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?”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
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”
Networking Does Work
Networking isn’t not working Given my business model you may find it surprising that I attend business networking events. There is an article in Quay magazine (page 76) that explains how my business model works. For that model to be effective, to find customers and to get work I need to be well known inContinue reading “Networking Does Work”
Who You Gonna Call?
What help do you need the most in your small business? When you start a small business, especially when you are a sole trader, you need to be able to perform all the business tasks, unless you have oodles of cash or credit. A little later you will be able to buy in some outsideContinue reading “Who You Gonna Call?”
Business planning
Take off your pants This post was inspired by ‘Take Off Your Pants! By Libbie Hawker. It is a book for novelists about how to outline books for faster, better writing rather than flying by the seat of your pants. Put very simply a story outline has three legs: Character arc Theme Pacing On thatContinue reading “Business planning”
Work life balance
A grave concern I couldn’t resist one more post with ‘balance’ in the title. A business mentor used to say, “it’s not repetition it’s reinforcement”. In this instance I don’t think balance gives the best image, the scales should be very firmly down on one side. To help people decide which side, when I giveContinue reading “Work life balance”
Business Thoughts 