T
The Byre
- Original Poster
- #44
OK, I have some time to answer some of the points here - I'll start with the pleasant things -
And yes, we learned X, Y and Z, but with the rider "All things being equal!" and of course they never are!
"Hey! Come on! That sounds a bit extreme!" I hear you cry.
OK, look at the facts - the US is stumbling headlong into a recession - if it is not in one already! The EU is already in a recession and is beginning to have to protect itself from having the US export its recession and inflation to the EU. China (the EU's most important trading partner) is in an unannounced recession. Governments everywhere are today reduced to insisting that their statistical offices cook the books on inflation, employment and GDP.
Add to the above - Debt levels are going crazy - as are interest rates. Simultaneously, retail banks and governments are borrowing fresh currency into existence via gilts, T-bills and any other trick they can dream up. High interest rates are squeezing businesses and the middle classes, the poor are fobbed off with hand-outs and excuses.
In that article, I proved (via the facts around two US government schemes) what is going on behind the facades of the money markets.
And then we have this nonsense -
1. It is not on the 'recent posts' pull-down or on the main menu, so nobody was aware that it was even there - least of all me!
2. It is not open top comments. This is a forum, i.e. a place of discussion - not a place for papal bulls and declarations of Exsurge Domine to be burnt!
I shall therefore make use of that facility.
Oh dear! It must have been that terrible night in Sunderland!
It's just a forum Jeremy!
I am totally unaware of anything having been done or any multiple messages.
Thanks! And wit, facts and humour seem to be lacking in certain corners.
You obviously have never spoken to my wife. Or as a visiting engineer put it to my wife, just before the C19 lockdown "If there is a lockdown, do you think Andrew will even notice it?"
Deal!
Probably an age thing!
That might just be one of the nicest things anyone has said about my writings!
And yes, we learned X, Y and Z, but with the rider "All things being equal!" and of course they never are!
And that is what this is all about. That was based on research that I do elsewhere and was carefully worded to sound a loud warning to the SME community. Economic storm clouds have been gathering since the GFC and before that and most independent economists (i.e. those not working for banks, governments, or large funds) such as Laffer, Hanke, Grantham, Dalio and many many others, have been sounding the alarm bells - and yet the sheep continue to follow the shepherd to the slaughterhouse.
"Hey! Come on! That sounds a bit extreme!" I hear you cry.
OK, look at the facts - the US is stumbling headlong into a recession - if it is not in one already! The EU is already in a recession and is beginning to have to protect itself from having the US export its recession and inflation to the EU. China (the EU's most important trading partner) is in an unannounced recession. Governments everywhere are today reduced to insisting that their statistical offices cook the books on inflation, employment and GDP.
Add to the above - Debt levels are going crazy - as are interest rates. Simultaneously, retail banks and governments are borrowing fresh currency into existence via gilts, T-bills and any other trick they can dream up. High interest rates are squeezing businesses and the middle classes, the poor are fobbed off with hand-outs and excuses.
In that article, I proved (via the facts around two US government schemes) what is going on behind the facades of the money markets.
And then we have this nonsense -
Allow? Are you nuts? Considering our somewhat different stations in life, that is something of an impertinence.
That is a section that has proven to be a complete failure because
1. It is not on the 'recent posts' pull-down or on the main menu, so nobody was aware that it was even there - least of all me!
2. It is not open top comments. This is a forum, i.e. a place of discussion - not a place for papal bulls and declarations of Exsurge Domine to be burnt!
And the one I made on July 1st, 2022?
The members are your customers and the people who create the material on which the forum earns money by attracting eyeballs. It is a mistake to insult them with petty and arbitrary rules. Should I want to be insulted, I have a wife and children who fill this role more than adequately.
I shall therefore make use of that facility.
Upvote
0
I'm a little bemused Ozzy?
Clinton has metaphorically tried to kick me in the bxxxxxxx. The Byre loses me with some of the economic stuff but if I've learnt a lot from both and many other regular posters.
Whilst some of the opinions are hard hitting they are honest, very much like the advertisement you are running on this thread for MMA showing concussions, knees to head and knockouts. Maybe change that to some footage of drawn out points decisions and see what response the advertiser gets?
Clinton has metaphorically tried to kick me in the bxxxxxxx. The Byre loses me with some of the economic stuff but if I've learnt a lot from both and many other regular posters.
