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HOVErheard*: The Tattoo

Two very reasonable parents discuss the tattoo their student son has just got on his arm. You get the sense the parents have had some wild days themselves and are hardly prudish. Mother is doing most of the talking. Mum: It is very big though, isn't it? Boy: No, it's not. Mum: And well, it isn't very nice either. Son: I wanted something unique. Personal. It's a statement. Mum: I'm just very concerned that you'll regret it in the future. Son: Everyone has tattoos. Dad: (quietly) I thought you were trying to be different. Mum: And it is very disappointing that you used ... Read more »

Worst Royal Wedding? George IV and Caroline of Brunswick

Worst Royal Wedding? George IV and Caroline of Brunswick

(A little guest post I did for someone else as a favour. Shameless recycling) The prize for the worst Royal Wedding ever could easily go to the man who would become George IV. He was Prince of Wales at the time and later Regent. George married his first cousin, Caroline of Brunswick, in 1795. ... Read more »
24 ways to start: The hunger of a real start?

24 ways to start: The hunger of a real start?

In December I was invited to write a blog post for a site called "24 Ways to Start". A sort of advent calendar for entrepreneurs. Here's what I wrote: My first start-up was eBay.co.uk way back in 1999. eBay was already a public company and also profitable. International expansion was eBay’s ... Read more »
Selling unwanted Christmas presents on eBay

Selling unwanted Christmas presents on eBay

You know what it’s like. There’s usually a gift under the tree for you that you don’t really want. The thought was a good one but it didn’t hit the spot. Now it’s gathering dust somewhere. Here’s an idea. Why not just flog that little something on eBay? Transform that present into ... Read more »
Have you checked out eBay’s Online Business Forum?

Have you checked out eBay’s Online Business Forum?

eBay established something called the Online Business Forum last year. I’m the Editor. I take a fee from eBay but I’m a totally independent curator and moderator of a really exciting new space. I’m not sure I ever thought I’d ever work for eBay again but this was a fun way to get involved ... Read more »
eBay and the VAT hike: tips for sellers

eBay and the VAT hike: tips for sellers

The latest from eBay’s Online Business Index. A survey of more than 600 VAT-registered business selling online, shows that nearly a quarter (24%) of online businesses will absorb the whole cost of the VAT hike to avoid stunting consumer demand, a further 39% will avoid passing on the whole cost. ... Read more »
Advice to an aspiring Community Manager

Advice to an aspiring Community Manager

I received an email from a graduate the other day asking for advice: Q: I’m a recent graduate and I’m doing research for an upcoming job interview. The job role is for an online community specialist. I would really appreciate any interview advice you could give me for this role. A: I ... Read more »
Tools and Services for eBay Sellers

Tools and Services for eBay Sellers

Here are some tools and services that have caught my eye recently that should be of use to online retailers and eBay sellers. Parcel Checker eBay sellers have to take a keen, even obsessive, interest in postage services and couriers. It’s one way that sellers can stay competitive and provide ... Read more »
Farewell Claire Rayner

Farewell Claire Rayner

Claire Rayner died yesterday. She was a remarkable woman: a fantastic campaigner for the NHS, a brilliant voice of common sense and also a woman of good humour and love. I’m of such an age, that she has always seemed to be in my life. The tributes call her an agony aunt and that seems to me a ... Read more »
On eBay's 15th birthday: 15 reminiscences.

On eBay’s 15th birthday: 15 reminiscences.

eBay celebrated its 15th birthday a few weeks back. Here are 15 memories of my time at eBay. Happy 15th Birthday! The first pay cheque I ever got from eBay was from the head of eBay Europe’s joint account with his wife. eBay itself didn’t even have it’s own bank account. In the first ... Read more »
Are the two things linked?

Are the two things linked?

An unfortunate juxtaposition? Or a clue? Spotted. Two Argus posters down my way. I think we should be ... Read more »
Two rather arcane points about Labour's leadership election process

Two rather arcane points about Labour’s leadership election process

**NB: I wrote and published this before the results of the Labour leadership election were announced.** It looks like there will be a bit of a discussion about how Labour elects its leader in the next few weeks, especially if Ed Miliband wins. I don’t propose to explain it (not least because ... Read more »
Which Miliband? Reflections.

Which Miliband? Reflections.

As a member of the Labour party, I have felt surprisingly unengaged with the Labour leadership election. I guess I was a bit tired after a tough general election (that I worked tirelessly for here in Brighton) and also I had to concentrate on some other projects. That said, I did go to events down ... Read more »
Sell your first item on eBay video

Sell your first item on eBay video

Here's a little video I've made with a bit of help from courier company MyHermes. There are plenty more on Youtube. So click through if you ... Read more »
Douglas Hurd backs Ed Miliband*

Douglas Hurd backs Ed Miliband*

I can't generally do name dropping. Not least because I don’t have names worthy of jettisoning in public. And I obviously shy away from playing the posh school card (for so many reasons). But this tickled so much, that I have to share. I donned black tie and headed back to the alma mater last ... Read more »