Bite Sized Business Tips

Context is Everything. I once directly managed a team of 60 people. Every HR consultant will tell you that’s wrong, and that you won't do right by your team. A management catastrophe. So what was the outcome? The outcome was that the team doubled in size (while I still directly ...
Read More

There are 2 ways leaders come to lead their business with purpose. Some start their business with a view to serving a greater goal. Others create their purpose as they discover more about the business that they are leading. Both approaches are valid. However, those leaders who grow purpose rather ...
Read More

Your strategy didn’t work out this year? Never mind. You can create a new strategy, and get a real buzz doing it. Then watch it slowly dissipate as the year goes by. Too pessimistic? Sadly, I’ve seen this cycle play out over and over. As much as our addiction to ...
Read More

The cultural brainwash that leadership is all about command and control runs deep. It remains the default behaviour in many companies, including small ones and ones built on intellectual output. Command and Control IS a valid model. There are scenarios where it may be the best answer. And not the ...
Read More

The coaching industry is awash with pseudo-Sineks* telling you to Start With Why. The challenge is that most of them don't tell you anything of substance beyond the Why. It's as if the job's done once you've got your Why. And there's good reason for that. It's a lot easier ...
Read More

At the BCS talk that I recently did on growing a business with profit and purpose, I asked the audience what it takes to turn an idea into a business. "Grit". "Determination". "Hard work". “Action”. I suspect that came from the entrepreneurs in the room. "Passion". "A why" (eugh). "Purpose" ...
Read More

We crave the new. Last week I wrote about how this can hurt client revenue. But it also shows its addictive face when it comes to our teams. If your business needs a new hire, pause. Does this create an opportunity for someone in your existing team? Can someone fill ...
Read More

So many people today have swallowed the values pill and say that companies *need* a clear set of positive values to succeed. Especially on the speaking or coaching circuit. Bullshit. Companies have succeeded without articulating any values. Some with a set of insidious (and not articulated) values. Heck, some have ...
Read More

We make running business a lot harder than it needs to be. One way is our addiction to the new when the answer is already under our noses. Here’s the first of 4 ways I REGULARLY see people, especially business owners, biting themselves in the arse. The thrill of the ...
Read More

I’m pretty obsessed in the work world about companies having and living a set of heart-felt, positive values. And I devote most of my work to helping companies succeed in a way that is aligned with those values. So I’m delighted to see the increasing focus on what company values ...
Read More

Leaders are encouraged to not be afraid of failure. And I get this. To an extent. It's rare that something great is created without the risk of failure. And bravery is knowing there is a risk of failure in doing something great, yet going ahead and doing it. But foolhardiness ...
Read More

Just back from my extended holiday (hence the lack of posts this week!) to pick up my eldest son's GCSE results. The new new GCSE system (I was O levels!). I'm really chuffed with how he's done. But it prompted me to look at some of my old school and ...
Read More