Growth. For the past five years or so, many businesses have had one agenda item at their meetings – ‘Survival’. Now however, with improved conditions and renewed confidence, ‘Growth’ is the key focus. Whilst this is most welcome, and exciting, and above all a relief from the short term thinking of the past half decade, […]

SIEMARR. Recently, I’ve observed several leaders who were frustrated by the lack of results they were getting from their efforts to coach members of their team. The problem wasn’t with the individuals, it was the failure to use perhaps the most important model when coaching, one introduced to me by the late, (great), business coach […]

Target audience. Some years ago, I went to see my Mum at her home in Sussex. The previous time I’d visited, she complained that her hearing wasn’t as good as it used to be, (albeit it still works remarkably well some years later if I say the wrong thing!), so when my car crunched over […]

What if your marketing worked? Peter Drucker is attributed with saying: “….but the aim of marketing is to make selling superfluous.” If he’s correct, then could it be that the cost of sales is actually a charge marketing should incur, and if so, then what if that investment was rechanneled into marketing communications in the […]

Thunderbirds. I was borderline obsessed with Thunderbirds when I was a kid. I had Thunderbird curtains in my bedroom, Thunderbird PJs, and my toy box was crammed with everything from Thunderbird magazines to plastic models. Recently, Thunderbirds have returned to my life via social media (and probably posting this will boost even more reels!), and I’ve […]

Trapped nerve. I’m seeing a specialist physiotherapist for treatment to my left hand. You see, I had a trapped nerve, and this has led to losing over 80% of my strength in my hand with my little finger having almost no feeling at all. It took less than 3 months for one nerve to significantly […]

The Innovation Loop. Innovation has often been treated as something to do when the existing model begins to falter, or when markets dry up. This approach is no longer appropriate, indeed if it ever was. In conversation with Ian Preston, co-founder of Greenhouse OS, we identified that in order for this new CRM/Business Operating System […]

Time. “And an astronomer said, Master, what of Time? And he answered: You would measure time the measureless and the immeasurable. You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons. Of time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch it’s […]

Hobson’s choice Last week, Seth Godin talked about ‘Hobson’s Choice’ – I wasn’t previously aware of the origin of this term, which dates back to the 16th century. Thomas Hobson was a hostler who owned a livery stable in Cambridge. Whilst giving the impression of having an extensive choice of forty or more, Hobson would […]

What’s your reason? Here’s a selection of reasons I’ve heard as to why people missed their goals this year: War in Ukraine War in Palestine/Israel Aftermath of Truss mini-budget Lingering effects of Brexit Cost of living (“crisis”) Energy prices House prices Inflation Politics (instability, incompetence, etc.) “Crazy” competitor tactics Supply chain holdups Lack of talent […]