Neglecting to ensure that electronic equipment is thoroughly tested before purchase can cost businesses time and money—not to mention the disastrous consequences of an unforeseen failure. Daryl Cornelius, director Enterprise EMEA, Spirent Communications, asks if your request for pricing is fit for purpose.

Giles Wake from ACT Conferencing looks at how businesses can take advantage of video messaging and conference calls to help achieve the right work-life balance.

We hear a lot about work-life balance, but how many of us actually get close to achieving it? Clearly, people will have different points of equilibrium; however, work-life balance put simply is having enough time for work and enough time to do what we want or need to do away from the office.

Simon Kent, head of operations at Harrogate International Centre in the UK, considers sustainability in the events industry.

Jeff Daniels takes a look at how the health delivery system of Abu Dhabi is providing its citizens with the best medical facilities possible.

Over 60 years ago, Britain helped change the health expectations of the world by introducing a universal health service to people who previously had nothing. At times, though, buildings and facilities in the NHS don’t seem to have changed all that much in half a century, so it makes an interesting comparison to see how the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is doing it in the 21st century. 

As ships get bigger, more sophisticated, more specialised and more efficient at moving cargo, a new industry has grown up around operating and crewing them. Managing director of Thome Ship Management, Bjorn Hojgaard, explains to John O’Hanlon how the company is handling a step-up in scale.

The 1980s saw the emergence of developing regions, none more so than South East Asia. This development brought a rising demand for construction and laid the foundations for Trepax Innovation. Director Paul Greenhalgh gives Andrew Pelis an insight into how the business has evolved since Thailand’s “Tiger economy” was born.

Water affects every aspect of our lives and in South Africa it’s regarded as a precious commodity. Dr Cornelius Ruiters, from the Department of Water Affairs, is charged with helping to improve water quality, supply and security on a limited budget. He tells Andrew Pelis about current initiatives to provide safe water for everyone.

Dr Vaino Shivute, CEO of Namibia’s water utility NamWater, explains how the company is rising to the challenge of nearly doubling its water supply to meet the needs of the country’s rapidly expanding uranium mining industry. Gay Sutton reports.

The L’Oréal Group cares about more than making women beautiful. Vishal Sahgal, industrial director of the Pune manufacturing facility, talks to Jayne Alverca about the importance of promoting sustainable development.

Bord Gais Energy is to invest €2 million in OpenHydro, an Irish tidal renewable energy firm, in a joint venture to develop a large-scale tidal farm off the coast of Ireland.

Bord Gais, a gas supply company, will start with an investment of €1 million and provide another €1 million on achievement of certain development milestones.