Whilst some of the opinions are hard hitting they are honest, very much like the advertisement you are running on this thread for MMA showing concussions, knees to head and knockouts. Maybe change that to some footage of drawn out points decisions and see what response the advertiser gets?
Upvote
0
That isn't a paid advert, it's a psychometric experiment I was running across a number of member profiles measuring behaviour, mouse movements and reactions. Finished now, just haven't got around to taken them offline yet.
Upvote
0
Nobody reads ‘blogs’ or ‘community writers’.
Totally pointless articles written by degree-bots. It’s like having meetings about meetings.
The forum has just lost one of its best ever contributors. It used to be a proper hotbed of debate, now it’s just a limp husk.
I’m offski, Ciao.
Totally pointless articles written by degree-bots. It’s like having meetings about meetings.
The forum has just lost one of its best ever contributors. It used to be a proper hotbed of debate, now it’s just a limp husk.
I’m offski, Ciao.
Upvote
0
I think this thread should be an eye opener for UKBF priorities. The forum should be the life blood of the business model as without it, there will be fewer ‘worthwhile’ contributors apart from the usual subjects. Surely UKBF should encourage more instead of ‘driving’ them away.
The ‘good’ contributors which added humour to posts are slowly leaving, without them, UKBF will be poorer.
The name UKBF should do what it says on the tin, that’s the draw to join and post.
The ‘good’ contributors which added humour to posts are slowly leaving, without them, UKBF will be poorer.
The name UKBF should do what it says on the tin, that’s the draw to join and post.
. . . A Ratner moment, as far as long term contributors and members may be thinking?
Upvote
0
I agree and you are right .........From my own point of view!
but forums had their day 10years ago and while it is of a benefit to us Ozzy overpaid millions of pounds to buy it back after an evening on the whisky and somehow he has to get a return on his investment and I don't think we are providing the vehicle for it
Upvote
0
This thread is hilarious-:it's turned into a parody of itself!
Truth is, I've long held an idea of writing a sitcom or light series (in the manner of All Creatures Great and Small) around a village pub. This thread has fed the idea.
The linchpin will always be the usual suspect regulars stood at the bar, putting the world to rights, blocking those who want to buy a drink, telling the landlord how to run it and convincing themselves they are the lifeblood of the business.
New scene, one of the regulars objects to the landlord removing bar stools, has a hissy fit and flounces off to another village (or to drink at home). Others follow with mini-hissy fits and flounces. Leaving the landlord to build his own plan and target customers.
It's a work in progress
However, back in reality, here are the facts:
The forum isn't the main part of UKBF
We aren't the lifeblood of the business (we are probably the product)
Ozzy has his own bown plan and isnt seeking 100 different opinions on it
Truth is, I've long held an idea of writing a sitcom or light series (in the manner of All Creatures Great and Small) around a village pub. This thread has fed the idea.
The linchpin will always be the usual suspect regulars stood at the bar, putting the world to rights, blocking those who want to buy a drink, telling the landlord how to run it and convincing themselves they are the lifeblood of the business.
New scene, one of the regulars objects to the landlord removing bar stools, has a hissy fit and flounces off to another village (or to drink at home). Others follow with mini-hissy fits and flounces. Leaving the landlord to build his own plan and target customers.
It's a work in progress
However, back in reality, here are the facts:
The forum isn't the main part of UKBF
We aren't the lifeblood of the business (we are probably the product)
Ozzy has his own bown plan and isnt seeking 100 different opinions on it
Upvote
0
Providing a website for middle aged men to have a debate about doesn't earn me any money, I'd rather let Facebook do that instead.
^^ this. Anyway...
The Google visitor statistics for this website state you are wrong. No-one reads forum posts any more, but they do read editorial - according to the Google visitor statistics and visitor dwell times on this site.
Apart from the forum, the same 20-30 members spend time on the forum but the other couple thousand each day read the other editorial on this site.
Also note that volume of complaints we deal with about the attitude on the forums by some of the 'good contributors' as @MOIC states does drive away many new potential members - complaints being in the public for anyone on Google Reviews and TrustPilot to see. So keeping a 'hot bed for debate' alive will need to finance losing revenue from circa 2,000 other daily visitors. Any suggestions?
Just seen @Mark T Jones reply which did make me laugh and spit my morning tea out ?
