
Britain's BT grinds out 1% rise in full-year earnings
LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - BT, Britain's biggest mobile and broadband company, reported a slight increase in full-year core earnings on Thursday even as its revenue slipped by 2%, helped by making efficiencies in the business.
It reported core earnings of 8.21 billion pounds ($11 billion), up 1% on the previous year. Analysts had on average expected 8.23 billion pounds, according to a company-compiled consensus.
($1 = 0.7450 pounds)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Pep CONFIRMS Grealish exit plan, Son at centre of three-way race, Walker to Everton EXCLUSIVE
United to move fast with signings Manchester United chief Omer Berrada has promised fans the club will do their business "early" this transfer window. The Red Devils chief executive said: "We're going to do our best to do more signings quickly. "Sometimes when you're quick, it's because you're negotiating and you're trying to make sure you get the right value for money. "So being efficient or quick isn't necessarily the best thing for the club."


Geeky Gadgets
20 minutes ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Why 90% of AI Presentations Fail to Impress and What You Can Do About It
What if the sleek, AI-generated presentation you spent hours perfecting is actually sabotaging your message? Despite the promise of speed and sophistication, 90% of AI-powered presentations fail to deliver the clarity and depth needed to influence critical decisions. Imagine a polished deck filled with stunning visuals but completely disconnected from the nuanced challenges your audience faces. The problem isn't the technology itself—it's the overreliance on automation without the strategic input only humans can provide. This disconnect can leave stakeholders confused, disengaged, or worse, unconvinced. If you've ever felt like your presentations look great but fall flat in impact, you're not alone. In this piece, Jeff Su uncovers why AI presentation tools often miss the mark and, more importantly, how you can avoid the same pitfalls. You'll discover a practical, three-step approach that combines AI's efficiency with human expertise to create presentations that don't just inform but inspire action. From using AI for research to structuring a narrative that resonates with decision-makers, this guide will help you transform your presentations into powerful tools for driving results. Because in a world where decisions are made in minutes, you can't afford to let your message get lost in translation. Balancing AI and Human Expertise Why AI Presentation Tools Fall Short AI tools like Gamma and ChatGPT are excellent at automating repetitive tasks, such as generating visually appealing slides or summarizing data. However, they often fall short when it comes to delivering the depth required for high-stakes decision-making. Here are the key reasons why: Limited Context Understanding: AI struggles to interpret nuanced business challenges, such as evolving market trends or competitive dynamics, without human guidance. AI struggles to interpret nuanced business challenges, such as evolving market trends or competitive dynamics, without human guidance. Shallow Insights: While AI can summarize data effectively, it often fails to prioritize actionable recommendations or align insights with specific business objectives. While AI can summarize data effectively, it often fails to prioritize actionable recommendations or align insights with specific business objectives. Stakeholder Disconnect: Presentations created solely by AI may lack the strategic focus and clarity needed to resonate with decision-makers. The result is often a presentation that looks polished but fails to provide the actionable insights necessary for informed decision-making. This disconnect highlights the importance of human oversight in crafting impactful presentations. A Three-Step Process for Effective Presentations To bridge the gap between automation and actionable insights, a three-step process—research, structuring, and design—can help you create presentations that are both efficient and impactful. This approach uses the strengths of AI tools while relying on your expertise to refine and elevate the final output. 1. Research: Building a Strong Foundation AI tools like ChatGPT can significantly accelerate the research process by synthesizing large volumes of information. These tools can help you analyze markets, competitors, and customer trends quickly. However, to ensure the insights are actionable, it's critical to apply established business frameworks such as Porter's Five Forces or SWOT analysis. For instance, if you're exploring market opportunities for a budget skincare brand, Porter's Five Forces can help you evaluate competitive intensity, supplier power, and market growth potential. By combining AI-driven research with these frameworks, you can generate prioritized insights, such as ranked market scorecards, that guide your decision-making process. 2. Structuring: Crafting a Clear Narrative Once you've gathered your insights, the next step is to organize them into a logical and compelling narrative. Frameworks like SEQA (Situation, Explanation, Question, Answer) can help structure your presentation in a way that minimizes decision fatigue for your audience. For example, if your research identifies Indonesia as the most promising market for your skincare brand, your presentation should clearly address: Why Indonesia stands out (e.g., high growth potential and market compatibility). The challenges involved (e.g., regulatory hurdles or distribution complexities). How your strategy addresses these challenges (e.g., localized product offerings or partnerships with local distributors). A well-structured narrative ensures that stakeholders can quickly grasp the key points and make informed decisions without unnecessary confusion or ambiguity. 