has not helped his own cause, with many questioning why he sold four year’s worth of season ticket sales for £24.4m to Ticketus, thereby mortgaging Rangers’ main source of income.

“As owner and Chairmen, Craig must now lead from the front and work with the administrators to resolve the threat of liquidation. The players have shown their willingness to sacrifice their interests for those of the club by leaving voluntarily and accepting pay cuts – Craig Whyte must now do the same”