Protect & Build Better

We’ve been dealt a crisis and an opportunity. The crisis is something we tragically see all around us, with its clear impact on health, lives and livelihoods.

But we also have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink business, and figure out how we can create successful commercial models that serve a bigger, more human and more conscious purpose.

“Protect and Build Better” is a framework for maximising the probability of survival through the crisis and recession, while at the same time building a forward-looking, profitable and purpose-led organisation. Here are its high level principles and the story that shaped it. The story where we nearly lost our company coming out of the crisis.

Bite size reflections on leading through this crisis

Sometimes you need to quit to win

This is an interesting article from Fast Company. Especially for those of us schooled with the discipline to always finish what we start. Some things have to be finished (yes mum, my plate). For instance, one my most intense periods of work was when I had just taken on a ... Read More

In world of uncertainty, leaders need to lean on confidence

In the uncertain world we live in, effective leadership bridges the gap to certainty with humble confidence. Today's high levels of uncertainty are a hangover-inducing mix of at least these 4 factors:

• increasing interdependencies which make the consequences of our decisions less predictable;
• fragility as we've been sacrificing all ... Read More

A CEO’s fundamental duty is to create an environment for their team to flourish

One of the core responsibilities of a leader, if not \*the\* core responsibility, is to create a work environment where those who want to grow, and are prepared to commit to it, are able to do so. It doesn't necessarily need a vast L&D budget (though some is always helpful!) ... Read More

Ask not what purpose can do for your profit

With a nod towards JFK... Ask not what purpose can do for your profits, but what your profits can do to serve your purpose. There's a lot of talk about how purpose makes your company more profitable. With all due respect, that's a pile of horseploppy. Purpose \*can\* enhance your ... Read More

Work is just a part of life

So here’s the thing. We all play at these different roles we have. We get a job, and we play "professional". We found a company, and we play "CEO". We assume some self importance, some aura of authority, and feed an ego at some level with our level of importance ... Read More

The question is not “what will new normal look like?”

We will get to a normal. What it looks like, how new or not it will be is open to debate. But in times like these, I always like to remember that volatility disrupts as much as it presents opportunity. I was asked for the umpteenth time on a podcast ... Read More

Goodbye Friedman, Hello 2021

2021 will be a turning point for business. The rising swell we've seen for businesses to strengthen their social purpose, to build on values will become more mainstream. And if you lead a company, it will be a genuine choice you face. Which side of business history do you want ... Read More

2020 Was a year of real hope

2020 was a year that gave me some real hope. - Many companies stepping up to support their employees and communities;
- The environmental impact of lockdown;
- Our sudden collective appreciation of all the NHS and its staff does for us;
- How companies, universities and governments worked together at breakneck speed ... Read More

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