Author: Damian Merciar

Damian Merciar is Managing Director of Merciar Business Consulting, http://www.merciar.com, a niche business economics consultancy founded in 1998. He has over twenty years experience in the areas of commercial Business Strategy. He is experienced in the transition environments of nationalized to private sector state utilities and the senior practice of commercial management, advisorial consultancy, and implementation. He has carried out policy advisory work for government ministries and been an adviser to institutional bodies proposing changes to government. He holds an MSc Economics from the University of Surrey’s leading Economics department and an MBA from the University of Kent. Also attending the leading University in the Middle East, studying International Relations and Language, for which he won a competitive international scholarship, and has a BA (Hons) in Economic History and Political Economy from the University of Portsmouth. He is currently based in London.

The curse of web design

Just as we were saying, before our server connnection rudely interupted, today’s multimedia is definitely a mixed blessing. Though of course it is simply the way of the world – at 2:00 am we’re not so sure!

The flip side to this of course, is that thankfully the days where simply by being able to write meant that you occupied an elite, towering over essentially indentured labour – are long gone. Try explaining this to a typical modern 13 year old; if you don’t have your own blog on Bebo, then you’re nobody…

It is estimated that though the readership is still limited, the writers and readers of modern day Court Reports (where the Courts in question are those of mass communication and big business) are influential beyond their numbers. Again, one could say that we have a vested interest in this being the case.

Though in usage before he made it more powerfully famous, it was Douglas Hurd whose parting diplomatic mantra was to seek to “punch above your weight”. The web makes us all Heavyweights.

Christianity as an economic good?

In keeeping with the newly emboldened MBC Blog, today we touch on Religion! Tomorrow is Good Friday, and we approach the zenith of the Christian year, with Easter Sunday, so we felt now would be a good time to touch on some of the wider rangings of our dismal science.

 Chris Giles, the FT’s Economics Editor writes “Laurence Iannaccone of George Mason University, author of a comprehensive survey of the economics of religion, has his tongue nowhere near his cheek as he cites the premise that “individuals allocate their time and goods among religious and secular commodities so as to maximise lifetime and afterlife utility.”
Upon reading this I couldn’t help but feel that sometimes, whilst the ex poste data may justify both the study and applicability of economics to the practise fo religion – in some areas there should also be boundaries. Giles goes on to qualify his musings in a well rounded and thoughtful article, it is simply that for most (even economists!) the cost benefit effect of church attendance is far from their minds when contemplating both our Maker and our role in the World.He makes a very interesting point, saying that in societies where the fear of Hell is strong, economic performance is higher (fear of Hell encouraging more trust and less cheating – adding to productivity of energy expended!). Again, however, one may be best directed to study both religious and literary texts for more divine insight – I recommend James Joyce’s “Portrait of the artist as a young man” for filling the reader’s soul with the fear of eternal damnation….I only recently discovered a blood link to the Jesuits – now there’s something to think about…..

Pitching can be a rewarding business

Yesterday we ventured forth into the cut throat world of “pitching”.  A pitch is a presentation to a prospective client, with the aim of providing services to that client, subject to an agreed contractual framework.

I have often argued with colleagues that it is far better to pitch and fail – than pitch and succeed where there is an obvious mismatch between you and the prospective client.

This can be cultural, or project specific: either you don’t fit the chemistry of the organisation, or the project on offer is too far away from your core competency. Very often eager new (and some old!) smaller consultancies go after work they really shouldn’t. Whilst this is understandable, it doesn’t add to the longer term business. There is always an opportunity cost, and sometimes it’s just nicer to say ‘thanks but no thanks…’

MBC lobbies William Hague

 This week was a bit hectic to say the least…On Monday we met both William Hague and Carl Bildt, the Shadow Foreign Secretary and former leader of the Conservative Party, and former Prime Minister of Sweden, respectively.

I used the opportunity to quiz the Rt Hon Mr Hague about representation of different demographics in the UK Parliament – notably UK Asians. I am Anglo-Asian, and I’ve always felt strongly about seeing greater representation of a naturally conservative group of people, in the House of Commons…. The seminar in which this meeting took place was to review the Conservative Party’s approach to security and energy issues, and was a very fruitful day.

Later in the week, we presented a rationale for the adoption of Triple Play entertainment and communication services, through the medium of a mobile telecommunications network – a relatively novel idea! Interesting – we must await the outcome!

Time to kick back slightly and look forward to the Bank Holiday…