Experience really pays, and I reminded myself of that just this week when coaching one of my clients who works in a major company based in London. As well as his day job, my client is also a Union representative. With a passion for ‘doing the right thing’ when nobody else wanted to take on … Read more
This poem, by Stevie Smith has long had an influence on me. Whilst the poem itself is quite sad, if taken literally, the meaning behind it is one of life’s great lessons. It’s too easy not to see, or misinterpret that which is right in front of your eyes… “Nobody heard him, the dead man,But … Read more
What really is Lean (or Lean Thinking, as I prefer to call it)? Well, it’s all of those, and much more. But whatever you think it is, unless you’re a Lean Expert, you probably know and understand very little about it, how to apply it, and what it can really do for you. The challenge … Read more
What’s the value of my business…? …is a question that I hear many business owners ask, sometime of me. It is an interesting question, especially for anyone who has gone through the sale and/or purchase of another business, as I have. Having done both a few times now, I realise that the reality is very simple…it’s the … Read more
The single most significant thing that any business can do to save the planet is… Operate efficiently! Yes, that’s it. Stop! Think about it. How efficient is your business at what it does? Yep, I know everyone is busy doing stuff, but are they doing it efficiently? How often are things done wrong, and have to be done … Read more
With holiday season fully upon us, many will be taking to the beaches, and enjoying the pleasures of a swim in the sea. However, sadly for some, what starts as a pleasurable dip, can end up being a traumatic event, as the dangers of ocean currents take a hold… Rip currents are present on many … Read more
…the tough get going! And whichever way you turn right now, the outlook is challenging… No sooner do we appear to be turning the corner from Covid (although I don’t want to talk too soon, as it looks like we may be falling back into that hole), a war in Ukraine, massive supply chain issues and … Read more
A consequence of the great resignation has to be the ‘Great Hire Rush’… For many companies it’s a great opportunity to increase their diversity, bring in new blood, thoughts and ideas…but the question is, without proper planning and execution, does that influx actually give you what you’re looking for? Science gives us great insight into … Read more
No battle plan survives the first contact with the enemy… Sadly the news is filled with details of battle plans from Ukraine, and hopefully, failure of the Russian battleplans will soon lead to a negotiated peace. The plethora of news pouring out of Ukraine has reminded me of how much management best practice has been … Read more
When chaos and disorder abound, data is the way forward. All too often I find businesses stuck in a rut, they are trundling along, doing just OK, or sometimes, not even OK. They have challenges, the same or similar challenges they had last year, and the year before…. They are working hard, there are good … Read more