Authenticity is today’s buzzword. And like most buzzwords, although it can make sense in many contexts, it is now overused, inappropriately applied, and often plain wrong. Everyone tells leaders to “be authentic”. But what if you’re a prize arsehole? A sociopath? A bigot? A despot? Will you still take the advice of every coach out […]
Tips, News & Views
Purpose AND Profit
There is still a face-off between Purpose and Profit in much of the business press these days. This is counterproductive. If we’re looking at businesses (not charities), then they need profit to achieve their purpose. Having a more than bucketload of purpose and less than a thimbleful of profit is a guaranteed way to ensure […]
Focus on culture when your cash flow sucks is like focusing on dancing when you can’t breath
I’m all about the team and the culture. That, to me, is what differentiates businesses, what makes some great, others mediocre, and yet others appalling. But that greatness doesn’t happen without sales, without revenue, without cash and without profit. Sales, profit, revenue and cash are like oxygen. Oxygen doesn’t make us special – what makes […]
Knowledge can destroy your business
Knowledge is power. I still hear this all the time. Sure there’s truth in it, but it’s also simplistic and dangerous. Knowledge hoarders are often bottlenecks. Sometimes intentionally so, knowing that being the only people who can do certain things can make them indispensable. For a while at least. Those of us in technology all […]
Don’t park your humour outside the office
I’m always astonished by how many people decide to park their sense of humour outside the office. Work is a serious business. Or rather, work delivers serious results. But we don’t have to be over-serious in the process of getting there. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of work scenarios […]