A few weeks ago I wrote on another of my blogs about how the words we use have power, it was titled ‘Sticks and Stones’. Today something happened that made me realise that the post lacked the power it should have, so I am writing about it again this time with the title ‘Trees andContinue reading “Trees and rocks”
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A ‘Wicked’ Product or Service Mix.
I had assumed that using wicked to mean excellent or wonderful was the idiom of youth, or perhaps youth a few years back, and was amazed to discover that it has its roots in the early 1960s So now you know that I’m talking about excellent mixes of products or services rather than bad ones.Continue reading “A ‘Wicked’ Product or Service Mix.”
Make your own luck – plan
Please bear with my running story, it is relevant then I get down to business. On Monday’s I attend an online event at 7 am, Wisdoms123 Chats, it is hosted in South Africa so a more reasonable time of 8 am there. At this time of year it means getting up in the dark; howeverContinue reading “Make your own luck – plan”
Change
I thought I would say a few words about change as there is a lot of it about at the moment; some of it forced upon businesses and some of it as the result of businesses seizing opportunities. There was an interesting discussion recently on Twitter organised by the Inclusivity Project during National Inclusion Week.Continue reading “Change”
To speak or not to speak that is the question?
Every weekday morning at the unpleasant time of 7am I join an online group in South Africa (it’s 8am for them) for a brief discussion on various management/leadership topics. I find it a great way to start the day listening to the views of others and also reflecting on what I think and why. ItContinue reading “To speak or not to speak that is the question?”
Clarity in uncertain times
When accountants want to solve a complex problem they turn to T-accounts, an excellent way to keep the debits and credits in order and visualise what is going on. Ask any accountant about T-accounts and they will wax lyrical. They take you back to the origin of double entry bookkeeping 800 years ago in theContinue reading “Clarity in uncertain times”
There is some great business inspiration we can get from nature.
When I became Chief Executive of the Communication Workers Friendly Society it was at a time of major change in the Financial Services sector which meant seismic change for many friendly societies in the long-term insurance business. I knew that to flourish we would need great service from our professional advisers; accountants, actuaries, fund-managers, solicitorsContinue reading “There is some great business inspiration we can get from nature.”
Are you working hard when your business could be working harder?
This post was prompted by a great example of a business getting it right. To set the scene I will first write about businesses getting it wrong. Very often businesses do not get the best out of the activities they engage in. Trade shows are a good example, businesses will exhibit, or visit, without gettingContinue reading “Are you working hard when your business could be working harder?”
Solve your customers’ problems and they will buy from you.
My first business was selling ice-creams from kiosks on two sites in Cambridge, Lammas Land and Jesus Green. The Lammas Land site was close to a paddling pool and playground which was very well used, so when the sun shone it was busy. However, I was eager to increase sales and would put a signContinue reading “Solve your customers’ problems and they will buy from you.”
Never hurry a Murray Mint
A little while ago someone in an online networking meeting said that he was new to being self-employed, having previously worked for big companies. While an expert in his field he knew nothing about all the other bits and pieces you must do when you run your own business, and he said he would welcomeContinue reading “Never hurry a Murray Mint”