In reality a couple of years ago I had hoped that perhaps the forum would serve as a vehicle for millennials and gen-z hopeful business owners (many calling themselves Entrepreneurs because that is what the media, government and social media says they are) starting up but not knowing what to do next could come and seek the wisdom of elders to learn from. The reality has been demonstrated that several of the old guard could be unwelcoming to people coming to the site (deeming them unfit to be part of this community), and sometimes just plain rude.
Having these 'good contributors' dictate who is and who is not welcome here is firstly not appropriate but from a business perspective means I'm unable to monetise the site as the millennials would have been more likely to use our comparison service and business membership services when we launch them.
The forum was never a big part of the plan but it would have been a nice thing to keep as I for one do take joy in helping youngsters and guiding a younger generation, sharing knowledge. It has a lot of nostalgia for me as I did set them up over 20 years ago, and 20 years ago myself and everyone around at that time never judged people for their questions or dreams. It was a very welcoming place to come and people traded with each other, they built business relationships, we met for networking events, millions was traded on these forums. I would have liked to have seen them remain. There's a lot of history here. Sadly the behaviour on the forums by some of the 'good contributors' means I cannot keep them because despite how I feel I need to think of the business. So that is why the forums are being wound down (disclaimer: being wound down in their current format, not disappearing). It's also why I'm not stressing about people saying their leaving.
Upvote
0
Have a debate about what? Things you don’t like, or enjoy debating?
Why provide ‘Time Out’ when it has nothing to do with business then?
If you don’t like debate or argument (you know, the way things get sorted out), you should just do away with time out. Or visit it daily and delete the threads and opinions you don’t like.
Upvote
0
I'm not Ozzy, but my view on what any Off Topic/Time Out section should/should not be:
- does not generate an amount of engagement disproportionate to the rest of the site (hence 'Time Out')
- is not a conduit for so-called culture wars, which almost always tend to align with one's political/ideological points of view (bit guilty of that myself)
- if a users post solely (or disproportionately) on this section, they signed up to the wrong platform
Upvote
0
The 'Village Pub' would close if the regulars were seen 'unfit' by the pub landlord and decided to leave.
If the landlord wants to turn the Village Pub into a KFC, that's fine, and will be a whole new ball game with new actors, good or bad?
Upvote
0
@ctrlbrk You're not allowed to have views . . . . . . that suit your political/ideological preferences. Guilty as you said, as well as other regular posters who cannot hide their political bias.
A business forum should allow all comments, advice, positive views, negative views from all corners of the business world (apart from personal digs at fellow contributors), whether that's the experienced amongst us, newbies or in between.
Restricting voices, or choosing ones you like to be published or deleted is a form of autocracy.
IMHO
Upvote
0
A more realistic analogy would be if the landlord wanted to attract young families to come and spend money dining, but they were deterred by opinionated regulars dominating the bar.
Which happens to be precisely the MO of a small, successful pub chain I recently dealt with. Focus on the dining area, don't oust the locals, but remove the bar stools.
Upvote
0
The Pub would have the bar area for the regulars (Forums) and have a separate section for the restaurant (Non Forum). That is/was the transformation of most village pubs, unless you want to be a Harvester . . . .
Upvote
0
Ethan39
Member Support
The Business Membership has never exempted members from the rules of the platform.
We don't disallow debate. The forum is full of threads where the primary purpose is debate.
The mods don't have a free license. They're subject to the same standards as everyone else. We have, and will again if needed (although I hope it won't be), stepped in where a mod has crossed a line and broken a rule. If you see a mod behaving improperly report it, just like you would for any other member behaving inappropriately.
Upvote
0
There was an excellent contribution from The Byre recently about US banks driven into the protection of regulators and lenders of last resort.
I wanted to find it today, but the search function doesn't yield the article.
Then I realised that The Byre's username isn't recognised today - the profile has disappeared. I hope this is a temporary glitch and that his contributions will be recognised soon?
I wanted to find it today, but the search function doesn't yield the article.
Then I realised that The Byre's username isn't recognised today - the profile has disappeared. I hope this is a temporary glitch and that his contributions will be recognised soon?
Upvote
0
He requested his account be deleted which is why you cannot find the username, but the posts are still on the platform.
Upvote
0
I think that was the case for a few years but they are bouncing back as social media platforms are full of crap.
69,000 have read the thread on Rising Energy Costs, 8,000 on ******, 7,000 on Tufnells, 11,000 on Social Media and 3,000 since June 17th on Competitor Buying Stock. Most appear to hover around the 8-900 views mark despite limited replies.