3. Design: Enhancing Clarity and Engagement The final step is to transform your structured outline into visually engaging slides. Tools like Gamma offer intuitive design features that allow you to customize layouts, themes, and visuals to enhance clarity and professionalism. However, it's crucial to review and refine the content to ensure it aligns with your narrative and supports your key messages. For example, if your slides include market data, double-check the figures for accuracy and ensure the visuals, such as charts or graphs, effectively highlight the most important insights. Customization is key to making your presentation stand out while maintaining a professional tone that resonates with your audience. Why 90% of AI Presentations Fail Watch this video on YouTube. Advance your skills in AI presentation tools by reading more of our detailed content. Case Study: A Skincare Brand's Market Analysis Consider a budget skincare brand exploring market opportunities in Southeast Asia. By using AI tools and business frameworks, the team identifies Indonesia as the top choice due to its high growth potential and market compatibility. Key recommendations include: Customizing products to align with local consumer preferences. Securing certifications to build trust and credibility among consumers. Using digital marketing channels, such as social media, to reach targeted audiences effectively. This example demonstrates how combining AI-driven research with human judgment can lead to actionable strategies that align with broader business goals. The result is a presentation that not only informs but also inspires confidence in the proposed strategy. Strengths and Limitations of AI Tools AI tools offer numerous advantages, but they also come with inherent limitations. Understanding these strengths and weaknesses is crucial for maximizing their value in your workflow. Strengths: Significant time savings by automating repetitive tasks, such as slide creation and data summarization. Enhanced visualization capabilities for creating professional and polished presentations. Efficient synthesis of large datasets, allowing faster research and analysis. Limitations: Inability to independently generate deep, context-specific insights without human intervention. Occasional inaccuracies in data interpretation or formatting that require manual review. Dependence on human expertise to refine outputs and ensure alignment with strategic objectives. By recognizing these strengths and limitations, you can better integrate AI tools into your workflow, using them to complement rather than replace human expertise. Key Takeaways The most effective presentations are the result of a collaborative approach that combines the efficiency of AI automation with the depth and nuance of human expertise. By aligning the right tool with the right task—whether it's research, structuring, or design—you can create presentations that are both efficient and impactful. Ultimately, the key to success lies in balancing automation with oversight. This ensures your presentations deliver meaningful insights, resonate with stakeholders, and drive informed business decisions. Media Credit: Jeff Su Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.


The Sun
21 minutes ago
- The Sun
We transformed battered old barge into a 4-bed floating home with panoramic views – now we're selling it for HUGE sum
A COUPLE have renovated their dated barge home into a luxurious houseboat - and it's now worth a pretty penny. The barge - which was previously used to transport grain - has been transformed into a luxury water home. 9 9 9 9 The opulent vessel - which measures 131ft long and 19.6ft wide - is on the market for £1.5m. David Karat and his partner - who spent more than they had intended upgrading the flat-bottomed water boat - said it was worth every penny. Soon to be moving back to New York, they are hoping a buyer will snap it up and enjoy the perks of water-based life. Currently moored at St Mary's Wandsworth Pier, London, the Spitz has a long lease of 116 years. The 52-year-old owner told Luxury Boat News: " Nothing compares to life on the water. "The fresh air, the sounds of the water, the wildlife and the community are special and provide a unique experience. "It's an oasis with really easy access by Thames Clipper from the Wharf to anywhere in Central London. "Or the train from Clapham Junction is a short walk away. It is special." Much of the renovations had already been carried out by the previous owners, but it still proved a tough challenge for the duo. David - who acquired the barge in August 2021, said: "The owners before us had done all the hard work of sourcing this amazing grain barge from Antwerp and creating the foundation that we built upon. Hotel owner splashes £55k to build 'world's shortest' canal with locks in garden to float barge converted into a pool "The layout and position of the boat were perfect for updating to the most modern and advanced systems and materials. In all, we spent more than we intended. "Hundreds of thousands of pounds that would have been wasted on other things were funnelled this way instead." He explained: "Originally built to carry grain, the Spitz barge has been transformed into a striking and highly liveable floating residence. Meticulously refurbished, the floating property boasts bespoke finishes and high-end insulation. 9 9 9 "It even has an automated waste pump-out system - ideal for year-round, comfortable living. The entrance welcomes those on board with a decked garden complete with panoramic views across the Thames. "Inside, the layout provides a spacious open-plan kitchen and saloon, perfect for both entertaining and day-to-day living. The home has four en-suite double bedrooms, with the master suite being a standout feature." David concluded: "I am heading back to the US to live, so I wish to leave it to someone else to enjoy." The vessel has its own wood-burning stove, a walk-in wardrobe, a luxurious white-themed en-suite bathroom boasting a roll-top bath and a separate shower. Below deck is the main living room with rich wood panelling and a cosy wood-burning stove. There's also a top-deck reception room and sun deck and a designated parking space. The pier - located on the south bank of the Thames between Battersea and Wandsworth bridges - offers a 24-hour concierge service. Plus it's close to local shops, restaurants and bars, and has easy access to Fulham and Chelsea. 9 9