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Employers have been warned they could lose 80 per cent of graduate recruits within five years if they fail to meet expectations. A study by the Association of Graduate Recruiters concluded that firms need to be honest with graduates about the nature of their jobs and offer a balance between work and home life. Advice on career progression was also essential, it said.

Home shopping trial flops

Home shopping, the “next thing” in retailing, has disappointed supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, which is abandoning trials outside the M25 area, citing the lack of economies of scale. In London, by contrast, demand is sufficient to justify the company spending between £7 million and £10 million to open a home-shopping delivery centre stocking 15,000 items.

MoD research out to tender

The Ministry of Defence is putting part of its annual £400 million research programme out to tender to the private sector.

First, Break all the Rules

First, Break all the Rules is the distillation of research conducted by Gallup over 25 years, involving more than a million employees and 80,000 managers. But this is no dry account of statistical values.

Firms ignorant of data act

More than half of businesses are not aware of the new Data Protection Act and only one-third of those that are aware know how the act affects them, a survey has revealed. The research, which was conducted by consultancy Experian last month, found that 97 per cent of the businesses questioned felt they needed to know more about the legislation.

Graduates given job advice

Recent purchasing graduates have been advised to keep their options open when seeking job opportunities. A survey by recruitment consultancy Supply Chain Personnel (SCP), released last month, found that 80 per cent of the respondents who had joined a smaller firm for their first job gained more responsibility, wider experience and benefited from a “nurturing environment”.

The Experience of Managing

This book is designed to meet the requirements of MBA students and members of post-experience courses in general management. The emphasis is on recognising and dealing with a variety of managerial problems. These range from human resources to operational management.

Nottingham Business School

Firms want government help

Three-quarters of UK businesses believe that the government should give them more help to exploit e-commerce opportunities, according to a new report. The survey, by Internet service provider Nexus, also found that firms believe that greater tax harmonisation across Europe would help cross-border business.

Water firm plans expansion

Thames Water is set to extend its pipes into Kent this summer after winning the contract to supply race track Brands Hatch from rival firm Mid Kent Water. It is Thames Water’s first new contract since the Competition Act was introduced in March and the firm expects to save Brands Hatch 20 per cent of its bill.