Last edited:
Upvote
0
I am sure many many visitors have looked through the legal questions and seen enough info to not need to post a question.
On many occasions the ones who post are those who don't want to believe the opinion already given and think there must be a loophole to let them do something/not do something.
I know I have been corrected and I know I have corrected miss-understandings on certain bits of employment/agency law
On many occasions the ones who post are those who don't want to believe the opinion already given and think there must be a loophole to let them do something/not do something.
I know I have been corrected and I know I have corrected miss-understandings on certain bits of employment/agency law
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
QUOTE="Lucan Unlordly, post: 3199094, member: 44474"]
I think that was the case for a few years but they are bouncing back as social media platforms are full of crap.
69,000 have read the thread on Rising Energy Costs, 8,000 on ******, 7,000 on Tufnells, 11,000 on Social Media and 3,000 since June 17th on Competitor Buying Stock. Most appear to hover around the 8-900 views mark despite limited replies.
[/QUOTE]
The Tuffnels post had a lot of hits and this was reflected by the enquiries in my office.
Many phone calls started with I read your post on UKBF
I think that was the case for a few years but they are bouncing back as social media platforms are full of crap.
69,000 have read the thread on Rising Energy Costs, 8,000 on ******, 7,000 on Tufnells, 11,000 on Social Media and 3,000 since June 17th on Competitor Buying Stock. Most appear to hover around the 8-900 views mark despite limited replies.
[/QUOTE]
The Tuffnels post had a lot of hits and this was reflected by the enquiries in my office.
Many phone calls started with I read your post on UKBF
Upvote
0
Yep, we noticed an increase in search traffic for Tuffnels so to try and capture it we created this article, which we did also link to the thread. We managed to hit front page of Google for the searches;
Tuffnells administration: what does it mean for business owners?
B2B delivery giant Tuffnells has filed for administration. So what does it mean for business owners?
www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk
Upvote
0
Which of the two generated the most traffic? And did either result in new membership or other leads?
Upvote
0
Absolutely I had a few conversations about the forum and how they discovered it .
This did not just get clicks for UKBF it caused people to physically act on what they were learning on here at time when their business was at a considerable risk
Upvote
0
@Financial-Modeller I also thought that post was most excellent, and wanted to link it to some colleagues but unfortunately the forum moderators thought the content not correctly located, so rather than correctly locate it, binned it.
As the saying goes, The Byre has - and sadly so IMHO - left the building, and it appears that others who posted relevant and interesting content and responses have chosen to do likewise.
As the saying goes, The Byre has - and sadly so IMHO - left the building, and it appears that others who posted relevant and interesting content and responses have chosen to do likewise.
Upvote
0
On day one the thread did but once the article went up that overtook the thread and had more longevity in the results.
That wasn't the actual objective of the exercise. What we actually wanted to demonstrate was whether we could generate any enquiries for @JEREMY HAWKE off the back of our online real estate, so I asked my colleagues to reach out to Jeremy for expert comment and write an article to mop up the search traffic and monitor any click through traffic to Jeremy's comments and profile.
No it wouldn't, but equally we have not written any articles relating to much other debating opinion threads. We have however written many articles off the back of a question asked where the thread is started as a "this is effecting my business, help I need advice" type.
Which is why I keep repeating, repeatedly, that the forum will be changing from a forum inserting comment of "it's current format".
Well according to Jeremy's comments above the exercise was a success.
Upvote
0
Latest Articles
-
The Most Dangerous Moment in Business Is When Everything Is Going WellThey Saw It Coming. They Did Nothing. The Lessons Every Business Owner...
- Ozzy
- Updated:
-
AI and Your Business: Useful Tool, Not a Magic WandThere is no shortage of noise around artificial intelligence right now...
- Ozzy
- Updated:
-
Companies House WebFiling security incident: what happened, what to check, and what to do nextCompanies House has confirmed that its WebFiling service suffered a...
- Ozzy
- Updated:
-
Spring Budget 2026: A Quiet Update for UK BusinessesChancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the UK’s Spring Statement on 3 March...
- Ozzy
- Updated:
-
Practical Ways to Make Your Small Business More Resilient (Especially When the Unexpected Happens)Running a business means juggling plenty of things you can plan for and...- UKBF Editor
- Updated:
